This is actually a screenshot of a video I captured playing with a hexagonal mirror. I reflected it into the evening light shining through my boat's porthole.
Tabs for Reading
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Creative Thinking and Happy Discoveries
Liked what the teacher had to say in class today. Another Interactive Media
Session.
“Show
creative thinking. That’s what sets people apart. Don’t over think. Narrow it
down. Make it simple. Think creative.”
I’m here to
gain the skills in Electronic Media Design so I can get a better job and BE
creative.
This kind
of attitude thrills me.
It’s a slog
though. Learning a new language. From the beginning. Kindergarten to Grade 1 -
and so on.
Or in this
case, inside a void set-up of a function line with a string of system variables
of say; pmouseX, pmouseY, mouseX, mouseY and the } bracket to end it all off.
Elements of
design are fused with colours, lines, circles and strokes. They can all meet
and feed off of one another
Truly mind
blowing. Limitless opportunities to design new horizons.
But practice,
practice, practice.
Then, like what
our teacher, Yaz said for what happens along the way:
“Happy
discoveries.”
Monday, 26 September 2011
Old Versus New
![]() |
Vancouver's Hudson Bay and Scotia Bank buildings. |
Young
versus old. Same difference.
In an era
dawdled with design I tend to enjoy the observation of the dynamic contrasts. Evident
in places like Vancouver, Victoria and Toronto.
Those are
those that I know. Which I have seen.
It’s the architecture
of who we are today. Looking at the buildings of design especially.
Makes we
wonder though, what has driven us to evolve as we have. Like the stacking of
bricks. One on top of another.
Over time, our eyes of vision change. We begin to manipulate alternative genres to lay our focus.
Tomorrow will be different to today.
Over time, our eyes of vision change. We begin to manipulate alternative genres to lay our focus.
Tomorrow will be different to today.
Yet we
often hear, history repeats itself.
I enjoyed
the following quote out my school textbook, Meggs’ History of Graphic Design by Phillip B. Meggs and Alston W. Purvis.
“The design
of history is the history of design,” by Ivan Chermayeff.
The catapult
of human expression?
Old versus
new.
Take your pick.
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Tuned in on Transit
It was a
full house on the Skytrain to Surrey today. Two hours from Bowen Island to the
King George Skytrain Station. Then a pick-up from a distant relative to the
family celebration.
Wondered how long the drive would of taken given the slowdowns amongst the
city centre.
As I pulled
out of the Burrard Station the envelope of the city line slowly disappeared.
Soon the ocean faded in the background.
As we
continued the mountain ranges changed.
Again I
thought about driving.
No people
watching there. More stress. Stopping at lights. Waiting in line-ups.
I didn’t
have to worry about any of that. All I had to heed was a place to sit and
watch.
The paper
had already been flipped on the bus. I tucked it under my backpack on the seat
beside me for the next person.
Some people
talked. A pair kissed. The senior behind them expressed his views. Eyes stern.
He clearly didn’t approve.
There was
the woman beside me with the broken wrist. Casted up. A bag full of art
supplies. A rolled up piece of paper.
Lots of
folks on their iPhones with their earphones.
I thought
about listening to music. But mused instead on the ambiance of the Saturday.
Can’t
imagine what it’d be like at peak times Monday to Friday. Squished in like
sardines. Nowhere to sit.
A humble
take on the commuter life.
I’m all tuned in on transit now!
Friday, 23 September 2011
Tight Jeans
No point in being
uncomfortable.
If they don’t fit so good why
wear them?
Probably because there was nothing else.
Probably because there was nothing else.
They bothered me all day. The
legs fit fine.
But not so good in the waist.
Bathroom break. Yeah. Freedom.
Now, take a deep breath and hurry
up and fasten.
Sit back.
Don’t bend over (forward).
Ever had days like that?
Things don’t quite fit right.
Things don’t quite fit right.
Like them tight jeans.
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Coding Fun
![]() |
Zee finished product. |
![]() |
Zee coding fun! |
Did Kindergarten in Web Design a few years back. Today's morning class is Interactive Media I.
Our guy Yaz is a graduate of the Electronic Media Design Program here at Langara. Some years back now. He knows
his ****.
In the past class we talked x
and y’s. Points. Was handed some graph paper and told to draw shapes.
Today we’re watching with
light speed accuracy how to do it all in Processing.
Our turn. Starting with the
one of five of our drawings from last week. The first being the easiest.
I mumble through.
Occasionally reverting to my desk mate, Jaime for advise. Jacob from behind
also assists.
It’s before noon and he’s
already done. Yaz throws Jacob’s finished on the screen.
My jaw drops. I haven’t even
got passed easy.
I persevere. I’m here to
learn.
It’s after lunch now and I
start to get it. The x and y are making sense.
The finished product is what
I originally drew, with splashes of colour.
Holy coding fun day!
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Fresh Eyes
Thought I’d
better take things seriously.
I’d decided
to do the bike commute thing from Horseshoe Bay to school at Broadway and Ash (YVR).
Did the
first ferry to get me on the streets at dark. Lesson number one: ensure light
placed with zap strap is secure to said forward position so eyes can see the
road.
Up ahead is
what worries me on roads I haven’t travelled.
But more
importantly – avoiding potholes, grates and gravel.
So I’m
cautious.
What a
pleasant way to start the day. The hell bent hill wakes you up. Right outa
Horseshoe Bay it’s up, up.
Then a
calming swervey werve through Marine Drive. Narrow but manageable.
Getting
onto the Lions Gate Bridge was my first challenge. I found the Spirit Trail
but didn’t quite figure it all the way to the end. I’m pumping to get to the
safe side. Others scurry past me.
I’m packing
the pack. Said I wouldn’t but here I am.
The roady was the only choice for that distance. I dialed in with another commuter at the end of the day and he showed me where I could hook up a rattrap and then the panniers.
The roady was the only choice for that distance. I dialed in with another commuter at the end of the day and he showed me where I could hook up a rattrap and then the panniers.
Waterproof
ones for sure.
These guys
go year round. Snow and ice even!
I was
having fear flashes going down the other side of the Lions Gate coming home. Ba
bump ba bump. Speed catches up.
The commute
is divided into three sections: 1. The ah ha along Marine Drive. 2. The fear of
falling off the Lions Gate Bridge. 3. The I’m almost there thank goodness for
bike lanes on the Burrard Street Bridge.
Still
haven’t quite figured the through Stanley Park section to the Burrard and
return. Have a rough idea.
I know
Richards has a full bike lane. Lots of Burrard Street does too which is cool.
Good green signs for directional through False Creek.
It’s so
nice to see the friendly cycling lanes. Helps ya to feel safe.
Without
doubt. You’ve got to be “on” when commuting by bicycle in Vancouver. Buses passing, guys gawking the
other way when you’re crossing.
Only safe
way is with fresh eyes.
At all
times.
Riding time for me is 1.5 hours each way = 3.0 hours total.
Sunday, 18 September 2011
The Song of Rain
Puddle
drops.
The
drip.
Leaves
cradle the bath.
The
grass glistens.
Windshield
wipers swipe.
Gumboots
pave the way.
Ahead
an umbrella.
Droplets
pounce here and there.
Inside we huddle.
Dry
and warm.
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Like Minded Vancouver
Was
super curious to hook up with this morning coffee group.
They really call
themselves Like Minded Vancouver.
A
creative source. A connected bunch.
Not
about selling anything. All about a handshake and a yack. What you do, what
they do.
Only
been on the mainland two weeks. Know lots of folks for sure in Vancouver. Not
so much around what I’m studying.
Stumbled
on their link through Twitter. One thing led to another. Just so happened they
wrangled a meeting Friday morning at the funky Gastown Milano coffee bar.
Since
I’m commuting from Bowen Island and school starts at 9 a.m. I only had half an hour.
Holy interesting 30 minutes!
I
met a portrait photographer, a software designer, a real estate agent and a
budding high tech entrepreneur.
Little
skeptical of late when someone introduces himself or herself as an
entrepreneur. Does that mean sales?
This
guy was dialed.
Dick
was his name.
“I’m
a Dick,” he even said.
Which
sent me into howls of laughter.
I
ask him what he’s all about. He gives the nearby’s the lowdown.
A
new technology start-up. Flashing bubbles of information on any one person
instantaneously. Instead of going there or here to gain the info it all pops up
as you scroll over.
Then he gets out his iPhone. Scans the crowd.
Then he gets out his iPhone. Scans the crowd.
Soon
to be, face recognition software that tells all.
Wow. Bubbler.com
Have
to say, I’m eager to attend more of these, Like Minded meet-ups.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
The Compass Worked
Got lost in
the dark this morning.
Decided to
ride from Horseshoe Bay to school in False Creek (Vancouver).
Talked to a
guy on the ferry the day before he said it was easy.
“Stick
right, right?” I asked.
“Yes, easy
to find,” he replied.
Well there’s
a right, right that I found that pretty soon had me awkwardly wishing I’d
figured out how to use the GPS function on my new iPhone.
However,
the good old noggin said, after maybe a couple kilometers – STOP!
So I did
and rode back and eventually found my way.
That was
awkward.
Lessons learned – ensure you look at maps of said roads before your embark on a pre-dawn commute by bicycle.
Lessons learned – ensure you look at maps of said roads before your embark on a pre-dawn commute by bicycle.
At least the internal compass worked.
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