Ghost Image - After Image

After image is an optical illusion that appeared in our vision after exposure to an image. After image comes in two form, positive (original colors) and negative (inverted colors). There is not much optical illusion after we saw the positive after image as it is the image we usually see. In contrast, negative after image brings a huge impact to our eyes and triggers the retinal phenomenon. As over stimulation in negative after image null our eyes photo receptors. Thus, we can see an obvious blue green colors optical illusion remain in our vision in few seconds especially when look into a blank space. The below is the sample of after image, just stare at the inverted photo of Beyonce in one minute then look at the blank space over right side.

It's very mystical! Why our eyes will produced a opposite color of this inverted image? After we look at sharp green image then our eyes produce a complimentary color illusion which is red and vice versa.
However, can we apply this negative after image in design? Perhaps in black and white logo and it's principle of using high contrast colors to stimulate our vision. I think it's good for designer to explore the nature of retinal phenomenon and apply in their design.



Reference:
Vurdlak. (2012). Beyonce After image illusion. Retrieved August 29, 2012, from http://www.moillusions.com/2012/01/beyonce-afterimage-illusion.html
Wikipedia (n.d.). After Image. Retrieved August 29, 2012, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterimage 

Fusion of Old & New - Retro-futurism Art

Retro-futurism art is a kind of pop-art which blend the old-fashioned style and futuristic technologies. This style had been produced and started it's development since 1960s. It began to took its form during the emerging of technology in 1970s.  It's sound like a contradiction for merging new and old elements together. However, it will be a good way to create a huge contrast and awareness. Thus, this art style is broadly applied on the advertisement and poster. 

Le femme, Varo Hybrid
2008 James White

by Peter Nudo

The way to exhibits the retro-futurism art is to applied the old pictures with modern art style or effects or vise-versa. By merging the new and old stuff together, it gives people a kind of mysterious nostalgic feel that is hard to explain when look at it. It's like a catalyst on people's curiosity. Perhaps it deal with something feels like time-travel. In my opinion, a good piece of retro-futurism art needs to be have a good composition and elements to unleash its powerful message because I have no idea how the second picture can be connected with the title of 'looking good'. It's that putting a rainbow color planet to replace head really looks good?

Reference:

Blog.spoon graphics.(n.d.).Amazing Retro-Futurism Design Showcase and Tutorial. 

Retrieved August 17, 2012, from  http://blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/articles/amazing-retro-futurism-design-showcase-and-tutorials 

Wikipedia.(n.d.).Retro-Futurism. Retrieved August 17, 2012, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retro-futurism 

  

Blows Out My Inspiration - Techno

Techno is an electronic music which is consider as noise and annoying by most of the people. That's why most of the popular song aren't using techno style. The techno a kind of music which playing much with bass and beats. Thus, it's not much singing in the techno music. However, techno is a kind of music that enhance the atmosphere, especially in club and concert. It's fast moving beat just make people feel awake. Its good that some of the radio channel put the DJ techno remix song during midnight. It triggers drivers nerve, so they won't fall asleep.

The very first techno song I heard was from Basshunter- DotA. I get addicted for the very first time when I listen to it. This is because techno is harder, faster, better, stronger compare with others music. 

Its fast beat and bass stimulates my thoughts and body movements.  

Bass Hunter-DotA

The above is the music video for the techno. I like the way they showed techno in graphical style. It's cool and modern. Sometimes, it does inspired me with the modern techno vector style graphics. Besides, the hyper-active and excited looks of the artists are also the important elements in enhancing the excitement of this music. He makes us feels likely to follow his beats and shaking our head and limbs together. I think this music video is quite succeed at that time.  

Reference:

Youtube.(2007).BassHunter-DorA. Retrieved August 17, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXKd7uuehlw

   

Packaging Design - Orchid

It's easy for people to pack something with regular shape. However, what will happen if packaging comes into plants world like orchid. There are a lot of aspect need to be consider, like the size of orchids are not all the same due to a lot of different species, orchids are fragile, needs a good air movement in order to survive and so on. In short, there is no standard packaging for orchids.

The above is the orchid packaging which able to find on internet which i think is quite unique in the way of solving the problem. The top two packaging are the same, its like a casing for orchid which I think is quite good no matter in design and function as its got two air hole at the bottom back parts of the packaging. The second packaging which is like a plastic bag is quite unique but it may harm the orchid's leaves and the design is not so attractive. Same as the third orchid's packaging, the box is too much of geometrical shape and large which created a high contrast with the orchid in organic shape. Besides, it needs both hands to carry this packaging which might cause inconvenience to some peoples.  Thus, I prefer the 1st packaging among these 3.


Reference:
KRNG. (n.d.). Orchid Packaging Design.
Retrieved August 5, 2012, from http://kriengre.wordpress.com/2010/08/29/orchid-packaging-design-3/nimg_9307-5/
Ornament Outlook (2009) Nursery supplies.
Retrieved August 5, 2012, from http://www.ornamentaloutlook.com/magazine/?storyid=512
Nicola Saunders (2011) Orchid Carry Home Solution.
Retreived August 5, 2012, from http://nicolasaunders.com/carry-home-bedding-plant-solution/

Accident Prevention for Tired Driver - Denso Passenger Eyes

Most of the accident happened because of the driver doesn't get enough sleep. Sleeping is important to keep on your journey. However, the reality always crucial since one's group assignment always grouped with those who are selfish and withdraw themselves with a lot of unreasonable reasons. 'I don't know how to do.' always their reason to push away their responsibility. Aren't human possess a brain with same function? sigh.. These peoples indirectly become one of the reason for people getting car accident as the one helps them finished the assignment doesn't get enough sleep.

However, with the helps of advance technology and human creativity, car accident can be prevented with the latest devices. Denso Passenger Eye is the device that created to trace the driver face and give warning to the drivers if he or she are sleepy. The design of this device is quite cute and modern. It will showed the roads to the nearest coffee shop for them to rest. 

But, I wondering how this amazing device detects a tired driver as different people got a different facial expression. In addition, the device keep spinning in front might caused distraction. In my opinion, the idea and concept of this device is quite interesting but it still a way to be improve. 

Reference:

James.H.(2011) In Car i-phone Robots knows when you're tired

Retrieved July 29, 2012 from

http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2011/01/10/in-car-iphone-robot-knows-when-youre-tired/

      

Handicraft Design - recycled material

Handicraft is a manual skill that can clearly shows the artist personalities. Produce a good handicraft with recycled materials not only requires a great crafting skill but also a great mind with a good idea and concept. Korean artist - Ji Yong Ho had created a lot of amazing animals sculpture by using unwanted tires. He said: ''It will always be an awesome work if the right materials work in the hand of right artist.'' His concept of creating this sculpture is mutation - mutants. He makes me think of using tires as material to do the 3D cube. =D  

shark

rhino

The reason of this Korean artist using tire to sculpt is because of the rubber is flexible to present the skin and muscle. Beside than steel that most of artist used to present power and toughness, rubber can also showed the strength and toughness even. These creature looks more realistic by using tires than steel.The most awesome things for me of this tires sculpture is how he cut and joint the tire in such a perfect manners. Perhaps there is material beside than tire in the the sculpture, like using steel to do the main frame structure then only stick the tire strips. 

Reference:

Jessie.T (2008) Ji Yong Ho.

Retrived  July 24, 2012 from http://www.thememagazine.com/stories/ji-yong-ho/ 

Creative Binding - Irregular shape?

It's the most headache part for me in binding the irregular shape assignment. Easy to flip are always the most essential part in considering the binding. Hence, I had do a lot of research on web but there is nothing creative binding turns out but the design of work sheet. The binding still as common one, ring bind, screw bind, spiral bind, stitch bind, comb bind and etc. However, there is something inspired me during the search. I found out if I can do nothing on the binding, why don't just do some changes on the pages or content maybe? The below book was created by using folding method as in pop up story book.

book binding

After all, the binding nowadays are just related to binding book with a fix geometrical shapes. Where is the irregular one? Perhaps I am the one who create it one day. =P
Reference: 
Kelly (2011) Bookbinding. Australia. 
Retrieved June 17, 2012 from http://www.skellydesigns.com/blog/?p=179

Fujitsu Lifebook

Nowadays, the necessity of smartphone has been raise to a higher level due to people's curiosity and ambition. We can see a lot of people are  holding a smartphone any where, any time, any place. However, most of the people prefer using labtop or desktop to do their work because the screen of the smartphone is just too small. It's hurt our eyes when we look at the tiny little words on small screen for a few hours. Thus, I found out there is a little creative solution from Fujitsu, the all in one labtop which called Lifebook. It's like a fusion of labtop, smart phone, camera, and tablet. This is an all-in-one idea which normally fulfilled the expectation from modern peoples. The main problem of production is barely depend on level of human technology.  

Fujitsu Lifebook

However, there is still a defect for me on the keyboard for this lifebook as it is created by using the touch screen flat tablet which is not so comfortable for long-term usage. The connection will loose if the smartphone and tablet are always taken out. In fact, this is just a concept for 2013. Perhaps the outcome will be better than what people expected.


Reference:
Marcia.(2012)[Concept]Fujitsu Lifebook 2013: Labtop, Camera, Smartphone & Tablet All-in-One.
Retrieved June 17, 2012 from http://www.liveatpc.com/concept-fujitsu-lifebook-2013-laptop-camera-smartphone-tablet-all-in-one  

Sources of Emotion & Inspiration - Texture

Texture is one of the elements in art. It's define as the surface quality of objects either even or uneven. Every things that we can see by our eyes possess texture. For me, texture is a source of emotion of nature & a great inspiration. Texture tell us what's the story behind the object indirectly. For example, the shiny surface of stone in the waterfall tell us it's being experienced years of erosion by waters. Hence, sometimes it's a inner discovery of an artist when we look at their textured painting.

                  Asia Landscape Textured Painting 1

                  Asia Landscape Textured Painting 2

Asia Landscape Textured Painting 3

The first textured painting above which is the darkest tone raise the emotion of lonely. It's showing nothing more others than galaxy and tree. The second painting is very unique as the color of the artist used is teal. Teal is the color that rarely used by painter as wrong usage brings out a weird feeling for the painting. However, its a good color if it's related to Baba Nyonya culture. This was the first time I saw people used teal color in landscape drawing. The third painting might look common as the ambiance and color used in painting is familiar. It's generate the sense of sun-set or sun-rise. But, what's shock me is the creativity of the artist in using black color to cover the bright sky to invent a cool atmosphere landscape. The texture of these three painting was a bit rough as we can seen. The rough texture convey a stronger emotion of the textured painting. In a nutshell, texture not only the source of emotion and inspiration but also the most interesting element of the artwork.

Source:
Bruce Roff (2005) Asia Landscape Texture Painting. U.S
http://www.123rf.com/photo_5548344_asia-landscape-textured-painting.html

Alarm Clock

One of the most awkward thing is awakened by alarm clock.

'I'm sleeping! !@#$% alarm!'

This kind of speech always happened when someone is awake because of alarm. Recently, I had found out there are a lot of creative alarm clock on the web.

Anemone clock

This anemone clock invented in year 2006 because of the ordinary alarm clock is too easy to turn off. It designed to bouncing around your room when the clock's ring. People's need to wake up and chase the alarm clock in order to close it. However, I don't think it's practical because it's troublesome when it's bouncing under the bedstead or gap. I prefer it to be designed as the alarm clock as below. 'Throw it to wall and shut the alarm off.' The concept is to helps people get relieve from being awakening by the alarm clock.

Alarm-throw

Gun-o-clock

This Gun-o-clock is the most interesting alarm clock I have ever seen. This clock can helps people break the tension between alarm clock & people. What we need to do is firing the infra red to it's hear to shut the alarm off. When it's success, the words 'bull eyes' will be display in the clock. Thus, it's helping people to implant an idea into their mind unconsciously that it's fun to wake up. I wish to buy this clock but I have no idea where to buy it.







Resources:

Aaron Tang (2006) Anemone Clock. Objects
Retrieved from: http://www.aarontang.net/design/projects_objects.html

TennisGifts.com (2010) Tennis Ball Alarm Clock -Throw at the wall.

Retrieved from: http://www.tennisgifts.com/alarmclock_throw.htm

TP (2012) The Showering Philosopher. Portland
Retrieved from: http://taylorinportland.com/2012/01/24/the-showering-philosopher-the-deadly-five-punch-entertainment-combo/

Ambiance of Memory

Recently, I had a assignment which urge me to find something about ambiance of memory. What is the color of memory? Pink? Brown? Purple?  Light blue? or? The web doesn't works well when I'm searching for 'color of memory'. The searching result always couldn't satisfy me. Hence, I follow what tutor said: always look from different perspective which normal peoples don't. Sometimes, it's better to work in abnormal way like genius always do. How about I treat myself as memory? What is my best appearance looks like if I'm only memory for someone? Is it in abstract or lomography? 

Abstract, by: Jody

Lomography, 

The research will now go on with why the film makers always use the high intensity light, monotone or pastels color as the scene of flash back?  

How we perceive it as a flash back scene or memory? 

After a few days of struggle, I found that there don't have any clear-cut answer on the ambiance of memory. The film makers use the high intensity light or pastels color to indicate the flashback scene is because they want to make the scene become foggy as nobody can recalls their memory clearly. In a nutshell, the picture that shows the ambiance of sweet memory = foggy + pastels color + high key value;

Dreadful memory = Low key value + high contrast + foggy/ clear.     

 

Prometheus: Sometimes To Create, One Must First Destroy!

'Wow! What's that? A big rock head?', my heart whispered.
There is a dark color poster attracted my attention this evening. It's entitled Prometheus.

What is Prometheus? I thought it was a name for the big rock head. After I watched the film, 'Prometheus' was actually the ship. Oh man~ Prometheus should be the name for a titan who created humans in ancient Greek history. It's not supposed to use it as the name for that four legs King-Kong alike ship! It's just not suitable for me.

Prometheus- ship

 
However, there was a very awesome phrase used in this movie.
'Sometimes to create life, you must first destroy it!', said by David -as a robot in this movie.
There's an idea just break through my mind when I heard it for the very 1st time! It's like telling me to wipe out every things in my mind while I'm run out of idea. This is very true! Have you ever heard of the zen story called 'A cup of tea'? The story begin with:

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (a868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquired about Zen.
Nan-in served tea. he poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.
Te professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is over full. No more will go in!"
"Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?" 
                                                                                                                                          (Myrko, 2008)

It was the same theory using in both film or reality. To get something new, you must first wipe out all your speculation! This theory can be used in art too. Sometimes to create something that is new and never existed before, try not to think logically and follow others designer do and don't. Designer should be Think like a leader, Not a follower!

Dream

Run out of idea? Take a nap. This is because  of the best way to get inspiration is from DREAM. This method is taught by Father of Surrealism - Salvado Dali. In dream, the impossible always become the possible. That's why the creative student always dreaming in class! LOL

Salvado Dali

Dream is define as succession of images, thoughs, or emotion passing through the mind during sleep. Sometimes, there are images that I couldn't understand suddenly float in my mind. Just a few second, it's disappeared. Nothing left in my mind when I try to remember it again. It's totally disappear! What the fantastic stuff! Thus, dream is totally miracle for me. That's why my great lecturer during my diploma taught us to put a sketch pad beside your bed. When you dream somethings that are creative or extra-ordinary, please faster go and sketch it out, who knows one day it will be a great invention in this world!

The Dream
Salvado Dali

The Dream from Salvado Dali is one of the most fantastic artwork for me ever. I totally don't understand what he want to represent in this painting. That's so much question I want to ask after I look at this painting. But after a few minutes I look at it, it's inspired me! 

'The Dream' is just like the dream, if I don't tell you what i had dream yesterday, will you know? 

Brain-Thunder-Storming - Think Like a Newton

First and the foremost.. What is blog?

This might sounds like a silly question but never for the happy go lucky sort of person who never blogging before. For me, every silly question challenge our thoughts and triggers our senses which help out in idea generation. Just like Isaac Newton, if he didn't asked himself  silly question like:

'Why the apple would fall down from the tree but not fly up to the sky?'

then we might no need to study that hard in physics. There's also a cool joke here: 

Why Malaysian can never think of this gravity law?

Malaysia don't have apple tree. XD

How to think like a Newton?

Answer:
http://www.slideshare.net/DamianGordon1/how-to-think-like-isaac-newton

By the way, It's just a joke.

Newton and Einstein can be so intelligence and creative because they both had Asperger Syndrome. This syndrome make them social outcast because lack of understanding of how others people think. This enable them to have a lot of time in solving the complex question until their satisfactory level met. (Philip J, 2010)

In conclusion, Newton are much more intelligence and creative compare with the people nowadays because most of his clear mindset and strong will in solving the question.