The Lifeguard Shack

Green Garage eh?

2008-04-20T20:40:00.000-07:00

As you might be thinking, isn’t this oxymoronic? It is a parking garage that is considered “green”. Dennis Moore Ruble Yudell architects and other planners constructed the garage, which is on its way to being the first LEED certified parking structure in the USA. Currently in Santa Monica, the Civic Center parking structure (that’s its name) provides 900 parking spaces, 14 of which are specified to electrical vehicles. There are a total of 6 levels of above ground and one and a half levels below ground. There is free bicycle storage, which encourages alternate means of transportation. The garage has a solar panel that is arranged to provide all the of the buildings energy needs. It is not only energy efficient, it also contains a sustainable storm drain water treatment system, recycled construction materials, energy efficient mechanical systems and more. The Glass Association of North America also awarded the firm a design award based on the use of laminated glass panels. This really something, it is definitely a remarkable innovation to the use of cars, since garages are always a littering place, nothing good ever comes from it. They have managed to make this place somewhere fun to park your car and it is as they say “green”. I wouldn’t mind heading down the Santa Monica to see the view while parking by car in one of the best garages in the world (for now).

Uber High-Tech and just for Women... Boo!

2008-04-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

Everyone wants the latest and high-tech gadgets. Now they managed to pull through one of the most uniquely designed watches ever created. As much as a cool design this watch is, it is a fashion statement for women (bummer). It is designed as a cuff bracelet for women, which has a hidden digital clock. It is covered in a glossy mirror-like surface that apparently allows light only underneath. When this device it not in use, a dot just appears, but when you touch the dot the time magically appears! That would be something worth picking up but only if they managed to design one for men.

Can you handle Jumi?

2008-04-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

I myself am a neat freak and I cannot stand to have anything lying around the floor and being unorganized. I always like to have everything in its place and easily accessible when I need it. This new product that was designed by Matthisas Hiller is a great invention. It is called Jumi, I looked up the word and there is no real meaning for it and I checked some other references and only Asian female Djs came up. The product is a silicone handle made for cabinet handles or drawer pulls. It was designed with two things in mind, safety and organization (something that I have to have in my room). This idea allows for easily accessible objects with the pictograms on the side as well as the concept of not getting any bumps and bruises. This also makes it a lot easier to find things immediately, which is something that I wouldn’t be able to live without. With cool name like that and its practical use who wouldn’t want it?

Futuristic Jitz Anyone?

2008-04-20T19:49:00.000-07:00

I am a huge gamer, whether it is videogames or board games, I always never back down from and challenge. Foosball is one of my many favorite past time activities during my breaks at school as well as going out to pubs. Usually when I go to pubs and see them, there are really sad to look at since they are getting old, and plus they’re not interesting and look disgusting. They never really have had an invigorating presence. It’s almost if they were designed by old farts living in log cabins. I was looking around for actually purchasing a new one for my home when I came across this wonderful renovation. It was designed by GRO, and they managed to mimic the best of the best football stadiums around the world and takes this gaming to a whole new level. Just the way it was designed with the curvatures of the table and the revitalization of the plastic players makes the whole experience of player even better. It is almost as if your playing in the future. This would be something I would want to definitely pick up.

My Creativity and my Education

2008-04-20T19:17:00.000-07:00

It’s no surprise to me when I found out that this was a competitive program and only some many could be let in and it all fell on their portfolio work. To me though trying to get into a creative program you must have some sort of creativity. When I was younger, my parents always told me to do something that I enjoyed and I loved to draw and paint. When I was 12 all I ever did was draw out monster pictures movie scenes and what ever cam across my mind. They also were both from different ends of the spectrum, my mom was the creative one and my dad was the technical one. So to be frank on some way, both were pushing me to both ends of the spectrum. They never really forced me they more opened up my eyes to see what there was lying down the road in both directions. This showed me that the biggest part of my Education was influenced by them.

When I was in elementary school about to go to high school they said I need a great education in order to go to university. They never said that I needed a creative or a academic education, it was up to me to decide where and what I wanted to do. In grade 9 I took what ever interested me woodshop, art, music and science. I then lead towards art and began following my creative path. Eventually a whole lot more opened up for me along the path. Communication technologies, media studies, video production and advanced art classes, were just some of the options I could take. Decided in grade 11 that I wanted to work more with computers and it was here that was the real conundrum. I took two different types of computer courses, one that was graphic design related and the other was based on creating applications and software programs. Both were both interesting and fun and it came down to the boiling point of which I would want to take after high school. The tiebreaker was the school’s yearbook.

I was on the yearbook committee and was stationed to design the swim team page the grad’s page and a few other sports teams and events pages. I was lead designer at the time since I was in grade 12 at the time and out year book editor told us that we all had a chance if we wanted to do design the front cover of the year book. I was excited and took up the challenge. I worked on it more than anything else and pushed aside all other work to get the cover. I had asked everyone I knew what they though the school represented to him or her and how they interpreted this year’s theme “Unscripted”. I got a lot in insightful, inspirational and creative ideas from everyone. It then came down to two decisions in the end, my own and someone else’s. The other one got chosen and I was disappointed, but my graphic arts teacher told me that he was really impressed with my work and he voted for it and that I took the reject really well. It was here that I knew that I was appreciated for my work, not like my other technical analysis class, and that I wanted to go towards the graphic arts career.

That being said, I feel that a lot of my creativity developed at home and also from my friends. I started drawing and learned even more art techniques and eventually learned computer software programs that could do even more with art. I feel that I did learn a lot from those classes and I am lucky to have had the experience with each of those teachers in them. I feel that if had not been given these amazing opportunities that I would have gotten myself into something more boring like the technical analysis computer class that I had before. I believe that I have been destined to do creative work and even if it were not in the graphic arts area it would have been something similar because I was determined to something in the arts spectrum.

Insane or Innovation?

2008-04-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

We all believe that since technology is advancing that there will no longer be any need for things to be printed because they are already easily accessible through the Internet. Every one thinks that we are moving towards a digital era and we no longer need printed materials because they take up too much space and cost us too much. Now a designer named Kyle Bean came up with a concept that is either bizarre or an idea. He has come up with the concept of books actually being mini computers that have a disc that has all of the books’ content on it. This is truly remarkable, since the fact that the industry is slowly going towards digital information. It is definitely an interesting concept and that there is a mini keypad on the pages, which makes even more, like a computer rather than it just being a DVD player. This technology is also very miniscule and portable which would definitely make someone want to pick it up. But if you look at it carefully all that he has done was carved a book, resurfaced the bookbinding and put a computer in it. But it makes you think as if this could be something that could actually become reality. It is a great way of putting a spin of something that is already a major thing.

Left Right Project

2008-04-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

The show was actually quite inspiring because Adidas wanted to do a fun project with both ends of North America, the East coast and the West coast. Adidas gave each region an oversized shoe and the task was that for each team to create a design on the shoe, and had three days to do it. The cool thing about this was that it gave a chance for each person to be unique, use their own creative style to interpret how they saw the brand and how they could make it better and grab more attention to it. When they were finished and brought them together, they managed to get a huge response for crowds and most saying that it will definitely draw attention not just because of the design but also because of the size of it too. It was a great project for them to individualize themselves and be who they are. Enjoy it because I know I did.

Custom Wear

2008-04-20T16:55:00.001-07:00

Now I stumbled across this not to long ago and I thought it was hilarious. These are designs being done in Europe and you can customize your underwear. You can put anything you want on it even your phone number. Now to be honest I thought to myself why would you want to put your phone number on your underwear? I asked a bunch of people when showing them this idea and one said “Incase your on a hot date and you manage to spend the night, you want them to call you again, so you would leave the pants behind.” That was probably the funniest answer that I received. But think about it at least you will know which pairs are yours if you’re sharing with your siblings. I had a great laugh with this one, I hope you do too.

My compliments to Mikki Tran

2008-04-19T14:42:00.000-07:00

The person who I think deserves my compliments is my girlfriend Mikki Tran. She always seems to be in a great mood and is always keeping herself busy. She works 5 out of 7 days of the week, and manages to still keep her honors grades, which amazes me with all the workload she gets from her classes at Brock University. She had received 2 creative writing awards from graduating high school and is currently working on a book that she soon hopes to get published. She is an amazing writer and I can see her becoming a great novel writer (at least). I have admired her work for the get go and have pushed her to do the best that she can. She has also done the same with me. She is my inspiration to do design work, as well as inspired me to leave my crummy job from before and go for my goal job as a lifeguard (for the time being).

I don’t know if she knows how proud of her that I really am. I have told her that she does terrific work and I don’t know if I have told her enough of that so that’s is why I’m blogging about her. She has been a huge part of my life and I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for her persistency. I just want to thank her for all that she has done, to keep up with the mind numbing work and that she will always be in my heart.

Design Power

2008-04-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

Every person in the world can make a difference, it is only their own will that is stopping them. They are also lazy and scared in doing it. What they need is someone to help them get motivated into acting. Graphic designers are completely different in the sense that if we want to make a difference we can do so and also influence a lot of other people in the process. People want to save the world from war and global warming. But for me it wouldn’t be something as grand of a topic as that although still a major issue. I would use my “design power” to help bring a bigger attention to 3rd world countries and poverty in them.

Everyone knows about the United Child Christians Fund that is going on in Africa. It is a shame to see those kids living in those conditions with nothing much to eat and learn from. I would like to lend my time to helping creating a charity that helps kids all around the world and helping them get on their feet with food water and shelter.

This would be a great cause to help support because children are our future and without them, there would be critical complications in the future. It would also help other people around the world make themselves feel good that they are contributing and making a difference from doing such a small thing.

Powered By You

2008-04-19T14:09:00.000-07:00

Ford is a great American car manufacturer. They are one of the top 5 successful car manufactures in North America. They have also managed to create unique and eye catching advertisement for their line of machines. But I must say their newest one takes the cake. Here is an ad that is made of a bunch of people wearing tight garments and is being choreographed into a car with only a few objects. Their slogan for this campaign was that you are the inspiration, that a car is just a car until it is powered by you. They also took a literal meaning towards this too with the actors forming into the car. This is quite inspirational in the fact that people can actually become the shape of a car. (Although taking many hours knowing how to do it right) This ad really took the heat and how taking known facts and adding creativity into the mix can create something wonderful.

Mini Tech

2008-04-19T14:04:00.001-07:00

Way back when I was still in high school, I remember writing a paper on what type of technology will be around in the near future and I recall writing about how computers will be a lot smaller and also extremely portable. Now, I when I was looking for things to write about for my blog, I discovered that the technology that I talked about was actually becoming a reality. Although these are just concepts being done, they are in fact becoming reality. Computers are now becoming smaller, portable and powerful. As seen in some of these images, display screens are being shown on eyeglasses and also even becoming imprinted on contact lenses. Eventually they will be able to do anything like talk with friends, search the net, and listen to music. This is a really great idea and I hope that that becomes reality.

Eau Natural

2008-04-05T15:55:00.001-07:00

Now think about this, a portable bathtub out doors? Crazy I know, but also a genius. Ceramist and designer Ole Jensen thought of conveying a new way to bath and not using that immovable, hard tub that you already own. He wants you to get soft and outside. This is made of white EPDM rubber and cork, the tub was designed to be a option for outdoor fun, washing etc. you can fill the tub by attaching the hose to a water outlet and watch it fill up. This is a funny idea, its simple and environmentally friendly, you go anywhere with it and not be afraid to wash up for that dirty old lake, you can now do it in sanitary fresh water. This is great for the outdoors I agree, but make sure you brought your swimsuit and not just your birthday one!

Britians Royally Patriot

2008-04-05T15:44:00.000-07:00

Now this is interesting. Great Britain is set to change their currency, and the winning designs were from a 26 year old Graphic artist named Matthew Dent. He had designed a set or clever-cutaways of the shield and Royal arms. Each amount is a part of the shield and when brought together, the shield looks complete. The royal arms is divided into four parts: England representing the three lions in the first and fourth quarters, the Scottish lion shown in the second and hard of Ireland in the third, and are all spread over the six coins from the 1p to the 50p. Completing the spectrum, the £1 coin features the full shield of the Royal Arms. I love England and when I go back I will have to see if they will still accept my change from 3 years ago.

The Fusion

2008-04-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

The Gillette Fusion is a great design. This ad definitely shows that this product is high tech and that it’s a great amalgamation of shaving and fine cutting. The ad itself looks futuristic and when they go through all the sans for entry and work in the giant lab shows that this is Big and that is what people got from it. That this product is new and will help satisfy your face. It will help you men (or women) have a clean shave and help you get the best look you can with the precision cutter. This is a well created concept and they came out with other ones with high end sports promoters such as Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and Thierry Henry. I sue this product all the time and it work great!

Welcome to my Lair... Muahahaha

2008-04-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

And now we bring you the evil Villain’s house. This is something you would most likely see in a James bond movie where Bond goes to the evil villain’s house. This is quite retro and at the same time high tech. this house is amazing because if the curvature of the design and the interior is flawless. It is a three-story house that is designed as a spacecraft. It comes with an elevator, two-car garage and architectural elegance. Jérôme Olivet had designed this house which is called “Jet House” and he must have been a mad genius or and evil Hench man in the past.

My Manifesto

2008-04-05T14:42:00.000-07:00

During class we managed to take a look at a successful and insightful Designer named Bruce Mau. He should what was a incomplete Manifesto, a list of rules to live by and below are some that I believe to be true to me.

Inquire about Criticism
Getting told that your work is great is nice but you want your work to actually be great. So you must seek criticism, it keeps your head on straight, it also keeps you on top of your work to make it better. You will want your work picked apart and analyzed. It the right way to get ahead in life.

Stay Competitive
It’s best to stay ahead of the curve and strive to outdo others. It will so you how others pride their work and want to out do you the same way.

Let your Ideas Flow and be Free
Don’t hold onto an idea and not share it because it will be the only thing that you have. You want them to come in by the second and so its best to share your ideas and give them away. It could also be possibly to elaborate on your ideas with other sharing how they could make it work.

Be Simple
Don’t live in your work and make it over complicated. It could make you have anxiety and make your life harder. “Less is more” as they say and it can save your life and your time too.

Strive to be Different
What ever you do, don’t flow someone’s design or trend. It is always best to be different, you can use them to your advantage. Its what will make you successful.

Learning is Never Ending
You must keep learning in order to stay with everyone or even above them, its the best advantage you got.

Live Every Second as if its Your Last
Live. Because you never know what could happen and it could do that in a second. Live in the now not the future. Be happy and treasure everything you have and never take anything for granted.

Starting Over is Good
If you want your work to be good, don’t ever be scared to go back a step or event he beginning, it just might be a good thing as it might give you a better idea.

Love what You Do
If you don’t love what you’re doing, you need to get out. If you stay then you will be depressing and so will you work. Find something that makes you want to do every morning.

Accept Anything and Everything that is Given to You
Its best to try and accept and job that is given to you, even if it sounds like its bad, it just might be a good thing and lead to more good things, or even broaden your horizon.

The Organic Future

2008-04-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

I was watching the news a few weeks ago when a special report came on about a new type of LED. It was Called Organic LED and it was made from Organic materials, but it also only 3mm think!!! This new advancement in technology promises advanced levels of contrast and brightness, a broad spectrum of colour reproduction and a rapid video response rate. This also makes it environmentally friendly.

Whereas a liquid-crystal display (LCD) removes light from a backplane to create its picture, an OLED emits light, which creates a substantial amount of efficiency. Since OLED pixels only consume energy when they're in use, they can consume up to 40 percent less energy than LCDs. Plus OLEDs also make it possible for manufacturers to incorporate some fun novelties into their products. For instance, OLED panels could be made to show images on both sides, and they can be clear when they are turned off. This is definitely cool and I will be waiting for it to come to Canada.

Viewing on a Whole New Level

2008-04-05T14:01:00.000-07:00

Now I came across this when I was looking through design tech and I found this really cool. This is a concept for the iView and I must say that it is amazing. We all know that computers need great monitors and that they should be flat screened and wide to get the best picture possible. Well the concept here was to make the monitor curve around. This answers the questions of can it be wider and more dynamic. Plus it also makes it less frustrating than using two monitors.
They say that the LCD would be touch sensitive, requires a remote control includes two webcams (the front and back). This is a really interesting design hat will attract apple fans, this would be something that I would like to see happen and I might even pick up.

The Nature of a Car

2008-04-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

Now like I said before I don’t know that much about cars and whatnot but I have to saw that this one takes the cake for me. I saw this ad a while back and though that it was really interesting. The whole concept was for the new Infiniti G, where a water droplet splashes and makes ripples that expand out to still waves and then shows the car. The idea here was inspirational and how that it was virtual. They managed to successfully communicate that this car is like water and that it’s a smooth ride. Jus the over all effects of the waves is remarkable.

Tax guys suck...

2008-04-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

These commercials crack me up. It is a tax service ad for Jackson Hewitt, and we all know that we want to save every dollar that we can, and these people know how to do it. The commercial is supposed to bring you to their service by advertising that they can return more money to you. They do this by showing people making the wrong decision and wanting to do something to their tax attorney. The Sushi one really cracks me up.

Earth Hour

2008-03-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

Earth hour had some really great designs. They had the classic 60 on black paper with a cutaway of the earth in the 60. This whole event was to stop global warming by turning off your light and everything electrical in your house for 1 hour or in this case 60 minutes. As you went on websites, TV and magazines they all promoted it, especially Google with the black background on the day of.

The Aftermath
At about 9:30pm on the day of we all saw that our entire neighborhood turned off their lights and its was really amazing to see not one light on in the distance and that we were really making a difference. In the news the next day I read that overall Ontario reduced its energy consumption of 4% and they plan to do this earth hour event every year and it will upgrade to hours then 3 then 4 and so on.

Its Alive Inside!!!!

2008-03-23T19:23:00.000-07:00

This commercial has a take on the coke one of the whole surreal way of how it is made. This commercial shows a bunch or people suppose to be the actual suds of the beverage and the are all-bouncing off the walls making noise and what not. At the end the slogan comes up saying that it’s alive inside. I must agree with this promotion because I love Guinness because it’s different than all the other beers. It ahs a bold punch to it. I can almost feel like there’s something going on in the brew. What they managed to do was explore a whole sensation of what people have when drinking it. This is one of many great advertisings. Plus how they managed to take it on and show it is amazing with the men disappearing when they hit an object and then pans out tot eh actual pint of it.

Is Writing Design

2008-03-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

This question could be answered either or to anyone. To me this is a question of whether I would choose to think of it as design. I believe that writing is a form of design and is also design.

The reason why I think it is a form of design is because, not everyone is “art creative”. They could either be music or writing creative too. They could come up with amazing stories or words that could inspire someone or many. It could be anything to anyone and depends on how they take it in.

It is also design, this is because a designer could take a bunch of words and make them visually appealing to someone. Make them stand out or just one word. They could actually give meaning to the words for people who have a hard time understand words but images come easily to them.

Would I do Pro Bono Work?

2008-03-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

I believe that I don’t have an obligation to do pro bono work because it is silly and a waste of time. Why would I want to bury myself in work that I wouldn’t be getting paid for when I could be making mad money doing something else. Granted though that if it were for a charity event that I believe in or it was for a friend or family member then I would consider either do it for free or depending on how big of a job, giving them a discount. Its not rocket science I just think that it wouldn’t be fair to me if they decided to offer a job that they think they could get it for free. I don’t work like that if its worth the time and effort to think of an idea, and if I agree n the idea then it will cost them time and effort.