Rebels, Radicals and Renegades

After a few stressful weeks of assessments and studying for final exams, I’m glad I’ve made it through without ‘giving up’ – and handing assessments late etc. To put it in perspective, I had about 4 things due/happening within the stuvac week/1st week of exams! An essay worth 50%, a video production worth 40%, 2 exams (30%/25%).. I’m not so sure if I’ve really put enough effort into preparing for each of those… but I’m happy with a pass!  

So this is the last of the whole ‘Rebels, Radicals and Renegades’ – concept we were focusing on for MDCM2002 Media Production. Overall, it was an interesting concept to work with especially that I learnt a new meaning of ‘Rebel’.. all these years I’ve always thought of rebel being someone thats simply ‘bad’… I didn’t think someone good can be a rebel; but it makes sense now that I think of it… if people do something against the rules in order for a good change… then the process is rebellious but the final result is …great? 

To be honest, video making isn’t my thing – I guess anything with motion isn’t my thing; simply because I don’t have skills in putting together a decent storyline of some sort… (though animation I don’t really mind), other than that.. it’s just way time taking! – explains why I’m not doing video next 2-3 semesters. However, after doing the final video production I was impressed that I managed to get something ‘decent’ together; and convinced myself that video is something I’d like to do – in my spare time. I think, being an introvert, it takes a lot to get an interviewee etc.

But yeah… after seeing other people’s I reckon they did a way better job! I kind of regret leaving it to the last minute – because I had to get ahead with other assessments, and assumed that it won’t take that long to put together – I was wrong! —-

Anyhow, I interviewed my sister – simply because I was more interested in interviewing a creative rebel (haha), and she is, for her age – she’s been reflecting her emotions through her artwork, and as an older sister I admire her (and envious of) what she does! Without saying more; I’ll let you guys watch and see for yourself

P.S. My css web layout made it into the finals! basically the top 6 – which will be used as a layout for the final site! I truly didn’t expect it; simply because I felt there were 6 other stronger designs than mine – though I’m a little disappointed/surprised that the ones I really liked didn’t make it to the top – I spose we just have differing tastes aye? 

Here’s the final site/page!

twitterific!

At the beginning of this net literacy project; the whole.. google reader, diigo, twitter thing…to be honest, I really didn’t see the ‘fun’ of it… and thought of it as adding more tasks to a daily routine.. provided that it seem a lil’ complicated.

Just yesterday, well a few days ago, I realized how useful it is. I saw my friend update her status, proclaiming that Google reader is her new best friend.. I thought.. how? and why?? (not that I was jealous or anything, haha). So I decided to get involved a bit more by using google reader, and try to adapt it to my daily online routine. I subscribed to blogs that I enjoy reading occasionally (when I remember to); most often photgraphy and craft related. Funnily enough, it seem to have detected what my interest was, and recommended blogs to me… turned out to be a few blogs that I follow, but have not yet subscribed to yet. So, i thought… cool! it’s like Amazon recommends system! Now I find that I’m saving more time online, as everything loads onto one page in simple text.. I probably save bandwidth too, as I won’t have to load the site layout and such anymore. … I feel much more, up to date with things, and perhaps it will increase my pace of learning.

I have just searched up a few other interest areas and found more cool blogs to feed off.. even the SMH Technology section appealed to me. I’m seeing a lot of headlines that reflect on the cool change these social networks (Twitter, facebook, myspace etc.) are making to all aspects of society! Such that, it is also promoting and increasing awareness of the upcoming world event; Earth Hour… probably decades ago, we would be uninterested.. but social networking has created such an excitement by gathering people. One person inspires another, and the other inspires another… it goes on and on..

Just yesterday, I was on the train flicking through the MX and stopped at an article stating the reason behind the split between celebrities, John Mayer and Jennifer Anniston, was because of Mayer’s twitter addiction that left him with ‘no time’ for Jenn. (Also, shows that celebs are human too.. heh), kind of scary really.. how these social networks can also affect our lives.. I suppose we just need to control ourselves, if possible. The only affect its had on my life is… its causing procrastination! It’s become a habit to refresh facebook every 2mins, for updates or maybe new photos. Must control-self, and overcome this tendency….

Another positive about twitter I suppose is, you can ‘follow’ people, potentially stalking them.. on their day-to-day activites, without needing their approval for you to ‘become their friend’. Kind of cool, you can be following celebs like Britney or twitter-renowned celeb; Ashton Kutcher. Stalkerific!

+ Now that I’m subscribed to SMH technology.. I’m hoping there’s stuff I can blog about everyday.. such as the newly released Dell Laptop which is supposedly even thinner than Apple’s Macbook air~! I look forward to near future when, laptops are more compatible and practical, and most importantly quality at an affordable price!

Anyway, that’s just my 2cents for today.. praising social networks these days.. and glad to be involved in it.. watching them evolve and grow.

Cheers.

Wacom Cintiq ; to Drool Over

Inspire me ~

Happy Weekends! For me anyways, sorry to rub it in to those who still have uni tomorrow I shouldn’t be too proud about it though – I have to clean up the house tomorrow!

Well anyways, 2nd week is over – boy, does time fly! I’ve never had a 2.5 day timetable before; and this is what it feels like. I think more than 50% of the time I feel like I’m on holidays still… not sure if that’s a good thing? It has been rather eventful, my lovely uni-days almost like a perfect tetris compilation. 9-5pm days. I’ve already found myself falling behind readings! ah yes, good old readings.. .when will I ever keep up with them! The pressure’s on, with assessments starting to fly in from every direction! But the way I function, I can’t completely devote myself to getting things done and out of the way.

While I’d like to avoid the heavy load of reading; I want to be engaged in creative works. I’m still trying to find the passion plus time to improve on things, build a portfolio etc. How am I to inspire myself again? Yes, I was once inspired.. it had created sparks, lit the flame, but not enough to keep it going. I would have to say though, I have received some good words of advice, from established designers. I attended Amnesia Open Studio last year, for their seminars.. on Inspiration, getting a job etc. I thought I’d share the Inspiration bit with my peers – while also trying to inspire myself too.. haha..

First and Foremost; Design is EVERYWHERE; So don’t be let down that there aren’t jobs out there! Regardless of GFC, it is important to promote yourself; do alot of freelance work.. for free. Make Connections!

If you have difficulty getting inspired; give these a go (as Presented by the Founder of ‘People like  Us’)

Inspiration Wall; more on Flickr

• COLLECT INSPIRATIONS; These could range from stock images/illustrations/any form of digital art.
• Arrange them in a series of folders on your computer, by date, or under categories, e.g. water.
• Build folders of everything inspiring! Colour palettes, textures, fonts, montage, patterns, web layouts, magazine design layouts etc.
• Keep the sizes to a limit, e.g. 150 files in each folder.
• Likewise, you could physically collect nightclub flyers, post cards.. and create a moodboard for yourself! I like to call this an Inspiration Wall. (I’m still working on mine…)

And another thing; there is no harm in ‘trying’ other’s styles, as long as you are not 100% copying their work! Nothing is completely original, as it is likely to be an inspiration from something else! Let it be a learning experience, to build up your own ‘style’. .. watch your Inspiration Grow..

Amnesia Open Studio is on again this year! 7-8th April! Check it Out!

Rant; I dislike video-recording myself.. especially when sensible talk is involved! I’m sad I have to re-record my Manifesto!

When I Grow Up…

Sadly, the above is not as simple as it seems to be when we were just lil kids.

Here I am sitting in a lecture on (MGMT2725) Career Planning and Management…. I wonder too, how they manage to have a whole subject on career planning! I’m hoping it will be a guidance for my journey of discovering my career path! But, at this point, although only week 2 into the subject… I’m already a little confused about the complexities of trying to define THE career for ME. And the ongoing questions that are rumbling through my head.

Yes, I’m still a lost little girl, and you can’t blame me for being so! I get myself too involved in several little ventures – perhaps I should make a hybrid career for myself??

- The Sewing/Craft Making… Fashion

- Graphics/Occasional Web Designing

- Photography..

It almost seems like I can be a 1 wo/man band for my own fashion label of some sort, haha.

But really, Who would know career has about… 5 or so different meanings??

And the process you must go through… such as evaluating your personality/behaviour to match up a suitable career. Which is understandable, maybe thats why people tend to make the wrong decisions these days. I urge you to reconsider your plans before you go on any further! I found out that there is a Careers Research and Assessment Service provided at UNSW with a ‘little fee’, http://cras.psy.unsw.edu.au/index.htm Check it out if interested.

Oh, did I mention I’ll be doing a 3,500 word self assessment? I wonder whether I’ll end up discovering anything after all those words….

WordPress theme; Achieved

I’ve spent the last 2-3 days offline during ‘peak hours’ because we only have less than 120mb left of our monthy bandwith until March 12th. So I initiated the idea so that over the weekend we will still have fast internet during the day and after midnight. Not sure if really is a great idea – but so far, I’m surprised I managed to survive offline for 12hours! It just meant going out and possibly doing the irregular chores.

So I spent one online session, gathering info on how to make my own wordpress theme. Following the tutorial on Web Designer Wall (I loveee that site!) The coding itself, didn’t take too long.. heh about an hour and a bit. What took the most time was coming up with the design on the spot; although I followed the layout of the default theme.. For the first time I’ve managed to do a mock version of a theme on photoshop – with layers all neatly arranged; subfolders within folders etc.

In a way, it is a good practice; for a persion who just keeps adding layers without renaming them – I think thats the next approach for me.

Overall, it wasn’t too hard once you manage to understand the code abit more. I’ve been frustrated about php for years – and wonder how I’ll manage to learn it! I guess through doing these little things will give me a better understanding CSS + PHP! I’m kind of loving the ability of making these themes… perhaps I should find time to do more – just for fun! Who knows, maybe I’ll even start a Resources section for my upcoming site on Clarzzique.com !

In Bloom (a quick title on the spot), was inspired by a colour pallette (in previous post), it reminded me I had once taken a photo and processed it with the same colour tones. Hence I decided to reuse it as my banner. Come to think of it, its Autumn! This feels like a transition from Winter – Spring. So really, I should be coming up with an Autumn theme, bringing out those warm browns.

About the UNSW Net Literacy Project

I think I’ve finally managed to hook everything up, the twitter, diigo etc. Twitter’s fun! I need more friends though Add me: clarzzy

I’m hopping this blog post would appear on the newsouthblogs page = successful! I’m liking the sense of networking with other students doing the same course; through reading blogs I feel that you can better understand the other person. Facebook is great – but it really doesn’t say much about the person and what they are in to. Such as the; interests section probably only gets updated once and never touched again.

Well, Uni has resumed – although luckily for me I start on Tuesday arvo; so I’ve still got the day to ‘bum’ around Maybe after the first week; people will start getting into this netlit project! Exciting! Can’t wait to see you all on the blogosphere

r e b o r n

by Clarzzique.

I’ve always wanted to own a personal domain/webspace – so that I can be able to unleash my creative and technical flairs, if any. After years of contemplating over; where to purchase it from.. and most importantly, Who/What do I want to be known as in this invisible space of interaction; the world-wide-web.

As some of you are aware, I have been practicing behind ‘Clarzzique’ for the past several months and have come to believe that I’m truly ‘owning’ this identity in terms of social groups, designing, photography – just to name a few. As ‘Clarzzique’ hints that it is a combination of my name & the adjective ‘classic’ (which is simply defined as ‘creation of the highest excellence’); reflects the characteristics of my creative works. I like to challenge myself by discovering the unseen beauty of things that may appear as unappealing; such as taking a piece of ordinary printed fabric and creating something beautiful. It is amazing just to see what one can become, most importantly is to remember that there are no boundaries in design, Just endless opportunities!

There are still alot of things I want to learn, need to learn in order to be succesful in the future, so this is just the beginning.Having said that, I’m still in the process of discovering my ‘signature style’, and hoping that through this project (online folio) it will encourage me to find it soon.

Just a piece of mind I would like to share with you all; as a beginning of what’s to come ~ on Clarzzique.com~

~ clarzzy.