March 22, 2009
I was scouring the net for serif themed inspiration when I found my way to this beautiful V. I love how the birds nesting on top of it seem so at home on its peaks and so oblivious to their oddity. I’ve always had a soft spot for images that address something in a new way and show in a way that I would never have imagined. Sure I’d be able to come up with some pretty cool stuff, but it’s the stuff that surprises me that intrigues me. What pattern of thought lead to their discovery? Just like the pattern of my internet search which could have easily lead me in a completely different direction, yet somehow lead me to my happy discovery. If only all of life happened with such unplanned ease! Then I thought, why stop with a V?! Thanks to a comment underneath the image i found this group and have cherry picked some of the tastiest morsels from its handy platter. Enjoy!
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March 15, 2009
I often watch youtube videos from TedTalks. It shows talks from some pretty switched on people from TedTalks Conferences. I stumbled across one recently that, although not very technical, gave a nice little insight and gave me some food for thought.
In the video the talker, Elizabeth Gilbert, discusses how we view creative people, and how we ‘burden’ them with their creative achievements by giving them full responsibility for them. She talks of the way it used to be believed that we had a genius rather than being one. The genius in this circumstance being some otherworldly being, so to speak, that comes to give us our inspiration and ideas.
She also broaches the idea that whilst the inspiration or idea is being channeled the receiver may be seen to be possessed. Now, if we can get away from the negative connotations associated with this word we might be able to see it for what it truly means, that they are giving themselves over to something which they cannot quite define, something more than themselves, something powerful, a feeling, a freedom, a synchronicity and a knowing that everything is working perfectly. Does that not also describe inspiration? Even those of us who are not fantastically esteemed artists have had those eureka moments. They come to us all.
A great example of this creative ‘possession’, and one that she gives, is that of a dancer becoming ‘transcendent’ and being in line with some greater force. I couldn’t help but think of these words while watching a singer perform recently, watching her strange abstract movements happening so naturally and her voice projecting so effortlessly in a perfect yet surreal harmony, as though some genius was passing through her and possessing her throughout her performance. As though she was merely a vessel for its expression.
It is a concept that is very well put by the speaker, and even if it is difficult for some to accepted in its entirety it still provides an enlightening and intriguing way of describing the creative process and its instigation.
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February 28, 2009
Ok, so you’ve spent hours tweaking your web code to make it web standards compliant and finally everything seems to be working fine, it’s almost ready to go.. Then unsuspectingly you add an embedded video from YouTube or wherever and whoa, somethings gone horribly wrong. Multiple violations are staring you in the face, what on earth are you going to do now?
Have no fear, it’s not as bad as it seems, actually, the solution’s rather simple..
There is some basic information you will need to take from the embedded code, but other than that the resulting code will be exactly the same from video to video.
Firstly you need the height and width as the dimensions may differ depending on which site you are taking the video from. Feel free to change the height and width to whatever you wish so long as you keep the dimensions the same. You don’t want to end up with a distorted image now do you…
Secondly you need the video location, note that this will not be the same as in the URL bar on the page where you got the video. It’s in the embedded video information and will look something like this “http://www.youtube.com/v/qxbuysNGLOM&hl=en&fs=1″. To test if you’ve garnered the right info open the new URL into a new window, your chosen video should fill up the whole browser window and be viewable. Click for example
All you need to do now is fill that information into the right spaces. Here is the new code:
| <object type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” width=”insert width here” height=”insert height here” data=”URL of your video here“><param name=”movie” value=”URL of your video here” /> </object> |
This will give you fully compliant XHTML code with the added benefit of slimming down your code. There is another option using IFRAMES detailed here. It probably takes a bit too much time to implement if you are going to be adding alot of videos but it is still another option. Personally I like that you can use a chosen graphical piece instead of having the player viewable from the word go. You decide.
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February 18, 2009
So you’ve got a great idea for a new font but don’t know where to begin to make it happen? Well Here’s a concise list of Free Programs and Great Articles to get you started.
Free Programs
- FontStruct - Allows you to build fonts from shapes and structures in an online environment
- FontForge - Probably the best free download program. Gives you all the features you need to create completely original and usable fonts. Good instructions and information given on site.
- Font Creator Home Edition - A more basic option but still a good functional package
- Your Fonts - Make a font from your handwriting. Limited applicability but makes things a lot simpler if this is all you’re after.
Useful Articles
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January 27, 2009
Today was the release date for the Wooey Wum Woppits TV show. The Wooey Wum Woppits are known for their strange and bizarre comedy musical tracks and have now decided to extend their reach into the film realm aswell. I have put together their logo designs and will be filming and editing the upcoming episodes. Check out the first episode below and check out their MySpace to hear some of their musical madness.
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January 22, 2009
image by muha |
What is a Dreamscape? Pieces of art based on dreams and the unconscious are not outlandish worlds without relation to our own, too strange for us to comprehend or imagine. They are beautifully crafted images that would have us believe their existence. All is in place but for the air of uncertainty and some unexplained anomaly; this is truly a dreamscape. How would we wake unsure of what was real and what was fantasy if the fantasy went too far for us to comprehend? This could not be, and so the only true dreamscape can be that which is still hinged on reality, that which is still recognisable besides all its absurdity. |
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January 18, 2009
With the falling price of recording hardware and the rise of internet communities, so comes the rise of the Interactive Web Series. It has the potential to create truly unique and boundary breaking results. To bring people separated by massive distances and cultural disparity together in creating truly unexpected and diverse results. In my view however, they seem to be falling short of their true potential. Not for lack of enthusiasm or determination, more due to their adherence to the traditions of narrative and lack of experimentation with mixed creative media. This is definitely a trend to watch and anticipate, and if you’re the one who comes up with a truly creative concept, a trend that could propel you into web famedom.
Until then here’s my list of the latest and greatest Interactive Web Series:
This must surly be the most well known and most watched series, it was so popular that it has now reached its third series. Great name too.
Dubbed the new lonleygirl.
A guy starts getting watched, thus starts his iChannel.
Thriller series where you decide the direction of the plot at the end of every episode.
Action series using more mixed media than usual.
Crime investigation. Too many fake tears in this clip!
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January 9, 2009
Are you fed up with how Windows greets you?
Would you like a warmer welcome?
A bit of appreciation?
Then this is the tute for you!
Lets Begin!
To start with you are going to need to find a sound you want to use instead of the current Windowns start up sound. If you alredy have one on your PC, well done. If not try one of these links for inspiration; all the links go to free sources of short sound clips that would be suitable(or interesting) for use as your Welcome sound.
Recommended Free Sound Download Sites
Choose to download your chosen clip in WAV form as that is the only audio type that is allowed for this purpose.
Flash Kit - Sound FX - My favourite, a resource site for flash developers containing free sound clips and loops
Sound Jay - A small collection of high quality sounds
Soungle - A sound search engine, great if you know what you’re looking for
Freesound- You need to become a member to access the clips but there is a large range available
FreeSFX - Simple easy to navigate selection
Please refer to the bottom of the article if you are looking for a more comprehensive choice of sound download sites.
What Next?
Now that you have your sound make sure to save it in a suitable location. I chose: My Documents\My Music\New Windows Sound. If your file came in a zipped format download WinRAR for free to unzip it.
Time To Change The Sound..
Now for the final stage Click Start –> Control Pannel (classic view) –> Sounds and Audio Devices, choose the Sounds Tab, Scroll until you find Start Windows then select it. You can now click Browse to find and select your chosen sound(you can preview it too by clicking the small play symbol). Now you need to click Save As under Sound Scheme and give your new sound scheme a unique name. Press Apply and Hey-Voila.
Note you are also able to change the Logoff sound and any number of other automated Windows sounds, have fun.
Other Websites To Download Free Sounds From
Prank Calls Unlimited - Has funny sounds and prank calls
Find Sounds - Searches different sources to find the sound you’re looking for
Partners In Rhyme - A good selection of sounds
A1 Free Sound Effects - Not a very pretty site but has a good collection of sounds. And some good comedy ones if that’s what you’re after
Sound Effects - Some more subtle sounds
SNDBRD - Worth it for DrWho’s Exterminate and Homer Simpson Nacho Nacho Man
(Note)Depending on your internet browset/multimedia player set up you may find these last downloads difficult to download. If you are running Quicktime you will need the pro version to be able to download them. More on this next time.
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January 8, 2009
I have just completed an set of 3 “ambience” films with the theme of London Buses. These are to be a backdrop in a new Montreal Cafe known as the London Bus Cafe. This is some imagery I created to go with the video piece.
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January 6, 2009
A tribal inspired event with a tribal inspired poster.
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