W.I.S.T Gazette Vol. 2

WIST gAZETTE

WIST Gazette practically runs itself, chugging along throughout the semester as its members pump out articles, photographs, drawings, and designs. Our thirteen-strong press team’s remarkable work is evident in what you see here: a student-run magazine that looks far from studentish, a periodical emblematic of the creative minds that created it.

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With the proliferation of generative AI and all the hubbub over STEM, now, more than ever, the originality of the literary and artistic mind proves imperative for our humanity, and journalism, a constant reflection on our daily lives, is at the center of human affairs. So, lastly, I extend my gratitude to you, Lorem ipsum

I thank every member of the WIST press team for publishing this issue of WIST Gazette. Special thanks must go to Sydney, our editor-in-chief, without whom this issue would not have been possible.

I am thrilled to announce that the second edition of the WIST Gazette is out! This term has been busy, covering topics from the student council election to field trips and non-profit organizations. Our team has poured their creativity into choosing article topics and layouts to ensure the magazine is both visually engaging and intellectually stimulating.

Thank you to everyone who contributed. Our staff writers, graphic designers, and guest writers all added a unique touch. Special recognition goes to Emily Zhang and Shannon Chen for their stunning artworks. This year’s submissions have been exceptional, and I had a great time curating and bringing everyone's story to life.

As the school year draws to a close, this edition also marks my final one as Editor-in-Chief. This role has been a highlight of my time at WIST, and I am excited to see the future endeavors of this elective.

Sydney Hsieh Editor-in-Chief

Cover Illustration: Emily Zhang

Design and Layout: Sydney Hsieh

Photos: Frank Chen

Raymond Chuang Newspaper Elective Advisor

Sydney Hsieh

Our Sta

by: Emily Zhang & Shannon Chen

Vol. 2

Doris Lin

Victor Hung

Chris Wei

William Tu

Tina Tang

Ethan Shih

Brian Tsai

Illustrations

Shannon Chen

Sydney Hsieh - -

Amelia Lee

Emily Zhang

Ashley Liu

Milly King

Campus in Command: Our New Student Body

By Sydney Hsieh, Editor-in-Chief & Milly King, Staff Writer

On May 23rd, the Student Council of the Overseas Department hosted elections for next year’s student representatives. This year, the election process was different. 10th-grade and 11th-grade students elected their Student Council simultaneously, which means the school will have two groups of Student Council representatives. Vice Principal Ms. Emily explained that the change was due to the increased academic pressure in 11th grade, such as preparing for college applications, AP exams, and extracurricular activities.

This year’s election featured a total of fourteen candidates competing for eight positions on the Student Council in 11th grade. Notably, three teams competed for the presidential position. For 10th grade, fifteen candidates competed for eight positions. The

newly elected Student Council of 11th grade consists of Sydney Hsieh and William Tu as President and Vice-President, Patrick Gu as Secretary, Parry Huang as Treasurer, Rachel Lu as Sports Director, Kelly Chen as Art Director, Amanda Tung as Activities Director, and Annie Lin as Communications Officer. The newly elected Student Council of 10th grade consists of Michael Tsai and Nathan Wang as President and Vice-President, Alice Chu as Secretary, Austin Zheng as Treasurer, Jelly Chang as Sports Director, Maersk Chuang as Art Director, Eric Tung as Activities Director and Avelin Huang as Communications Officer.

Sydney Hsieh and William Tu, who won the most votes among the 11th-grade candidates, ran their

11th Grade

President: Sydney Hsieh

Vice President: William Tu

Secretary: Patrick Gu

Treasurer: Parry Huang

Communications Officer: Annie Lin

Art Director: Kelly Chen

Activities Director: Amanda Tung

Sports Director: Rachel Lu

The newly elected 11th grade Student Council lines up in front of their predecessors.

A Letter from:

Student

President Sydney Hsieh & Vice President William Tu

As a team, we are thrilled to serve as the school’s Student Council for the 2024-2025 school year!

With 16 enthusiastic members, we are committed to ensuring close cooperation, teamwork, and transparency. We promise that everyone's opinions will be heard as we organize events like talent shows, sports competitions, and improve our field trips and assembly events. We are also working on getting better sports equipment, and updating the school's WiFi. We can’t wait to work with every member as well as every student in making our learning environment a better place!

campaign on enhancing school facilities, including the men’s bathrooms. They also proposed continuing the Talent Show, introducing a Christmas Party, and potentially adding a Spirit Week, all of which resonated with many students.

"Overall, the competition was relatively intense, with three teams showcasing their unique strengths," said Sydney Hsieh, the newly elected Student Council President. "But this victory is more than just a personal achievement; we are grateful for the support and trust of all students and are excited to start working on the promises we made.”

10th Grade

President: Michael Tsai

Vice President: Nathan Wang

Secretary: Alice Chu

Treasurer: Austin Zheng

Communications Officer: Avelin Huang

Art Director: Maersk Chuang

Activities Director: Eric Tung

Sports Director: Jelly Chang

10th grade Student Council

In an unprecedented move, the 10th graders formed two parties, Michael Tsai and Nathan Wang led one party, while Sunny Chen and Jenny Chang led the other. While Michael and Nathan won the positions of president and vice-president, respectively, Sunny and Jenny's party swept the remaining positions. Michael and Nathan, who won by more than 120 votes, based their campaign on promoting more democratic expression and voting at school events. Their slogan, "Vote for Your Rights!" gained traction among students. They emphasized the importance of student voices in school decision-making processes.

Welcoming the new additions to WIST’s clubs!

Lifestyle Aesthetics Club

Lifestyle Aesthetics is a club dedicated to floriculture design. Students learn the craft of creating balanced and visually appealing arrangements with dried flowers and plants. Hands-on activities range from the basics of decorating potted plants to designing flower wreaths and transforming flowers into paintings. Floriculture design is a unique way to cultivate mindfulness and concentration. 9-1 Joanne said, “I get to learn more about arranging flowers and learn a niche skill.”

Baking Club

The Baking Club made a comeback this semester with Ms. Chen. The idea for reviving the baking club stemmed from the requests of multiple students. Ms. Chen aims to introduce students to the principles of baking, starting from the basics. From lemon cakes to panna cotta, and strawberry cookies, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of recipes and techniques. Students often feel a sense of accomplishment. Jenny Chen from 10-3 said, “I did not know how to bake before. I learned how to measure ingredients correctly and identify whether a cake is baked or not.” Alex from 7-2 said, “This club is very fun. Not only did I learn the basics of baking, but I also got to eat delicious snacks.”

Self Defense Club

William Tu from 11-2 founded the Self-Defense Club. The club is taught by Mr. Cooper, a former MMA fighter. Indeed, our school’s teaching staff has many hidden talents! The self-defense club allows students to learn personal defense skills and is a form of cardio training. Mr. Cooper guides students in fighting skills such as boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Thai boxing, and mixed martial arts. In every class, each member finds a partner and practices fighting skills together. Eric Lin from 10-3 recounts, “Practicing fighting with others in the club is a lot of fun, and I got to learn Brazilian jiu-jitsu with no prior training experience.”

Volleyball Club

Volleyball is a sport that many students are not exposed to. Vanessa Zabalo from 10-1 founded the club to share her enthusiasm for volleyball with her peers. The teacher introduces students to techniques including serving, setting, hitting, blocking, and digging to enhance their volleyball skills. Zoe Chang from 10-1 said, “I got to understand the correct posture for playing volleyball, training balance and coordination, and team-building with friends on the court.”

Film History Club

Film History Club is founded and co-taught by Sydney Hsieh from 11-1 and Mr. Zahn. The club seeks to educate students about film history, spanning from the birth of cinema in the 1870s to modern times. Emily Pan from 10-1 said, “In this club, I learned about the cultural and historical background of films. Sydney also taught cinematography and film analysis.” Lucia from 7-1 said, “Some of the videos the teacher showed us were hilarious, like the silent comedy Laurel and Hardy and The Three Stooges, I love this club.”

NatureGetaway

By Victor Hung, Copy Editor

On March 15th, students went on a field trip to Dongshih Forest Garden in Taichung. This outing was designed to provide them with a break from the city and encourage team-building. The day began with rhythmic activity, during which each class followed the dance moves of their tour guide. Afterwards, the guide led the students to a physical training area that tested their physical and mental limits.

While trekking through the forest, students also took part in a series of mountain training activities, including rock climbing, rappelling, and bouldering. These challenges pushed them to work together and encouraged a sense of unity within the group. Cyril Chi from 11-1 said, “The mountain activities were challenging as we had to complete them in a short amount of time. But it was an incredible experience that brought my class closer together.” In the afternoon, activities like archery and axe throwing tested their precision and prompted everyone to step out of their comfort zones.

The highlight of the day was the BBQ session, eagerly awaited by all. With an array of ingredients like shrimp, squid, beef, and roast chicken, students gathered around fire pits, learning to ignite charcoal and collaborate effectively. Despite some mishaps while cooking, the students had fun with the BBQ experience. Emily Pan from 10-1 remarked, “When grilling meat, it’s important to pay attention to the doneness of the meat and the duration of the heat.”

This field trip offered a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and learning. As the students returned, they brought back with them a renewed appreciation for nature and a readiness to tackle new challenges as a team. Students gained valuable survival skills through engaging activities such as knot-tying and fire-starting. It was truly a breath of fresh air from the usual school routine.

Students try fire starting and BBQ grilling in Dongshih forest garden.

preparation

UC Essay Question:

Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few.

Sometimes, I indulge in fantasies and dreams reminiscent of the worlds in fairy tales and Disney Princess stories that constantly fill my mind. Fascinated and enchanted, I have developed a passion for novel writing, particularly in terms of writing a scene description. Novel writing itself has let my imagination run wild.

"Behind the Mirror" -a novel written by me that enriches my creativity/imagination. It depicts a young man embarking on a journey in a parallel world; it is a world characterized by "star showers" twinkling and the moon in water. Whales swim in the sky, and seaweed makes up an underwater forest. Directly from the shore, there are various, colorful, and oddly shaped coral reefs. The ocean water glitters like sapphire in Avatar World. There are also white wolves crossing the stream. The novel itself, of many scenes, is a representation of my appreciation for extraordinary beauty.

It is utterly rewarding that beauty indeed exists in the real world - magnificent golden orange sunset with building silhouettes; a bird sitting in the tree to find shelter for the night before the sky completely darkens; the sun dipping below the horizon and the sky as a result, turning almost entirely pencil-lead gray.

I have been dedicated to making our mother planet more environmentally sustainable because of my unrivaled passion for nature. As a passionate scuba diver, I've witnessed the gradual disappearance of coral reefs, posing a significant threat to the marine ecosystem. Therefore, I joined the voluntary service called "Navi Orchid" to save the water around Orchid Island from being further polluted.

Aiming to help the public gain more awareness about environmentalism, I created Instagram and Facebook accounts and built a website with the information to communicate our cause to the community. With GoDaddy's state-of-the-art services, more people understood the dire need to address the above-mentioned issue, leading to actions from all pertinent parties, such as the government, local businesses, and every individual who calls Orchid Island home.

My creativity, imagination, and innovativeness will continually propel me toward bringing about a better world and a brighter future.

Ashley Liu

The writer, Ashley Liu is a scuba diving enthusiast who also excels at playing percussion and piano. Ashley is actively involved in Navi Orchid, a student organization founded by international school students all across Taiwan.

Based in Blue Island (Lanyu), Ashley seeks to preserve Lanyu's beauty by promoting and selling eco-friendly sunscreen. With a strong commitment to environmental conservation and a deep love for the ocean, Ashley is now fully committed to UC Berkeley, graduating with the class of 2028.

BreakingBoundaries

By Chris Wei, Staff Writer

Edited by: Victor Hung, Copy Editor

You most likely believe that top-tier grades and GPAs are essential for getting into a decent college. I am going to break that superstition for you. I was accepted into the University of San Francisco with middle-of-the-pack grades and received a $60000 scholarship.

As a high school student, I found myself in the A-2 group, with mediocre scores and a desire to improve. I knew that I had to do something to make myself competitive in the college admission pool. I can either work hard towards improving my scores and hopefully get promoted to the A-1 group or do some extracurriculars that I can include in my resume. Plan A did not go well. I saw a slight improvement in my scores despite studying harder. I guess all the extra efforts put in are offset by the increased course difficulty. Plan B, to do a project, was then my only path to proceed.

I always had a profound passion for agriculture. This explains why I joined and stayed in the greenhouse club since grade 8. Growing vegetables is fun, relieving me of all my academic stress. As I got better at growing and managing more plants, I started selling cabbages, lettuce, and corn to my clubmates monthly to our subject teachers. I thought of incorporating my greenhouse activities into my resume. My initial plan would be to donate the money we make selling vegetables to charities. However, I found this scheme repetitive and phony. Selling things and donating to charities were things many of my classmates and seniors had already done. I had to think of an excellent plan that would put all my experience in agriculture to use.

I decided to start my own microbusiness that sells dry fruit. Dry fruit is an optimal product to sell because I can keep a large amount of stock without worrying about the expiration date. I contacted multiple companies I found online and asked for their samples. After some evaluation, I eventually landed on one company that could produce decent dried pineapples.

Chris Wei founded Veggie Fox, a business that sells dry fruit, including pineapples and strawberries.

Chris’ dedication for his passion project is one of the main highlights of his college application.

After ordering 500 for stock, I had to think of a way to sell these products to the masses. These dried fruits would not just fly off the shelves automatically; it would take forever if I were to sell them in person. I recalled the business courses I was taking and thought of using e-commerce. I created a brand name called “Veggie Fox” and started marketing it online. I worked with Taiwanese video creators to help advertise the product and gave them a little cut in return. Additionally, I made a music video to promote the dried pineapples. Digital marketing worked well for me, and I swiftly sold most of my stock. I made some money at the end of the day, but most importantly, I earned a story to tell.

I wrote the story into my personal statement and saw a great return. The University of San Francisco, in particular, favored my experience. Not only did I get admitted, but they also gave me a $60,000 scholarship. I do not have extraordinary scores, and I know that doing the same cliche voluntary work or charity business projects would not get me anywhere. Thinking outside the box is my key to success. So, to the ones out there who could not find a place in the score rankings, forget about it and make a plan; the sooner, the better.

LifeLine Charity holds seasonal bake sales on the school campus, donating all profits to the Care for Cardiac Children Association.

Trends Korean

By Ashley Liu, Staff Writer

As summer vacation approaches, it is time to set aside uniforms. Yet, finding the perfect outfit is an eternal struggle, even with a complete wardrobe. Make yourself stand out with these Korean fashion trends and outfit inspirations!

Korean fashion, also known as Hallyu, has taken the global fashion industry by storm, especially in Asia. Influenced by K-pop music, a genre that is a blend of rock, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, electronic, and classical music, Hallyu embodies this diversity and youthful energy. From ballet-core t-shirts adorned with ribbons to oversized polo shirts and stylish bowling bags, Korean fashion trends marry comfort with streetwear style, making every outfit a statement of individuality.

1Bowling Bags

Bowling bags have become a popular trend in South Korea. It has a stylish design and ample capacity that win over fashion enthusiasts. It is typically crafted from leather with a glossy appearance, exuding sophistication and elegance. People often pair it with decorative elements like ribbons, lace, and cute dolls on the bag's handle, adding a playful touch. Advertisements by Korean idols cemented its popularity and status as a must-have item in 2024.

Sheer Lace 2

Sheer lace has emerged as a beloved and iconic fashion element in South Korea, particularly sheer lace skirts. These skirts come in various lengths and forms, ranging from short to maxi, a one-piece, or an overall dress. What makes sheer lace skirts popular in Korea is their flexibility for layering outfits. There are countless ways to incorporate sheer lace into an outfit. One common approach is layering it over pants, especially denim jeans.

Polo Shirt

Typical outfits in Korea often feature a polo shirt paired with a blouse, which comes in various patterns like strip, plaid, or plain. Polo shirts are versatile for different fits, whether loose or tight; they create both relaxed and formal vibes. These combinations are often paired with denim skirts and jeans, adding a sense of vintage charm.

Ribbons

Ribbons entered the fashion world in the 16th century as a symbol of elegance and status. Since 2023, the emergence of the balletcore style embraced by K-pop idols has increased the popularity of ribbons. Ribbon features now adorn every piece of clothing, from t-shirts and tops to dresses, jackets, pants, hats, and bags. These ribbons come in various sizes, textures, and forms; they can be embroidered, crafted as jewelry, or printed on shirts, adding a touch of charm and sophistication to any outfit.

By Vanesa Zabelo

Edited by Sydney Hsieh, Editor-in-chief

Japanese Kintsugi, or Kintsukuroi, is a traditional art form deeply intertwined with Japanese philosophical views. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by gluing the fragments together with tree sap and adorning the seams with gold lacquer. This practice reinvents imperfections as newfound beauty.

EmbracingImperfections: Kintsugi Origins

The art of Kintsugi originated in the Muromachi period (14th-16th century) in Japan. Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa sought creative ways to fix his favorite tea bowl. The bowl was unique and irreplaceable, so Yoshimasa sent the shattered pieces to China for repair. The bowl returned with metal staples holding the pieces in place. Dissatisfied with this conventional fix, Yoshimasa was inspired by the wabi-sabi philosophy, which centers on accepting transience and finding beauty in imperfection. Thus, Kintsugi was born, transforming fissures into gilded paths with gold, silver, or platinum. Visually, Kintsugi contrasts delicate metal lines with the pottery's original material, highlighting the balance between old and new.

Spirit of Kintsugi

Kintsugi is more than a mere repair technique. It reflects the recycling culture in Japan that has been in place since the Edo period. This spirit of “mottainai,” promotes avoiding waste. The technique offers not just physical restoration but also mental rejuvenation, showcasing the deep connection between objects and people. Kintsugi teaches us to find strength in vulnera bility and add value to damaged items.

Philosophy

Kintsugi represents a unique artistic philosophy that sets it apart from other traditions. In an age of mass production and uniformity, Kintsugi offers a different perspective, celebrating imperfection. Nothing in this world is perfect, no matter how hard one tries. Instead of hiding our flaws, Kintsugi encourages us to accept and deal with failures.

This philosophy aligns with the concept of "mushin," or the acceptance of change and fate. "Mushin" is about being open to the natural course of events and understanding that imperfection is an inevitable part of life. It teaches us to find beauty in the incomplete and the flawed. The bowl may appear broken, with its pieces scattered, but it presents an opportunity to mend it with gold. This act of repairing with precious metals not only restores the bowl's functionality but also transforms it into a work of art. The Japanese practice breathes new life into broken objects.

Preparing gold dust to sprinkle on broken parts

AprThe

by Emery Lee

The Apron she wears, could use some care. Covered with patches and stains, How could she bear?

Everywhere she walks follows shame. As if public had time to care.

The stares that she gets, were not respect. No one else was wearing it, What’d you expect?

That dumb apron outstands her wit. As if business had time to care.

The itchy fabric, made her tragic. Restrictive, it made her trip. Will she get there?

Not until the apron was stripped. As if mortals had time to care.

Take off the apron? What a naive dream. It was her gift at her birth, So it’s for life.

It was the others that needed change. As if councils had time to care.

Kids these

It was the kind of lazy August night where the kids retired to their beds exhausted from playing Capture the Flag and Red Rover, Come Over. At least, that was how it had been in the old days, Malvin the elf thought grumpily as the Portal opened, admitting himself and the ogre and the dwarf to the earthly realm. Kids today were different. They shut themselves up in their rooms after supper, and played computer games. They were almost always alert when he arrived, much more difficult targets.

Sure enough, as the Portal lit up the kid’s bedroom, they saw the boy click-clicking his mouse, intent on the screen, tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth, his head sheathed in a sleek black headphones. Hard drives and USBs littered the floor and desk, and a green screen had been set off to one side. Another failed streamer, Malvin thought. Probably frustrated and lonely for attention. He studied the lad’s overgrown arms and ballooning stomach with approval: a big dumb ox of a boy, perfect for heavy labor. The mine bosses would be delighted with their new slave.

Days

by Michael A. Turton

He cleared his throat loudly. “My Lord.” Behind him he felt the ogre and the dwarf come to attention, and reminded himself to commend them later for their superb acting. It was part of the scam: the Portal’s ancient magic, older and greater than their kingdom, ruled that crossers had to go willingly.

The kid banged on, oblivious. For a moment the elf was at a loss: Malvin could plainly make out their reflections on the screen.

Suddenly the boy turned around. His head tilted, regarding them with slitted eyes, and he slowly took off the headphones.

Yep, Malvin thought, feeling vindicated. Stupid. “Wellll...,” the boy said. “What game are you folks from?”

“Game?” Malvin paused, confused, then plunged right into his spiel. “My liege,” he urged, “we waste time. Your kingdom awaits you.”

“My kingdom?”

“My liege, have you ever felt you do not belong in this world? That your parents are not your real parents? I know why. You were born on another plane, in another world, and brought over as a babe, to keep you safe from those then hunting you. But now, at last, the kingdom is stable and you are of age. Return with us, through that Portal, and take your throne.”

Behind him he felt the ogre’s firm nod. “Great thpeech, bossth,” it whispered between its scaled lips.

The boy frowned at them, then laughed aloud. “You’re shitting me, right? My father filed a paternity lawsuit against my mother last year. I’ve been DNA tested, I’m 100% theirs. Are you guys sure you got the right house?”

Malvin’s stomach lurched as he imagined the Prince slow-roasting him when he came back empty-handed from another trip. DNA tests again! Kids these days... He retrieved some documents tucked into his belt and pretended to shuffle through them. “This rule that they have to come willingly…” he said in an undertone. His voice trailed off, muttering curses so dark they made the ogre shift nervously from foot to foot.

“Time to move to Plan B, boss,” whispered the dwarf.

The ogre nodded, nearly falling over as his weighty head shifted position. “Da quota, bossth,” he whispered.

“You think I don’t know that?” Malvin considered. If we can properly flatter this kid, maybe we can salvage something.

He gave the lad his brightest smile. “Look, son, er… what’s your name?”

The boy waved a pudgy finger at him. “Na-uh. No names. I know the rules.”

The rules! The computer games educated them too! Malvin spit out another curse. “You know we need people back in the kingdom, workers. Young people. Surely you know a few folks who could… help us out. People you don’t… particularly like. If you could gather them here? Perhaps tomorrow night?”

The kid’s eyes narrowed again. “So it was yinz who snatched that kid up in Punx’y, and the other in Blairsville, and the two kids from the soccer team. And Jenny.” His eyes grew hooded for a moment.

Then he stamped both feet on the floor and hauled his ponderous body out of the chair. He nodded down at Malvin, belly looming. “Yeah, tomorrow night is good. How many do you need? I don’t like…,” he laughed to himself as he ticked off names on his fingers. “A lotta people.”

Malvin smiled thinly. The boy wagged a pudgy finger at Malvin. “And I want cash. Ten thousand for the lot.”

“Done!” Malvin almost cried in relief. Dollars were easy, they’d taken so many off the kids they’d collected. “See you tomorrow, same time!”

The kid grunted, then snatched up his phone. He was tap-tapping away even as Malvin and his team melted back into the Portal.

Marvin’s raid on children, illustration by Emily Zhang

The next evening when the Portal opened Malvin was delighted to see a group of boys standing behind the fat one. Behind him two ogres shoved their way through the blue ring. Malvin feared he might need more muscle on this run.

A ripple ran through the group. “So it’s true,” someone hissed.

“The cash?” the boy drawled, holding out a chubby hand.

Then he stepped aside.

The shotguns thundered like elephants, shaking the walls of the house. The ogres fell, one to the side, the other back into the portal.

One of the boys stepped forward, ignoring Malvin.

“Won’t we wake everyone up?”

“Out here? It’s a half mile to the next house.”

The fat one walked up and casually shot Malvin in a skinny thigh. He fell to the ground, screaming. “You can’t kill me! The Portal will close!” He fell across the sticky mess that was the ogre’s chest.

“Good then,” grunted one of the boys, “we’ll keep you alive”. They formed a line and began passing crates and boxes from hand to hand through the portal.

“Never thought my Dad’s gun collection would be good for anything,” remarked one. Then they worked in silence, rapidly, case after case.

The fat boy bent and yanked Malvin by his collar. The elf whimpered in pain as his broken leg dragged on the floor. He felt the boy press a gun to his side.

“This is for Jenny.”

Pain like ice and cold like fire. Malvin felt himself flung through the portal.

He looked back. One kid was shooting the scene with his mobile phone.

Kids these days, Malvin thought.

“Never thought my Dad’s gun collection would be good for anything.”

EmilyZhang's ART PORTFOLIO

A Glimpse into Tomorrow

Blender Art

Blender is a free, open-source software for 3D graphics. Artists use it to create detailed renders, animations, and visual effects. This artwork showcases Blender’s ability to mix realism with Leo Huang’s imagination. Leo has used Blender for over a year, and this piece took him around 14 hours to finish.

Leo Huang combines various 3D models, including both pre-made and his own creations, to craft his artwork. He personalizes each element by determining the textures, color schemes, placements, lighting, and intricate details. By adjusting the materials, shading, and lighting effects, he enhances the realism and mood of the scene.

Description

In this 3D digital artwork, an astronaut sits thoughtfully on a sofa in a lush garden. The garden, full of vibrant flowers and plants, contrasts with a futuristic city visible through an archway. The city’s tall skyscrapers with holographic displays show advanced technology. The scene suggests a balance between technology and nature.

The astronaut’s reflective pose in the green surroundings implies a theme of human introspection amid technological progress. The garden’s natural beauty, set within an urban landscape, invites viewers to think about the harmony between nature and technology.

By Leo Huang

Behind the scenes

Comic Illustrations by Shannon Chen

“I always learn something, and that is to be yourself always, express yourself, and have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate him.”

Bruce Lee

Photo by Matthias Chan