Cungilerbabirocksial

Don't bother saying you're sorry

I recently read a local designer's blog and his frustrations working on design guidelines. God knows, I've ran into a few of those heartaches myself. As much as I'd like to complain, I cannot deny the importance of such guidelines. So here are my thoughts.

Working within constraint pushes me further as a designer. The problem with our design industry is the lack of thinking designers. Most of our local counterparts produce weak logos and identities because they do not consider its long term goals. How will look like in black and white? How will look like if its the size of a stamp or blown up on a billboard. Will it remain legible in a faxed document? All these were not placed in consideration to begin with. Which is why most designers are frustrated with the 'guidelines' provided. They are working with bad design guideline. I have a feeling you've had first hand experience which would explain your frustrations?

A designer who does something without reason is an artist. Which brings us Malaysians to this question, what is a designer?

My approach as a designer is to communicate. That is my job. To organize and deliver information. Within that pool is where our creativity swims. To create beautifully structured information without losing interest and more importantly, its legibility. Look at how our government or local brands produce its logos, corporate literature, etc. Its so badly designed because it just doesn't work. Its often filled with photo montages and feathered effect layered on top of colored backgrounds with more that 3 typefaces and they forget that it actually confuses its targeted audience. Sometimes, less is more.

Consider the impact of you work. Not just how pretty it looks.

A lot of education is needed in regards of graphic design. Its not just for designers. Its for businessmen and decision-makers alike. In the UK, they have a body called The Design Council to counter such problems. They make case studies on the effects of how design influences local businesses, social environments and all the way to its use to counter crime. They implement graphic design as part of its education in high schools for future entrepreneurs to understand the importance of design and marketing. These are the science in design. Without logic, there is no design. Just art.

The only proud purchase I've made this year. Highly anticipated, long awaited coffee table ;) Just ignore the rest of the furniture coz this was taken earlier this year at the showroom. Will post and update to how it looks when it sits in the living room. Or bedroom. I've yet to decide... hehehe...

Coffee Table

This title has been on my mind for awhile now. Its a local movie about 'Mat Rempits'. I heard the movie sucked as most malay movies would. Bad acting, bad narrative, bad everything else. But I gotta say, its one of the best movie titles out there, I think. The Kuala Lumpur underground roaring in the middle of the night making their home their playground. Maybe its their way to feeling free, or rebel towards what society define as 'civilized'. 

When I left Ogilvy, I was pretty sure of what I WILL do. Saying goodbye to advertising for good, that is. Of course there is that fear of uncertainty to where my career is headed. But as time passes by... opportunity rolls in. Some from the old world of which I'm trying to leave (where the money is good), some are coming from producing tv shows to working for the government. As odd as this may seem, I chose the latter.

Got meself a spankin new IXUS 70. Been slutting with the lens ever since :)
 

Camwhores

The Great Indoors

Smokin!

MouseBaby

I have no idea what she's doin.

In the Living Room

The Future Psychologist

Telefon Bimbit

Candid

I've recently took the trouble to go thru my dust-covered VCD collection. Yep, I'm bored with my DVD collection I had to go back to old technology. Its kinda nice gettin' sentimental over college years as those were the days when we actually watch VCDs, hoping its a clear copy and doesn't screw up half way watching the movie. Squinting your eyes coz we couldn't afford a proper player and resorted to our 15 inch computer monitors instead. The bitchin' moments when in a climatic scene, you gotta switch to 'Disc 2'. 

I listen to all sorts of music, but few actually had me really listen to its lyrics. James Blunt being one of the few... I mean, listen to this:- "Will you be my shoulder when I'm grey and older? Promise me tomorrow starts with you" Not something you expect from someone who studied engineering, was part of the NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo, or rode horseback for the Queen. Unlike most of our tortured musicians these days who writes from the comfort of their air-conditioned rooms within the busy concrete jungle, Mr. Blunt wrote his songs and draws inspiration from his life experiences. He sings of love and heartbreak. Relationships and the unattainable romance. Something Mr. Blunt and I have in common, I suppose. I once read a description of modern day bards as: "Singers, musicians, storytellers, poets - anyone whose art is more than mere entertainment. Whose performance captures your imagination, making you forget you are being performed to, that has that touch of magic you can't quite describe. They are the true modern day bards." Thanks, Naz. I feel like its my birthday again tonight. I've been wanting his CD for sometime now... Sweet dreams babe ;)

Say goodbye Don't look back Hold my hand Hold on tight Don't let go Out of sight - boo FOR LOVERS, by Pete Doherty I’m running away with you Thats all I ever do Thats all we ever mean I forgive you everything Meet me at the railroad bar About 7 o’ clock You talk while the sun goes down Watch the lovers leavin’ town This is for lovers Running away This is for lovers Running away Just for today I'm running away with you From yesterday’s news Lets leave it all behind Help me back To my mind I paid the penalty Hear the jailer Rattling the key But the key was mine I keep a spare one everytime This is for lovers Running away This is for lovers Running away Just for today.

I've started writing again. But not here. Its there. If you only knew... Goodnight, sweet Tangerine. xxx Boo