My concept is based on the three weird lighting modes in the living room of the house I rented this semester—white-purple, warm yellow, and blinding blue. The following three photos were all taken with an iPhone, without any post-color adjustment, though there are still noticeable differences for some reason. For example, the yellow light is actually much more yellow to the naked eye, but it appears softer when photographed; the purple light, which looks like a cold white in reality, turns extremely purple when captured. I’ve also included a video of me switching through the lighting modes. The photos don’t quite capture the full glory of these bizarre lighting choices, but they still set quite the scene.
For the first concept, inspired by the strange white-purple light (which, when photographed, somehow looks more purple than it does in real life), I wanted to evoke a sense of outsider absurdity. Imagine moving into a space where you instantly feel like something is off—nothing quite fits together. You have a suitcase hastily plopped down in the middle of the room as if someone moved in but never really settled in. For some reason, someone thought it was a great idea to perch a straw hat on the air conditioner. In the background, a collection of random wooden objects (which are, in reality, my roommate’s unassembled chairs) loiters suspiciously on the balcony. The whole space feels asynchronous like it’s stuck between "not ready to live in" and "someone has definitely tried." There’s an amusing contrast between the objects and their surroundings—none of them quite belong, yet they’re all somehow there together.
Serious Version
Intent: The goal is to make the viewer uncomfortable, giving the impression of a space in transition, not yet livable—a place no one would want to call home.
For this concept, I wanted to emphasize simplicity and practicality, with the warm yellow light setting the tone for a functional space. Here, the focus is on a minimalist aesthetic—a beautifully simple, solid wood table with just a single screwdriver resting on top. A plug peeks out in the corner, as if it’s quietly reminding you, “You’re ready to work now.” The scene gives off the vibe that you’ve just completed assembling the perfect workspace, and now you’re all set to dive into your tasks, free from distractions. The warm light adds a cozy, productive feel, inviting you to settle in and get things done. Everything is clean, straightforward, and ready for action.