First, I conducted an analysis of my writing structure. This helped me clarify the direction of my research and identify what specific information I needed to gather. By organizing my thoughts this way, I can not only better structure my research but also introduce critical questions and seek answers related to my theme.
Next, I visited the V&A Museum. It was my first experience of truly understanding what “Florence Syndrome” feels like—I was almost overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and intricacy of the artworks, to the point of dizziness. While there, I encountered many wrought iron pieces, including several fences from centuries ago. Though I didn’t uncover the historical reasons why people started building fences, I observed that most of these fences were associated with noble estates and churches. I also discovered that many of the designs were symbolic—church fences, for instance, often incorporated religious motifs like certain flowers with sacred meanings.
I then categorized the fences I encountered into four main types and created 3D models for each. While I’m not sure if I will use these models in the final project, the process helped me understand the structures more deeply. I started noticing small details that I had previously overlooked, which allowed me to grasp the design logic better.
After that, I worked on some typography visual experiments. I aimed to combine text with different fence materials and forms—such as wider gaps reminding me of sticker fences, and smaller gaps feeling more like brick walls. These experiments are helping me visualize how fences could be expressed not only in their form but in their texture and density.
I also conducted several interviews with people living in the surrounding area. From the interviews, I selected six key insights that inspired me the most to present. I chose not to include the interviewees’ photos, as I felt they didn’t add value to the research itself. Instead, I focused on capturing only their eyes and mouths—since they use their eyes to observe the fences and their mouths to express their opinions.