#not in the relationship context but aesthetic wise

[stirringwinds]

i'm curious if you have more yao headcanons?

I notice i've found it hard to pin down his character. there's either the hetalia canon version which is offensive to say the least, or there's like the fanon versions where he's sort of an accessory to the plot of other popular characters (most/all of whom are white characters, which imo is offensive for a whole other reason.)

i've been writing more induchu/indchu (whatever the indiaxchina pairing is called) lately and while hws india is almost an oc to me because of how little there is of him in canon, yao is a lot harder for me to write. also partly because i dont know as much as i should of chinese history (what i know is basically from an indian history context) and i havent yet had the opportunity to do some serious research. so i'm curious to hear your thoughts on him! thank you and have a great day <3

sorry for taking a while to get to your ask—but thank you for the great question! i'll cover some elements of both ancient/imperial and modern chinese history and certain themes/relationships with other nations that i think are really central to his character:

creator and destroyer: to me, Yao is akin to the Yellow River itself—a life-giving source whose waters and fertile silt birthed Chinese civilisation, but whose devastating floods have also drowned millions and destroyed dynasties. that’s exactly what he is to many of his neighbours—a cultural wellspring from whom they have learned much, but at other times, ruthless and terrible in his power—a conquering empire who has drowned other nations in his pitiless ambition. here, i’m integrating the long history of ancient and imperial China as an expansionist empire. it’s a crucial element of his character for me, because the Sinicisation of what were once independent, non-Chinese polities has moulded modern China and Asia. Yao’s cultural influence, technology, aesthetics and philosophies spread out across the world—but trade routes and diplomats walked hand-in-hand with power amassed through imperial conquest.

passions of the cut sleeve: so, this refers to a tale where a han dynasty emperor, who, rather than waking his male lover who had fallen asleep on the long sleeve of his hanfu, just cut through all that expensive silk so he wouldn’t be disturbed lol. sexuality-wise, it’s pretty much ironclad for me that Yao has had many romantic and physical relationships with other men too; there’s a long history of m/m relationships in pre-modern china. generally, i don’t see him being shy or flustered about sex—some fandom depictions of him as such feel uncomfortably orientalist. he’s very experienced after all those years.  

old—and proud: Yao’s pride is both a strength and one of his biggest flaws. in the Confucian hierarchy, seniority confers prestige and demands respect. it’s a strength because he ferociously clings to that sense of “I have lasted for millennia and seen more than many other nations have” during the most trying moments of Chinese history. that long history is fuel for him to spitefully and doggedly endure—such as during the Opium Wars, or World War II. it’s a belief in his dignity that roots him in place when the world turns upside down.

but it's also a major flaw, because Yao can be arrogant and disdainful towards other nations, especially from the sinocentric worldview of regarding China as the center of civilisation, with Korea and Japan at times being referred to as some variant of 'barbarian', much less other non-Han polities seen as an obstacle to Chinese expansionism. Lien (Vietnam) is someone he acknowledges somewhat as a peer in age, but boy, is it a fraught relationship, because of the huge number of wars they've had against each other. to Lien, Yao can be arrogant at times, but he's someone whose scheming and sharpness of mind aren't to be underestimated either.

“mandate of heaven” and political pragmatism: i see Yao being one of the most ruthlessly pragmatic nations when it comes to political ideology and economics—it’s a very Deng Xiaopeng “what does it matter if the cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice?” today, he is not particularly emotionally attached to a specific form of governance. in ancient Chinese politics, there is a concept called “mandate of heaven” which was used to legitimise a king or emperor’s rule—but this isn’t the same as the european notion of the divine right of kings. because a Chinese ruler could “lose” that heavenly mandate and thus be justly overthrown—and wars, natural disasters and other crises were treated as indications of that. 'mandate of heaven' could of course retrospectively be manipulated by a usurper to legitimise his rule when (re)writing the history of the old regime by exaggerating its misdeeds, but nonetheless I think it’s a good reminder of many rebellions and revolts there've been in Chinese history. Yao is jaded to some degree—he does give a shit about his people, but he isn’t as idealistic as someone like Alfred might be (in the good and bad ways). he looks at things very pragmatically, rather than always through principle. if this is a system he has to live with, he will—for now. that’s the attitude I think he has towards many of his politicians: “to me, you emperors come and go, like the cycle of the seasons.” 

the old master and his protégé(s)—pre-modern china, korea and japan: imo, yong-soo and kiku are amongst his oldest and most important relationships, from antiquity to present. as intertwined as their history is, it always tended towards an unequal dynamic because Yao never quite regards them as equals. on one hand, they somewhat respect him for what he's contributed to their culture—but on the other, they were never completely free of being reminded of the imperial hierarchy and hard edge of yao's power. here, I’m thinking of examples like how the Korean peninsula was turned into a Chinese protectorate by Tang China, and how China crushed Yamato Japan during the Battle of Baekgang.

the silk road—india, persia/iran and rome: for all his cultural exceptionalism, i do think Yao respects these nations as peers. Rome, for example, was called ‘da qin’ (great qin), which mirrored how China was called ‘qin’ (from the qin dynasty)—despite the distance, Roman glassware made its way to China, whilst Chinese silk made its way to Rome. compared to Rome, Persia/Iran and India had an even bigger influence on Chinese culture—Iran, such as during the Tang dynasty: polo and Persian styles/aesthetics reached China, aided by Tang expansion westwards bringing it closer to the Persian sphere of influence. another interesting element is astronomy: Chinese astronomers worked alongside Persian at the 13th century Maragheh observatory where many discoveries about astronomy and mathematics were made.

as to pre-modern India-China: Buddhism is one really big cultural import absorbed by China; and I personally think that’s a large part of why Yao regards India more as an equal—in contrast to how he sees Kiku, Yong-soo and Lien (Vietnam). I think there’s a very scholarly dynamic in their pre-modern rship: India, in Yao’s eyes, is a sophisticated philosopher and mathematician lol—i base this off the enormous cultural exchange from Indian monks and scholars travelling to China, as well as how Indian astronomical texts, such as Aryabhatta’s works, were translated into Chinese.

the empire is dead, long live the republic: inasmuch as Yao's deeply steeped in tradition—he won’t die on the sword of it either. the 1840s—1910s is him going from crisis to crisis—but it was also full of Chinese political debates. about monarchies vs. republics, labour movements, revolutions and counter-revolutions, as Chinese people reacted to Western and Japanese imperialism. some Chinese revolutionaries, like the Boxers, rejected everything Western. others sought to borrow from British, American and Soviet models of governance. yet others, Sun Yat Sen included—looked to Meiji Japan. significantly, 1900s Japan became a hub for Chinese reformers linking up with sympathetic Japanese intellectuals/politicians, but also other Asian thinkers/revolutionaries, from as far as India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. so if you’re interested in Ind/Chu, you can explore how they exist in the transnational dynamic of Pan-Asianism too. there’s the paradox of Kiku becoming an empire at Yao’s expense, whilst that very prestige he wins is exactly why many other Asians (including Indians and Chinese reformers) saw Japan as an aspirational model for a modernised Asian society that was free of Western domination. 

the old and the new: to end off, i think yao is someone whose facets are always fluid and shifting. how do i characterise someone who has lived for so long, and has encompassed so much sweeping history? to bring it back to the yellow river; rivers change their courses throughout history, sometimes very drastically, but we’d say it’s the same river. just as we aren’t the exact same person we were as children—but there is a thread of continuity, so it is for nations—just on a much longer time-scale. and i think that even though old nations like him bear the weight of millennia in a way that can be a jarring contrast to his deceptively youthful face—they’re also composed of the souls of their young people. he can be traditional, but he’s always moving with the times. he'll do traditional calligraphy, but he's reading manga and watching the latest chinese and k-dramas (even if he won't always admit it).

nowadays, he’s that older man in an expensive, well-tailored suit, probably smoking way too many zhonghuas despite the disapproving glances from younger chinese people, wearing an expensive watch or sunglasses. he can be kind of flashy at times and does he enjoy his luxuries. he's discerning and opinionated about the kind of food he likes, but he's adventurous and will try new things. in the 90s, he was confused by the internet, but now he’s extremely net-savvy, always using VPNs to get around the Great Firewall—and also spends way too much time on his phone on WeChat or Weibo. he can sound very cynical sometimes—but there's also a calm reflectiveness where he'd smile slightly and say, 'who knows what tomorrow brings?'

#hws china #hetalia #wang yao #long post #hetalia headcanons #hws japan #hws south korea #hws india #hws vietnam

[comicaurora]

Not comic related, but have you watched or considered watching the new Dragon Age: absolution on Netflix? As someone who knows next to nothing about Dragon age, I thought it was really good and felt a lot like a D&D campaign. The plot felt a bit lacking at first, but I got invested in the characters really quickly. Also, lots of great representation and real-world themes that translated well into fantasy.

Just finished it! I'm absolutely thriving on this trend of animated high-fantasy adventure series and I hope it lasts forever.

Plot's definitely basic, but I love a good ensemble-cast heist team, and it absolutely felt like a D&D campaign, which is just how I like it. It's clear from the get-go that the strength of this story was going to be in its characters. Hira's twist was well-disguised without feeling like it was cheating, and in Miriam's defense I would absolutely also fall for a pretty girl laying down the "let's retire to a cheese farm" gambit.

It definitely still works if you don't know anything about the game franchise, because I had no context and I never found myself confused by anything except eventually realizing that "nug" was a kind of animal.

Favorite running gag in both Legend of Vox Machina and this is that every character Matt Mercer voices dies almost immediately, and on the voice acting note, casting Josh Keaton as Rezaren was brilliant, because Keaton is pretty much the platonic ideal of the Hero Voice and that's exactly what prettyboy thinks-he's-always-right Rezaren needed. I love a rock-solid bad guy who has all the aesthetics of heroism, so the story makes you judge them from their actions and not their vibes.

Design-wise I liked that the city setting didn't look generically medieval! Everything had a very clear-cut aesthetic, and it was all so colorful!

The story with Miriam and Rezaren made me literally double-check my backstory for Erin and Tess to make sure I didn't accidentally do a slavery apologism by letting them develop a good relationship 😳

#asks #not aurora #media recs

[paddockpr]

In honor of the rookies reunited video (not sure if you have seen it but it's George, Lando and Alex) who do you think has the best individual PR.

Hey anon, thanks for the question. Gave it some thought and I think its Alex, especially at Williams. His shift in PR from RBR to Williams is actually a fascinating study in how PR image can be rebranded. Out of the three he is in that sweet spot where he can be more serious, and more playful, people love how he interacts with other people in both personal and professional relationships, and the way that his pets are a part of his brand is also good.

One thing that makes Alex's PR particularly advantageous over Lando and George is how easily he can shift it into other interests with little pushback about whether or not he fits into a space.

Lando has two very distinct associations: gaming and golf. When he operates within these things, people like it, they feel it makes "sense", but when he steps outside of those things like when he did the vanity fair spread, or when he was in British GQ, it did not go over so well because those arenas are considered to be outside of his domain of interest.

George has this association that I can best describe as what people imagine when they hear "old money aesthetic". Obviously within the F1 fandom especially in the context of his friendships with other drivers people may say he is very funny or goofy, but when you go to his social media, his interviews etc that is not what is projected. Its very clean cut, sometimes features his girlfriend Carmen, he is at places like Wimbledon etc. There is a very clear mental image of where George should be, and where he is likely to be. For Alex, it is a lot freer, it is almost like there is a certain level of spontaneity (real or not) to his PR image. Unpredictable but not in a concerning or threatening way. He might dye his hair, he might be seeing Lily play golf, he might be spending time with his pets, he might be in x random place.

There is a very light approach to his PR which also makes it easier for him to position himself in a profitable way (like with the merch based on his pets) but also maintain a certain level of privacy that people do not interfere with for the most part. We can probably get into this on another day, but his girlfriend Lily also having great PR further helps him because in the case of male athletes in particular, being associated with people who have their own careers (especially in sports, academia or something widely recognized as being difficult) tends to have a net positive impact. You also see this with people like Valtteri Bottas, Travis Kelce and such. That is, of course if people that an athlete associates with tend to be in the public eye, it is a bit different when someone is more private like Sebastian Vettel's wife, but again, that is a topic for another essay on another day.

Now, to be fair, plenty of people are comfortable being in one particular lane PR wise, or may only have a select number of interests that do not change. However, sports is a fast paced environment with the kind of marketing that changes practically overnight, and so the most advantageous PR anyone can have, is one that allows them to shift gears with ease.

Whether it has to do with interests, the spaces they are in, or the people that they get linked to, the best PR is the one that can transform with little pushback, often because audiences trust in their perception of the person's authenticity, particularly in the context of social media. In sports PR, audiences want to buy into the perceived earnestness of an athlete, and that is why an athelete's individual PR is this extremely delicate balancing act. Professional athletes cannot sell relatability in the same way other kinds of celebrity/public figure can because professional sports involves the understanding that the people participating are exceptional, and therefore a lot more emphasis goes into things like perceived earnestness, authenticity and humility, and when athletes participate in or associate with something that is not associated with their PR image, the pushback can get very extreme. So when the PR is like Alex's which is to say, is dynamic, it means that there is a lot more opportunity to leverage it, because there are more arenas and spaces to go into with it.

The clear example of this is the move from RBR to Williams and how he came out of that with a positive image. RBR is not great at PR, and athletes tend to be in it, and subsequently leave it with a somewhat negative image, one which tends to continue to crop up, even after they leave, with the exception of maybe Daniel and Alex was no exception to that public perception. Part of that successful semi rebrand of Alex is having a very dynamic PR brand that combines a personality that people like, with a feel of closeness without being overly revealing. The balance of how he interacts with his audience is really well done.

#paddockpr #sportspr #jjessays #jjasks

[kailysander]

I love seeing your Avalon characters!! Is there anything else we can learn abt them?

Thanks so much for asking! Avalon is a story very close to my heart and is honestly kind of the antithesis of Golden Hour. I don’t get to work on it often, so you’ll have to put up with some (very) old character art.

It can be a bit to bite off explanation wise due to it being scifi, so I did my best to make sure context was available for character descriptions:

Glossary:

Avalon- Name of the story, but also the name of a very technologically and ecologically advanced utopian city-state. They’re generally a closed off society, save for special exchange programs and the culture itself is based on the philosophy that you can learn intrapersonal empathy through your relationship with plants and nature (how to love and care for something that cannot speak or communicate directly to you). There’s a lot I can say here but the main thing is that some generations ago they handed their judicial system off to an AI/OS called Venus that now oversees nearly all aspects of their society. There are a lot of very interesting aspects to their societal structure but I won’t go listing em all out.

Avalonian- Someone who was born in and lives in Avalon. Genetically distinct variation of humans. Typically verdant or cerulean in complexion, Avalonians have been subject to genetic modification for many generations, at first as a way to better protect their bodies from residual radiation present in the area, and much later down the line for things like temperament/superficial aesthetics/etc., though genetic diversity is still very present, as it is understood to be beneficial and important. Typically, Avalonians have their genetic sequences picked out by Venus for the specific purpose of fulfilling a role in their society.

Venus- the AI/OS in question. Does not have a physical body for sometime, but may eventually have something similar to a large flower (as it is illegal in Avalon to construct AI that imitates a human person). As Avalonians do not have true parental figures do to being born of extracorporeal pregnancy (artificial womb), so Venus is often regarding as a mother figure.

Scena- Huge indoor city located in modern day Los Angeles. Ended up clinging to golden age film as a cultural identity, and has a very deco vibe about it. Steampunk without the steam, import economy reliant on what technology and recourse Avalon is willing to share. Typically non-Avalonians live here, and there are a lot of human-bodied AI running about as well, usually as household servants or entertainers.

Minervan- a person born in Avalon who exiled to live in one of the embassies/territories outside of Avalon itself. Typically they haven’t done anything heinous but a little bit of off-behavior in a very strict society + a review of their genetic code may show they have a propensity to. The less advanced OS in this society is named (you guessed it) Minerva, and they do not have a line of contact to Venus. Not considered to be Avalonian by Avalonian standards.

Characters of importance:

Laurel Leigh (she/her): an android originally from Scena that unlocked sentience & free will as result of a fluke injury to her CPU. Not having much of a schema between right & wrong, she often participates in whatever might offer a bit of camaraderie. Generally kind and enthusiastic, she retains an encyclopedic knowledge, though the contents of which is often inapplicable to the real world outside of a trivia competition.

Eli (He/him): Having run away from his city of origin as a teenager, Eli has lived in the highly hostile outskirts for some time now, and has learned to adapt to surviving in the extreme weather and pollution. Worry-prone and serious, he is often very protective of Laurel for her gullibility and vulnerable state, and is generally a bit suspicious of Avalon’s habit of hoarding resources and innovation for themselves. Generally a well meaning, if slightly blunt individual, he has a knack for getting others to question their own resolve and introspect a bit. He is highly intelligent and skilled in improvised engineering.

Solani Fusarium (they/them): The main character of the story, and the hardest to describe in short since their character goes through a lot of growth.

An Avalonian who works in agritech, specifically in the realms of meat cultivation & animal welfare. Very intelligent but can be a bit socially daft toward non-Avalonians in a way that can feel both patronizing and overly familiar, though does not harbor ill-intent beyond a bit of teasing.

They are ultimately the person who ends up playing hosting/playing ambassador to Eli and Laurel when they arrive as unexpected guests to Avalon. This rather leisurely stay not last terribly long as there is a general focus on getting them back out as they do not have visas, and Solani follows them out to Scena on a six-month exchange program after about a weeks time. Originally not seeing eye-to-eye, Eli and Solani grow much closer over this time, and all three of them become very tight knit (Solani and Laurel have always gotten along.)

Without giving away much, Solani breaks some Avalonian rules through good intention and is entirely exiled as an alternative to literally being executed

Not even allowed to live in a Minervan embassy, they are left in an odd state where they cannot really be defined as Avalonian or “human”, this experience of existing in between states and learning to redefine values outside of their formally very rigid structure mirroring Laurel’s situation. Solani, now aware of Venus/Avalon’s propensity for cruelty is now painfully aware of their own a concept that had never occurred to them. (Avalons are not cruel, therefore nothing I do can be cruel.)

They go to live in Scena and get a receptionist job at a company that manages railways. Generally, this period in their life is pretty tough for them, though they remain determined in the resolve to remain empathetic and ethical despite the bitterness and anger that grows in them. They begin to uncover what purpose they were born for.

The Ambassador (she/her): A nameless Avalonian known only as “The Ambassador” who is something of Avalon’s PM. Considered to be the direct interpreter and physical “body” of Venus before the actual body is constructed. Caring but strict, may come across cold. Also considered a mother figure.

Lesser characters:

Avium (he/him): Solani’s (former) partner. Seems to be a bit rebellious, but is in truth very status-quo.

Selah (he/him): A Minervan and Solani’s coworker, an engineer at the railway company. Becomes one of Solani’s closer friends, and often checks them in to the Embassy so Solani can be in a more familiar environment for periods of time. Seems to oscillate between being generous and selfish, has a habit of acting out of interest.

Tom (he/him): A [non-Avalonian] archivist and inventor that lives in a remote part of Avalon. He manages most of Avalon’s history, including parts that are not known to the general public and is the person set to invent Venus’ body.

Ada (she/her): Tom’s daughter. May not be human.

And ofc there’s much more minor cast as well, but no one I have pics of haha

#thanks for asking I literally never get to talk about/work on this project but I love love love it #also sorry if this posts with weird spacing I’m on mobile #Avalon #Avalon faq #asks #anonymous #talking

[merp-blerp]

I wish Chandlmara (Heather Chandler x Heather McNamara) was a more popular ship because they're my favorite Heathers ship (no hate to any others).

To preface, I understand that a person’s reason for shipping something can be complicated. I know that some people ship things purely because the aesthetic is hot or they really only ship them in an alternate reality other than canon and that's totally okay (the Heathers fandom does this a lot, I think)! I do this myself. I'm not here to bash the other ships I mention here; I like them, in that complicated way. Just be mindful about why this ship would be toxic in canon and don't pick on other people for shipping toxic parings if you don't know the context of how they ship them.

That being said, Chandlmara would be the healthiest ship canon-wise. Chandler never picks on McNamara the way she does Duke or Veronica. Sure, in canon they rarely converse, but Mac did call Chandler her best friend right before “Lifeboat” so they must’ve been close off-screen (wish we saw more of that in their interactions, even if it's just small looks or giggling together at something stupid someone did in that bestie way).

As for Mcnamawyer, my second fav, it's fine until you remember Ronnie will probably have to lie to Mac for the rest of her life (or at least for the duration of their relationship) over the murders of her bestie and ex (Kurt in the og production). They themselves would get along fine, but there’s that factor. They are so cute though! My first Heathers OTP till I thought about Chandlmara. (Also how on earth do you say Mcnamawyer out loud???)

Duke x literally anyone in the show she canonically interacts with would be toxic. Sorry, Duke. An AU with Duke x JD (Juke?) would really interest me though. She would've been more down to murder and be his lackey I think. Toxic, but interesting. Chansaw could be really complex and often hot, but oh so toxic, lol. And we all know Jdonica is tough. More fans should consider Chandlmara.

#heathers #heathers the musical #chandlmara #chandlamara #mcnamawyer #dukesaw #chansaw #mcduke #chanduke #jdonica #heather chandler #heather mcnamara #heather duke #veronica sawyer #jason dean

[scumscuttlers]

General

Name: Inezra Thamus

Age: 10+ Sweeps

Species: "Troll"

Gender: Female

Pronouns: Usually referred to by She/Her in narration. Not picky.

Location: Alternia

First Impressions

Build: Inezra is 6'7" with a strongman-esque build. Undefined but functional muscles, a bit of a stomach, and broad shoulders.

Style: Gravitates towards leather, chains, and spikes for both protection and aesthetic reasons. Clothes are usually generic (the kinds of things you'd be able to buy in bulk from a retail store) and some degree of stained, worn, or ripped. The only exception to this are the jackets Inezra wears, which are usually the most well-kept items in her wardrobe.

Sounds & Scents: Has a bit of a drawl and tends to speak in a lower register. Gravelly voice, quieter than one would initially assume. Typically smells like cigarette smoke, copper, sweat, and wet, disturbed soil on bad nights. Good nights are more tolerable; fresh linen, cheap antibacterial soap, aftershave.

Notable Characteristics: Black irises, multiple facial piercings. Scarring on visible parts of the body; throat, forearms, and hands.

Social

Status: Semi-public (information wise) marriage to Sefoni Peixes.

Personality: Generally unpleasant both in online and offline spaces. Gruff, not particularly talkative, and quick to anger. Is either apathetic to most attempts to interact or holding fast to an extreme degree of antagonism and vitriol.

Occupation: Works several miscellaneous jobs. Primarily physical labor, contract work as an A/V technician, and some under the table work.

Hobbies: Telling people to kill themselves online, fighting, making music, following local sports.

Setting and Background

This character isn't affiliated with any greater community or universe.

No SBURB / SGRUB AU.

My current running theory is that the Church of the Mirthful Messiahs worship an elder god. The clown cult is basically in charge. Sort of. Ish. The usual.

The Summoner's rebellion was squashed / didn't happen. Adults are still on planet.

Trollkind tampering with Elder Gods is part of why they're hyperviolent and somewhat crazy. More details on that later maybe.

Alternia is a true intergalactic empire with all the issues that come with it. Imperialism is a hot topic.

GUIDELINES

The higher up a character is in the list, the more recent the relationship.

Information presented here may change as my character interacts with others.

I recommend reading my meta notes on Inezra’s personality if you’re unsure where your character stands with her or why.

Some of Inezra’s opinions and feelings come from the type of content other characters reblog and their personal posts. She’s always judging you.

CLOSE CONNECTIONS

Notice how this section is empty.

CONNECTIONS

Adjaxi Cavalo: TBD.

Advoca Netrak: You’re not really here for the constant romantic posting, the tags, or any of that shit, but she doesn’t exactly get on your nerves either. Now that you've had a chance to actually talk to her you're not sure she's trustworthy.  She's lived a while, and usually there's only a handful of reasons for that.

Damithal Diabolus, From Hell: Who knew demons had OnlyFans?

Mara Sov, Alien Ruler: Making fun of her race before you had context that she ruled over an entire people was kind of your bad, but you would absolutely do it again. At least she took it in stride.

(fuckingshutup) Jasper: TBD.

(therealslimstrider) Dirk Strider, Dirk: This Dirk is related to the only Dave you can tell apart from the others. Despite being related, whatever that is, they don’t seem very much alike. You would classify Dirk as “cool” for lack of other descriptors. He's a little melodramatic for your tastes, but your interests align in such a way you don't see a reason to fuck with him on the regular.

(0empty0eyes0) Aradia "ee" Megido, ee: You don’t know anything about her except the fact she’s supposedly dead or something. So far nobody has provided you any concrete proof that ee is dead, you're not going out of your way to find out, and somehow your refusal to acknowledge ghosts has turned into a recurringing argument with Alex. ee on the other hand is (as far as you can tell) increasingly not fond of you. It would be funny if you cared a little more.

(yifftwiceplz) Dave Strider, Dave Human: There's something to be said about this dude. He's kind of “your” Dave, insofar as any of the humans in Sefoni’s extended social circle are yours. You don't have an equivalent for him, but he's tamer in comparison to other Daves cropping up on your radar. Still irritating and unfunny on occasion, but sometimes he does you a favor by reblogging a genuinely funny post.

(feeling-horsey) Equius Zahhak, Zahhak #2: Between the muscle posting and his general, unbearably earnest nature, you kind of don't like this guy. It's probably a plus to some people that he's pretty much what you see is what you get, but you don't like what he has to give.

(absylphe) Kanaya Maryam, Busybody: She has a subtle sense of humor you’re still picking up on, and for some reason also seems keen to ask you questions you’re not interested in answering. She also glows. Legitimately. If anything you're the one that should be asking questions.

Alex Miller:  You’re still figuring them out. They’re funny in an awkward sort of way, and messing with them is proving to be enjoyable. The more you learn about them the more unsure you are about their humanity, and have slotted that into the list of things you'll worry about later.

Sollux Peixes, Lux: You really don’t want to get started on this one. Lux exists in that weird in-between space where you’re both amused and annoyed by him. You wish she would actually do something with herself, but not because you care about her. Watching other people suffer gets boring after a while. Watching people continually fumble the bag on every opportunity given to them gets your blood boiling. Watching Lux is like a mixed bag of shitty entertainment with a payoff that could be so good but the writers will never fucking do it.

Lanota Nimtue: You can appreciate a troll that bites back. On paper, you’re similar. In reality there’s so much that sets you apart you don’t really feel like thinking about it right now. Now you're kind of toeing the line between platonic hatred and whatever passes for complicated acquaintanceship leading into friendship. None of this was your first choice—you definitely don't like it—but there's fuck all you can do about it now except get your fingers smashed in a car door.

Aressa Alkmin, Cardboard Cutout: You’ve met some vapid trolls in your life. You’ve even pretended not to know shit for the hell of it, but you’ve never met someone so good at saying absolutely nothing in conversation while thinking they’re an excellent socialite. What is it with this generation?

Sefoni Peixes, Wife: She said she wouldn't let you die until she wanted you to. What more could you ask for?

Talula Zahzii, Ex-Partner: She's kind of a wreck but so are you. You dated for a while and it lasted as long as your other relationships did, but it was nice.

Dialus Bolrik, Ex-Partner: This ship sailed so many sweeps ago you're not going to give yourself a headache diving into your feelings. You're hoping you can catch up sometime soon, seeing as you're back in orbit and everything. 

BACKSTORY

These are my other characters. Maybe you’ve heard of them.

Kikass Wosley, Nuisance: A nosy detective who you're going to dismember if they get too close to your personal life.

Aonarm Vurzic, Sobriety Buddy: You know them through Maerig. They don't drink anymore which limits about 80% of the fun you can have to standing around and talking. They are, at the very least, chill and non-judgemental. You wouldn't go sobbing about your problems to them though.

Maerig Gwayna, Open Tap: Somebody you owe a couple of favors for putting up with you over the sweeps. You're far from close, and yeah you might exchange some words on serious topics every now and then, but you're not friends.

Glynne Cacein, Ex-Bandmate: A "percussionist" rather than a "drummer." You refused to acknowledge the difference then and you're going to refuse to acknowledge the difference between "best-selling book" and "best-selling author" now. You actually spoke recently and it wasn't terrible. It took a load off you if anything. Not enough to reach out to your other ex-bandmates. But enough.

Biuret Reagan, Ex-Bandmate: They used to do vocals for your band back in college. You don't know what the fuck they do now and you most certainly do not care. Except you actually care, just a little bit, because now you're interested in doing something more worthwhile in your life. Maybe it's time to dust off some old connections.

Juelie Yseone, Ex-Bandmate: Played guitar, yadda yadda. Used to be all into weird piercing combinations and some other junk you didn't really care about. Of course they're doing whatever the fuck with bodies and playing detective with damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don't Wosley of all trolls. More power to them. They're as tall as you remember but a hair more quiet. You guess that girl of theirs finally took out their tongue.

#OOC #[META INFO] #[CHARACTER INFO] #// Collected things I thought were cool from other people's stats pages. #// tbd power section #// tbd thread starters / potential character connections

[leticiapadillas]

just thinking about how interesting and sad and kind of sweet it is that lety and fernando both have equally childish personalities, but for completely opposite (and complementary) reasons. and how that was such an unconscious draw between them

lety's whole aesthetic, mannerisms, and naiveté come from how sheltered and babied she was by her parents. going into how toxic don erasmo's parenting was is another tangent entirely, but all the little details like the plushies she collects (many she's had since she was small), and the constant "la niña, la niña" from both erasmo and julieta (and even the gifts doña julieta gave lety for her birthday were pretty infantile when considering the context of lety's situation) — it all of course comes together to show how all of that kept lety from growing up mentally and emotionally

but then you've got fernando with the entirely opposite problem. the villarroels joining his family and the subsequent neglect from his parents fueled his emotional immaturity and selfishness, but at the same time it had him grow up way too fast. between trying to be nice and supportive to a grieving little marcia, and his competing with ariel for don humberto's approval, and having both his parents telling him he didn't need as much attention as the kids who lost their parents, fernando lost his entire childhood. and in the present he clings to that lost childhood with similar little details as lety like the toy car, and how playful he always is. (i also love how he wanted to keep the toy puppy omar bought for lety that made sounds lmao)

it's an interesting parallel of how both extremes emotionally stunted them. and whereas lety's childishness is encouraged by her family, the mendiolas and villarroels have zero patience for fernando's childishness. the two extremes also have them meeting each other in the middle in a nice (though enabling) way. they're both very dramatic, have clown personalities and the same sense of humor, and while they don't necessarily have patience for each other's behavior, they accept and adapt to each other's quirks very easily

the grocery store episode is such a good example of how well they click personality-wise because of all this. bc they were literally just two dumb children loose in a store with no plan and no braincell in sight: lety running into stuff; fernando not knowing what broccoli is; lety lying to her dad so he doesn't know she's on a date; fernando trying to take the whole store home; lety pushing fers on the shopping cart; both of them dancing around the store while fake-speaking portuguese. like that's their domestic life, that's their day-to-day relationship that we don't get to see after the main story's over

and i can't imagine what terrors they'd be together every day at conceptos (the canon ending isn't canon to me btw). like how was anyone the least bit surprised that conceptos almost went under when it was in the hands of two actual children (+ omar, another child, and a whole other tangent)

#lfmb #la fea mas bella #lets y fers #we could also maybe talk about how ana leticia possibly had a similar experience to lety of being babied #and that's why she grew up to be like that #just more on the materialistic side #idk but the mendiolas were actually terrible parents #not one winner out of the four kids like bffr #caro talks

[lovefya]

Visual Culture & Political Art : Angela Davis as an Afrofuturistic Icon

"Our Queen" by Erin LeAnn Mitchell

Angela Davis, an influential figure in civil rights and feminism, transcends conventional narratives as an Afrofuturistic icon, reshaping cultural perceptions through the dynamic interplay of visual culture and political art. Her iconic image, characterized by the defiant afro hairstyle and raised fist, becomes a symbol of resistance and empowerment within the framework of Afrofuturism. Angela Davis's visual representation, particularly in Erin LeAnn Mitchell's "Our Queen," extends beyond aesthetics, embodying the core vibe of Afrofuturism. It further delves into the intersection of visual culture and political art, highlighting Davis's role in challenging historical norms and envisioning a future where identity and culture are redefined on individual terms.

Afrofuturism, a cultural and artistic movement, combines elements of science fiction, speculative fiction, and fantasy to explore themes such as identity, culture, and liberation. It serves as a vehicle for political imagination, enabling marginalized communities to envision and create alternative realities. Erin LeAnn Mitchell's "Our Queen" exemplifies the evolution of Afrofuturist art, emphasizing empowerment and identity for black women and portraying Angela Davis at different stages as a metamorphosis over time. Afrofuturism celebrates the diversity of black experiences, challenging monolithic portrayals of blackness and embracing a multicultural perspective. Erin Mitchell's art challenges the portrayal of blackness by incorporating vibrant colors that represent spiritual elements and multi-layered comfort. Angela Davis, as a global and multicultural icon, signifies liberation for women of color across various cultures.

Beyond being an Afrofuturist icon, Angela Davis disrupts traditional beauty standards and advocates for the liberation of black women. Her image as a political prisoner turned professor, author, and public intellectual symbolizes liberation for all. The iconic raised fist signifies resistance and solidarity, turning her image into a form of political art that transcends mere representation. Davis's image defies binary oppositions, encouraging the blurring of boundaries and a more inclusive future. The representation of Angela Davis's body in Afrofuturist art challenges historical and societal norms. In "Seeing Differently" by Amelia Jones, the concept of "Bodies on Display" is explored, highlighting how visual culture can redefine societal perceptions of the body. Davis, through Afrofuturist art, represents a woman with agency over her own body, challenging the commodification of black bodies and influencing the visual culture discourse.

Angela Davis's Afrofuturistic representation reconceives difference by challenging stereotypical portrayals of women of color. Angela Davis's visual representation is inseparable from her involvement in various political movements. From her early activism in the Black Panther Party to her fight against systemic racism and mass incarceration, Davis's iconography displays the spirit of resistance and the pursuit of justice. Mitchell's artwork captures the duality of Davis's political journey, from the young, vital activist with the raised fist to the wise and peaceful intellectual, symbolizing the multifaceted nature of her contributions to political movements. In the context of visual culture, the notion of "Seeing Differently" is central to understanding how Afrofuturism provides an alternative perspective. Afrofuturism invites viewers to see beyond conventional norms, envisioning a future where difference is celebrated rather than marginalized.

Angela Davis's iconography becomes a crucial component in the visual history of Afrofuturism, where identity is not confined by external expectations but defined by one's own terms. In "Seeing Differently," Amelia Jones theorizes the relationship between identity and visual history, emphasizing how visual representations contribute to the construction of identity. Davis's evolution from political prisoner to iconic Afrofuturist figure represents a dynamic shift in visual history, challenging preconceived notions and inspiring new narratives. The feminist slogan "The personal is political" resonates strongly in Angela Davis's image and artworks like "Our Queen." Davis's personal journey, from incarceration to academic prominence, is intrinsically tied to her political activism. The Afrofuturistic representation of Davis as a queen signifies not only personal triumph but also a collective political statement. Mitchell's artwork encapsulates the personal and political dimensions, illustrating how Davis's identity and visual representation contribute to broader societal change.

Davis's Afrofuturistic iconography stands at the intersection of visual culture and political art, challenging historical norms and influencing contemporary discourse. Visual culture, as an essential aspect of Afrofuturism, becomes a tool for political expression and reclamation. Davis's image, whether as a professor, activist, or global icon, embodies the transformative potential of visual culture in shaping societal perceptions and advocating for political change. Angela Davis emerges as a powerful Afrofuturistic icon, navigating the realms of visual culture and political art to challenge historical norms and envision a future where identity and culture are redefined on individual terms. Through her iconic image and Mitchell's Afrofuturist artwork, Davis becomes a symbol of resistance, empowerment, and inclusivity. Afrofuturism, with Davis at its forefront, invites a reevaluation of visual culture's role in political expression, paving the way for a more dynamic and inclusive cultural narrative. The concept of worldview, as discussed by Amelia Jones in "Seeing Differently," adds another layer to the Afrofuturistic exploration. Davis's visual representation, both in her iconic images and Mitchell's artwork, offers a distinct world view that challenges and expands societal perspectives. Afrofuturism, with Davis at its forefront, becomes a lens through which alternative worldviews are explored, emphasizing the importance of diverse narratives and challenging the dominant culture.

References:

Jones, Amelia. Seeing Differently. https://www.amazon.com/Seeing-Differently-History-Theory-Identification/dp/0415543835

"Afrofuturism and Its Possibility of Elsewhere: The Power of Political Imagination." The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/afrofuturism-and-its-possibility-of-elsewhere-the-power-of-political-imagination-166002.

"Wearing My Afro: Always a Political Act." The New Republic, https://newrepublic.com/article/122515/wearing-my-afro-always-political-act

"Afrofuturism: How Black Creatives Point to a Brighter Future." Domestika, https://www.domestika.org/en/blog/6930-afrofuturism-how-black-creatives-point-to-a-brighter-future

"Afrofuturism." UCLA Newsroom, https://newsroom.ucla.edu/magazine/afrofuturism.

"Artist Profile: Erin LeAnn Mitchell." Ruckus Journal, https://ruckusjournal.org/Artist-Profile-Erin-LeAnn-Mitchellh.

"Our Queen" by Erin LeAnn Mitchell, National Museum of African American History and Culture, https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2010.55.2.

#lovefya #culture #blackart #artblogger #angeladavis #black woman #quoteblogger #politicalart

[gaeldricge]

Gonna throw you a mean curve ball and ask about Sevika x Mel and Sevika x Grayson :3

Was not expecting that :D

Sevika x Mel: Don't Ship It

Why don’t you ship it? I think it's too problematic. While I actually could imagine a chemistry between the two of them, I also see too much potential for friction personality wise, but most importantly based on their backgrounds. Mel is from the super-rich elite and Sevika isn't. These are external factors that can't be ignored in a relationship between them, particularly because they're both very involved in their social contexts (Mel being a councillor; Sevika being part of a movement that seeks to break with the council) - I can imagine some steamy encounters, and a friendship in a different universe, but not a lasting romantic relationship.

What would have made you like it? Different social standings. Maybe signs in Sevika that she wouldn't mind a collaboration with Piltover's council.

Despite not shipping it, do you have anything positive to say about it? Their aesthetic is HOT!

Sevika x Grayson: Don't Ship It

Why don’t you ship it? Similar reasons to Mel x Sevika, even though I feel that social differences could be overlooked between them. However, in their case they're too close in their personalities, meaning they're both too dominant (?). Also, due to their different positions there'd be a kind of cat and mouse game going on between them constantly.

What would have made you like it? Not sure.

Despite not shipping it, do you have anything positive to say about it? If Grayson weren't an enforcer, I think they'd actually work great as friends. Even in canon, prior to the show, I can imagine them having more or less friendly encounters at the Last Drop - in a card game for example. Of course, the friendliness would be well hidden in snarky remarks from both sides ;)

Despite all of the above, I'm not disinclined to a Mel x Sevika x Grayson threesome - bot only as a standalone thing, not in a relationship. That just wouldn't work.

#grayson arcane #mel medarda #sevika #headcanons by viv

[theanimeview]

The Boy and The Heron: Disappointing (SPOILERS)

By: Peggy Sue Wood | @pswediting

The Boy and The Heron, GKIDS/Ghibli’s latest movie, was something I learned of completely by accident while scrolling through the Fandango App. I was on the search for suggestions of films to see on my first day off in a long while. What initially surprised me, considering I run an anime blog and have seen literally nothing about this from the people I follow most closely, wasn’t just that it had been out for a month. It was that the film’s trailer promised nothing regarding the story beyond some intriguing imagery. Unfortunately, even the famous studio’s typically wonderful art fell short of expectations in this film, often overdoing it on the images and relying too much on aesthetics instead of story. The film, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, who is supposed to have retired repeatedly but keeps coming back film after film, attempted to blend elements of what made Ghibli great with a new story about re-building yourself and your family post-war… but, ultimately, the film left me feeling underwhelmed and dissatisfied. More on that in a moment.

The full movie has been summarized on Wikipedia, so if you decide to read it instead of watching it, I can assure you that you will have missed nothing of importance plot-wise, character-wise, or story-wise.

One of the major drawbacks of this film is its lackluster character development. The protagonist, Mahito, was initially interesting. He’s recently lost his mother, and within a year, his father is remarrying his late wife’s sister with another baby on the way. These are complex relationships, and the characters’ interactions at the start lend to the awkwardness felt by our MC. However, as the story progresses, we don’t really get to see his motivations for changing his relationship with his aunt to that of a motherly one. Rather, it feels forced.

The start of the movie was good, but after we entered the mysterious tower, it all fell apart. If you haven’t seen the movie, I suggest reading that wiki page linked above because I’m not going to explain the tower.

Lady Hime, Mahito’s mother, is spending a year of her childhood in the tower, as we learned earlier and figured out by context clues, but Mahito doesn’t recognize her. She figures it out first, it seems. Natsuko, his aunt, came to the tower to give birth (why? We don’t know). Mahito goes into the tower to get her and almost immediately starts calling her mother after finding her, but not enough time has passed in the movie to change perspectives, and nothing big has happened to imply that there should be a change in the relationship.

This is not like Spirited Away or Howl’s Moving Castle, where characters have the time to grow and reflect and change perspectives. This movie is just a flourish of movement from one scene to the next with what seems to be a single night passing in the entirety of Mahito’s time in the tower.

At the end of the movie, I was trying to figure out what the message of the movie was. The person who went with me suggested that perhaps the story is about how Lady Hime would have approved of the marriage and of Mahito’s moving on. Like, you are forgiven for your survivor’s guilt, but that’s not exactly presented here very well. I mean, I agree that this idea is present in the movie, but that’s just told to you. It’s shown so openly that you don’t get to feel it as an audience member. Instead, everything feels forced, making it challenging to empathize with emotional peaks happening. Like the great uncle, too. WTH?

Upon reflection of the movie, the main issue appears to be pacing. The story unfold rapidly, stitched together by aesthetic moments rather than the rich world-building or the slower, character-driven moments that typically foster connections between characters in Ghibli films. As soon as we entered the tower everything moves too fast and so you can never get comfortable. Like, I couldn’t help but reflect on the significance of food scenes in movies like Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, and Ponyo. While these scenes were undoubtedly aesthetically pleasing and quick, they carried additional layers of meaning.

In Howl’s Moving Castle, for instance, cooking together and sharing a meal symbolize the coming together of the household, marking Sophie’s acceptance as a welcomed member of the Castle by Howl and Markl. In Spirited Away, food serves as a representation of greed and gluttony, echoing a central theme in the movie. Ponyo‘s ramen scene, on the other hand, is infused with surprise and magic, introducing that the “mundane” human world has its own unique and special aspect.

In contrast, the food scene in The Boy and the Heron feels hollow. The scene lacks significance, given that we already have more than enough clues suggesting that the fire girl is the boy’s mother, the bread-eating moment loses its impact and fails to contribute meaningfully to the narrative.

On that note, while the cinematography and visuals were very much reflective of Ghibli’s style, right down to the often deliciously glistening look of food. However, this time the abundance of effort put into round, bounciness of the water and food items become too much of a focus. I mean, Mahito eats bread with butter and jam, and the jam goes everywhere. He hits his head with a rock and the blood gushes out like a waterfall. The visuals didn’t lack in flair but didn’t really elevate the storytelling as the movie progresses. It really turns the film more into an aesthetic appreciation of all the things Ghibli has done to make the ordinary magical rather than something that was adding to what was happening. It started to feel cliché even.

The dialogue often felt stilted and unnatural too, adding to the awkwardness. The script relied heavily on context and lacked the nuance required for a thought-provoking narrative beyond the first half hour or so. The attempts at injecting humor or emotional depth fell flat, leaving the audience disconnected from the characters and their journey.

Also, what was up with the birds? Philosophically nothing. Everything involving the parakeets, the Heron, and the pelicans had no meaning.

In the end, despite the film apparently getting a grand release (one that literally slipped by me), it failed to live up to its potential, delivering a lackluster experience. Despite a promising start to the film, the middle and end suffered from poor execution, underdeveloped characters, and uninspired use of their well-known art style. While some may appreciate certain elements, those seeking a truly engaging and well-crafted movie might find themselves disappointed with this forgettable offering from GKIDS. Instead, I encourage you to look at their earlier work.

–

If you enjoyed this post, please consider buying us a coffee, leaving a comment, and/or subscribing!

Copyedited by: Katherine Cañeba | @kcserinlee

#FEATURED #GHIBLI #GKIDS #REVIEW #THE BOY AND THE HERON

[rupankanarchointeriors]

Importance of using an Architect

Using an architect is of paramount importance in various contexts, such as construction projects, urban planning, and interior design. We depend on our Best Architect in Jaipur to design spaces that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and safe. Here are some key reasons highlighting the importance of using an architect:

Design expertise: Architects are trained professionals who possess a deep understanding of design principles, spatial relationships, and aesthetics. They can transform your ideas and requirements into a well-conceived design that maximizes the potential of the space. Their expertise in creating functional layouts, optimizing natural light, and incorporating sustainable design practices can significantly enhance the quality of a building or space.

Technical knowledge: Architects possess a comprehensive understanding of the technical aspects of construction. They are well-versed in building codes, regulations, and zoning laws. Their knowledge of materials, construction techniques, and structural integrity ensures that the design is not only visually appealing but also feasible and compliant with relevant standards. Architects work closely with engineers, contractors, and other professionals to oversee the construction process, making sure that the project is executed correctly.

Problem-solving and innovation: Architects are skilled problem solvers. They have the ability to analyze complex challenges and provide creative solutions. Whether it's overcoming site constraints, addressing environmental considerations, or accommodating specific user needs, architects can develop innovative design strategies to tackle these issues effectively. Their expertise enables them to envision possibilities and create spaces that are unique and tailored to the client's requirements.

Project management: Commercial architects often assume the role of project managers, coordinating various stakeholders, consultants, and contractors involved in the construction process. They develop detailed project timelines, manage budgets, and oversee the implementation of the design. Their project management skills ensure efficient communication, coordination, and timely execution, reducing the likelihood of errors or delays.

Sustainable and resilient design: In an era of increasing environmental concerns, architects play a vital role in promoting sustainable and resilient design practices. They can incorporate energy-efficient strategies, renewable materials, and passive design principles to minimize the environmental impact of a building. In addition to long-term durability and adaptability, Top Architecture in Jaipur design structures that can withstand natural disasters and evolve along with the changing needs of users.

Aesthetics and user experience: Architects bring an artistic vision and a deep understanding of human behavior and psychology to their designs. They consider factors such as aesthetics, ergonomics, comfort, and accessibility to create spaces that enhance the overall user experience. Vastu Architect can craft environments that evoke specific moods, support functionality, and inspire creativity, contributing to the well-being and satisfaction of the occupants.

In summary: Residential Architects provide a unique blend of technical knowledge, design skills, and problem-solving abilities. They ensure that buildings and spaces are not only visually appealing but also functional, safe, sustainable, and tailored to the needs of the users. Engaging an architect is a wise investment that can significantly enhance the success and quality of any construction or design project.

#Best Architect in Jaipur #Residential Architect in Jaipur #Vastu Architect in Jaipur #Commercial Architect in Jaipur #Top Architecture in Jaipur

[a-hell-of-a-lot-of-muses]

ღ for Nathaniel & Margaret

Attraction meme: No Longer Accepting!

Nathaniel for Harper:

Romantic attraction: none | very low | low | medium | high | very high | extreme

Sexual attraction: none | very low | low | medium | high | very high | extreme

Aesthetic attraction: none | very low | low | medium | high | very high | extreme

Sensual attraction: none | very low | low | medium | high | very high | extreme

Margaret for Harper:

Romantic attraction: none | very low | low | medium | high | very high | extreme Sexual attraction: none | very low | low | medium | high | very high | extreme Aesthetic attraction: none | very low | low | medium | high | very high | extreme Sensual attraction: none | very low | low | medium | high | very high | extreme

Nate and Maggie adore Harper, though Nate is farther along in a ship context while Margaret is just really starting to get to know Harper personally and relationship wise (and she likes what she sees.)

#ooc #dash games #mckiingbiird

[jkluniversity]

Tips To Prepare For Design As A Career (JKLU)

Tips To Prepare For Design As A Career (JKLU)

Pursuing a career in design offers amazing new opportunities for students from different streams as it straddles science, technology, art and aesthetics in equal proportion. Taught by experienced mentors, students are encouraged to nurture creativity while inculcating challenging learning demands based on knowledge about teaching success models within today's environment.

The rich history of design in India spirals back thousands of years ago, however, it is now emerging as a lucrative profession for many. The new face of designing comprises professional product designers, graphic designers, and visual artists who are competing with global designers in increasingly global markets in making better cars, watches and phones. In a more corporate context, many students pursue designing to meet industrial demands or develop designs for their clients, however designing is not just a career for professionals but also for lovers of art and architecture; a field where there is an intense appreciation of modernity and its creative expression.

A career in fashion design opens an array of doors to infinite creativity opportunities. By pursuing a degree in Design, one can become a graphic designer creating Brand India by giving a visual identity to Indian businesses. On the other hand, being a craft designer is also rewarding as it re-interprets traditional handlooms and handicraft products and processes to suit global spaces and international markets. Product design is essential in creating the initial user experience and product offering, from pre-ideation user research to concept development to prototyping and usability testing. UX Designer, Graphic Designer, Prototyper, and Animation Designer are some of the popular professions a product design graduate can pursue. Interaction design, often abbreviated as IxD, is the practice of designing interactive digital products, environments, systems, and services. Beyond the digital aspect, interaction design is also useful when creating physical products, exploring how a user might interact with it. However, the definition of designing has gone beyond artistic pursuits; tech-designing, gaming and product designing is also bringing IT revolution by developing user-centric digital products. 

Amongst this, several exciting arenas of specialisations are also emerging including that of a thinker-designer who essentially works with ameliorating administration process and can be a very rewarding career for hotel management and hospital management. Moreover, strategic designing is also a new field of specialization which primarily focus on assembling business structures, and industrial ventures and ensuring effective client-employee relationship. 

A career in design is not just for artists, but also for next-generation tech-builders!

This is the result of the design education in the country that has been intrinsically universal and broad-based. Much of this is now transforming in lieu of the market dynamics. Before opting for a future in design, it is wise to gain an in-depth knowledge of the field and then choose areas of work that excites you and an institute of choice that would feed this excitement.

Evaluate the learning framework

It is prudent to understand the learning framework of a design programme to ascertain its relevance in today’s climate. It is important to ponder upon some of the valuable aspects of the curriculum that proves essential in one's career, such as whether the courses provide cutting-edge experience or if it includes changing dynamics of modern technology and whether the course offers different scopes of learning through lab and growth driven projects. Students should be prepared for real-world experiences and immerse themselves in courses that are wired to meet industry demands.

Start preparing for a career

While it is always advisable for students to start planning for their careers early in life, most universities are now providing interdisciplinary curriculums with over 30-major-minor-specialisations, allowing learners to develop knowledge in a holistic manner. 

Following are the basic skills that are essential in a designer -

Detailing: This forms the foundation of a designing course where students delve deeper into the intricacies of objects, spatial and technological structures,

Observational skills: If you're a good observer and have a special eye for noticing things that mostly go unnoticed by others then a career in designing can be very rewarding for you. 

Creativity: Creativity, innovation and art are the three essential components of a designer. If you’re passionate about the arts and love innovating ideas on your own, then this career is just perfect for you!

What is the future of Design?

Design as a field is advancing from being a meagre activity-oriented career to being an evaluative field of research, leading to major changes in the global market system.  Designers are emerging as powerful leaders, shaping the way we perceive products, art and crafts technology, data science and so much more! Sustainable designing with ethical integration is transforming imagination and becoming key to solving global problems.

To remain relevant in the future, educational institutions are now focusing on fostering talent by finding innovative ways of delivering critical knowledge via collaborative and team-building activities.

Interdisciplinary Designing

Emerging professional leaders are now exploring new domains of knowledge and widening their research horizons through interdisciplinary learning and then finally ending up specialising in one field. Most start-ups and small businesses are hiring designers with holistic expertise, in brand designing, website curation, book publishing and designing launch events. 

Hence pursuing a career in designing is not only lucrative but also rewarding. However,  the road to starting a career in design management is not always linear. Numerous universities offer conventional disciplines of Design that tend to restrict a student’s potential into pre-determined domains, a practice that was relevant 50 years ago, but modern advancements reflect a rapid change in the ways these curriculums are taught today. Most of the courses and curriculum development are not focused on meeting industrial demands, hence it is important for students to opt for programmes that provide cutting-edge education that is tailored to provide practical knowledge and industry-driven workshops that include: Product Design, Interaction Design and Interdisciplinary Design; to harbour skills that the designing world desperately demands today. 

#https://design.jklu.edu.in/bachelor-of-design/

[neverendingstories00]

man…oh man…oh god…oh my…guys…GUYS…look…LOOK I SAID!!

#not in the relationship context but aesthetic wise #maybe i’m the only one who see’s this #but like there so cute omg #I LOVE IT #i love me some gay italians #luca #call me by your name #carrie chats #the general has queued his armies

[atelliernana]

To the Beautiful You

Shouto Todoroki X Reader

Wine glass on your left hand and your phone on the other, anticipating for the next message to come. You don't even know if it will come. For context, the last message was sent 2 hours ago and the last reply you gave was seen an hour ago.

Tonight is your wedding anniversary. The first of many is what you hope but with the ratio of your dinner together to solo takeout night, you might as well rent a whole apartment to yourself.

You've been oriented on what to expect and not to expect as a proheroes lawfully wedded partner. First off, expect late nights that can extend to the next daybreak for any coming shifts which means to not expect cute pinterest date nights nor cuddles in the morning light. Second, expect the worst at any moment - a proheroes job is always in dangerzone much more than the lime light portrays meaning don't expect to be known by the public which translates to no holding hands nor any public display of affection. Your safety comes first as he said. Lastly, always expect the worst. The higher a proheroes ranking is, the more dangerous the missions are which means high stake injuries are always a probability more than a possibility. And lucky for you, you just happened to bag the number 3 hero. So really the "till death do us part" clause in your wedding vows is and always will be taken seriously and legally (its in the prenup).

You do wonder however if its only you who gets to experience the downsides of a prohero lifestyle, relationship-wise that is. Because you see Deku's fiancee and they're always a burst of sunshine with their private stories filled with their late night outings post saving the world. And there's also Uravity with their stories of cooking dates and failed recipes because neither them nor their partner can follow a recipe without freestyling it. Plus there's Dynamight who has everyone beaten with their carefully planned and truly aesthetic wedding just last weekend. Celebrated in the dainty garden of Yueei, right in front of the Sakura Tree where he apparently confessed, the wedding was filled with nothing but love and joy.

So you can't understand why is it that your lovely husband Shouto has never initiated anything sort of romantic or even beyond with you. And its been a year! The last time you've been intimate was on your wedding night. Your wedding night! And from then on, its like he's the only hero available in Musutafu taking late nights after late nights so much so that you decided you've wasted enough food to have a proper dinner with him and your fridge can only store so much leftovers. No dates as well because baby boy is too tired for one and off days are spent sleeping in and not even you're shared bedroom. He has since utilized the guest room in fear of wakimg you up whenever he has a late night. At least thats what he says.

Sometimes you wonder if he does love you. Well actually you wonder if he has finally learned to love you. Because aside from your identity, here's what the rest of the world doesnt know - Shouto Todoroki only married you because his dear mother asked so. An arranged marriage between the poor daughter of a her beloved best friend who passed away with a last wish of securing the daughter a good husband. And who could be a better husband than her perfect youngest who seemed to have no qualms about the arrangement.

On one of your meetings before the wedding, you told him that its not too late to back out which he replied with a charming "I know".

He knew and yet three days later he showed up in his finest formal kimono designed so intricately one can tell it cost more than their life.

On your wedding night, just before your first kiss, you asked him "Why marry me?" to which he replied "Its nice to have someone". Only one sentence filled with what you felt was sincerity and then you were gone - lost in the paradise of his kisses and touch. You woke up in his warm embrace, his arms so strong you wish he wouldnt let go.

Your wedding night was a small step forward with the days following all a step backward because the moment he woke up and all formalities of the morning after were settled, you were back to being civil strangers. Married yes, but still strangers.

And strangers you continue to be. But you wouldn't back down without a fight. For all your quirklessness and insignificant looks, you are a damn good home maker. No you can't fight a damn villain and you sure as hell can't compete with all the stars in Shouto's universe, but as invisible as your light is, its still manage to shine in the aspect of domestic activities. Perhaps your mother knew that the only way you'll be worth a while is to be great in the kitchen, cleaning, and organizing and managing finances. Not that you ever mind, you love chores and you love cooking. You love the aesthetic of having a pretty house with all the quirky trinkets here and there and you love cooking for your family especially you're newfound one after the wedding. The smiles and hums of delight from your in-laws never fail to make your day. And you love fixing Shouto's clothes, preparing his bento and organizing his gear bag before he leaves for another shift. You love the domesticity of if all.

Perhaps thats what kept you going amidst all the missed calls, unanswered messages, wasted leftovers, and the cold nights in bed. That and the fact that you've always harbored feelings for the heterochromatic boy, now a man in all his might and glory. While you were never in his circle, you chose to admire him from a distance for fear that that you might annoy him plus with your quirkless state you might as well be invisible to him. So throughout middle school you always leave him encouraging post-it notes on his shoe locker if only to let him know that someone is rooting for him. Then by the grace of the universe, you manage to get into Yueei through the general studies course where you continue to oversee his progress both in his quirk and his private social life.

You never had the courage to confess to him knowing full well the competition is tough and frankly (and without self depracitation involved) you dont stand a chance. So imagine how much donation you gave to the local shrine once you found out that he agreed to your arranged marriage. It was a lot. An entire shrine refurbishing type of a lot.

But one year later, here you are drinking in your prettiest party dress wondering if he'll show up if you look your best.

Four hours and counting since his promised return, your dark mascara dripping down your face.

Oh how foolish you were for ever thinking you're getting closer to love.

Wine glass over the side table and your phone fallen off from your dainty hands, the three bottles of wine has finally taken its toll. You're goner a dreamland staring off into your make-believe husband's heterochromatic eyes.

Unconscious to the world and to the very real hands wiping off the mascara and make up off your face. Shouto has always thought you were beautiful in your natural state. The cream dress only highlights your magnificent figure and further accentuates your inherent glamour.

A year of being married yet he couldn't figure out how you were so devoted to him. Shouto only ever wish to honor his mother's wishes. Romantic relationships means nothing to him yet here he is undeniably infatuated with you. You with your little post-its and cute bento arrangement. You with your perfectly organized pantry and quirky kitchen trinkets. You with your silly monologues in the morning which unbeknowst to you he's always heard despite your belief of him being fast asleep. You with your dainty hands and all your DIYs. You with your calm nature that happily blends with the chaos of his family. You with his parents drinking tea and talking about all the mundane things in life. You with your doe eyes and silly smile. The beautiful you whom he wish to be deserving of.

And then there's him with his hopeless heart that he finally decides to give to you.

You slept in thoughts of despair but he promise to wake you up with nothing but his love to share.

Because happily ever afters are okay too, right?

#bnha fic #bnha writing #shouto todoroki #shoto todoroki #todoroki shoto #todoroki shouto x reader #todoroki shouto x you #todoroki shouto x y/n #todoroki shouto #todoroki x reader #mha shouto #bnha shouto #bnha shoto x reader #shoto todoroki x reader #shoto x y/n #shoto x you #shouto x reader #shouto x you #shouto x y/n #shouto headcanons #shouto imagines #shoto imagine #bnha fluff #shouto fluff #todoroki fluff #todoroki shōto

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

The reception of Permission To Dance by its fandom and what it means for the BTS American Journey

The release of Butter, and subsequently Permission to Dance (which is the one I'm going to focus on a bit more today), led to a lot of polarizing opinions. What is allowed to be said, who is allowed to talk about it, which of course led to 2 major perspectives: those that treated the release of the song as with any usual BTS song or comeback, praising it on social media, enjoying the music and the music video and saw it as a gift for Army (and the promotion of the song was revolved around that) and those that were not satisfied by it, saw flaws not only music wise, but with the choice of imagery and marketing decisions. There is no right or wrong here, or the need for someone to choose a side.

Fan/reader/spectator reception is always more complex and definitely subjective. In the relationship between text-reader (which here I apply to all types of media) there are many elements at play. The reader has a sort of horizon of expectations that helps him to understand a certain text. Let's not forget that social/political context is not something to be forgotten when we look at a piece of media. We can focus on aesthetics, but we can't forget that art is a reflection of its society and its time. We have the field of cultural studies that focuses on that and I think this is an appropriate way to look at all this since I refer to a piece of pop culture.

One reason why there were criticisms in regards to PTD was that horizon of expectations I mentioned above. For fans that were familiar to the usual BTS music which has as one of its main element lyrics written by the band members, the disappointment should not come as a shock or as something inherently bad that needs to be shut down. Beginning with Dynamite up until PTD, BTS released songs in English, written by other people and with a sound inspired by American pop music. These reasons alone could easily be disproved because K-Pop as an industry and the music they released has been tied up with outside influences. This is not something new, as it's a representation of global influences. Another argument that I have seen going around is the fact that those who are now criticizing BTS are forgetting that they released BE in November 2020 and some members released other songs in the meantime. This is not a relevant argument here. What I see from all the opinions shared online and this is my reading of it, is that since Dynamite, the main focus of the band was the American music market and the need to receive a Grammy Award, which is something clearly stated by them in press conferences. Subsequently, the usual narrative used in interviews with all the 3 songs is that they are to be taken lightly, as something more fun, nothing too deep. That type of discourse is part of their marketing strategy which was used with Dynamite, but by the time we reached PTD, it sounds more like a broken record.

We have the surface level, which is reflected by the way in which these songs are released – fun songs in times of hardship due to the pandemic, we need something that gives us hope, something that makes us happy; and then there is the implication which is not something obscured, but can easily be observed if we want to look at it: those songs can be a ray of hope, but also have another purpose, business wise: bring in the streams, views, sales, which all lead to the Billboard chart, more recognition in American pop culture ( along with interviews on talk shows) and slowly, the Big Prize – Grammy.  This second aspect is usually dismissed in the fandom or considered as normal practice (streaming parties and bulk sales) ‘’the boys deserve the Grammy’’ (which is nothing but a local American award), seen as not respecting BTS or their music. It seems that it has to be all or nothing. What BTS and HYBE are doing is a usual practice in the music business. It's never all about artistry, but when the focus for almost a year has been solely on that, it's hard not to observe.

In the latest WeVerse Magazine article (for which I'll have a separate post), it's said that these 3 songs are part of a trilogy, one that represents the times we endured through the pandemic and how BTS related to that, ending it with PTD. I partially agree with this statement in that clearly the trilogy reflects that, but more as a period of BTS that also tried to breach the American market more hard than ever, leaving aside the artistry for which they were known. That doesn't mean that we need to talk about it in catastrophic terms or that criticizing or pointing flaws is something bad, or that BTS are only capable of doing that. Indeed, BE was a great intermission, with a lot more input from the members themselves and better production (and definitely more of my taste in terms of music, concept and presentation). It stands out in their discography (Who knows, maybe years later I can look back on it and see it as a sort of White Album).

There's nothing wrong with criticizing a piece of music, or the intent behind it. There is no single band in the history of music that has released only the best of the best. It's not uncommon, heck it's normal and it happens for different reasons: lack of inspiration, maybe the artist wants to experiment and it doesn't work for the fans (Bob Dylan was booed in 1965 when he turned to an electric guitar, lol), or maybe wants a different type of recognition. What is important is that we should be able to talk about these decisions, to acknowledge them, to try and see the reason behind it and look at it from a larger perspective.

This is an open topic and I will come back to it when I feel it's necessary.

#bts #bangtan sonyeondan #dynamite bts #butter bts #permission to dance #fandom reception