Yiben is a recent Bachelor of Design graduate at the University of Melbourne. Majoring in Performance Design with a Graphic Design minor, Yiben has explored many aspects of the design world including; set, light, sound and costume design for theatre, poster and publication design, branding and video art. 

He is especially passionate about production design in theatre and film industry and is aiming to further develop his skills through a masters program.

Throughout three years of study in the Performance Design major, the distinct disciplines of Sound, Light, the Figure and Space in Performance are examined in detail through separate core subjects.

The culmination of this program is the capstone subject Performance Design Studio, in which students combine these scenographic elements holistically in response to a play text. These capstone projects demonstrate their ability to utilise design as a dramaturgical tool, with these skills being both valuable and transferrable across the wide variety of design disciplines that students will pursue upon completion.

The graphic design major provides students with practical and conceptual skills to undertake professional graphic design work.

Graphic designers work within print and digital based mediums to present information in ways that are both memorable and accessible. They are visual communicators—assembling illustrations, typography, images and motion graphics to create a piece of design.

Bachelor of Design (Graphic Design & Performance Design)

'The Tempest' centres around the story of Prospero. The stage design responds to the psychic world of Prospero. Instead of a conventional island portrayal, the set unfolds as a distorted geometric realm. Multiple performance spaces are created utilising soft entrance and transparent curtains. 

The ink splatters pervade all over the space, symbolising Prospero’s magical power as well as he’s control over this reality. The white, warped geometries juxtaposing with the striking black ink splatters, create a surreal ambiance. 

The surrealistic design aims to break audience’s conventional impression of the story and invites them to engage with the show through a modern perspective. Complementing the black-and-white stage, the costumes are vibrant and whimsical with unique silhouettes. Inhabitants of the world initially have ink-splattered attire, representing Prospero's control on them. 

As the narrative unfolds, some shed the ink, signifying their liberation, while outsiders start in vibrant, glossy costumes but become tainted by ink over time. By applying exaggerated elements to the costume design, they abstract the characters’ most distinct attributes and enhance the show’s surrealism.