Ignorance or stupidity?

That day, I saw a father transporting his toddler in the front carrier basket of a motorcycle without a helmet, while he himself wore one. I wondered if he wore it due to enforcement by lawmakers or if his tiny 5-pound brain thought he needed it.

We all wish luck will always be on her side. The little girl is not only exposed to danger but also subjected to an ignorant attitude passed down to her like pedigree.

Most of the time, we think "it's okay" when nothing happens, right?

Wrong! "Convenient" is sometimes just another way to spell "risk."

Has our overly simplified societal culture blinded us, or have we simply stopped thinking? (Maybe we've forgotten that we can think at all.)

To me, it feels like living in an "Artificial Intelligent" environment where we tempt fate by ignoring the dangers around us.

Look around us, from our society to our very own households. Have we reflected enough on the adjustments needed to adapt to modern civilization?

Here are some thoughts to ponder: Who makes the decisions...

1. About the toxic packaging we use?
2. When voting for less than "noble" politicians?
3. About following a flawed system?
4. When wasting our time on meaningless pursuits?
5. About conforming to the wrong crowd?

This list could go on indefinitely...

Seiko chronograph 6138 and others

After 15 years of collecting watches,most of my collections comes and goes only those who have fate are destiny to stay like friends some use to be be close but after awhile some dont know where, maybe this is life.

After all I will miss my Rolex 6694, GMT 16750, Explorer 2, Omega speedmaster, Omega seamaster day date, Omega Dynamic, Omega seamaster Geneve, Omega seamaster Jedi, Seiko world time, Seiko alarm, Orient King Diver, Brand X, Fortis cosmonaut (lemania 5100), Seiko Orange Monster, Seiko 6138 UFO, West End Company, Pagol, Titoni Airmaster, Election, Mido multifort and... wow just like recalling friends list some can remember but some don't.

I wonder how many people out there have the same experience like me get to know people and close for some time after that it seems gone by the wind. Do you call this fate?

Migratory Chinese

You cannot keep the Chinese; not even their own land can keep them. By nature, Chinese people are among the most migratory races.

Born with an entrepreneurial spirit in their DNA and driven by a desire for a better lifestyle, many Chinese are motivated to relocate around the world in search of a more suitable place to settle.

There's a saying that wherever there is good 'Sun & Soil,' you will find Chinese people.

If the 'Peking Man' did it before, so will modern Chinese. The new migration patterns of Chinese people are mainly driven by their survival instincts, or perhaps, more humorously, by their reincarnation from countless lives of ancient Chinese warfare. One wonders what benefits the ancient kings brought to their people in return. (Thanks to the Qing dynasty, whether selfish or not, at least it brought an end to the endless wars.)

Regardless, there is a place for everyone in this world. Philosophically speaking, the world should not have borders or citizenship. Modern people should look at the bigger picture rather than confining themselves to the stereotypical viewpoints of fabricated 'keyholes' from others.

My skin may be yellow, but my blood is red, just like yours, no matter what color your skin is. So, let's be open and embrace the practice of loving kindness, my friends.

The walking “Death”

Ha ha... maybe I've watched too many ghost or vampire movies, hence the dramatic heading, but regardless, we are surrounded by many walking dead people.

Look around us; many simply go through the motions, clocking in and out from Monday to Friday. For some students, obtaining a degree or qualification is merely a checkbox rather than a pursuit of true meaning.

It's time to start living and stop behaving like the walking dead. If your work isn't bringing you closer to your ambitions or passions, take action now. Otherwise, you may look back one day with regret, thinking, 'I wish I had tried this or that!'

Everyone desires wealth because they believe it's the ultimate solution to life's problems. Can you name anyone who doesn't face challenges in life? (I believe even someone as wealthy as Bill Gates has his own problems.)

So, what will you do with your current job or studies?

Find a purpose and commit to it wholeheartedly. Whatever happens, let it happen for a reason—whether good or bad, it's up to us to turn it around with the incredible 5-pound muscle in our heads, created by a Higher Being who loves us deeply and made us in His image.

Value our lives and make them the best they can be.

Digging the grave to find clue for living

The 'Vision & Mission' statement is often nothing more than a philosophical claim that many leaders use for self-branding, aiming to appear favorable in front of stakeholders.

We live in a world filled with fabricated facts and figures, which often blind our eyes and minds with the soothing insulin injection of empirical systems.

Quoting or adding another line from the 'Magic of Thinking Big' concept has become a predictable norm—a tired and unexciting cliché. Yet, leaders seem oblivious to the fact that many of us are inwardly chuckling.

Leaders routinely employ the most advantageous tools and methodologies to support their arguments, often borrowed from others, as if it's standard procedure.

When will they wake up and truly listen before speaking, learn before teaching, and empathize before demanding?

Many argue they are in their positions because they are superior to others. But is this really true when we reflect deeply?

Amidst all the fabrication and illusions they create, it feels like we are digging our own graves in search of a reason to live.

Seiko Prospect Series

Till now already my 15years in collecting watches, lately my friend got back some catalogue from Seiko Japan. Hope my picture sharing will be fun for those seiko lovers out there. Email to me if you need some softcopy (FREE)

Interior Design tips Part 1

My unpublished Design

The Defination of good design or poor design in the eye of the beholder, designer should take pride in his work no matter what. So dear all comrades be proud of your design no matter what.

Rationale of design

Objective:

To design an invitation card that able to reflect the movement of 18th Century, Baba & Nyonya, old Japan influence and current avant garde taste. All the elements use in here are carefully choose for their contextual values.

Post card design

Post Card rationale
Concept
FRONT
3-difference elements to represent Communication;
1) SMS – HP screen
2) Message in the bottle
3) Chat
User can customize their design by the given template in the front design before posting, thus each card have their own identity and space for creativity juice to flow. This also indirectly reflect the Creative college mission as well.

BACK
Represented by simplified 2 = To and cartoon snail to reflect the snail mail in this email era.

Being bombarded by electronic environment, we sometimes tend to have more “Feel” on the physical Post card compare to electronic image card.

Which one is better choice to express our feeling personally?

Hand written letter or email? (Nothing can replace the fountain pen relationship with paper)

Printing instructions
Paper – Matt art card 250gms
To achieve the “Gold dust” paper effect, the papers are pre-print with pearl layer (1 side) before going for the spot colour printing.

I suggest spot colour because I dislike the “fabricated” colour achieved by offset, the CMYK dots never seem sexy to me.

Age – This design is 2 years old (2007)

Another logo by me- Imeac

Close up view

The final touch for the character "C" is form with the embedded surgeon knife.

Colours choices suggested are to represent medical aesthetics value.

Log to this link for reference

http://www.imaec.com/html/about03.html

“Catastrophe in design evolution

Have you ever encountered the most poorly designed or manufactured product, interior, or print?

What qualifies as the worst design of the year or even the millennium, if there is such a thing?

I believe the worst designs are those that sacrifice safety and durability for the sake of profit.

Look around us, and you'll find numerous products that don't meet safety standards or prioritize environmental friendliness.

Are we to blame for our ignorance, or are we simply trapped in a cycle of accepting mediocre living standards? There's an attitude that everything is safe until someone gets hurt—we shouldn't need heroism to make safe choices.

Rushing to adopt new materials without proof of their safety is risky. This applies to newly invented products or gadgets that may pose hazards, worsened by poor quality control practices.

Many packaging materials in use today are toxic and fail to meet safety standards. Our actions may harm future generations, including ourselves.

Authorities should enforce stricter safety regulations. For now, it's our responsibility to choose wisely when using any product.

Consider that certain chair designs may cause back pain in the long run. Some food packaging materials could lead to illness over time. Radiation or wave pollution from computers and cell phones can harm us. Printing inks used in packaging may contain carcinogens. Certain food colorings are known to be cancerous, and the list goes on...

We're all aware of these risks, aren't we?

But who cares? It seems like another instance of premature and negligent lifestyle choices affecting both you and me.

Prioritize your health and maintain it; we have a long journey ahead of us. Our well-being is ultimately our own responsibility. Take care.

Seeking the meaning of “life”

Artist
Barber
Carpenter
Designer
Engineer
Fisherman
Glottologist (linguist)
Haematologist
Ideologist
Janitor
K....

all these professions require similar analytical and problem-solving methodologies. Their job scopes determine their income levels, perpetuating stereotypes that many of us believe in, creating social classifications.

We often label professions and income levels as indicative of one's characteristics and attitudes. It's our attitude towards this mindset that needs to change.

I respect you not for your profession or income level, but for your compassionate kindness towards all living beings around us.

Setting aside our material possessions and societal labels, what remains to cherish as a living soul?

In our relentless pursuit of ambition and purpose, we often forget to express gratitude to those who have shown us kindness. If there's one thing worth seeking in life, let it be the pursuit of spreading loving kindness to every living being.

It's only in our final moments that we realize nothing truly matters except the joy derived from loving and embracing others.

To those striving for greener pastures and ambitious goals, may you find success. But if circumstances lead you back to square one, remember to relax.

If you encounter obstacles, stay resilient and accept them with an open heart, trusting that all will eventually resolve well.

Education is “BAD” for you

Wow, what a controversial argument I'm laying out here, ha ha. If education alone were sufficient, why are so many people regressing in terms of EQ, ethical understanding, and survival skills? Yes, school education provides a solid foundation, but true learning should extend far beyond the classroom.

I must confess, my formal education didn't necessarily make me a better person; surprisingly, it was my childhood experiences that did.

Delving deeper into my own "silent" experiential childhood education is a fascinating case study of how these experiences deeply influenced my subconscious and shaped my stereotypes.

Take, for instance, my DIY lantern project at age 8. From budgeting and sourcing materials to managing risks (I almost cut myself, ha ha), designing, and eventually succeeding (Bravo!), the entire process taught me valuable lessons. Yet, shortly after completion, my lantern accidentally spoiled and burned out, teaching me how to handle failure emotionally.

Today's children often only need to ask for and select a lantern, and if there's a problem later, they simply replace the battery or buy a new one (money solves everything). Some 8-year-olds nowadays still wear diapers (a reflection of the "Pamperism" era, ha ha).

Based on this example, we can clearly see how modern children are evolving within a consumerist civilization. I urge you to seek real-life experiential lessons as much as possible.

Stay cool during your internship, babe! It's not that others fail to teach you; it's often that you fail to learn from the experiences presented to you.

Where can you find these valuable experiential lessons?

Ha ha, another typical moment of passive thought (like a brain processor overload). Think harder (reboot)!

They're everywhere, dear! Even reconsider how you approach and solve day-to-day problems.

Does this sound too Zen?

Nope, it's about utilizing your analytical and creative brain to develop effective habits for solving daily challenges.

We are creatures of habit, and our comfort zones are easily formed around simple, mindless tasks. Life becomes monotonous with monotonous thinking patterns. Stay alert and embrace "Re"-ism – Recycle, Rethink, Redo, Recall, Retrospect, and RESPECT.

Surface Design

Abstract

The contextual values of the surface design are so intimately hidden that only well-experienced designers are able to interpret it thoroughly for more effective visual communication.

As for junior designer or students, you are encouraged to begin your design concept together with the final execution context (production & materials choices) in mind at the very beginning stage.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free”

“In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it.”

Michelangelo

So do you see your “Design” hidden within the material or the expression of material hidden within your design?

No matters from which discipline you are into the fundamentals are always the same.

Here are some tips for you to start with

6 Ways of using surface

1) Tactile Texture
Tactile textures do trigger our visual perception toward the materials characteristic. May it be rough, smooth or velvet ... every single texture is trying to convey their message and making their standing point like human personality. Stop staying at the generic materials zone and let be more inventive, create one if necessary.

2) Overlapping
The beauties of overlapping transparent layers are the opportunities of looking through the surface rather than concealed wall, as the cross over textures and colour through translucent layers will create new visual impact. Make good use of soft and hard visual effect from the translucent value.

3) Embedded
Surface can be use together with others foreign textures to increase theirs’ visual contrast and be bold in exploring possibilities of visual excitement.
Embedded alien substances into surface or materials give a hidden visual value and thus project more impact full fresh new look.

Play with your materials but not your food!

Look at how designers’ combine steel and cement on wall surface or textile with paper in card design

4) Opening
Opening should be view as another gateway to another space. It is the marking of liberation into segmented frontier. Use die-cuts, windows, holes, doors or any opening for an “eye opening design”. Withdraw the possibilities from these opening and travel into another side of the hidden wall or pages to invite in the light or visual.

5) Emboss
Emboss or extrude can be view as the extension of inner expression that trying to shout aloud, in prints’ it is always regards as the quality statement. If apply on furniture or wall surface, it can represent the mute language of design.

If the seal mark makes the statement louder, let make it to the “wow” impact.

6) Deboss or engraving
Deboss carry similar value like Emboss effect but it is regard as more medieval era taste compare to the moulding machinery outlook of emboss. Engraving execution is cool to convey exclusiveness or commitment statement.

Talking about commitment, have you ever carve you name on tree? Stop doing that ok. Ha ha.

I believe with the shared knowledge it is time for you guys to look into the materials and set free your design.

Best Regards

Growing the green box

Seeding the purple ground
Wish for creativity to be found

With sound knowledge I share
I wish they would able to bear

Never in me intended to clone
It is why I don’t want you in my dancing tone

Learn to grow from the purple ground
Hope to see you standing on your own ground

Learn to see beyond your green box
It is so much beyond this holding box

There is so much to be share
Yet not many really care

Even I lost in this battleground
I will never want my disappointment to be found

My passion of sharing will never fade
Even this is meant to be my fate

The only thing I want
Is to see you all to have a good faith.

How to know your box and thinking out of it?

There is no point in shouting out loud “think out of the box” but yet we can’t even know or define what is our box. We talk so many lines yet not making any point and as the result we are in the bad shape of forming meaning. (Dot, line, form and shape ha! ha!)

What is your box?
Your education background, culture, cognitive, TV, computer, hobbies and people you believe including yourself.

Even sitting in my reading room now, I am in the box, I need to lead my thought beyond my laptop and room for more holistic thinking during this blog writing.

As current problem solving trends moving towards scientific approach where data finding is the key DNA for all solution methodologies. We tend to be overwhelmed with this illusionary fatal lies in solving uncertainty by using data and research.

Thinking back when I was involved in the research (qualitative) project, I am so sceptical to believe with the small sampling size (20 to 30 people to represented the 5,000 to 10,000 potential customers, 0.004%!) that the research company proposed would be able to yielded enough justification for measuring the uncertain market.
Even with a greater sampling size it is also not possible to measure because the diluted effect will occur (in fact I also do not know what is the best sampling size neither do the research company expert). Human being are simply too complex to be measure and predicted that why in many religious teaching or sacred myth reminds us not to guarantee each other thought ha! Ha! (By the way the research bill cost a bomb for those uncertain measurement data)

How could we believe in using data finding alone would able to predict & anticipate human being next move? Do you believe that? What say you?

This entire data finding may be the culprit that put us into the box and set us apart from generating new idea in problem solving. Like the famous quote “ we can’t solve the problem within the logic itself”, Albert Einstein.

Ironically our fear prompts us to tackle uncertainty by peeping into future through crystal ball by using complex mathematical sciences. If this is the best way why we still have so much catastrophes stock market crashes, new products failure and new forms of pollutions?

Our dependence on automatism trend have made us lazy enough not to use our thinking head, look around us, many people just literally just accept new claim by data justification and trust what they read from internet search. The chain reactions from email are easily trigger and spread without filter by our own institution and common sense.

Student: Sir, if research findings data are not to be trusted, then what else we have to believe in?

Mr Martin: Data finding are viable for certain measurement but we must remember to use holistic problem solving approach, that means we must not forget others hidden elements within the problem itself. The project will fail drastically if we answer to the wrong problem.

When we introducing a new design for mass consumptions please do not rely on current trends finding for evolutional approach but it fact we can also looking into revolutionary approach so that we are able to “think out of the box”.

Student: Sir, do that means we learn the rule of design in order to bend it or forget about it?

Mr Martin: Yes.... and NO...

Drawing a boundary of platform with what we already know is a limitation for exploration and creativity, yet it is also putting ourselves into a box within our existing box (cognitive). So don’t design thing that we already know. Always hunger for the “WOW” impact in our design. Remember that this claim does not applicable in all problem solving its’ rely on the effectiveness of the solution.

Good designs are time and civilization bounds, these means the latest design are meant to be obsolete when new technologies and new social value over take it.

We must explore for new finding beyond empirical theories and values thus we are able to make good contribution in design. Some even claim that we are simply copycats that mimic from our natures; to me nature is the best inspiration as nature itself is the best design. So learn from nature, shut your box (computer) and get closer with nature. Yahoo! Picnic and camping time ha! ha!

We are into the type “R” movement where Retro & Recycle will make us more aware on our being and purpose of existing; it is time now for us to do ourselves a favour by practising “Self-Reflections”.

So who are you?

Do not forget to thank your parents and practise loving kindness to all beings.

Thank You, Love Mr. Martin

My latest logo Design for MET Malaysia

This is my latest logo design for Malaysian Meteorological Department http://www.met.gov.my/home_e.html

I will post the logo rationale later.

How much can you see and think?

Referring to the given visual above, as an audience what will be your understanding & perception?

But now as a Graphic Design student, how many “points” of elements you manage to associate with or you can think off?

a) 1 to 3

b) 3 to 4

c) More than 4

Yours’ ability to see the total amount of contextual components lies within the given visual will define how much you really grasp on your graphic design learning from your study.

As a graphic design student it is important to understand the perception theories before embark into designing. Please don’t do thing “art for art sick” because when talking to public, we are also bound to integrity & social responsibility value.

The “messages” (which is our design works) created by us, always contain “Noise” or communication gap that will provoke misunderstanding if we are not good enough to articulate the notion.

Lousy works will intentionally & selfishly provoke discomfort on others by hoping its’ action will yield attention (another cultural terrorist action) and only too late to learn that his or her work fail miserably when public fail to see its’ narration.

If given a choice, why can’t we just ask & talk nicely? To me, reviewing own-self sad upbringing through low respect you portray for others religion and culture are only another self-insult damage and low intelligence (idiot) action.

So think twice before “Raping” any cultural or religion context. The mention arguments here are referring to those dudes that manipulate sacred symbolic icon to achieve provocative attention. Please leave the religion alone.

Ok, back to my sharing segment, if you can see more than 4 contextual elements or even see the total 7 hidden perceptions elements quoted here, you are on the right path.

7 Visuals elements quoted here can be explains as such >>

Element 1- referring to the intended message (number 30 with embedded figure face), Any visual created are always meant for articulating idea, it is important to know the perception theories. Typography should be view as sender voice of tone and styles.

Element 2 – The visual navigation path. (It is how we absorb and our reading flow or pattern).

Element 3 – The “Ying & Yang” manipulation of 2D contrast that hold an intrinsic value for space, print & message.

Element 4 & 6 – Element 4 here is referring to the whole number of 30 and element 6 is the frame. Composition within whole visual (within the given box) is evaluated base on the compare & contrast by imaginative balance pivot. Any use or unused space must be meticulously planed.

Element 5 – The visual texture, many Graphic student or even some senior designer still weak in adopting and manipulate visual and tactile textures as their ingredient for good design.

Element 7 – Referring to the surface (mainly paper), choices of paper selected hold an intrinsic tactile texture value and it is always vital to give good recommendation to your customer on what finishing to be executed on, of course do not forget to go green if possible.

Hopefully with the share brief here, I can help a bit on your understanding or promote you to do some reflection on Graphic Design knowledge, Happy Learning.

The mentioned 7 elements here can be further explain, to know more just drop me an email. Take care, from Mr. Martin Yong.

The “Stone Age” of mediocre design schools

Prologue
Looking back into Malaysia Design education for “Young Guns”, it is a ”Bless” now in compare to the old schools where the “Delivering Gaps” are inevitable consequences.

The Early Impressions of studying design courses are meant for those who can’t excel in academic.
The market niche for design students is relatively small, partly due to our own premature design industry as well. Thanks to many passionate Fine Artists who take the initiative to give a kick-start for Malaysia art & design education or else there will never be one. Thank you to all pioneer artists.

90’s - The “Mushroom” era of Design College
Seeing the growing new number of mediocre design colleges at the early 90’s are catastrophe finding to me as many students are not well taught, those self-claim educationist (merely capitalist dude) are only weakening the design education in our country rather than contributing to it. What they do is only training a group of skill workhorses rather than a pure artist, designer and thinkers.
Eerily this stills a trend till now in some mediocre colleges.

21st century – The ‘me too” clone war

All the sudden the Art & Design courses seems to be so potent that any T**, D*** or H**** colleges can simply running it without much empathy on the value that they will give to the naive students. Fresh graduate is mechanically employ by meeting the “paper for paper sick” and assume they are ready to teach, that’s all! (No problem just shoot with what in the syllabuses as being told by their BOSS)

Sigh! O.M.G, I sincerely wish this would not happen to his or her own innocent kid. (I bet it would not because they may just send their kid to a better school, because they can smell their own kind).

The return of the “Jedi”
Join the design education at 1994 after resigning from my Art Director post; it is due to my passion for teaching and dream of contributing in design education.

Little that I can do at the beginning stage as lecturer until back in 1998, I was lucky enough to be the head of a design college, together with Mr Alvin. It was during my tenure days there I introduce Mind Mapping, Creative thinking, Conceptual Illustration & bringing in the advertising expert like “Ah Sir” to join us.

Yes, they call us the “FONG WAN”(Martin & Alvin).

Chapter 1
The Stone Age in the new millennium
Art & Design education now partially gear with new technologies and teaching methodologies have brought many benefits into knowledge transfer & holistic learning, I am truthfully glad to see this new landscape. *But this credit on viable to the honourable colleges.

Stone Age era claimed here are referring to the colleges/university practice me-too strategies by offering design courses for the sick of “Profit Margin”, where goes the humanity and social responsibility value among those provider?

Design courses syllabuses are badly run and inexperience teachers are employ thus will only bring our society into retrogress

It is still too early or simply we are not there yet for social responsible conscious, why it is still many amateur design colleges/university around?

In term of improvement, Malaysia Design education will retard if these “Mediocre Design” education providers are still around but fortunately some authorities steps in to impose some regulation in these stone ages.

I have been thru the ice ages of the late 80’s.Luckily & also unluckily the focus during that time is more towards skill base rather than holistic learning. That is not to be blame of because the design industry it self need more skill persons.

Seeing many young kids being polluted with wrong direction and fall victim in this Capitalism system make my stomach full of butterfly. “May all students be enlighten by the “Environmental factors”, please read more books and think out of your box now. Read, read and listen... yes at least read my “Blog”, hope it will help.

To be continue.

Disclaimer
Throwing in my 15years experiences into this “Blog” with personal view in design education industries are merely my own point of view with no discrimination to insult or causing indirectly harm or losses to any party. Please read it with open mind, I may be wrong & any comments are welcome.

Jumping here and there with friction of story, philosophy, and self learn knowledge may put me in the test of time (life) or even in contrary situation with empirical and pedagogy critics. I apologize in advance, if my “post” is too provocative & sarcastic for you to digest.

Footnote;
Delivering Gap – Value expected from the paid service is not fully or properly delivers by the services provider both the institution and the lecturers.Environment factors – Culture, Technologies, Education systems, Up-bringing & Cognitive factors.

“Design me a chair.”

Lecturer : “Design me a chair.”

Or

Lecturer: “Design me something, that I can sit on it.”


Both requests direct students to design a new piece of furniture (chair) but the way it is being articulated will define different outcome where one will set theirs' minds free or vice versa.

What if your lecturers’ choose to request in the former way?

Will you able jump out of the box?

It is the students or lecturers duties?

Asking this question just like asking the chickens or eggs first?

Note to the lecturers; please be cautious, when dealing with young and untrained mind.

Note to the students; please be alert not to fall into the box of given problem itself.


Student: “Mr. Martin, What to do then?

Mr Martin: “Here is your answer... first find out the key issue of the problem, remember the problem or new need in "Surface" may not always the actual main problem.
" Communication do consist illusion & bias."

It is amazing to know that many people wasted lots of time and resources in answering the wrong problems.

How could that be? Yes, we jump into conclusion by not looking clearly on the main issue of the problem, because we want to be fast, sharp and effective.

“Experiences” do lies, yes clinging to our past experiences and addressing all problems from there is a very dangerous move.

Look around us; many people do the same thing over and over again by expecting the different result. It is only too late to find out, we are on the losing side.

Going back to the quoted example above, how should we define the issue?

1) Listening is a way of gathering information not decision.

2) Always practice counter argument within yourself on the issue you tackle. Why there is a need on the first place? What is the root of the issue?

3) Use 5W1H

4) Use the “Depth, Width & Holistic” approaches.

5) Remember an “Answer” not necessary has to direct to the given question.

6) Tell a good story (Concept), if your life is like a movies and you are the actor, how would you like it to be? Give a story to your design (the soul of design) we all love stories.

As there is no right or wrong in design, it is a matter of how effective the design in answering or tackling the issue. Always embrace your design with care and be passion, there are always room for improvement. And it is “O.K” to make mistake even the best Design can be wrong in future, all things just impermanent.

Evolve your thought so do the way you solve problem.

Any questions are welcome regarding the quoted tips above.
email to me if you want.

Best Regards,
Martin Yong

What type of Intelligence do you have?

Years of teaching prompt me to wonder what type of intelligence should I foster to my students or can we really foster intelligence?

Referring to the Pedagogy theories (pedagogy is an art & science of educating),
There are still some gaps needs to fill in by the “Students” themselves and we (lecturers, are bound by the limitation of environmental factors) cannot do it all.

It is “obscene” to see incompetent lecturer being employ with the notion of filling the job and the “wages” given never an attractive “$” to attract good lecturers. (In fact it is sometime like insulting “Teaching Professional” by the salary given)

Before going further for today discussion, please visit the link below or simply read through the 9 mentioned intelligences.


http://skyview.vansd.org/lschmidt/Projects/The%20Nine%20Types%20of%20Intelligence.htm

The Nine Types of Intelligence
By Howard Gardner

1. Naturalist Intelligence (“Nature Smart”)

Designates the human ability to discriminate among living things (plants, animals) as well as sensitivity to other features of the natural world (clouds, rock configurations). This ability was clearly of value in our evolutionary past as hunters, gatherers, and farmers; it continues to be central in such roles as botanist or chef. It is also speculated that much of our consumer society exploits the naturalist intelligences, which can be mobilized in the discrimination among cars, sneakers, kinds of makeup, and the like.

2. Musical Intelligence (“Musical Smart”)

Musical intelligence is the capacity to discern pitch, rhythm, timbre, and tone. This intelligence enables us to recognize, create, reproduce, and reflect on music, as demonstrated by composers, conductors, musicians, vocalist, and sensitive listeners. Interestingly, there is often an affective connection between music and the emotions; and mathematical and musical intelligences may share common thinking processes. Young adults with this kind of intelligence are usually singing or drumming to themselves. They are usually quite aware of sounds others may miss.


3. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (Number/Reasoning Smart)

Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to calculate, quantify, consider propositions and hypotheses, and carry out complete mathematical operations. It enables us to perceive relationships and connections and to use abstract, symbolic thought; sequential reasoning skills; and inductive and deductive thinking patterns. Logical intelligence is usually well developed in mathematicians, scientists, and detectives. Young adults with lots of logical intelligence are interested in patterns, categories, and relationships. They are drawn to arithmetic problems, strategy games and experiments.

4. Existential Intelligence

Sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here.

5. Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart”)

Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to understand and interact effectively with others. It involves effective verbal and nonverbal communication, the ability to note distinctions among others, sensitivity to the moods and temperaments of others, and the ability to entertain multiple perspectives. Teachers, social workers, actors, and politicians all exhibit interpersonal intelligence. Young adults with this kind of intelligence are leaders among their peers, are good at communicating, and seem to understand others’ feelings and motives.

6. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (“Body Smart”)

Bodily kinesthetic intelligence is the capacity to manipulate objects and use a variety of physical skills. This intelligence also involves a sense of timing and the perfection of skills through mind–body union. Athletes, dancers, surgeons, and craftspeople exhibit well-developed bodily kinesthetic intelligence.

7. Linguistic Intelligence (Word Smart)

Linguistic intelligence is the ability to think in words and to use language to express and appreciate complex meanings. Linguistic intelligence allows us to understand the order and meaning of words and to apply meta-linguistic skills to reflect on our use of language. Linguistic intelligence is the most widely shared human competence and is evident in poets, novelists, journalists, and effective public speakers. Young adults with this kind of intelligence enjoy writing, reading, telling stories or doing crossword puzzles.

8. Intra-personal Intelligence (Self Smart”)

Intra-personal intelligence is the capacity to understand oneself and one’s thoughts and feelings, and to use such knowledge in planning and direction one’s life. Intra-personal intelligence involves not only an appreciation of the self, but also of the human condition. It is evident in psychologist, spiritual leaders, and philosophers. These young adults may be shy. They are very aware of their own feelings and are self-motivated.

9. Spatial Intelligence (“Picture Smart”)

Spatial intelligence is the ability to think in three dimensions. Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning, image manipulation, graphic and artistic skills, and an active imagination. Sailors, pilots, sculptors, painters, and architects all exhibit spatial intelligence. Young adults with this kind of intelligence may be fascinated with mazes or jigsaw puzzles, or spend free time drawing or daydreaming.

OK, which segment do you think you belong to in order to become a good designer?
Ha! Ha! In facts we need them all. Most people claim designers work on “Right” side of brain but in fact we need both side of our brain to do the thinking and analysis.
Ya! talking about RIGHT side of the brain, we (designers’) always been regards as “outrages” tribe, simply because we are right, ha ha.

So don’t frame yourself into a “Box”, within all the mentioned intelligence, just be yourself and spend some time cultivating more. No body is perfect, including me, that's why I keep learning with open heart and mind.

To be continue...

Thinking Skill

Thinking skill is a must for all but unfortunately most of us are not well train on this matter or even to the extent of having zero knowledge on the mentioned matter.

How to think?
Ironically people regards thinking is natural born skill and there is no need of knowing how to think. This is dreadfully wrong, as we are moving toward knowledge & technology transfer era where most information past on should be review for further development. Do not believe or accept blindly from the materials you read)

What should you have as a student?
Students should have higher thinking order such as analysis, evaluation and synthesis. Thus students must have enough knowledge and comprehension on the subject taught and by doing more assignments will be the best ways to consolidate the whole learning process.

Common mistake in grading design works.
Juggling between fostering technical skill and teaching design theories within a limited time frame is a killing task to many lecturers. Students should learn to master their technical skill as well as problem solving skill. But it seems everybody like pretty picture that tells little story compare to lousy execution that have great concept.

Some students even believe colleges that train better drawing skill students is the best colleges.... err no comment on this matter if you want to be train as an Illustrator, but if your aim is to be designer think aloud.

What we need to emphasize?
Students are require to have enough soft ware applications skill before able to do a good work and ironically marks are always given higher to visually better execution works compare to good conceptual works.

Not many students have both side of the coin. What to do... take time to develop both your technical skill as well as thinking skill ... la ha ha.

Analytical thinking
From my teaching experience, analytical thinking ability among students are the key missing link that it is now at alarming stage therefore I strongly recommend lecturers to encourage students to do more assignments that allow them to exercise more on logical comparison & assignment should care fully structures for holistic learning.

Creative Thinking
Regards as ability to generate “NEW” breed of answer in problem solution process by the most effective way. It is measure by authentic, aesthetic and effectiveness of answering the problem. >> Create Active
From “Cognition” to “Meta-cognition” it is only “YOU” that can make the difference, yes I mean you

Perfect world

Who is perfect?

Nobody

But at least we never stop trying in improving on whatever things we do.
Lecturers are human too so don’t expect too much.

Many people like to focus on others’ mistake it seems like himself is the most perfect dude. Ironically, looking on others’ mistake and only laughing at it is imperfect.

When you laugh at your lecturer mistake, think twice do they laugh at you when you make mistake? No.

Independence is the key to success when come to learning and from there you learn to be inter-dependent by working as a team member to achieve more.

Embrace others, as you will never know how great the power of team works can be.

Those who do not respect others will not get it in return.

Respect yourself, your art-works and sign your design with honour even it is so-so.

Yea, by the way how long you never say thank you Sir/Madam?

ha! ha! Not forgetting your Parent that pays your tuition fees.

The cleaner that cleans your mess after you.

Pat your dog that guarding your house.

“Thank You for reading”, Mr. Martin.

Expression of Size

Part 4

Expression & Characteristic

Mr. Martin: When, will you consider the "size" of your design works?
Before, during or after the idea been formulated?

4example

How do you feel, when you push an oversize door to enter into a hall or a room?
It’s a feeling of rich or spacious? What is the purpose of the oversize door?

How do you feel when you received a huge Greeting Card?
It is a waste of material or the impact of generosity that you received?

How do you feel when you use a tiny little pen for writing?
It is irritating to write with a small pen or it is the cute feeling in you that matter?

May it be in a size of S, M, L or even XXL

Size is so intimately influencing our judgement of aesthetic and functional value. To a designers and marketer, if brand conscious is what consumers really pay for lets make it to the max.

Look around us, logos are getting dominant proportionately and “bulky” means sexy not to mention the push up “B” in garment industry and things have to be “Ergonomically Bulky” in order to stand out.

We are wearing wrist-clock rather than wrist watches ha! ha!

Yea! Flash your material, flash its’ and scream your logos as loud as you can because people are simply forgetful. They are not to blame because after being heavily bombarded with thousand of signage and adverts each day the immune system or selective attention took over.

Dear, Students
No matter what sizes our decision are when come to final execution always remember
“Expression of Size” is vital points to consider during idea formulation, it is intimately influence by human feeling, functionality, cost of manufacturing and even cultural or legally bound to certain extent.

Even current “Mini Coopers are no longer mini”.

Expression of Colour

Expression & Characteristic
Part 3

Expression of Colour

“Don’t use that colour because that is your favourite colour”, Mr. Martin.

“Ops, Ok sir!” student.

Colours are so intimately influencing our designs and ideas, even with colour alone designer can be inspire to have new ideas. It is a course by its’ own in fact. Even medical industry now already starts using colour for curing patient.

Colour may be international couture but yet it is still culturally segmented when come to race & nation. Malaysia is one of the best countries to explore colour usage of colours among multi races, look around us we have Iban, Kadazan, Pinan, Chinese, Malays, Indian, Sikh and etc.

Primary Colour
Decade after decade primary colours never fail to rub into every new logos or old logo usage, can any one please come out with a new palette?

Student: “Sir, why we use colour?”

Mr. Martin: “Wow, that is the best question ask so far!” Ok, mankind are prone to aesthetic value and even natures it selves use colour to communicate, look at poisonous snakes and frogs, theirs colour already warn the predators with a message of don’t touch me! (Colours> yellow and black or red) Look at those signboards with danger or poison messages, its’ always come in yellow & black.

In a nutshell always remember 3 main reasons for colours usage
A) Aesthetics value
B) Communications value (Culture, Message & Psychological)
C) Functional value (What, Why, When, Who, Where, How)

Student: “ Sir, who set the colour trend?”

Mr. Martin: “ Ok, do your research now, log to

1) http://www.colorassociation.com/
2) http://www.occa.org.uk/home.lasso
3) http://www.iac-colour.co.uk/
4) http://www.aic-colour.org/

Remember, the usage of colours is closely influences by the development of technologies and materials use in the industries. For example the uses of metallic paint also called polychromatic or "metal flake", are not found until the paint industries introduced it (ref. from http://www.protectall.com/artpaints.htm#1980 ), cars lover must read this link ha! ha!.

Designers should be well inform and aware on technologies development that will holistically influence their design outcome in final execution.

Expression of Material

Part 2

Designers should not stop thinking even the layout is been approved, good design should complement with good execution. It is not some one else job and never let alone by passing the baton to printer or carpenter or contractor or...

Materials choices should be meticulously choose base on their characteristic in order to bring out the best of the intended design.

Expression of Material
Expression of material refers to the “soul and psychical” of the materials use, may it be paper, digital file, canvas, film, sound effect or constructions materials.
All artists or designers must know their materials well in order to bring out the best of its’.

4example

GD >> A bottle label design with a “chalk pastel illustration” used as a surface visual can be further enhance during printing if it is using a texture paper instead of glossy art paper, get it?

ID >> Even widely use natural bamboo can have a touch of new taste if it is been replaced by glass moulded bamboo, imagine walking into a restaurant full of natural bamboo or glass bamboo is two different kind of feeling.

MMD >> Designers must learn how to appreciate the beauty of movement in order to create good animation. (Not forgetting all others senses as well)


Student: How can we know what are the hidden characteristics of the materials?

Mr. Martin: First you must feel the material by getting close with it, use all your senses. Talk to the person who deal long enough with the material and get to know them like how you know you girl/boy-friend ha! ha!

Do not forget, experience count in dealing with “expression of material”. So you must start learning from those people around you, it is time to pay a visit to the farm instead of kitchen alone. Old Mc Donald is waiting for you there!

Old McDonald have a farm ... E..I...E..I...O

Students: Ha! Ha! Ha!

Expression & Characteristic

Part 1

Mr. Martin: What is the similarity between lawyer, doctor, engineer, designer and farmer?

Student: Sir, they are all human... he! he!

Mr Martin: Yes, but... what I would like to share is they are all the same in term of helping others to solve problem and in order to do that they need knowledge and ideas. There is no right or wrong but only how effective the solutions are.

Ok, let us look at the few important elements in executions and ideas forming.

1) Expression of shape
2) Expression of material
3) Expression of colour
4) Expression of size

We are surrounded with elements that have hidden characteristics. Each mentioned elements above would form a better synergy in leveraging our ideas to the best level of design, so know your shape and make good use of it.

Expression of shape
Shapes are intimately shaping our “feeling” during our interaction with the given design.

4example >> Biting a piece of triangle cookies is different from ordinary shape cookies.

How you feel when you encounter organic shapes or geometrical shapes, may its’ be cards, logos or furniture?

We should look into selection of shape as one of our major decision-making during idea forming.

Dear, ID students please fully aware and spend time to discover more on how shape can be your “tone and language” of your ideas expression in interior design.

Even our choice of shape reviews our inner hidden characteristic, so do you think you are in a good shape? Ha! ha!

*Please take note that I am not writing a journal here, so if you need more information on what I have shared please email me, best regards.

Refresh your "8"!

Day 4

Graphic... Visual communication... Commercial Design...

“X” Student: What is GD? After few semesters in college, I still struggling in learning, the worst thing is I still feel that I learn nothing... why?

Mr Martin: Put it this way, we (designers) help our clients to "communicate effectively" with theirs' clients through using “Visual communication platforms” such as TVC, Poster, Banner, Bill board, Prints & etc. In order to do that, we need to have a basic know-how from execution to “Perception Theory”.

“X” students: Wow! That’s sound so deep sir, what should I learn now, I feel that I am not ready yet why???

Mr Martin: Ha! ha! relax...

Ok, the problem is many students fail to link the fundamental principles of design and others GD core subjects together.

These are so commons as many students also fail to form a synergy understanding of Geography, Science, History, Mathematic and Economics together for more holistic understanding.

Subject’s break down taught in colleges or schools should not be view as individual subject, students should form a "hamper" out of it before execute any idea.

By saying these I would like to refresh you guys about the basic 8 principles of design, which are

Unity
Emphasis
Balance
Rhythm
Proportion
Scale
Harmony
Variety

How to be creative during last minute Sir?

Day 3

Student: Mr Martin... How to be creative... ha?

Mr. Martin: Tell me what is not creative?

Student: Sir, why you always never answer in simple way?

Mr. Martin: Because you always forget that... you also can do the thinking instead of me doing it for you...

Student: eeerrrrrr... so deep lah ha! ha! ha!

Martin: ha! ha! ha!

Getting ideas are the most common problem that even veteran designers still facing, hey what is life without challenge right?

You guys may wonder is there any special formula for fast ideas or at least what are the most common steps designers should consider during emergency situation?

Ok, let me share with you what are the tips for “911” situation went your creative juice really run dry. (Remember only use its’ when you come to the last minute)

1) Combination
2) “Enlarge” or “Reduce”
3) Contrast
4) Super impose

Fantasy is the best game that designer should indulge; in order to visit “Alice & the wonderland” so stay daydreaming and venture deeper.

1) “Combination” is an “Evolution” and lead to new “Solution” in order to bring new “Civilisation”, ok that's all ha! ha!

2) By Enlarge & Reduce >> Imagine what will it's be if you are an ant looking up the gigantic things around you and how about you looking down like Goliath?

If you were shooting around with your macro lense, I bet you will discover miracles visuals that beyond you normal visual.

3) By contrast >> the word itself already self explain so no further explanation needed.
ok! ok! need some refresh, here you are >> contrast by; colour, shape, size, distant & texture.

4) Super imposes >> look around us “big is sexy” ha! ha! Don’t get me wrong, I means big logo on the car, big watches trends and for the rich big house... big this, big that but small... err ops not suppose to review (censor). You guys like current movies because it is so dam “Super Impose with camera and technologies tricks.... is fake but who care as long as it is syok........lo.
With current software, images are easily been manipulated to achieved a desire super impose effect... still remember the big head guys walking around... from TVC?