SHI ALICE CHENGSAMPLES OF SPATIAL DESIGN WORK

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a week-long summer event that happens in churches across the US, featuring a different theme each year. I designed and managed the building and installation of a 40’x20’ set. Faced with a very shallow (10’ of usable space) stage and warehouse-high ceilings, I designed up and in angled layers to create a sense of depth and height. Materials used include foam board in varying thicknesses, paint, spray paint, butcher paper, spray adhe-sive, fabric, masking and blue tape, wood, manilla folders (for crafting torches), disposable chopsticks, and brown paper bags.

Kingdom Rock Set Design

The wedding ceremony and reception took place in the showfloor of a reclaimed wood furniture workshop. The space was empty, industrial, with exposed brick walls and soft natural lighting. To highlight the raw beauty of the space, I chose to accentuate the existing elements of wood and metal, by bringing in other raw textures and organic elements such as glass, hemp twine, cotton scrim drapery. There were no real wedding colors--rather, we had a palette of textures that created contrast between the natural organic tones of our materials. 4-5 varieties of blooming airplants were nested inside 100 glass orbs and hung above the seating areas to accentuate the high ceilings and to add unexpected pops of color. 15’ sheer scrim drapes were hung to showcase the ceilings, create separation, and to frame the altar vignette, a hanging glass orb cross above an antique bench and items from the couples new home. Full installation was completed in 1.5 hours. Total cost of decor (including florals) was under $1000.

Wedding Space Design

To accent and balance the industrial feel of the coctail hour space, I created a hand painted seating chart with a vintage frame and a piece of a cardboard box. Escort cards were filed by name in vintage card boxes, flanked by dried flowers from the bride’s relationship.

Carrying over the use of airplants from the reception area, varieties were place with dried statice atop coral colored moss, which was draped along the edges of the frame. Total cost of the project was under $15.

Wedding Space Design

Inspired by the brand’s fun and whimsical persona, I wanted to use unconventional materials and presentation to catch the audience’s eye. The backdrop is a semi-opaque drape, gathered to create volume (like clouds). To avoid the scene being overly soft, bright copper piping hung at staggard elevations hint at shelving (in function), but also rays of light or jewelry. This is draped with light colored moss. Shoes float against this backdrop of white and light with one seemly landing in the hands of one girl reclining casually in air. Rather than mannequins, the girls are represented by graphic sillouettes, indicating no specific race or definite age. This also lends agreater flexibility in terms of positioning and posture. Notably, their postures here are relaxed as they enjoy their time with some of their favorite styles and shoes.

Retail Display Concept

AND JUST A BIT MORE ABOUT ME...

MATERIALS: While I am familiar with a variety of materials, I am highly curious and finds most of my inspiration at Home Depot or in the recycling bin.

TOOLS: I am exceptionally computer literate, know HTML and basic CSS, as well as Adobe Creative Suite. In terms of fabrication,I have used and am familiar with woodshop safety and power tools as well as small-scale model making tools such as hot glue guns, olfa and x-acto knives, bestine, canned air.

SKILLS: I come from a line of artists and I guess I have genetics to thank for any drawing and painting skills. I also have some handy communication and project management talent from years in marketing. Other than that, I am very good at making banana muffins and communicating with toddlers.

QUALITIES: I work hard. I work so, so hard. And I love it.

INSPIRATION: I find inspiration from organic and raw materials (metals, leathers, glass, woods, plants, fabrics) and create something out of “nothing.” There are so many great resources to find materials: Home Depot, Tandy Leather Supply, the Garment District! or the much cheaper Mexican-owned fabric shops at the border of the Flower District! The list of wonderful, inspiring places goes on.

ASPIRATIONS: All I want to do is work with my hands. I’ve spent too much time typing my life away--ten years in the IT sector--andam hoping to make a permanent switch. I actually don’t care if I never change the world and I realize that I don’t care too much about money--as long as I can make someone happy or, simply, spend a few waking hours in “the zone” and creating somethign that people enjoy.

HOBBIES: photography, drawing, painting, florals, set design, taking care of small children

visit me: www. shialice.com