Xiangru Chen
Vibes of Union Square
Prompt: This assignment focuses on gathering visual information and translating it into drawings, which are then reshaped through a creative process. The goal is to reorganize these visual elements into a cohesive and distinct narrative system, exploring how collected data can evolve into a meaningful story or concept.
This piece is a reflection of my direct observations of Union Square park in New York City, captured through quick, spontaneous sketches made on location. I used only ink pens to capture both busy energy and natural of the park in a simple color of black and white, focusing on shapes, textures, and perspective. The main goal was to show Union Square as a place where nature and the city come together. I wanted to highlight the natural and urban elements, such as the trees and streetlights in the middle, to emphasize how they interact and shape an environment. To guide the viewer’s eyes throughout the drawing, I added branches as motifs that connect different parts of the sketches. These organic shapes frame the scene and lead the eye, creating a flow that feels like the natural movement of the park.