First Principles

I have read and looked at many design books, and many of them are becoming seemingly similar. Some are just collection of good works, presented in a portfolio format, ready to inspected and studied. Good ones, will have a short write up and study of the designs. Some explore certain design principles or philosophy. And some about profilic designers. But rarely do any design books makes you a better designer after reading it. It's quite a stretch to say, but I am going to anyway. Every working, going to enter and studying designer should read and reread The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst. It is simply a must read. I had read it in 2005 and recently acquired the latest edition and had reread it. I still learn new things from the writings.

'Typography is to literature as musical performance is to composition: an essential act of interpretation, full of endless opportunities for insight or obtuseness. Much typography is far removed from literature, for language has many uses, including packaging and propaganda. Like music, it can be used to manipulate behavior and emotions. But this is not where typographers, musicians or other human beings show us their finest side. Typography at its best is a slow performing art, worthy of the same informed appreciation that we sometimes give to musical performances, and capable of giving similar nourishment and pleasure in return.'

There is no way you can be a complete designer without reading this book.

Jay Brannan

Don't take this the wrong way. I am putting this guy on my blog not because he's a cute naked twink playing the guitar. He's really good. He plays the guitar like a dream. This particular song, Soda Shop is my favorite of the lot. He has other good songs - Half Boyfriend is a must hear - so check him out.

Karma's a bitch

I use to laugh secretly at them poor women who would rush early in the morning, putting on their seemingly complicated blouses and only to have them on inside out. Once my boss – and if you are reading this, I laugh because I love ;) – came into the office wearing a green button up dress shirt. She manage to do the impossible. She had a dress shirt worn inside out. 'Your shirt is wrong.' I said while giggling trying to keep in that laughter. 'Your shirt. It's inside out,' V said. At this point, I couldn't hold it any longer. I was laughing loud enough for the whole sartorial institution (current addicted to using this word) to hear.

Of course, Karma being the bitch that he is, came biting back. After my work out at the gym, the changing room was busier than usual. Crowded and the air thick with the smell of sweaty men. I decided to just zoom through changing into my clothes. Usually I would hang out for a bit, checking out the crowd.

Apparently zooming through something complicated, like changing back into your clothes is not a good idea. Because as I was on my way back, I realize that I had my t-shirt on inside out. Oh now the whole freaking world knows I wear a size L Banana Repulic T-Shirt.

Karma's a bitch I tell you.

The Horrors

Once in a while, when the planets aligns, the moons gives off cosmic energies and the stars burst into novas, brilliant graphic design is created. One of these rare phenomenon occurred in 1981 on the cover of Rolling Stone - A picture of a naked John Lennon curled up around a fully clothed Yoko Ono. Of course it's both a brilliant and tragic coincidence that he was assassinated right the next day the photograph was taken.

A highly acclaimed and respected piece of design must not be viewed lightly. It must be viewed armed with knowledge, curiosity and the outmost respect for design. So it is to my horror that a parody of the image is portrayed in a poster for a movie starring Jessica Alba and Dane Cook. I am okay with parodies and direct 'inspiration' for design. But to parody such a well known and respected design and to execute it badly is unforgivable.

If you must steal, steal well.

Eye of an artist

I painted again today. Well I tried at least. It seems ever since I entered the professional field of graphic design, I have forgotten altogether my love of illustrating pictures. Pictures that just tell stories and not answer to any kind of business briefs. I am slowly drawing again, picking up the pencil, dusting off my old drawing tablet. I am trying to look at the world the way I use to. It was quite awhile back, but I remembered vividly how I viewed the sky. I would look at the sky, study the clouds and really took note of the colors and imagined how it would look if it was illustrated. Then I would rush back, fully inspired and just draw. I would sometimes create the most beautiful of pictures, and most of the time disasters. But it doesn't matter, because looking at the world as an artist is such a pleasure. Everything is beautiful. Nothing is undesirable or ugly. I would like to get that back. Hopefully.

Tommy's Tale

If you have been reading, you would probably realize that I am trying to recover from the post holiday blues. I ran my usual 5km this morning and did my pull ups with the parking bars. It was a nice feeling, but I would have not be able to do this if without my favourite cheap read - Tommy's Tale. I still feel a little moody at the work place though. One step at a time I suppose.

Tommy's Tale is one of those books that stays on your shelf to be read only when you need that comforting. I read it through one sitting, and immediately felt a little better. It's strange that most life problems can be solved through gay literature.

'And there, talking to Sadie, was a beautiful man: tall, slim but tough looking. At first I thought he was Indian but it turned out he was Greek. His hair was black, short and shiny, and he had the most amazing arms I'd ever seen – they were muscular, but long and elegant at the same time. Charlie caught me staring at his arms and wouldn't look away. That was what did it, really, the refusal to look away.'

Public Conversations

L: You are posting our IM conversations on your blog.
W: Yes. I need content what.
L: Would you post this?
W: Maybe.
L: SUCK MY COCK.
W: You know I would do it.
L: You would?
W: Post this conversation on my blog I mean.
L: Oh.
W: XD~

Post Holiday Excuses

Call it a post holiday syndrome or blues, but ever since that Kuala Lumpur trip, I have not been doing my daily morning runs, consuming calories and carbo like I deserve it and having big dinners with whomever I have with me that night. I can feel my body talking to me, to resist evil food, and give it enough exercise. For reasons beyond me, because of this unhealthy side effect of the holidays, I have been a little lax in my work and professional life. I use to spend serious time brainstorming and researching - even through the night if I must - but now, I just do what I can in that 9-6 time frame. I notice the depreciating quality of my designs and still feel no regrets or remorse.

I am afraid to step on the weighing scale, and do not like the reflection on the mirror. Help me snap out of this someone.

Convinent theories for you

L: You are not bisexual.
W: What?
L: Bisexual is gay.
W: Huh?
W: I am bisexual!
L: So you like doing it with girls and stuff?
W: Well..
L: Then you're gay!
W: How convenient..
L: Let me guess, you are going to tell me you are a flex too.
W: What's wrong with flexibility?
L: You bottom you!

The Nine Faces of Wan

And not all of them are too pleasant.

In a flash

Thanks for the wonderful time guys!

New Toy!

XD~

London Olympics Logo

Ladies and Gentlemen, The official London, 2012 Olympics logo, done by famed and renowned design and branding firm - Wolff Olins. Wolff Olins is in my list of most respected design firms. But this logo they created - costing a cool 400,000 pounds - has shaken that faith. At first glance the logo screams hell-to-the-motherfucking-no. I studied the logo a little deeper, and still hated it. It screams trends. It screams trying too hard to look young. But Wolff Olins are not known to create brands and identities that go down easy on people. They are the design firm that were responsible for naming a British Telco, Orange. Why Orange? People were asking then, and still asking now. But it doesn't matter. Orange is now British biggest and most expensive Telco Brand. I am hoping the same magic applies to London 2012 Olympics.