Short Bio
Sandra Olga Ng, Ka Man, is a senior lecturer in the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), Macau, China.
Born in Hong Kong and raised in Macau, she holds a master's degree in Communication and Media (2019, USJ) and is currently a PhD candidate in Global Studies. Her works focus on 3D modelling, rendering and virtual reality while her recent research is about Virtual Reality.
Sandra also has experiences in Public Relations, translations, digital illustration and social media communication since her Bachelor graduation in 2015.
Bēhance: https://www.behance.net/sandraolgang
Kuula: https://kuula.co/profile/SandraOlga
Thangs: https://thangs.com/designer/SandraOlgaNg
Publications
Academic Papers
Ng, Ka Man, and Carlos Sena Caires. ‘In Memorial and Serenity: Introducing VR Grave Mourning in the Chapel of St. Michael in Macao’. International Journal of Creative Interfaces and Computer Graphics (IJCICG) 13, no. 1 (1 January 2022): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJCICG.308300.
Conference Proceedings
Ng, K. M., & Caires, C. S. (2022). Applied Interactive Mindfulness: A virtual reality grave mourning user experience in the Chapel of St. Michael in Macao. Book of Abstracts, Multimodus’22, 1st International Conference on Sound and Image in Art & Design, 22–23. https://multimodus.ipportalegre.pt/
Ng, K. M., Estadieu, G., & Farinha, D. (2022). (Un)Directed Reading, an interactive kiosk to encourage writing and reading. The Creative Process: Reflections on Contemporary Creativity, 83–85. https://multimodus.ipportalegre.pt/
Modules
Year 1 Master
Students will be introduced to the relationships between product (and component part) design, the materials they are made from and the manufacturing processes used to create components and assemble them into products. They will examine economic and social constructs for design. They will also study the resources and evolution of style in mass-produced products. They will learn methodology, with emphasis on research, problem identification and analysis, and creative problem solving. Students will work on projects, both in large scale and full scale, and will explore the nature of materials, the discovery of new materials. They will also investigate the art of detailing.
Working in large scale or full scale on projects, students will study the nature of materials, discover new materials and investigate the art of detailing. They will explore designing computer interfaces and products/objects that only exist in a temporal dimension or virtual space.
Year 1 Bachelor
This module will encourage students to see, think and speak in the visual language of three-dimensional models and art. Students will concentrate on the application of three-dimensional concepts, through the direct manipulation of materials using a broad approach to tools and processes. Although this is a studio course module focusing primarily on specific projects and group critiques, in an effort to develop critical thinking, a portion of time will be spent on slide lectures, films, readings and discussion. Some time will also be given over to the safe and proper use of hand tools, power tools and equipment. The module considers both hand worked (clay, polystyrene, balsa wood, MDF, etc)and machine made (stereo-lithography, etc) models. As part of the module, students hand made models for at least two different products and one machine made model.
This module introduces students to the concepts and techniques of computer-based software tools used to draw images and construct virtual models of two- and three-dimensional objects and spaces. Line (wireframe), surface, and solid modeling will be studied.
This module is an introduction to digital fabrication technologies applied in architecture and design fields. It will awaken and enhance students’ ability to three‐dimensionally present spatial and formal solutions, with a focus on rapid prototyping and material experimentation. Using physical models to test and explore design solutions should be any architect or designer’s primary tool, along with drawing and research. In the past, model making was mostly outsource to specialized companies with all its limitations in time, cost and interpretation. Digital fabrication technologies provide an opportunity for architects and designers to take over their digital plans and empower them to control the full process from the digital design to the physical model.
Year 2 Bachelor
For this module, students critically review and evaluate the design, implementation and operation of a selection of online/virtual environments from around the world. Additionally, students propose and complete the detailed conceptual design for an online virtual system for a selected purpose.
Virtual Environments - LAR225 / LCM216 / LDS408
Students will have the time and place to observe, practice and test their learning achievements in areas related to human life. The use of real life situations, scenario building, simulation, introspective exercises and project development and management will create an environment where students will be challenged to question and research the wide range of issues that are central to the emergence and dynamics of life.
Year 3 Bachelor
Motion Graphics and Compositing is a module whose main focus is learning animated graphic composition, videographic computer animation and advanced visual effects for film and animation. This module aims to teach methodologies and modes of applying advanced animation techniques for visual and sound effects. Its content focuses in depth on the study of kinetic pictures and typography as the use of text as meaning and aesthetic language. Students will learn how to apply motion graphics and compositing for video and film in Motion (Apple), and After Effects (Adobe). They will learn the main elements of Motion and Compositing (Keyframing; Interpolating; Creating generators, automatic behaviours; and particle Emitters; Keying; Stereoscoping). At the end of this module it is expected that student understands and knows all the workflow process of motion graphics and compositing.
"The objective of this module is to able the student to be a creator..
In Design-Lab Animation the students are also given the knowledge of the most advanced tools today in digital animation creation, and are taught on the most efficient way to use them according to a real life production pipeline. "
"Students will be asked to develop their projects under the theme “Video-mapping: Imagine the Invisible”. The theme encompasses video projects that relate with the idea of developing video-mapping strategies to produce motion graphics and interactive video contents.
By having a firm grasp on the visual, creative and technological components of interactive media and motion graphics, the student will be ready to apply this expertise to a design job in the graphic/motion design, advertising and marketing professions. Furthermore, this program aims to develop learners, knowledge, understanding and skills in graphic communication and multimedia through studio-based assignments. The contemporary context of graphic and motion design will be investigated.
From start to finish, students will learn the core elements of motion graphic design and interactive video-mapping media. This course will explore several areas of graphic design and interactive media, including:
● Elements of design
● Principles of design
● Visual communication
● Digital typography
● Motion graphics
● Interaction design
● Principles of projection
● Fundamental of Augmented Reality
● Video Mapping
"The Infographics and Multimedia Design course provides students with in-depth, hands-on experience in the design and authoring of original multimedia works. Students will have the opportunity to study graphic design and interactive design, emphasizing both technological proficiency and visual literacy. By having a firm grasp on the visual, creative and technological components of multimedia and information graphics, the student will be ready to apply this expertise to a design job in the graphic design, advertising and marketing professions. Furthermore, this programme aims to develop learners in knowledge understanding and skills in graphic communication and multimedia through studio-based assignments. The contemporary context of Graphic Design will be investigated. As Graphic design moves from the creation of closed, static objects to the development of open, interactive frameworks, designers seek to understand their own rapidly shifting profession.
This subject, “Infographics for New Media” is going to be the students final design projects and they should use it as an opportunity to develop a communication graph that summarizes the best of their design knowledge and skills. Students should look for their design assets and where they see themselves working in the future, and use this knowledge to help in the development of their design concept and production of their design project. In the course of this module, students will be required to thoughtfully research, ideate, plan, prepare, produce and present their infographics, making the decisions – regarding the concepts, materials, technologies, strategies, etc. – that best translate their ideas.
Students will be asked to develop their Final Project under the theme “Infographics for new media”. The theme encompasses design projects that relate with the idea of developing emerging visual displays strategies within the scope of new media (web/mobile).
From start to finish, students will learn the core elements of info graphics and multimedia design. The module is divided in two parts: a first one that will explore and produce an offline infographic (5 sessions) and prepare it for the second part, that leads to the development of the infographic for the web (7 sessions). This course will explore several areas:
• Infographics concept and definitions
• History of Infographics
• Visual communication
• Digital tools for Infographics
• Multimedia design
• HTML, CSS, JavaScript
• jQuery
• SVG and SVG Manipulation from JavaScript
• Patterns for interactive Web Infographics"
Year 4 Bachelor
For this module, students critically review and evaluate the design, implementation and operation of a selection of online/virtual environments from around the world. Additionally, students propose and complete the detailed conceptual design for an online virtual system for a selected purpose.
Virtual Environments - LAR225 / LCM216 / LDS408
Students are expected to be conversant with some of the most pertinent literature of and for our times. Even though we disavow the relative merits of fixed lists of works considered classics, we do affirm the intrinsic value of communal reading and theorizing. Reading lists will be defined and evolve through proposals from faculty and students.