New Years resolutions

Reflecting on everyday experiences is a big part of being a designer, or so my teachers tell me. As for my opinion, it's an absolutely crucial part of being a designer! It's also what makes it fun.

After studying for just one semester I am already noticing big changes in the way I perceive the world around me. When going to the movies, playing video games and traveling, I am no longer a passive observer, but an active participator. The font faces speak to me about their purpose (or lack of it), and a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors and textures inspires unborn designs to come into shape.

I think observation and self reflection is so important, that I am even making a New Years resolution to blog every month about 5 things that inspired me and I think worked well, and 5 things that I see as needing improvement.

So here are my resolutions:

1. Blog monthly about "the good, the bad and the ugly" of the world around
2. Draw!!! It's so important for a designer to have solid hand-rendering skills. Plus, as I said in my first ever post, it develops the right side of the brain
3. Wear colorful clothes; put that color theory knowledge into practice
   
4. Eat a serving of spirulina at least every other day
5. Master Textpattern

Happy Holidays!

courtesy of yandex.com

Animusic Universe

Is this a new form of Art or is it just entertainment? You decide...

The guys at Animusic call themselves "content creation company focused exclusively on computer animation of music." When I saw their music clip on PBS, it made me stop and look again, my brain trying to comprehend what I was seeing. At first I thought it was a clever musical instrument, then I noticed all the arms and little hooks and finally the full picture emerged. I instantly thought of abstract Art and Picasso. See for yourself.

Resonant Chamber




Pipe Dream




Aqua Harp




Harmonic Voltage




Frets on fire



You can literally see the music. Every instrument can be tracked down to an animation, and as the ear hears a new sound enter the scene, the curious eye searches for the corresponding motion.

The creative world around us is transformed by the unlimited visualization power of the digital media. When does an animation become something significant enough to be called Art?

Amigurumi for the Holidays

Hello. Meet Reks! Mischievous and spunky, he is my niece's new friend. But sshhh.... she doesn't know it yet. Of course she is way too young to read blogs, even too young to tie her own shoes, so I think we are ok :)


Reks is soft and fluffy, and 100% baby-safe since he doesn't have any buttons or chokable eyes (actually, they are made of felt). I made the body from a special yarn called "Fairy Floss" purchased from Lincraft. It was a lot of fun to work with it, since I couldn't really see the stitches, and I had to rely a lot on just feeling the loops. It feels incredibly soft, perfect for baby skin.


He is curious, just like his maker, lol. And he has a friend (below). This little guy is called "waterdrop dude" or "the happy dude", and he likes to hang out on my shelf next to the books and brushes. Happy Dude was the first Amigurumi I ever made, so cute! Now my co-worker wants me to make him one, hehe.


And this is "sleepy Sarah" made from a pattern by Owlishly. She is offering this pattern for FREE. You can get it here!


Oh, I just love making these little toys, and each one develops its own personality through the creation process. I discovered Amigurumi quite accidentally by attending a crochet circle at my local shop Tapestry Craft. The teacher had a bunch of books with patterns, and from then on it just snow-balled. This Holiday season I am making hand-made gifts for everyone!

Love, peace and creative energies to all :)