c l a r z z i q u e

Day 10 – A picture of what you like to do

and a New online project!….

Strawberry & cream cheese friands; from the other day (these are pre-oven shots!)

i like to bake.

I have recently rediscovered my interest for baking these holidays. I’m not very good at it, but I do hope to improve after more practice. So far I haven’t gotten disgusted faces from the family yet so that is a good sign.

I want to do food photography, in the comfort of my own home. If no one else offers me dishes to shoot, I will make them myself it’s a good initiative to improve my cooking/baking skills, oui?

On the note of cooking/baking; I would like to introduce to you a new online project of mine…

www.eatmyshots.com

an online food journal; for my food photography & where i gather and share my thoughts on my culinary journey.

from dining experiences to my take on recipes.

i’m no pro, so don’t judge so harshly

stay tuned of whats yet to come.

][ G R A P H I C A L ][

- Magazine ad for Couples Choice Wedding

- Flyers for Magic Moments Charity

-Photobook design for Nutrisoy Ltd

- Wedding album design for Couples Choice Wedding

- Window vinyl design for  Bayside Photography

- Logo for UNSWPhoto Club

- Logo for Allworth Group

- Logo for John Lum & Associates

- Logo for Cupcakes by M

][ W E B S I T E ][

- Clarzzique.com (Portfolio)

- Website for Bayside Photography

- Website for Cupcakes by M

- Web layout (wordpress etc.) for UNSWPhoto Club

][ P H O T O G R A P H Y ][

- Mago 2nd issue front cover & magazine spread

- Bridal shoot for Blue Lotus Make Up

- Nutrisoy Manufacturing processes shoot

- Nutrisoy Product Shoot

- Nutrisoy 25th yr Anniversary Dinner

We decided upon wabi sabi as our group inspiration because of the uniqueness of the concept itself, being able to think in a different mindset that is unfamiliar to a western framework. It never occurred to me that Japanese had a particular design sense. After reading the texts, it has highlighted the similarities of design in Japanese society – what appears to us as ‘weird’ but interesting. The idea of wabi sabi or also referred to as a ‘make shift’ phenomenon, as suggested in Juniper; ‘is a quest for the unique and unconventional’. My understanding of this concept overall is to discover the beauty in ugliness in its simplest, natural form.

Juniper has stated the 8 elements of wabi sabi expression; organic, freedom of form, texture, ugliness & beauty, colour, simplicity, space and balance. Through understanding these, I have realized there are many limitations or rather avoidances for my wabi sabi inspired projects. These limitations I will use to my advantage, as it will allow me to further think of other options rather than the norm.

Concepts that inspire me;

I am inspired by the freedom of form; in that you are able to express yourself freely and not have to be mindful of rules as long as there is ‘balance’ in the piece. Texture will be interesting to work with, as the reading suggests – textures can be expressive in it-self. Most of all I am inspired by the notion of beauty in ugliness. Designing accessories in my spare time; I challenge myself to give new life and meaning to a certain material, now it is a chance to translate that into the digital work I am doing. It will be a challenge just trying to understand the conventions of beauty and to surpass it through the little unappealing details which others may have not noticed before.  I’m a fan of simplicity and will try to portray these aesthetics in the simplest ways, highlighting another element of simplicity and use of space.

Translation of ideas;

For the first individual project, some brief ideas I have in mind include a situation of a ‘natural process’, whereby the user is able to experience and interact with it as it occurs. For example, it could be witnessing the change of seasons (represented by textures). Each season will be a different layer which the user will have to pass/interact with, and this layer will tear away showing another. This idea is inspired by the Japanese’ fascination of using layers, and natural processes. The use of layers in architecture is portrayed in the Louis Vuitton building that featured layers to portray suitcases in the Make Shift text.

The colours I consider using include the muted colours you would find on a Japanese scroll/painting on rice paper. I find muted tones are less distracting to the eye, which would keep a simple palette. Another idea is to pair up murky colours with a contrasted colour to see what sort of effect it could create, perhaps the murkier colour will be more interesting in this light. But I will mostly stick to ‘organic’ shades.

More ideas in development…

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!

I stayed up till 3:30am working on these two… insane? i know.. i think its just me and design.. we are inseperable haha… you hardly hear of me staying up past 1am working on other assignments!! *shh*

Here’s the 1st one to refresh your memory;

(Version 1)

(Version 2)

i love; the textured header, and the random yellow swirlies behind the R.. (haha). the menu – when you hover over it, it will pop up a yellow speech bubble.. otherwise.. yeh the weird red thing.

(Version 3)

i love the cleanliness of this layout! the white background.. with the COLOURS.

Overall I’m not sure if these are ‘rebel’ enough. What do you think?

To be honest, I really hate the thought of having to include that longgg list of links on the side. I think I’m going to include one of those *click for links* drop down menus (not the one in a box, but it just appears). I hope that’s okay? and it’ll generate itself somehow…

So I feel I’ve done a few -decent- mock ups; i’m fairly satisfied… and now i’m stuck on which one i should do!

Which is most ‘rebellious’ to you??

Anything you would change?

Anything bugging you?

——

At this rate I’m quite happy.. atleast I have a guide/idea to what I’m coding!!

Please leave your comments/votes =)

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why hello again!

Friday was my day off.. so I thought I’d whip up a mock design on photoshop, using the previous ‘koi’ colour palette. This is what I came up with;

version 2 – is just minus the old man/figure.. i thought it’ll look more ‘simple’. well obviously if i was to use version 1 – i would probably get more decent rebel-like images! i quite like the speech bubble though

why the ‘split-half’ design? don’t know.. i think its a different approach other than the obvious narrow column look, also i love to create an obvious contrast between the brown and the blue. The navigation – the orange button is the effect when you hover on to it , also the list of #rebels will be orange when hovered over.

that is only my 1 design.. i’d really like to get another 2 or so designs up and choose from the 3.. and try work it! but so far.. what do you think of this layout? what would you change? fonts ok? version 1 or 2? etc.etc. i love the hint of orange…

Honestly, I’ve been craving to blog, but every-time I look at my blog I get turned off by the colours haha.. criticizing my own design? I hope I won’t have trouble satisfying myself; in terms of needing a ‘change’ every so-often. So to keep the blogging mood up, I’ve returned to one of my favourite pre-made wordpress layouts (until I find time to make a brand-new layout!). I’m a fan of simplicity these days. As much as I’d love to produce a simple piece myself – I’m not sure if I would end up achieving so for the upcoming CSS for MDCM2002.

I feel that, if I blogged about my progress; it will help me see my ideas, inspirations clearer – and being able to put them together. So I’ve finally started just 2 days ago on the CSS site. As a requirement for myself, I love to go through an inspirational-search and put together a folder of things that inspire me.

Colour Palettes

Firstly, I needed a colour palette to work with; (it was the easiest thing to do on a late late night, compared to going through tonnes of websites for ideas)

I had a folder of around 30 favourites.. which I have managed to narrow down to 3..

Looking at these for the #th time, I’m slowly leaning towards the last two; I just have to think about how I can work those colours well with the idea of ‘Rebel’. Did you notice the common element between the above.. = the browns? I don’t know, when I think of Rebel.. I get brown.. and dull colours. Initially I was looking at dull tones of blue, until I realize that would look too boring! I love to have the slightest hint of contrast atleast hence the orange, and the pinks.

Existing website Inspirations

Here are some websites I came across during my search; why I like them? Perhaps just simple elements of it – its textures, colours, layout, or maybe how it works i.e. using page anchors (first example).

minimalistic; love the menu placement, and use of page anchors.

a suttle 3 column layout

love the layout of the collage; how it takes up a top portion of the page + menu

i love the whole; post-it notes, paper clip theme and especially the background he used here

love a simple texture

water colour effect + the menu.. (sketches)

That is all for now It is rather late.. but hope I’ll get some ‘sketches’ done .. and then the mock up site to come!

Sorry for not blogging much.

Simply because I’ve been caught up with other ‘projects’… spending time building another blog for something, from scratch. Totally modding wordpress into a blog-site.. don’t know how many hours, sweat and tears was lost into the process.
- But, having said that I’ve learnt so much! There are so many awesome plugins as well in wordpress.. go discover them if you haven’t

However, I also plan to make a new proper blog layout for this site… i feel I’m not getting enough ‘width’ here, as you can tell my video has trouble fitting in ;( I’m a fan of the wide spaces now.

Hope I’ll get around to it soon within the next 2 weeks. I need to find some inspirations though.

Current colour palette inspirations (no visual palette sorry): Cream, Rasberry Red, Navy Blue.

and thinking of an Artist approach. hmmm…

- I think i failed my video assignment..(you can probably tell why). sad ;( but we’ll find out next week.

Busy week ahead for me! So i’ll try hang in there