Merging New Media & A Timeless Icon

At The One Academy Gallery, the entrance snaked through a passage, leading visitors to a literature journey centered around one of the world’s most well-loved icons – William Shakespeare.

Held in conjunction with the writer’s 400^th death anniversary, the impressive Shakespeare Lives in The One Academy Exhibition, initiated by Interactive Media Design students Batch 1305, was the perfect venue to celebrate the legend in a rather unique way.

The exhibition was officiated by Tatsun Hoi, The One Academy Founder & Principal; Sweii Chong, The One Academy Programme Coordinator for Interactive Media Design; Cheang Lin Yew, The One Academy Head of Digital; Grey Yeoh, British Council Art Director; and Lim Kien Lee, KL Shakespeare Players Founder, Actor, Director and Facilitator. The collaboration with British Council with The One Academy was purposed to create more awareness on Shakespeare’s amazing works and also to celebrate them in the most exceptional way.

Using the concept to marry the use of modern interactive media with one of the oldest iconic figures in literature, the objective of this exhibition is to bring out the best of Shakespeare while making it relatable and fun for the younger audience who usually perceives Shakespeare literature as boring.

“Because of the dynamics involved in creating an exhibition comprising the complexity of understanding difficult literature text and the technicalities of translating materials in a fun and creative ways, this exhibition is the best platform for our degree students to test themselves to see how far they can go by utilising the skills they have learnt here at The One Academy,” said Tatsun.

“Our students displayed a sense of maturity that exceeded our expectations in terms of execution of ideas and the expression of creativity that is on par even according to industry standards. We are therefore, very proud of them for what they have achieved through this exhibition and know they will go far in life,” he added.

At The One Gallery were 5 interactive booths – Shakespeare Ways to Die by team Riptide, Behind the Mask by team V-Folio, Actmospheare: Strike a Pose, Feel the Play by team Aether Installation, Shakespeare Says by team VM and Lifescape by team Recital. Each of the interactive booths was designed to allow visitors to experience Shakespeare’s prose through most of our senses – sight, sound, touch and speech.

The successful exhibition was result of The One Academy’s effective degree course in which the students have undergone. In this course, they have the opportunity to learn about the ever changing advent of new technologies being invented and reinvented in the fast paced challenging industry and then learn how to build a bigger and better digital playground for a wider audience who now has a wider accessibility for gadgets. This course also offers students an innovative learning environment to develop their knowledge in various digital media curriculums ranging from time-based media, online media such as web and mobile applications, interactive media such as experiential design, user experience and interface design, to digital fabrication and production. That way, students are able to gain interpersonal and hands-on production skills that will lead them to a wider career path which includes digital/ interactive designer, multimedia designer, digital/ interactive art director, game designer and more.

Shakespeare Lives in The One Academy Exhibition was truly fascinating and introduced many of its visitors its beauty in the most wonderful way. Even though the interactive booths were done by students, the standard of quality displayed truly reflects the successful training by The One Academy’s programme and the effectiveness of its ‘Masters Train Masters’ coaching philosophy which reflects the tertiary education institution’s commitment to providing the best art education programme for over 25 years. As one of the leading creative institutions in the country, The One Academy is continues to nurture its students passionately by providing diploma and degree courses namely Interior Design, Advertising & Graphic Design, Digital Animation with Game Development, Multimedia Design with Digital Media & Interactive Design, Film Visual Effects, Illustration, Movie & Game Art, Fine Arts and ESMOD Fashion Design & Pattern Making. 

For those interested to find out more about the courses available at The One Academy, make your enquiries by calling 03-5637 5510, email [email protected] or visit www.toa.edu.my for more information.