stuff n stuff

How can Research benefit my Creativity?

2009-02-24T06:10:00.000-08:00

My main creativity during the past few years has been to explore different design techniques and associate it with the right target audience. This allows me to keep up to date with the contemporary and modern style so I can adapt it using my imagination. Set tasks are what I prefer because it gives me a better chance to create something based on what is needed so I have a clearer view on what to design whatever it is. Some of the creativity in me comes from inspiration from media work to natural aspects as I visualise ideas in my head and use them to create future outcomes. Creating work for myself is also a challenge as this allows me to recognise the change in my style as the years go on, so I can improve my technical and creative ability. I try to create my pieces so that people identify it as my work therefore I would use certain design elements that bring character to the piece. Usually when I start an outcome of any sort I would think about the target audience before my own intentions and how the outcome would approach i.e. the layout and colour. I would like the future of my creativity to be recognisable. Something different and unique yet influencing to others, using various materials and techniques so people can relate to it. In this case I would like to get into branding or advertising or both! This would mostly be of Graphic Design work (if not Web Design) - clever and meaningful yet stylish outcomes are a goal for me. But for me to attain this, experience is needed through research.

In terms of Research, the Internet is a great way of influencing me to extend my creative ability as well as my knowledge for something like to view tutorials for different software for example is a kick-start. Exploring websites and seeing how they function as well as look can give me an idea of why they are successful and why they attract viewers which makes me wonder what people really want to see in today’s world. To gain experience in the design industry can give you encouragement and help you to produce professional pieces as the interactive design world is evolving fast. Research methods such as creating a survey can be beneficial because this gives you a clearer understanding of what people want to see from their opinions, even though it can put you off your own ideas and passions. But in the end your clients are more important!

The Rule of Thirds

2008-11-17T16:45:00.000-08:00

The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts. As you’re taking an image you would have done this in your mind through your viewfinder or in the LCD display that you use to frame your shot.

Using the grid on the image above, the ‘rule of thirds’ now shows four important parts of the image that you would place your points of interest in as you take a picture. The reason for this is that if you place points of interest along the lines that your photo becomes more balanced and will enable a viewer of the image to interact with it more naturally making it a cleaner, neater image. In fact studies have shown that when viewing images that people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points most naturally rather than the center of the shot.

Expensive or Ridiculous?

2008-11-10T17:25:00.000-08:00

Having a mobile phone isn’t everything unless you’re the type of person who needs the latest gadget with the latest features. In this day and age that may be the case as most portable devices include everything you would need on a daily basis. However, its more than that these days, its how you look with it that counts.

Vertu is a company that produce mobile phones using the finest of materials to produce them including Leather, Crystals, Jewels and Titanium. The concept of the company is to make mobile phones in the same vein as luxury watches such as Rolex, IWC, and Patec Phillipe. Some may find these expensive watches ostentatious and vulgar because their main function is to tell the time on your wrist. The reason why someone would pay £10,000 for a watch is simply to look good and to make an striking first impression to people, even if you can buy one for £10. These exorbitant watches have influenced Vertu and have taken part in the same role, as technology is now part of our everyday lives. People are willing to sacrifice that extra more money for Vertu phones because they want to be noticed, stand out from the crowd, let people know their rich and to get a more superior reputation for using a phone which doesn’t even have most functions a normal phone would have. Another reason why people are buying these pretentious devices is possibly because well known celebrities like Madonna, Tom Ford, Gwyneth Paltrow and David Beckham have them, meaning that the person who buys it has the benefit of feeling important and special holding a Vertu against his or her ear in appose to an average mobile phone.

For a device that costs £3,000 to £26,000, you’d think that to satisfy the customer, it would include mind blowing features with the latest inventions knowing that it will not go wrong, but the only satisfaction the buyer of the phone would have is the fact that he/she is holding lavish craftsmanship, (which they would find appealing) when all its supposed to do is make a call.

The Future is in our Hands

2008-10-29T14:51:00.000-07:00

Technology is evolving rapidly. Music devices and mobile phones for example are a part of society's everyday life and can be used wherever you are. The first cassette player/walkman was launched in 1979 and ever since then, portable music has made a massive impact on the world today as CD players were then invented, and then MP3 players. Mobile phones are also evolving as they now have many functions apart from being a telephone. They are also decreasing in size because the components in technology are getting smaller, therefore the device can contain more features than its main use.

A recent aspect in Multimedia technology which i think has taken a big step into tomorrows world is the use of touch screen. Many Multimedia devices in the last six months have contained what is called, 'multi-touch display' which allows you to control everything using your fingers - Gadgets such as Apple's iPhone. Apple are always one of the first companies to include high technology inventions in their devices such as Accelerometer and Ambient light sensors which is why the iPhone in particular has made massive sales and changed Society's view on mobile technology. It has questioned many people on how the multi-touch control works on a pocket sized gadget. It layers a protective shield over a capacitive panel that senses your touch using electrical fields and then transmits that information to the LCD screen below, making it user friendly, flamboyant, and eye catching for customers to buy. Other big name companies, for example Samsung now include touch sensitive display after Apple introduced it, which is another reason why the iPhone has made an impact - it has inspired other companies and it was the first for people to see the invention. The iPhone has been so successful because it includes everyday features such as Internet, MP3/iPod, Satelight Navigation, Camera/Video and more all in a phone. This is because, as mentioned before, the components in technology are getting smaller, allowing you to fit more into one device. People find this ideal and convenient because they wont have to carry individual gadgets that do just one job, but instead a single mobile phone that has many functions. It has also changed society's opinion on how technology should look as well as work. Apple are known for their simple, non-complicated usability which is the reason why their product designs have a simple yet elegant layout. This means that people of all ages are engrossed, particularly people of an older age group as they wont feel confused and intimidated on how to use it. The iPhone is a great example of their typical design - simple and modern.

Overall, Apple's iPhone is an inspiring piece of technology that gives an idea to society of the potential in which Multimedia devices can achieve. It hasn't only changed our views on technology, it has changed the industry too as the company have shown that the latest technology is invented to impress and make people's lives easier. My view on tomorrows multimedia world is that there is going to be very little use of buttons, as multi-touch and possibly project or screen technology is going to be more dominant in everyday life.

What do i want out of this course?????

2008-10-08T04:23:00.000-07:00

I shouldnt really say this but i didnt choose to do this course so im not properly cirtain what i want coz im into graphics. Howwwwwwwwever, i want to get into webdesign or tv design...but we'll c what happens.

What i did on the 1st week

2008-10-08T04:09:00.000-07:00

yeh so on the first week i got used to a different city compared to London by meeting new people who r sound and dont start trouble all the time like losers! making the most of my freshers by getting trashed. i was introduced to this course and had to listen to that long talk thing even though i was half asleep but it made me think of what i would be doing throughout the year and what i would specialise in the most. urrrrrm...oh yeh this week iv been proper hungry aswell coz i like to eat and i miss home cookin n stuff. im hungry now actually.