D-Sign-Martin

The Green Lake- Part 2

2011-03-05T00:31:00.003-10:00

The Green Lake Marketing Strategies - Part 2
Company do have blind spot like our car rear mirror, information seems unable to flow to top as it should, even with complex matrix reporting system we still need to turn our head and face the real world.

Ironically many CEO’s still believe in transparency when there are so many layer of man fabricated scenario. Sitting up there and toying around with CRM system, they still belief it is the moment of truth in fact it is still falling far behind, as the illusionist (someone) in the middle still able to keep the dark spot look white.

The existing of Blind spot in many companies are due to human factors, how would you like your superior to know the truth when the truth are not suppose to tell?
Don’t get me wrong I am not trying to articulate untrusting culture here but rather into promoting constructive measurement on management.
History has thought many of us that never built hope on “One Person Trust”, so do organisation future. (Learn from what happen to one of the oldest bank, Barings, RIP 1762-1995)

Moving away from the management system of old school boy, we combine “High Touch” & “High Tech” together thus the collective decision making culture should be employ during any decision making. How could one man know all culture still being practices as it is no longer viable in today?

The Macro & Micro environmental factors have long been metaphor into alien landscape where we are moving into “real time” world now. The past year data reading formulation technique have long been obsolete. Stop using past year data to formulate this year strategies as your competitors did not run their business by book.

The “Think Tank” will be no use if their overly claim solution are always bond with politically right statement and look good culture. Allow people to say No and Critic in the operational committee meeting. Let go confusing KPI or Balance score card, its’ have many a time shutting CEO brain to...
(To be continued...)

Why we live?

2010-05-21T05:20:00.003-10:00

We were wrong !
Life is not about getting wages and keeps surviving
We were not to be blame as the notion of self surviving has being
transfer down ages ago
Our ancestor works the land & joins the society
From one generation to another, what will be the greater value than teaching our next generation to work and get better pay to feed their materialistic needs?
It is not about fast car, branded goods, high tech gadgets or fast relationship.
Ever wonder what will be your own great value in this earth?
Maybe to some they are already a winner and successful but to some they may think that their life is not that significant at all.
Those unrecognized heroes let me assure you that you were wrong ...
Heroes don’t come with super power
Heroes don’t come with super genius brain.
It is about how we touches life with our little smile, little donation, little love to all living things, little care to those in need, little courtesy call to mum or dad, little prayer to god, little room we spare to other to make their days, little chances to let other claim their credit, all these little thing will sooner make up what we call it a day of life when we leaving this world.
So start doing it little by little, it doesn’t matter how little we can do.

New Marketing strategy - Moving into “Green Lake”

2010-03-26T21:03:00.007-10:00

Technologies have speed up “cloning” effect in business environment.
How can one sustain in rapid “Me Too” business environment?
Blue ocean will end up in red ocean, how many wars does you need to win and how many battles you can handle?

Green Lake strategy is about creating ecology system within the organisation.
Every single unit within the whole organisation department should have built in artificial intelligent system that enable to moderate, control and self sustain like the little ecology system in the Green Lake.

Company collapse due to aging anatomy that need direct and constant nutrients flow from centre control (Top level management). One drastic cancerous decision is able to put the Business out for good.

Modelling new innovative direction in existing organisation will only be a myth even with the “fool proof” claimed matrix, it is like consuming newly formulated drug with tons of hope and keeping your finger cross.

Nature will take its’ own cause (cost).
Through time, mankind will autonomously formulate new culture and new life pattern that will give birth to “evolutionary need” thus Organisations should anticipating it with built in monitoring system at any touch point level.

The un-attended evolution new need will accumulate and create an invisible gap that will mislead companies out of track. The missing GAP that organisation should focus on will be the link between the >>

External individual unit & Internal individual units

With tons of data and market intelligence finding, many company is overwhelm with information that un-able them to see ... (to be continue)

Solitaire Night with a cup of Pu-er Tea

2010-01-16T04:20:00.009-10:00

Hundreds year ago, I wonder… maybe someone there like me sitting in deep dark night enjoying a cup of Pu-er while writing some thought and feeling, he may use paper and ink and I with the keyboard and who know many years to come I wonder there are someone doing the same in a cold night like today.

It is a hectic day since 2009, today is my very first off day. Yet again technology never leaves me alone as I still received SMS regarding some work matter.

My jobs environment opens me to see many faces and walk of life, their story always remind me that we tend to lose the true track of life by running and chasing off track into the materialistic world.

Young kids have tons of homework and heavy schedule of tuition while adults keep on meeting month end without even spend time to take a true reflection on the meaning of life.

Coming back to my tea…

My first brew of tea was just nice but my second brew of tea is bitter as I am too into typing here and over look the timing of brewing, it is the same… how I “surviving” rather than “living”… sigh… how I miss the good old days.

I never like “today”, it is so cold in all people faces.

I wonder where all those warm smile and friendly look gone?

I never like “today”, it is about status, money and who’s who?

I wonder who really care once we are gone?

In contrast...

I like “today” technology for allowing us to reach many and make us stay in touch.

I wonder will these all make us a better society?

I like “today” new thinking as liberation of thought and sharing are far easier now.

I wonder will these make us more civilize or still the same old barbarian?

Let us stop for a while and enjoy a cup of tea, have some reflection and deep thought about our life.

Ignorance & violence only make us all fail as mankind and civilisation no longer serve any meaning.

Ignorance or stupidity?

2009-11-19T01:42:00.003-10:00

That day I saw a father fetching his toddlers’ (sitting in the front carrier basket) with a motorcycle without helmet! But he himself with one, I wonder is it because of law maker enforcement that make him wear it or his tiny 5 pounds brain think he need it?

We all just wish the luck is with her all the time, the little girl not only expose to danger but also being stereotype with ignorance attitude that being passing to her like pedigree.

Most of the time “it is ok” when nothing happens, right!

Wrong! “Convenient” is also another spelling for “Risk” sometime.

Is our oversimplified society culture blinded us or we fail to think? (Maybe we forget we can think also).

To me it is like living in an “Artificial Intelligent” environment that make us pushing our own luck for not seeing the danger behind.

Look around us, from our society to our very own house hold matter, have we make enough self reflection that we need to level ourselves to adapt to the current civilisation as well?

Some thinking for you to start with, who make the decision?

In . . .

1) The poisonous packaging we use.
2) Voting for not so “noble” politician
3) Following the stupid system
4) Using our time to for nothing
5) Conforming the stupid wrong crowd

This list will never end...

Seiko chronograph 6138 and others

2009-11-14T17:20:00.006-10:00

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

2009-11-02T17:52:00.010-10:00

You cannot keep Chinese, even their own land cannot keep them; Chinese people by nature are one of the most nip migratory race.

Born with entrepreneurship senses in their DNA and longing for better lifestyle have motivated many Chinese to move around the world for better place to settle.

There is a saying if you can find a place with good “Sun & Soil” you will see a Chinese there.

If the “Peking Man” done it before so do the Modern Chinese will, new migratory pattern of Chinese mainly due to their surviving instinct or to be more hilarious maybe due to their incarnation from many life of never ending war in the ancient China. *Wonder, what benefit do the ancient king brings to their people in return.
(Thanks to the Qing dynasty, even it is selfish or not but at least, it stops the war games.)

Whatever it is, there will be a place for every one in this world. Philosophically by right, the world should not have any border or citizenship. Modern people should look at bigger picture rather constraint themselves within the stereotyping windows from "others" fabricated keyhole.
My skin is yellow but my blood is RED so do yours’ no matter what colour your skin is. So, friends let be open and accept the loving kindness practice.

The walking “Death”

2009-10-25T17:38:00.005-10:00

Ha ha... maybe too many Ghost or vampire movies for me to come out with such a heading name, but no matter what we are living with many walking death people around.

Look around us many of them just set their mind for clocking in and out from Monday to Friday and for some students, getting a degree or qualification is just another norm requirement rather than finding the true meaning of it.

It is about time to start living and stop behaving like walking death, if your work is not getting you any where closer to your ambition or passion please do some thing or else when time come, you will only able to flash back with your one cent worth of memory and say “how I wish, I have try doing this or that!”

Every one wanted to be rich because they believe getting rich is the ultimate answer to all problem in life, please name me anyone that don’t have any problem in life?
(I belief even $Bill$ got his own problem.)

So what you going to do with your current job or study?

Get a reason and this time for good, if thing going to be happen let it be with a reason may it be bad or good, it is always up to us that how we turn it around within our given 5 pound muscle in our head created by “Him” that love us so much and model us after his own image.

Treasure our life and make it the best of all we can.

Digging the grave to find clue for living

2009-10-21T22:45:00.004-10:00

“Vision & Mission” statement is just another philosophical claim that many leaders use for “self-branding” in order to look good in front of all the stakeholders.

We live in the world that full with fabricated facts & figure that keeping our eye & mind close with the injection of insulin from the empirical system.

Quoting or throwing in another line of the “Magic of Thinking Big” concept has habitually become a norm, lame and boring line. Yet again the leaders never seem to understand that we already laughing hard in our heart.

Using all the most advantages tools and methodologies in supporting their argument (done by other) has long ago become a standard procedure for every leaders style.

When will they wake-up and really listen before talks, learn before teach and feel before demand?

Many will argue they are there because they are better than others, but how true it is when we really looking back and thinking hard?
After all the fabricated and illusion created by them we are just like digging the grave to find clue for living.

Seiko Prospect Series

2009-10-02T20:51:00.004-10:00

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)

Do I know Interior Design? Part 1

2009-09-14T17:55:00.004-10:00

My unpublished Design

2009-09-14T17:25:00.004-10:00

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

2009-09-09T23:48:00.005-10:00

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

2009-08-20T21:59:00.009-10:00

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

2009-08-10T23:36:00.003-10:00

Have you ever encounter the most badly design or manufactured – product, interior or print?

What will be the worst design of the year or millennium or does it really have any?

I believe the worst designs are those that taking toll on safety and durability value in exchange for more money value.

Look around us you may find plenty of products that never compile with the safety standard or environmental friendly.

It is our ignorant to be blame or simply our infant stigma of compromising with the mediocre living standard norm? Everything is safe until some one get hurt kind of attitude; we need not heroism when come to this choice.

Rushing to the new finding material that yet to be proof their safety in usage is very dangerous move. This goes the same to the newly invented product or gadget that may not be safe in use and the worst thing are nowadays they used to be safe but being made hazardous due to the bad practise of poor quality control of material use.

Many packaging material around us are toxic and hve not pass the standard of safety but yet is vastly use by our society. It is our next generation or even us that will fall victim to our own action.

Authority should take more action in the controlling and bench marking the safety regulations. As for time being it is our own duty to choose correctly when consuming or using any product.

You know that some chair design may cause back pain in long run.
You know that some food packaging material you dine with, may cause you sick in long run.
You know that the radiation or wave pollution from computer and cell phone will cause us harm.
You know that some printing ink in the packaging may cause you cancer.
You know that some food colouring is cancerous.
the list goes on ...

I bet we all know that right!

But who care ... yes, again another premature and lousy life style value in you and me.

Be healthy and stay healthy, it is a long journey ahead of us.
Our own well-being are not some one else responsibility.Take Care.

Seeking the meaning of “life”

2009-07-12T16:44:00.006-10:00

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

All of the professions mentioned above required same analytical and problem solving methodologies, their job scope define their income level thus stereotype many lame cultural products like you and me to believe in social classification.

We label profession and income level as the pre-determination of ones’ characteristic and attitudes; it is our attitude toward this thinking pattern that needs to be change.

I respect you not by your profession or income level but by your compassionate loving kindness towards others living being around us.

Putting aside all our materials belonging and social label, what is there to be cherish as a living soul?

In this never-ending endeavour of ambition and path seeking we always forget to thank someone for what they have done good to us. If one thing worth seeking in this life, let it be the seeking of contributions toward loving kindness to all living being.

Only when we are at last moment, we realize that nothing really matter except the joy from the love of what we have embrace to others.

As for those who seek a greener pasture and ambition, may you all success. But again what the * if it is back to the square one ... relax.

If you happen to meet with an obstacle, stay strong and accept it with an open heart, as all well will end well.

Organic Design Approaches in any design disciplines.

2009-07-04T21:03:00.003-10:00

Preview
This is not another posting about bio- journal it is about looking into design from the perspective of organic approaches to achieve sustainability result.

Why? Because technology and new culture have shorten the life span of design and designer should anticipate these new movement with ongoing evolution of organic approaches in their design decision.

In-view
With new media protocol and digitalisation of our execution, we really need to inject an organic steroid into our conceptual idea.

I would like to quote “LEGO” as an example of good toys concept that really serve it purpose of fun, educational and organically approach in their concept. Lego concept is built on the smaller component of the problem solving which I would like to label it as “Organic Design”. I do not need to elaborate more on how “LEGO” able to reach kids fantasy world. http://www.lego.com/en-US/products/default.aspx

Coming back to my discussion, how can we formulate an “Organic Design” in our ideas generating process?

To start with, you need to watch more “CSI” drama series, new season... (kidding).
It is about time for artists (designer) like us to migrate into another paradigm of scientific thinking but yet still maintain our “GUT feel and 6 sense”.

Conceptual building need “macro approach solving methodologies” where the “wholesome” is vital for functional and aesthetic addressing. Thus will limit us to look into micro context for metamorphic possibilities.

Having said that, what I really mean is we need to redefine our design up to a very micro level before mapping it to a larger picture.

For example, a furniture design should look into the smallest component (“cell” concept) contribution that enables the designer to shape or form it into variable possibilities rather than one static design or generic moulded design. As we not going into another planet, it is also important to look into “Green” approaches before embark into material and process decision.

*Any further discussion on this posted topic are welcome as I know no one going to read my Blog like reading a journal. Have a nice day.

“Noise” of Design

2009-07-01T00:10:00.003-10:00

“Noise”

There are “Noises” from the very beginning of the communication channels.

Sender >>> Encode >>> Receiver >>> Decode

Along the chain of communication the “Noise” that got into the system unintentionally will pollute the intended message before reaching the final understanding stage. It is our task as a designer to do the “Noise management” within the communication context on behalf of our clients.

Sometimes we may be overwhelmed by the clients’ requests or our very own taste bud bite for aesthetic and revolutionary design ideas. This moment of ideas formulation stage is where the contagious killing point rubs in to build a defect on visual communication design.

Not like words, visual articulation is mush more difficult to form narration in order to reach digestible notion. Most of our pre-education were not enough for the said task, thus make many Graphic Designer contribute as technician rather than real designer.

As I observe many art colleges in Malaysia still concentrate on skill fostering, again students are always easily being drawn to beautiful illustration rather than true design education.

Visual communication is trickier platform as pictorial or colour may provoke different understanding to an individual from different race, gender or cultural background.
It is even worst when the true understanding of message is under the mercy of our very own cognitive variables.

So it is always good to understand the root (culture) of one specific target group before choosing the design element.

To code an example from the sharing above, the alphabet “F” may provoke different understanding within one perception, i.e. such as

“ I don’t wan to “F” you!” so what you have in mind now?

* Noise – any interference that may effect or distort the communication message.
Example – “Technical noise” > Refer to the ill printed cast shadow text by the printing machine, thus effect the legibility & readability of reading.

Nerve base design

2009-06-14T22:18:00.010-10:00

No this is not about neurology write up! IT IS about a new paradigm shift that designer should look into.

From sophisticated software and new marketing service, we can now customise our product choices, music, foods, drinks and even our physical appearance (*refer to your cosmetic surgeon menu please).

It started with the empowerment of "Customer" and they are now to be included in our (designers) creation by the business provider (we are there because of the customer in the first place).Manufacturer now provide a platform (web base)to allow customer to custom design their own product.

example like converse >>

http://www.converse.com/#/products/shoes/converseOne/scratch/all

The classic statement of;
“As long as it is Black”, Ford(quoted by founder of Ford car) This statement have long lost into the mist of myth.Today technology have enable variety colours choices of cars and in near future car buyer may even able to mix and match colour online before their car being delivered.

As“tailor made” era is coming back, will today designers become tomorrow craftsmen?

It is only our skill and know-how they needed & our not design? How true is that? What do we need to be good at in near future?

If everybody are their own designer than what are our role then?

No worry, we will survive provided we are open for evolution or else you will meet your own extinction, ha ha... disagree? (Open for further mind exploration, email to me)

Technologies have enabled us to move into niche customisation like our fingerprints’.
Individualism will be our planet next trend and as everybody want to be somebody instead of anybody, designers should rethink their way & approach of designing.

Nerve base design is about how a designers’ should look into the changing pattern of human evolution in term “taste” factors within the boundaries of anthropology.

Living in current “lost world” of heavy confusion and consumerism (materialistic world) we need constant refresh in our knowledge & new skill for better adaptation.

Designers’ should see these phenomenal changes and anticipated it with design that allow space for interaction rather than “as long as it is my idea”.

So it is time to have a paradigm shift, we are moving into consumer nerve base design era, where it is highly connectivity, interactivity and holistic. We may even become the ideas helper in future rather than wholly designers. But yet again we still can have room for our very own “fans” followers or “design collectors” that buy in for our very masterpiece. Sick design for design sick!

Education is “BAD” for you

2009-06-02T17:28:00.003-10:00

Wow, such a controversy argument that I am trying to layout here ha ha, if education is what we need only than why so many people are moving backward in term of EQ, Ethical & Surviving skill? Ya! School education is a good platform for us to start with, but in actual fact our learning curve should travel beyond classroom.

I have to confess that my prior educations from school are in fact does not really lead me to a better person but surprisingly my childhood experiences does.

Looking deeper into the quoted “silent” experiential educational childhood of mine its’ really a case study that how far those experiences form my subconscious and stereotyped me.

The DIY – lantern
At the age of 8, I have made my very first own lantern, the whole process including from budgeting, materials sourcing, risk handling (I may cut myself ha ha), designing and finally success (Bravo), yet it is not long that my lantern spoil & burn out of accident, with this also enable me to learn emotional handling (failure).

What do today kids need to do is just ask and select their lantern, if there is any problem later just change the battery or buy another one (money is the best solution).
Some kids at age of 8 nowadays even still with pampers (reflection of “Pamperism” era, ha ha)

So base on this quoted example, we can see clearly how kids nowadays evolve into retarded capitalist civilisation. And over here I would recommend you guys to seek actual real life experiential lesson as much as possible.

Stay cool during your internship babe! It is not others fail to teach you but simply you fail to learn from it.

Where can you get the mentioned experiential lesson?

Ha ha again another typical passive (heavy ass) thought of yours’ (brain) hang (like processor overload) again, think harder (reboot)!

It is everywhere dear! Even rethink on how you should rearrange or re think on your
day-to-day problem solution method?

Does this sound too Zen?

Nope, it is a matter on how much you utilise your analytical and creative brain in working habit in solving day-to-day problem.

We are habitual creature and our comfort zones are automatically built within minute and no-brainer task is always the welcome choice. Life is so monotonous with monotonous thinking pattern. So stay alert and start use “Re”-ism – Recycle, Re-think, Re-do, Recall, Retrospect and RESPECT.

Surface Design

2009-05-07T22:11:00.007-10:00

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

2009-04-22T02:29:00.002-10:00

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?

2009-04-19T20:56:00.005-10:00

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

2009-04-07T16:29:00.004-10:00

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?

2009-03-29T21:52:00.005-10:00

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

2009-03-24T17:16:00.000-10:00

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.”

2009-03-09T05:34:00.000-10:00

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?

2009-03-03T17:21:00.001-10:00

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

2009-02-22T23:57:00.000-10:00

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

2009-01-20T22:34:00.001-10:00

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

2009-01-18T22:58:00.000-10:00

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

2009-01-12T18:07:00.000-10:00

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

2009-01-07T17:06:00.000-10:00

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

2009-01-06T21:03:00.000-10:00

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"!

2009-01-05T17:34:00.000-10:00

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?

2009-01-05T00:01:00.001-10:00

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?

The journey continue

2008-12-26T19:54:00.002-10:00

Day 2

Wow, no need to wear my school uniform gees, tads cooool!

Yea, your first impression in college is about “freedom” but soon enough you will miss the uniform ha... ha... to some only... I guest.

The slipper invaders, don’t know why ... after the Japps gone, they left behind the hidden culture of Japps Slipper, now I see the second slippers gangs movement like new couture in many colleges and universities ... hey don’t you guys know how to respect your profession (students also a profession).

Dress well in order to learn well.

Coming back to “What should we learn in Design College?”

1) Learn how to ask question

Asking question is our natural ability as it is human basic instinct. But soceity label wrongly that those who ask question ask not so well informed or educated.
The problems in Malaysians’ students are they are not well encourage or motivated to ask questions.

“It is not wrong for not knowing all matter.”

2) Learn how to learn

Yes... I really mean it, many kids been chuck into schools and expect them know how to learn.
It is not the parents concern because, it is the teacher job to teach.

Do we really know how to learn?

Ones’ can argue that they learn how to read and write isn’t that learning how to learn?

Yes, but that is only preparing them with tools of learning not the techniques.

Yea, the missing link.

Do some searching and reading now from books, journals & articles on webs about how to learn I bet you will find some good stuff out there. Good luck (Hey! don’t aspect me to do it for you ok. DIY ha... ha... ;)

3) Learn to voice out your idea

It is the toughest thing to do as many lecturers out there still cling to the “I am the Boss and I am always right attitudes”. You really need guts to fight back.

Your concern on marks will only gather nice “Typo” printed on your transcript rather than real learning value. So make your choice >> the mark or your idea.

What to learn in Graphic Design College

2008-12-25T20:12:00.001-10:00

Day 1

Leaving the stereotyping chair behind and walking into the new playground where “Fantasy” is the game and “Ego” is the spirit. As you enter into the design college door, I greet you...

“ Welcome to the design school!”

Sigh! I am not ready yet......... I use to follow what my teachers commands and now here... I get more questions in return from my question, Mr Martin thanks.
“ My ex-students.”

Yes!......... but........... eerrrrr.......ok, I will change the layout. Yes sir!
“Not my ex-students”

After 12 years in teaching design, I found out many students still cling to their “stereotyping world system”. They are not to be blame as some system still practice “plastic moulding” in teaching. Too much of plastic is no good to our environment ha... ha...

What should we learn in Design College?

1) Learn to ask question
2) Learn, how to learn
3) Learn how to “Fight” back, ha ha.. I mean voice out your ideas.

Sound basic yea! But surprisingly not many students love to ask question because theirs’ egos’ kicking in each time the intention arise, it is better to ask friends later.

“Kids are not suppose to ask question!” yes another typical Asian culture.

Walking into lecture hall and start smashing people heads with 100tons hammer of new design cultures is beyond words. Some lecturers even believe students need some “Born Talent” in them in order to be excel, how could they?

If you don’t believe in your students, who will?

“Belief” is a magic word that lecturers should have before walking into any lecture hall.

I am always right attitude are the most common profound attitude among many leaders including lecturers.

“Boss you are not always right!” nothing wrong to accept people ideas. Stubborn are only meant to be obsolete.

We evolve that’s why me are not monkey today ha.. ha... unless you are running a monkey business.

Dear, colleagues please put down you weapon and lets meditate ha.. ha... yes I am serious. Why serious can’t be happy or funny? Oh no, you still stay in the BOX...

Cracking their head to release them from the past stereotyping system is a great challenge went come to train new breed of designers, not forgetting by the minute I share my thought of idea, it is already a history in future. Our knowledge do have expire date also (check the date before consume... ha ha).

To educators I advice them not to mould their students and to students I advice them learn to follow then learn not to later.

Too be continue ........