One Army and Lost Buildings

305 One Wo/Man Army 2006

2007-06-10T14:47:00.000+12:00

This blog is unfortunately a dead dog. Was a blast while it lasted.

-Scott

Mothra Winner

2006-10-01T18:46:00.000+13:00

A congratualtions must go to our very own Malcolm Monteith for his 305 entry into the Mothras 2006. Malc has won the award for best animation [presumably there is more than one animation entered?]. Anyway, the animation will be screened on Thursday so go a long and show your support. A good week for Malcolm winning 3rd place in the BJ Ball comp also. Good work also to Casey for his 2nd placing. Wow what a top-notch group.

2006-09-29T20:39:00.001+12:00

Napolean Bonamite

2006-09-17T14:58:00.000+12:00

Sweet, Gosh, I spent the summer hunting wolverines with my Uncle duceduce

Garageband Idol

2006-09-12T11:57:00.000+12:00

[C/O Axl] Click on image to read details

Something for those long nights in design

2006-09-07T20:54:00.000+12:00

Hey guys. This was something I stumbled across on one lonley night in design heading for an all night bender. OOOOyeah go to http://gangstaname.com once here you can chuck in your name and it give you your ganster name. Man that shit is whack!! you can also get your taxi driver and pirate names - good times.... for around 5 minutes

RAW signing off - or should I say "ribbed german fool" signing off

Sheeaaahh

Meat, Potatoes and Gravy

2006-09-05T20:41:00.000+12:00

The first of the end of year submissions for 305/306 is creeping up on us. Although all of your outcomes are going to be different, I think its good at this stage to know where the goal posts are.

The Meat and Potatoes

By the 22nd September, your animation should be at a semi-complete state. This means that the narrative needs to be conveyed in its entirety. Any parts / sequences which your are unable to get to a resolved state by the deadline still needs to be suggested somehow so that the thing that you hand in still makes sense. Incomplete sequences can be suggested by using rougher drawn frames at a slower frame rate [in the a manner of a animated storyboard / animatic] and timed according to the how the pacing of your animation would intend to be.

The submitted animation should be saved to CD or DVD as Quicktime movie format [.mov or .mp4] or as a Flash Shokewave media file [.swf]. Accompanying your final animation should be an extensive workbook which maps your entire animation process - annotated visual research / development sketching / storyboarding / refined drawings and a CD which contains relevant working digital / media files [please name, date and organise these on the CD in a coherent manner].

The 'Gravy'

The second end of year hand-in [Monday, October 9th - some two and a bit weeks after the previous] for this group has been changed from the advertised ‘Report’. Instead you will focus on ‘packaging’ your animation in a compelling way. By packaging, this does not mean ‘make a CD cover’ rather the process involving in bringing your concept to completion. This will involve tidying up anyincomplete animation components that you feel necessary, and writing it as a simple self playing DVD. The DVD will contain the final animation plus a slideshow sequence of critical development and refined drawings, edited together from workbook scan and other original digital images. We will look at DVD Studio Pro on the Tuesday after the first hand-in for how to achieve this.

Accompanying the DVD you will design a literal packaging for the disc. No restrictions here in format [dual case, slim-line DVD case, sleeves or other]. Originality and creativity with gestures for containing / holding / displaying the disk obviously will be looked on more favorably. Consider that the package will function as a presentation piece, that may incorporate a booklet [with a reflective written component], and be supported by a presentation / promotional poster. These extra elements are at your own discretion though consider carefully that this hand-in is achieving to answer,

Is the ‘package’ I am submitting complete?
Is there ambiguity to its purpose?
Is there anything missing?
Is it compelling?

Some words of wisdom from Kung Fu

2006-08-30T13:31:00.000+12:00

I've been recently watching Kung Fu, a kickass television series from the 70s featuring the adventures of a Shaolin Monk Kwai Chang Caine [David Carradine, Bill from Kill Bill]. Anyway, if you are looking for some words of inspiration from the grasshopper, to I don't know, make you think about the way you see things this is place. Most will think its corny but who gives a shit, it works for me... mY favourite so far which discusses the rationale behind different 'animal' fighting styles:

"All creatures - the low and the high - are one with nature. No life is insignificant. If we have the wisdom to learn, all may teach us their virtues.... From the crane we learn grace and self-control. The snake teaches us suppleness and rhythmic endurance. The praying mantis teaches us speed and patience. And from the tiger we learn tenacity and power. And from the dragon we learn to ride the wind. Life sustains life and all living creatures need nourishment. Yet, with wisdom the body learns to sustain in ways that all may live." -Master Kan

Getting sick of flash??

2006-08-29T21:23:00.000+12:00

For those of you who may be getting sick of flash have a ganda at this sweet wee animation. It was shown briefly in a 227 lecture by the big fella himself (and a wee fella). Go to http://siyah.net/ani.html - slick - so slick I think I may claim it as my own and hand it in in a few weeks time. the perfect crime...

No Meet

2006-08-27T15:54:00.000+12:00

With the break this week, there will be no regular meeting Tuesday 1-3pm. This is not to say however, that you can't pop in and chat - at this stage of the year though, any discussion needs to be meaningful, which basically relies on having work done to talk to. As I have said a couple of you, you should be bringing elements of your work to a state of completion. This will provide you with a basis to add to - trying to bring every element up to the same progress level will potentially stifle your ability to finish - be content with your content if you are constantly trying to think in terms of the 'big picture', the details will suffer. The thinking should already be done - you have to be willing to progress without the whole in place - make critical decisions with your time management. Like an exam - do the things first you think you can complete quickly.

Good Luck Team.

Why so blue?

2006-08-17T22:09:00.000+12:00

Does anyone know why whenever I upload a picture to my RAW|design blog it changes all of the reds in the .jpg to blue? Its got me beat - see www.raw-design.blogspot.com for demo

In iteration to this problem - change all your picies to RGB. Churr Alex

You got Png'D!

2006-08-15T19:41:00.000+12:00

I'm SOOOO rapt. I recently discovered a trick which is going to speed up my animation "summin' wickid". I'd like to share it with you as it will make life a lot easier if you're thinking of animating in Flash. For ages I was having trouble animating rasters in Flash because they always left a white box around the subject (as our luscious model, Benjie, is demonstrating):

However, if you convert your rasters in Photoshop to PNG files, Flash will be able to recognise transparency! Woah, Benjie! Lookin' pretty content for a bunny who's got a bomb stuck to himself.

There are three main reasons why this is really useful:

Firstly, you don't need to do the final layouts of your characters and backgrounds in Photoshop. With PNG, you can just import them in on different layers. This is very convenient when your cels are moving on top of a tweening background.

Secondly, you are now able to use onion-skinning in Flash, which gives you much better judgement on how your frames relate to one another.

Thirdly, if you save all your PNGs in a sequential order (ie, "...09.png, 10.png, 11.png...etc") Flash will give you the option of importing all the PNGs in the sequence, each on individual frames.

Here is the final image for this frame. Not only am I now able to animate my character on a tweening background, but I am also able to animate the screens in front of the cels themselves! In my case, this gives a very convincing olden day effect. Anyway, I hope all your animations are going well and watch your back for Styris, judging by his comment in Machos entry below, he doesn't like us anymore :)

Malx

Here's to the Tonne

2006-08-08T17:29:00.000+12:00

Horay! We made it to one hundred posts for the One Army blog. Here is to a hundred more, well at least a few more anyway.

[PS. Could not decide on which image to choose, so I'll use both even if Scott Styris is the ugliest cricketer alive. Cool first name though]

FWA [Favourite Website Awards]

2006-08-08T15:50:00.000+12:00

If you are looking for good websites, this place is the shiznits [FWA]
A pretty diverse range profiled - a new one every day. Check out also the 'interview / profile / articles' sections which cite links to the site designers - some of my fav's cited recently are:

Finding Stories in the Census: Decades [Link]
Explains the effort that goes into undertaking the census in the states. Also lots of interesting facts - Have a looks at the sections 'census facts' - you can check how many families have the same last name as you and how many in each state, you can also check how many immgrants from New Zealand for each decade. Other sections on the site have other interaction material for you to persue incl. a short story and history of Walt Disney.

Brawney Academy [Link]
Watch real men learn to become better husbands from the Brawny Man himself in this exclusive online reality show. I don't know is for real, funny though? Really cheesy - real men apparently chop wood on a frequent basis and wear tarten shirts, who knew?

Travelers In-Synch Challenge
[Link] An interactive 3-D experience for risk managers to test your knowledge of safety, security and maintenance issues in relation to your home or small buisness. Kinda fun, makes you are little paranoid though about getting robbed or burning your own house down.

Enjoy

Heroes in a Half Shell

2006-08-08T10:14:00.000+12:00

The new Ninja Turtles movie got it right. They (IMAGI Animation Studios) have modelled and animated the characters in 3d while still keeping the cartoon feel from way back when. This is some of the most natural looking animation I've ever seen. Beats the puppets from the old movies. Phwoarrr! Check it out!

Loves and fluffies,
The Citizen

What you guys might be like in a few weeks...

2006-08-05T11:33:00.000+12:00

Interesting...uh...not!

2006-08-05T11:29:00.000+12:00

One of the greatest social commentators of all time? I can't pull myself away , she is so informative. Seriously though, I think possibly the dog licking itself in the background is more entertaining, but of course each to their own.

MappedUp.com

2006-08-02T11:48:00.000+12:00

An indispensable tool for the news junkie - new version.

Back in the day of skateboards and big gold medalions Scott told us about the "whats up" map site that automatically updates the news from around the world constantly. Now this webpage is available as ascreensaver, desktop widget, active desktop and even a header for your blog.... Pretty sweet

www.mappedup.com

"giggidy" - in an excited about news kinda way.

Film Festival...Keen?

2006-07-29T02:10:00.000+12:00

The Film Festival has come around again, as I'm sure your all aware, and there are some flicks I think are worth checking out this round. Quite a few good doco's - An Inconvenient Truth [which I'm going to try peep Sunday - a must see for you Brit], Thankyou for Smoking [refered to my Tomas in the 302 lec - some nice opening titles] and Sketches of Frank Gehry.

Of course the usual animation bundles - Animation Now, Digital Space, and Animation for Kids [which is usually the best of them]. What I propose, if you are keen is to perhaps make a group trip to A Scanner Darkly which is screening Sunday August 6th 8.15pm @ the Regent, and Monday August 7th 4pm @ the Regent. I'd perfer probably the Sunday one, could maybe grab a meal and beer before hand?

Let me know your interest by posting a commnet and which screening - might be able to sort out a group discount if you let me know soon enough

Crazy Song

2006-07-23T23:28:00.000+12:00

I don't get it? Why is the mower flying and what's with the dancing robots? Is it one of those Banzi things like shaky hands man? Actually the whole thing kind of creeps me out. Might take it down.

Keynote Lecture Sequence

2006-07-22T00:42:00.000+12:00

If you have not cottoned on to it yet, the department is placing a big emphasis on giving students the opportunity to connect their study with industry through the keynote lecture sequence. These lectures given by professional design / design related people, and are open to all students.

This coming week will feature Ralf Hebecker [new staff member] whose ventures have centred on new digital media and theory orientated towards such fields as interactive media, game design, virtual stages and digital communication. Others to come later in the sequence include Fisher and Paykel and the director Brendan Donovan [The Insiders Guide to Happiness / Love].

The Keynotes are held in Archway 1, 2pm Mondays. [The top poster (done by yours truely) is derived from a Mao communist propaganda flyer - If you can tell, you will notice that the crowd and central figure are all derived from Phil. Phil will not be featuring in the keynote sequence and as far as I know is not a communist, revolutionary, in the military, a Marxist, Chinese or dead, though offered to unashamably pose for the image in his place as the face of the 'speaker to the people'. Also in encouraging students to come to the keynote, with Phil as the whole crowd...Phil the crowd...FILL the crowd...get it? Ah ya damn kids and ya loud music!]

Ronald Kurniawan

2006-07-18T17:43:00.000+12:00

I'll keep this one short....to quote Adrian this guys work is 'mean'!

[a hint of Jeff Soto definitely, perhaps not quite at his level though but as strange - giant walking letters against delicate landscape...loco...this guys definitely tripping balls] [link]

Vinyl Will Kill

2006-07-18T09:37:00.000+12:00

For collectors of design-related merchandise / toys / and other ephemera, vinyl figurines have been the 'in-thing' in recent years for the knowing masses. Figures range from the standard painted tofu-head to the more complex and the completely strange in style and materiality, proving as a great source of inspiration for esp character and product design. A number of alt high/ comic artists / designers are now producing limited edition runs of characters, often translated from their paint, print and screen work. This format is like the new, [to use the term ebarassingly] hip canvas for getting your work ou there.

My interest in these has basically been because a lot of my favourite designers/artists have jumped on the bandwagon and indulged in this newish genre of image/product media including: Tokyo Plastic, Kaws, Dalek, Jon Burgerman,Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, Jeff Soto, Kaz, Tony Millionaire, Dalek and Obey Giant. For most of these generally you can view via their personal sites or peruse or if your are lucky purchase theirs but also thousands others at specialist online stores such as the following:

Kid Robot [link] Ningyoushi [link] Millionaire Playboy [link] Strange Co [link]
Critterbox [link] Flying Cat [link] Crazy Label [link] Jeremyville [link]
Quimby's Book Store [link]

A recently published book on this - Vinyl Will Kill: An Inside Look At The Designer Toy Phenomenon has captured this interest, which if you are interested you may want to grab off me to peep at some stage.

Blurb from Amazon: "VINYL WILL KILL! is a fascinating insider's look at the process behind 3D vinyl figure production. VINYL WILL KILL! traces the development from initial concept to the insane world of high-end collector's stores and finally to collectors around the world; showcasing new yet-tobe- released vinyl figures direct from the artists along the way. The new genre of 3d collectibles is further explored through a series of one on one interviews with some of the best and hottest vinyl designers and producers on the planet including Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, Scary Girl, Enid by Dan Clowes, Dorbel by Jim Woodring, Mars 1 by Recon and Strangeco to name a few. VINYL WILL KILL! is the ultimate backstage pass for collectors, product designers, or anyone interested in the how a great idea makes its way to finished product."

PopUp : : The World of Pop Art

2006-07-18T08:04:00.000+12:00

A store you guys might want to check out next time you are in Wellington entitled Popup : : The World of Pop Art [link to store site]

It stocks prints and other ephemera [tees, vinyl toys] by a couple of my favourite [Koyzndan, Gary Baseman, Jim Woodring and Jeff Soto] and stuff also by Wellington's infamous Mephisto Jones [I've got quite a few photos of his stencils when I was up there last] [link to his site].

Ch-ch-ch check it out

Cheers Kate, or Note Kate for the link.

Bryan Louie

2006-07-17T18:32:00.000+12:00

Some nice illo. Same guy who did that Gnarls Barkely 'Crazy' video - crap song but visually pretty slick. [the video downloadable on site]

[link]

Ow..Fo-to

2006-07-16T19:51:00.000+12:00

I need some better photos than these! [not to put a damper on the fine work the id card office does]

For the end of the year, I'm putting together a DVD of all your work and for each of you I am wanting to do animated photo intro for your section. So next meeting 1-3pm [Tuesday], I will have the camera to take a number of photos of you all. Nothing to be embarassed about, rather to put a face to work hopefully you are proud of. I must say though, what a fine looking bunch of individual you are anyway.

PS. Sorry Garry, I did not have your other photo at hand

The Robot Assemblage [Sticker Design Comp...]

2006-07-10T18:36:00.000+12:00

Join The Robot Assemblage. Design a sticker. Add it to the flickr pool. Your design must be tagged with "Robot Assemblage."

Your design must be a Noun. You can interpret that as you wish. The design can be full color. The dimensions for the sticker are 3" x 3" and must be at least 300dpi. When entering your design to the pool, save it as a 72 dpi Jpeg 500 X 500 pixels. Custom diecut shapes are ok.

The deadline is August 15, 2006. Please read the instructions on how to submit your entry. You can enter up to ten designs. The winning entries will be posted on Flickr and Sticker Robot Our favorite entries will be published and packaged in PEELzine and printed in Bloodwars for preservation.

first place
Sticker Robot 1500 full color vinyl stickers of 1st place design
Strangeco Strangeco Full Set of 24 Mars-1 Invisible Plan mini figures
PEEL magazine Issue 7- artist profile of winning design AND a one year subscription
SEEN autographed limited edition skatedeck
SFaustina signed Blood Wars book and a page of your design in the next issue of Blood wars magazine
15 custom made Pinpops of the winning entry.
Fudge Factory Comics Miscellaneous Prize Package
1 year subscription to the RWK sticker pack of the month club and mega sticker stash.

More Meet!

2006-07-10T00:21:00.000+12:00

One Army, Command Halt!

I propose we meet up again this week - Tuesday 1pm in the attic for everyone?

It would be good to go over what ya been up to over the holiday's [so bring ya sketch books, files etc...]. There are some things I need to go over also such as my availability this semester, regular meetings, expectations for the hand-in's and final exhibiting of work and more.

See ya soon

Scott

Disturbing things on the internet....[one for the boys]

2006-07-03T01:04:00.000+12:00

More quality music vids. These girls have either too much time on their hands or are a little too into Playstation Singstar. I indirectly found one and thought oh yeah a bit of fun but then discovered there was a disturbing amount of them. Such family favourites as covers of: Move your feet by Junior Senior [this ones for you Malc], All the small things by Blink 182, Livin La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin and last but no means least Barbie Girl by Aqua.

Its funny though, I could not stop watchin. How easy it is now to get your talents out there.

UPDATE! [2 hours after first post]

I was intrigued, i had to find out more.... these two [Lynne and Tessa] are from Frankfurt and they were finalist in Goolge Idol, who i think [one round] was actually won by a New Zelander. A link to the Google Idol Site, where you can watch many more superb hits. The girls also have a webpage, shock horror! Lynne and Tessa.

A couple of photos from their image gallery. You can also find out about them in their own pages: Lynne [20] says: "I'm nothing special, in fact I'm a bit of a bore...". [Oh...don't be so hard on yourself -SS] . Tessa [19] says: "when she walks, she swings her arms…. Instead of her hips!" [Doesn't everyone -SS] . Apparently these girls recieve hundreds of emails per day and have a guestbook forum. What have I been doing with my life! This seems like a good ticket.

Invisiblia & another Wolfmother

2006-07-03T00:14:00.000+12:00

A couple of examples that may intrigue those working with video or photography. This one was recently posted on Drawn!, entitled Invisiblia The basic technical premise I guess is simply to replace people in photographs with line illustrations. A description from the site:

"the people in the photos have been digitally removed and replaced with drawings. Yeah, I know: anyone can trace a drawing. But so what? I am doing it, and you're not. You're sitting at home doing nothing. Or maybe you're surfing the web at work. I don't know. I'm not psychic. [jez! overly sensitive me thinks-SS] Maybe the pictures illustrate the idea that we all want to remove ourselves from life, and replace ourselves with fictional, self-created versions of ourself. We want to fictionalise our own existence, and impose order and narrative where there is none. Anyway, some of the photos are just pics of friends and family and some are random photos I found on the web. I apologise if I have accidentally transformed anyone into art."

The other is from another Wolfmother video: this one is a live version of White Unicorn that has been inked over with a sharpie. It's very good, this version I don't think quite made it to masses though. It might have just bee someones pet project. [link] The un-violated version is in my outbox.

'The Bureaucrats'

2006-06-27T08:20:00.000+12:00

Thomas [Bley] has kindly offered up some of his own pre-made sounds, which you may find of use towards your own animations. They were originally conceived for an animated project [that never quite made it to fruition], during the early / mid 90's, which entailed the interaction of complex character-types, embodied by office supplies.

Entitled 'The Bureaucrats', the concept began to be transformed into a short 3-D modelled animation by two undergraduate students but because of them graduating and, at the time lack of computer processing speed, it was never finished - a clip [and short write-up] of their work can be found [here] . To save on downloading, it can also be found, as well as the sounds in Scott's outbox.

~ quite a mixed range of short soundtracks [12 audio clips, each no longer than 2 minutes]. Some beginning to show their date, but anyway could be potentially very useable. Enjoy.

Mogwai + Wolfmother Music Videos.

2006-06-14T00:17:00.000+12:00

This is a choice music video for a Mogwai track called "travel is dangerous" and is done by Monkmus - one of the illustrators who frequently does work for HornetInc or is a part of them or whatever (there's a link to HornetInc.com in the sidebar under animation I believe). Anyway, it's quite gorgeous, check it out here.

This is a video for Wolfmother - involves stopmotion and looks good - see it here. They've also got this video here which I believe is made up of photographs being manipulated and crumpled by hand, frame by frame. Cool effect.

Found all of this crap at videostatic.com - good times.

Over the break etc...

2006-06-12T12:04:00.000+12:00

As at Monday 12th June, I will be starting a new job as a Professional Practise Fellow @ 0.6. The consequence of this is that I will only be in probably three days a week [at this stage Tuesday, Wednesday, Thuesday] and therefore less available, especially for the impromptu 'pop-in'. The other two days I will either library-bound, locked in my office or at home writing.

This change I imagine will effect you very little, though what it is going to require from you is a greater degree of orgainsation in attended scheueled individual meetings, and using email and the blog for converse. When I am here on these days it's going ot be pretty full-on hectic with little or no free time unfortunately. For quick questions/chats what I have suggested previously [and some of you have taken up on this] is to set up your ichat with a jabber account [you need to get a gmail email first]. With this, you can contact me most times [I have it on at work and at home till usually pretty late...sad I know]. Instructions for setup via hyperlink.
How do I configure iChat for Google Talk? [Link] My jabber / gmail account is: themachobox@gmail.com or if you are on AIM: themachobox.

I will be in over frequently over the break, and I do encourage during this time to pop-in and see me while I have not structured timetable. What I am expecting of you all over the break is a significant effort in scripting, storyboarding and early animated experiments. So into next semester you should hit the ground running and not simply picking-up from where you left off before the break. Do not underestimate how much time this project is going to sap from you. Animation is draining, with often little physical reward, but that is what you have commited to.

What I propose for next semester, is to meet as a group, still weekly, from the first week [time / venue soon] for one 2 hour meeting for everyone, which will entail crtical presentation of that weeks efforts, and techinal q and a and whatever else. Outisde of this I would like to meet with Individuals for a 20 minute meetings. These I hope will run better than last semester, with quite frequent lack of attendence or courtesy to warn of this.

Anyway, good luck if you are still doing exams and i'll see ya when I see ya

: : Scott

Urban Safari

2006-05-23T16:26:00.000+12:00

Downey Studios in collaboration with Burning Candle Animation present a presentation on The project 'Space Odyssey'. This presentation looks to explain the process under taken so far in this epic saga of film and animation.
One Love/Army

Social Pariah - interacting with the kids

2006-05-22T12:05:00.000+12:00

WHO'S A PARIAH? YOUR MOMMA'S A PARIAH.

A common part of human interaction is social paranoia - without a little bit fear keeping our behaviour in check, we can easily behave like arrogant assholes. Really easily. A few of my most assholeish friends claim to have never been socially paranoid.

But what happens when social paranoia gets out of control? How do people attempt to deal with their own fears whilst still attempting to be sociable?

All will hopefully be revealed in my animation which I'll be chatting about on Friday. By then I hope to have slept and recovered somewhat from the overly sociable experience which was the Capping Show.

Luci.

Wooster Collective

2006-05-22T08:25:00.000+12:00

A celebration of Street Art : : a weblog of spray graff, wheatpastes, stencils, everything sighted around the world. My mate Sharpy made a feature recently with his bridge buddhas. A long list of links also to peruse of artists, collectives, podcasts, webzines and other. Ch check check check it out : : Wooster Collective [Link]

Also peep a look at a site recently put up by Chris re: the 'Dunedin Hiphop Reprazent' Street Art Exhibit 06, hosted by Re-fuel and Visual Intelligence. [Link]

Onions aren't the only vegetable that can make you cry!!!!

2006-05-21T12:35:00.000+12:00

As you may know 'Spud O cide' will be an animation that deals with the potato version of bird flu and the mass culling of said potatoes. It will be conveyed through the medium of television and be experienced along side one potato who escaped the massacre. Family fun!!!!! HA HA HA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!! V is an effective stimulant!!!!!!

RAW|culture presentation

2006-05-20T16:59:00.000+12:00

Imagine a reality that consists of constantly influenced people acting not for themselves but for a higher power... a power that controls, influences, effects, exploits and persuades participants to conform. Conforming to what is ideal, what is the norm...

RAW|culture - [Demise of a demographic] has hit presentation form....
aka........
"caught in the|RAW"

This presentation is going to address the all mighty power of mass media and highlight some key facts that I am hoping to portray in my final animation. It will also illustrate the type of animation method I wish to persue and um............... er....

who am I kidding ive got nothing but a snazzy presentation name sorted out so far, that and a grossly over time budgeted poster. But ah yeah should be good, fingers crossed and um enjoi

[ 4pm | Thurs 25th | DS Attic ]

Junior Senior Music Video

2006-05-19T11:08:00.000+12:00

This is an animation very reminiscent of the old Lucas Arts adventure games. Despite the blatantly pixelated graphics, the smoothness of the animation is superb - and there's nothing better than pixels animated well! This vid revolves around cartoon versions of the creators of the song, Junior and Senior. However, the highlight of it is the badass squirrel who is seen in the video doing a hit 'n run on a group of zombies, jumping over countless double decker buses on a horse and beating up a cool dancing robot with a hammer. He then proceeds to knock back shots of what may be tequila at a very impressive rate in synchrony to the music. He is what us South Africans would call a "Bawstid".

A bright, colourful and feel-good video. Check it out (and try not to get addicted to the evil www.youtube.com)

Malcs.

Music Videos

2006-05-16T22:19:00.000+12:00

I always finds music vids as a great source for innovation and consequently inspiration - I guess because they are usually short there is scope to experiment more, try new potenitally time / technical / expense intensive techniques. So, i've poped some of my fav music videos [and other randoms] in my outbox - by no means are these these the best out there but worth a look anyway, mostly heavy shit.

Any that you have, send my way stuff you have too or give me list of any you like and i'll see if I or someone else can can source. Get a bit of an archive going. Write a comment to this post of anything that you might want, by listing your favourite vids, chur.

La Linea

2006-05-16T21:47:00.000+12:00

Stumbed across this recently. I think it's Italian from the late 1970's / 80's done by a fello Osvaldo Cavandoli. Macolm you said you watched in South Africa as a kid? Funny stuff, simple concept yet stunning sense of flow and dynmaic into different characters / scenes.

Quote from Bibi’s Blog ref. below:
"The cartoon features a man walking on an infinite line. The man himself is drawn using one line and is a part of the line he is walking on. The character encounters obstacles and often turns to the cartoonist to draw him a solution. The background color changes as mood or feelings of the character change, but most of the series was black and white. The cartoon was originally used for advertisements, before the animated series was created."

Some episodes I have placed in my Outbox.

You can watch other ones at Daily Motion

Dan Clowes interview

2006-05-16T21:25:00.000+12:00

Here is an ref. to an interview with Daniel Clowes [Ghost World, Art School Confidental, Twentieth Century Eightball, Pussey]from a BBC program from last year called "The Secret of Drawing". This from part two of a four paret series. I'm trying to track down the rest.

Dan Clowes Interview/Reading [14minutes] [Link]

A downloaded Quicktime of it has been placed in my outbox

[As a side note, this guy from the Ghost World movie, possibly one of funniest characters in any movie.]

Three Awesome Blogs

2006-05-14T19:21:00.000+12:00

This weblog Garry put me onto entitled: Hellboy Animated [link] , which is a production diary for the animated movie for Mike Magnolia's Hellboy comics. Amazing, mapping step by step the full process thus far I think from day dot.

Some nice links also on this site including this one for the Paranormal Database [link] , which documents locations and photos of paranormal / cryptozoological interest.

The second blogs is a strange eclectic one. Its done by someone called: Bibi[link] . It has collections of links to some vintage animated shorts, including 27 Betty Boop cartoons, 11 Felix the Cat cartoons, and 3 Krazy Kat cartoons. One other interesting one that is referenced through here is a single cartoon called: Finding His Voice [1929], which explains how 'talkies' or rather the first sound films work, with some nice little early infographic gestures.

stills from the movie Operation Ivy
Most of the cartoons are served through this awesome site called simply: Archive.org [link], which has resources on anything and everything [text, film, web, audio, software, education]. Especially good is the 'moving images' section. In here is downloadable, full length documentaries, films, vintage cartoons, and more.

The last blog [i'm not sure how useful or not it is for ya] entitled: Wikihow[link] is described as 'The How-To Manual That Anyone Can Write or Edit'. It is a free resources which is meant to help people by offering clear, concise solutions to the problems of everyday life. It has 7 and half odd thousand articles which are archived into categories incl. one called 'Art and Hobbies'. In here are sections / articles on drawing and photography for such things as: How to Draw Anime and Manga, How to Choose the Best Pencil, How to Draw With Realistic Shading, How to Take and Develop a Black and White Photo.

Hot Free Fonts

2006-05-14T18:29:00.000+12:00

There are lots of free font sites out there, but few good ones. here are some of those good ones I've found. Also listed at the bottom are other font foundaries you may not be aware of. Sorry too lazy at the mo to make hyperlinks, but will get onto it.

UPDATE 16 / 5/ 2006 - links to site, finally got my ass around to it

Phantom Power
Cape Arcona
Buro Destruct
Cycle
Fountain
Core
Da Font
Form Substance
Close Fonts
Font Diner
Faktor-I

Plus some other type foundaries

Emigre
Garage Fonts
Font Shop DE
PSS
House Industires
Font Haus
Font Shop
My Fonts

Presenting...

2006-05-11T22:04:00.000+12:00

We've blocked in the following slots for 305 presentations, with Alex Gilks 'Breakout' research students.

Thurs 25 May 9-11 AM
Thurs 25 May 3-5 PM
Fri 26 May 1-5PM (if required)

We'll draw up a schedule ASAP and get it to you.
These will probably be in the attic space.
We'll look to alternate between students from the 2 modules.
The expectation is that you can support students from your own group and also, if possible, drop into some other sessions throughout presentation week. You may wish to tickle the giant schnauzer's tum-tum.

[text c/o Axl]

Death to Ihug

2006-05-06T23:34:00.000+12:00

Yo. For future ref, my home ihug email account [srsavage@ihug.co.nz] is now dead, so anything sent to that address will not be responded to. With my recent computer upgrade [exhibit B] I have swapped internet providers. For now it would prefered that any emails sent to me, for the moment, to be via my work address: scott@design.otago.ac.nz

Universal Principles for Design

2006-05-02T09:23:00.000+12:00

A book you may all be interested in checking out:

Universal Principles of Design: 100 Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence Perception, Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions, and Teach Through Design
by William Lidwell

This book is currently on Close Reserve in the Central Library. I have placed a .PDF of some relevent pages in my outbox in the folder >3. Readings, though may be best to go over and have a flick through your self and pull out what is relevent. This book [despite its boring cover] highlights some key concepts / procedures that you can utilise in your design practise in thinking. By no means is it exhaustive, however, it gives prompt to further investigation [usually each principle is associated to a relevent reference to check out in conjunction].

blurb:
"Whether a marketing campaign or a museum exhibit, a video game or a complex control system, the design we see is the culmination of many concepts and practices brought together from a variety of disciplines. Because no one can be an expert on everything, designers have always had to scramble to find the information and know-how required to make a design work until now.

Universal Principles of Design is the first comprehensive, cross-disciplinary encyclopedia of design. Richly illustrated and easy to navigate, it pairs clear explanations of every design concept with visual examples of the concepts applied in practice. From the "80/20 rule to chunking, from baby-face bias to Ockham's razor, and from self-similarity to storytelling, every major design concept is defined and illustrated for readers to expand their knowledge.

This landmark reference will become the standard for designers, engineers, architects, and students who seek to broaden and improve their design expertise."

Teleliteracy

2006-05-01T09:06:00.000+12:00

Hayden, another book which may be useful to check out:

[Teleliteracy : taking television seriously ] by David Bianculli [New York : Simon & Schuster, 1994] / PN 1992.6.BK16 1994

-blurb

"It's time to realize TV must be doing something right to reach and affect so many people and that teleliteracy is something to be quantified and upgraded and utilized, not ignored," David Bianculli declares in his defense of teleliteracy--the widespread knowledge of television that ties Americans together in ways other media cannot. He acknowledges the faults of television -- sex and violence to a widespread audience -- but contends that TV has delivered positive role models, good storytelling and likable characters. Bianculli, a television critic for The New York Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer, offers an interesting defense of a much-maligned medium.

Cut / Paste

2006-05-01T08:32:00.000+12:00

Luci, here's some photomontage / collage based artists & designers that may be of some benefit to look at:

Automatic Art and Design [link] , Maibritt Amsler [link] , Mirko Borsche [link] , Maren Esdar [link] , Lisa Schibel [link] , Mrks [link] , Tomi Lahdesmaki [link] , Blk/Mrkt [link] , Insect [link] , Hiroki Tsukuda [link] , Hort [link],
Coutworks[link] , Deanne Chuek [link]

+ a large number of books in the Science Library esp.:

[possible search terms(not an exhastive list]: photomontage, collage, Dada, Assemblage, Constructivism, Cubism, Propaganda, people = Ava Seymour, Dick Frizzel [New Zealand], Gustav Klutsis, David Hockney, Hannah Hoch, John Heartfield, Andy Warhol]

2006-04-26T20:51:00.000+12:00

Need I say more? [Photos care on Nikki Bould]

Clips from the MTV Australia Video Music Awards 2006

2006-04-26T07:58:00.000+12:00

"In November 2005 MTV asked Umeric to create the packaging, voting spots and logo/typeface for MTV Australia's Video Music Awards to be held on April 12th 2006

Using the concept of 'Audio Creatures', Umeric directed and animated the events' opener and 13 award category sequences.

Combining live-action, shot in and around Sydney (Australia), with 3D animated creatures pulsating in time to surreal percussion and electronic audio design.

The basis of the clips is to compel the MTV audience to view their everyday environment from a different visual and audio perspective."

[link to Clips]

Snapshots of Project Plans

2006-04-23T20:29:00.000+12:00

Please post each a short description of your project as a 'comment' to your image for others remark and build on

by Luci [project plan pinned up outside Scott's office].
Please attach any comments, thoughts, suggestions to this post

2006-04-23T20:23:00.000+12:00

by Hayden [project plan pinned up outside Scott's office].
Please attach any comments, thoughts, suggestions to this post

2006-04-23T20:20:00.000+12:00

by Gen [project plan pinned up outside Scott's office].
Please attach any comments, thoughts, suggestions to this post

2006-04-23T20:15:00.000+12:00

by Hanna [project plan pinned up outside Scott's office].
Please attach any comments, thoughts, suggestions to this post

2006-04-23T20:13:00.001+12:00

by Garry[project plan pinned up outside Scott's office].
Please attach any comments, thoughts, suggestions to this post

2006-04-23T20:13:00.000+12:00

by Larissa [project plan pinned up outside Scott's office].
Please attach any comments, thoughts, suggestions to this post

2006-04-23T20:09:00.000+12:00

by Casey [project plan pinned up outside Scott's office].
Please attach any comments, thoughts, suggestions to this post

2006-04-23T19:58:00.000+12:00

by Briton [project plan pinned up outside Scott's office].
Please attach any comments, thoughts, suggestions to this post

2006-04-20T22:13:00.000+12:00

by Malcolm [project plan pinned up outside Scott's office].
Please attach any comments, thoughts, suggestions to this post

2006-04-20T21:38:00.000+12:00

by Adam [project plan pinned up outside Scott's office].
Please attach any comments, thoughts, suggestions to this post

by Adrian [project plan pinned up outside Scott's office].
Please attach any comments, thoughts, suggestions to this post

a source of inspiration

2006-04-20T16:32:00.000+12:00

Check out gigposters.com - every band you can think of [classified by band and designer]; hundreds of really hot illustrative ones, wacky metal hits and experimental on the cheap photocopy jobs - have a hunt around in here, high recommended!

Project Plan

2006-04-12T08:39:00.000+12:00

A gentle reminder for you to please submit your project plans by this Thursday no later than 4pm [or i might send this guy around]. Best not to have to deal with it over your break - just knock it on the head so you can move on

Oh Mumma. The ultimate Motion graphics and more

2006-04-07T14:05:00.000+12:00

Motionographer

Need i say more...well actually, as always, i will... this is an absolute perfect source for motion graphics and related

We have a winner...

2006-04-07T07:53:00.000+12:00

Congratulations to Hayden for winning the ID prize of $30 printing budget [presented recently via giant cheque].

Weekly 'Individual' Meetings

2006-04-06T16:38:00.000+12:00

With the focus on software at the moment during our weekly group meets, I feel i'm missing out a bit at the discussion end for your individual projects. What I propose outside this regular time, is individual focused meetings where we can talk about ideas, where you are at, and any technical and other issues. This will require you to set questions for me and to try and achieve a certain amount of work between each meeting session. I would like to make these individual meets weekly if we can. The times I have set aside are as follows:

Monday 9.00-15, 9.15-30, 9.30-45, 11.00-15, 11.15-30, 11.30-45
Friday 1.00-15, 1.15-30, 1.30-45, 3.00-15, 3.15-30, 3.30-45, 3.45-4.00, 4.00-15, 4.15-30

Let me know what you think by adding a comment to this post. I would hope to instigate this for next week. To book a regular weekly time, do also by posting a comment. First in first serve. 15 spots, 12 of ya. Adrian and Adam, you might want to book two in a row or alternatively one at the beginning and end of the week.

NB. Gen so far has booked Monday's 11:30-45

Colouring Bones

2006-04-05T22:37:00.000+12:00

This series of images [which i've combined] was posted on Drawn! recently. It is nine stage process used by Steve Hamaker who colours Jeff Smith's Bone comic. Gives a great sense of how to built up your colour space digitally step-by-step using Photoshop and how to organise your screen working environment.

[The series of images will be placed also [bigger] in my outbox]

Another process guide which maybe useful to look at is for the web comic: Cooper
process tutorial link [I'll place a pdf of this sone also in my outbox too]

The Nut Cracker

2006-04-05T08:20:00.000+12:00

After each 'Profile' on Tuesday, I will place files relevant to that person / group / topic in my outbox in a folder under clips called '-->Profiles'. So in there now are stuff on Nexus Productions, Home Star Runner, Geoff McFetridge and Ad's skateboarding slams. It would be good if you followed your delivery up with a small blog entry too for people to comment on. Up next week is Luci then Brit.

All Ages blog

2006-04-05T07:46:00.000+12:00

A graphic novel blog recommended by Gen:
All Ages Blog

All advertising advertises advertising

2006-04-04T21:47:00.000+12:00

Hayden,
A fello you may of already cottoned on to or at least aware as relevant to your topic, that of Marshall McLuhan. He was, [he passed in 1980], and still is the key commentator on media in the twentieth century. Definitely somone you need to clue up on

His key text is: Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man [1964]

Here he proposes that media itself, not the content it carries, should be the focus of study [the medium is the messege]
Another couple of resources: Culture Is Our Business [1970]
The estate of Marshall Mcluhan [link]
An overview of McLuhan on Wikipedia [link]

He is very quotable too:
-"All advertising advertises advertising".
-"The answers are always inside the problem, not outside".
-"Any technology tends to create a new human environment... Technological environments are not merely passive containers of people but are active processes that reshape people and other technologies alike." (1962)
-"Violence, whether spiritual or physical, is a quest for identity and the meaningful. The less identity, the more violence." (1976)

Leith Barf

2006-04-04T19:46:00.000+12:00

A tag Gav found somewhere on the Leith

Social Pariah : : Investigating Youthful Interaction and Isolation...through Animation

2006-03-29T13:26:00.000+12:00

by Lucinda McConnon [305]

please post comments / ideas for each poster including for your own.

Can Pink Equate To A Muderous Rage?

2006-03-29T13:25:00.000+12:00

by Garry McLanachan [306]

please post comments / ideas for each poster including for your own.

Space Odyssey

2006-03-29T13:23:00.000+12:00

by Adrian Vercoe [305]

please post comments / ideas for each poster including for your own.

Dexterous Direction

2006-03-29T13:22:00.000+12:00

by Adam Parata [305]

please post comments / ideas for each poster including for your own.

Climate Change

2006-03-29T13:21:00.000+12:00

by Briton Smith [305]

please post comments / ideas for each poster including for your own.

The End Is Coming

2006-03-29T13:20:00.000+12:00

by Genevieve Silvester [305]

please post comments / ideas for each poster including for your own.

Exploitation : : Truths of the Clothing Industry

2006-03-29T13:18:00.000+12:00

by Hanna Pettit [305]

please post comments / ideas for each poster including for your own.

Olveston : : Lost Buildings

2006-03-29T13:16:00.000+12:00

by Larissa Dyke [305]

please post comments / ideas for each poster including for your own.

Travis the Try-Hard Terrorist

2006-03-29T13:14:00.000+12:00

by Malcolm 'Citizen' Monteith [305]

please post comments / ideas for each poster including for your own.

Perturbed People

2006-03-29T13:12:00.000+12:00

by Casey Teat [306]

please post comments / ideas for each poster including for your own.

Qualities of Characters

2006-03-29T13:08:00.000+12:00

by Nick Selvadurai [305]

please post comments / ideas for each poster including for your own.

RAW | Culture : : Lead a Violent Life

2006-03-29T11:58:00.000+12:00

by Hayden Raw [306]

please post comments / ideas for each poster including for your own.

Other Interesting Flash Cartoon Sites...

2006-03-28T15:53:00.000+12:00

Righty - just thought (as a follow on to Malcolm's wee thingummy about homestarrunner.com) that I'd share with you some websites that have flash animations on them.

Some are freaking awwwwwesome - both technically and thematically, and some are super basic technically but really funny in any case.

Firstly:
Weebl's stuff.

A website dedicated to flash cartoons - contains such gems as "Kenya", "the Lord series" and some of the early salad fingers cartoons. Also links to Weebl and Bob - a serial internet flash cartoon about a pari of eggs called weebl and bob who like to eat pie. Personally, I find it funnier than homestarrunner. Or at least, I did last time I looked at it.

Speaking of Salad Fingers...here's Fat-pie.com.

The creator of Salad Fingers (there are now about 8 episodes) goes by the name David Firth adn has also made a variety of other flash animations - some of them are pretty rad but really, it's all about the weirdness of Mr Fingers for me.

FINALLY comes rather good

Joel Veitch makes really simple little songs and animates them in flash using photos and such. Quite cut and pasty. but if you think singing cats are funny - especially when it's Destiny's Child or the White Stripes that are coming out of their mouths, you'll love it. Also, the clip entitles "we like tha moon" is pretty fab. Made me laugh really hard the first time I watched it.

What’s UP! [in the world]

2006-03-26T19:19:00.000+12:00

An indispensible tool for keeping up-to-date to global news

-a beautiful interface that updates and animates as events happen around the world. Every event hyperlinks to a related new article. [Link]

Check out also infosthetics fro more ideas on infographic mapping. There banner is Form Follows Data - towards creative information visualization

an interactive installation (2002) of the visualization of the first movement of Beethoven's No.14 Sonata.

Some maybe useful resources

2006-03-24T21:41:00.000+12:00

I'll start this one off with some quotations I found along my travels:

“An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind”
— Mahatma Gandhi

“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”
— George Orwell

“Fear is the path to the Dark Side... Fear leads to anger... anger leads to hate... hate leads to suffering...”
— Yoda

Alright, so, I’ve done a little bit of hunting around for some digital resources and here are articles / sites that maybe useful for ya [Casey, Luci, Hayden, I haven't found much for you as yet of much value but I’ll still keep an eye out]:

Malcolm
On Terrorism: “precise definitions of terrorism tend to be relativist, because views toward particular acts of political violence are often subjective”- Wikipedia
Check out the definitions of ‘Terrorism’ on Wikipedia and other sites and see how potentially problematic it is maybe as a banner term for acts of violence:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism]. Note the sections especially on Etymology [i.e. a study on the history on the word] and Key criteria
Another resource: Z Mag - section on Terror and Foreign policy [http://www.zmag.org/weluser.htm]- includes interviews and debates. Check especially the section on this site on Noam Chomsky articles and more: [http://www.zmag.org/chomsky/] / Chomsky maybe a good source for you to check out as well Hanna because he writes a lot on human rights or lack thereof and trade policies.

Gen
A couple of articles that maybe somewhat useful to you:
Bottled Water: Pure Drink or Pure Hype?[http://www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/bw/bwinx.asp]
Effects of Over-Consumption and Increasing Populations [http://www.globalissues.org/EnvIssues/Population/Result.asp]

Brit
Climate Change and Global Warming [http://www.globalissues.org/EnvIssues/GlobalWarming.asp]
The site I referred for Malcolm [http://www.zmag.org/weluser.htm] may also be useful with sections on ecology, climate, and oil.
Also some broader global issues/news sites useful for you too Gen:
One World [http://www.oneworld.net/]. On human rights and sustainable development. Also provides comprehensive daily coverage of global issues and a platform for civil society worldwide.
Media Channel [http://www.mediachannel.org/] Described as the world’s first global media supersite. The Media Channel looks into the problems of journalism in the mainstream and continued state repression of journalism in many nations. This site may be useful for you too Hayden, plus this article I mentioned earlier to you on video game violence:
Video Games and Aggressive Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviours in the Laboratory and in life [http://www.apa.org/journals/features/psp784772.pdf]
Check out this group called: Mothers against Video Game Addiction and Violence or [MAVAV of the USA] too which is dedicated to educating parents on the increasing threat and danger on child's health and way of life. [http://www.mavav.org/]

Hanna
A couple sites on sweat shop, fair trade. Nothing sorry local though the following two refer to the Australian Clothing Industry.
Outworkers - The Real Fashion Victims [http://abc.net.au/news/indepth/featureitems/s582846.htm]
Fairwear [http://www.fairwear.org.au/engine.php]. Fair Wear works to eliminate the exploitation of homeworkers (outworkers) in the Australian clothing industry. The FairWear campaign actively encourages Australians to think critically about where the clothes they wear are produced and under what conditions.
Behind the Label [http://www.behindthelabel.org/] A multimedia online news magazine focusing on the brand names responsible for the global sweatshop crisis
No Sweat Shop Label and Homeworkers Code of Practise[http://www.nosweatshoplabel.com/] The No Sweat Shop Label and Homeworkers Code of Practice is an industry solution to the problem of the exploitation of outworkers.
No Sweet / Sweet Free [http://www.nosweatstuff.com.au/index.html] No Sweat aims to provide a line of footwear, clothing and other stuff which, not only looks good, but also does good.

Luci
Link for Creature Comforts series [http://www.creaturecomforts.tv/]
Social Anxiety [http://www.social-anxiety.com/area.html] Highlights search terms for social phobias and anxiety [selective mutism, intimacy phobia, image sickness, angry loners, bi-polar]

Casey
Stigma: Building Awareness And Understanding About Mental Illness [http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/14.cfm] Stop Stimga [http://www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov/] addressing discrimination and stigma in mental illness

Adrian / Adam
An article bagging the act of graffiti in gaming: Anti-graffiti campaign slams new Atari game [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=14028]

Garry Got a mailout on Birdflu I can give ya

Hope some of this helps, though i'm thinking for most of you that books and journals should be your primary research source.

unit9 creative.production & North417

2006-03-21T18:56:00.000+12:00

A stark, yet striking site interface. Subtle animated effects through roll- overs and beautifully composed. It emphasizes that sometimes simplicity is greatest virtue. [site link]

Another sick interface is at North 417 which is a magazine style portfolio/profile site with also lots of hot links. Again an elegent, effective page structure of dynamic lines that build / animate when you navigate / toggle through each section. Pretty rad.

2006-03-19T15:10:00.000+12:00

Bring along some headphones to this weeks tute if ya can, ta

: : Profiling : :

2006-03-17T20:58:00.000+13:00

Each week, from here on, we are going to kick-off each session with a design profile of a group, project, or site that foregrounds the seductive and sensual process of the 'drawn' animated sequence. This coming week I will be profiling: Nexus Productions. In the following weeks though, it is going to be you taking the reigns, where one of you will have ago each week at doing the same - a ten minute introduction to a 'newly' found animated production [i.e. one that has not been covered already] that reflects style/ concept/ emphasis, similar to that that will be working towards in your individual projects. Doing this task is going to help you a lot for your Literature Reviews, towards defining and articulating your directives and influences. In this weeks session I will get you to choose each a week for when you want to present. Expect to do this more than once this semester. You will follow up your profile introductions with a short blog entry[small description, an image plus web or other reference].

A reminder that for the Tuesday sessions from now which will split into two groups, as two hour blocks [1-3pm & 3-5pm]. This is the finalised lists for these:
1-3pm : Adam, Adrian, Casey, Larissa, Genevieve, Brit, Garry
3-5pm : Hanna, Malcolm, Luci, Nick, Hayden

Trouble in Toontown [article on A Scanner Darkly]

2006-03-16T18:44:00.000+13:00

Director Richard Linklater
Story by Robert La FrancoPage

'Many of the sets, costumes, and props for A Scanner Darkly were added digitally in post production. Robert Downey Jr., Keanu Reeves, and the other actors didn't even need to wear makeup.'

from Wired Magazine [link]

Fading [Graffiti - Design Cross Over] BK

2006-03-15T12:25:00.000+13:00

I just got this book which might be good for a couple of you to peep. Accompanied by a DVD with lots of conceptual graphic projects featured. Some of to designers / artisits featured [urls for each featured in side bar]:

Signers, ZEDZ, 123Klan, Atalier, Typeholics, Viagrafik, Hello, Backyard10, Inkunstrction, Esher, Neck, Besok, Superblast, Flying Fortress, Sat One, Stuk, Eroise, Finsta, 56K, Gomes, Dibo, Hitnes, Shawn-The Signer

Garry's Squiggle Map timeline thingy

2006-03-15T12:18:00.000+13:00

Start designing fast from day dot. Soon you will have an excellent body of visual ephemera which will frame your whole project [it's not just bout the final thang yo]

click on image to view bigger

Web Tips for Power Searching

2006-03-15T11:37:00.000+13:00

A supplement to yesterday's session for more sepcific web searching:
Downloadable PDF

Reminder list of those 'useful' database's that Richard highlighted:
*Acedemic Search Premier *Proquest *Expanded Acedemic
*Index NZ (for specifc New Zealand based topics)
*DAAI (design, arts, abstract database)

Future Feeder

2006-03-15T11:36:00.000+13:00

Themail parses your email conversation history into a revealing analysis of what you talk about to whom and how often.

Check this site out. One Nick put me one to. Lots of interesting technical / visualisation concept for design, archtecture, interfacing, information mapping and modelling. it goes on for pages and pages - there maybe something in here that might trigger an aesthetic avenue for you to explore especially if you are trying to consider how to map a complex analysis in a tangible, visually striking way.

Future FEEDER hyperlink

2006-03-15T11:19:00.000+13:00

Proposals / GRAB/ Meeting

2006-03-13T13:55:00.000+13:00

About half of the proposals have come in so far which is or-some [as Napolean D woud say], so yeah, still waiting on about 5. Try to get onto this as soon as you can just for the sake of getting something on paper that you mold and shape and adapt as you go a long. The proposal should be considered as a 'living document' that you frequently refine as your process marches on and develops into something tangible and that there is nothing stopping you from having a go at 'designing it', make it yours as a package which goes towards reflectings the output. Ultimately what you should get out of this is an enlightened yet succinct concept sentence that will carry what you design. I suggest that if you are having trouble putting your disparate ideas together, try shaping your thoughts in the form of a question [jeopardy style]. What is it that you are trying to answer? What do you want out of it? What is your voice?

Reminder that 'Grab' is due this Friday [to submit digitally as .pdf via student site]. Try to include an illustrative portrait / and or fresh designed display type for yourself in the poster - to not only replace the image I have of you on my window, but also as something you can use again in further presentations as a personal identification or graphic mark. Submit this mark as a separate working file [Freehand / Illustrator / psd.] file to Scott's Drop.

Meeting this week at 1pm to discuss proposals and how you are going to approach your research. At 3:30pm we will head over to the library for a session on Advanced Research.

Macho's Outbox

2006-03-13T13:52:00.000+13:00

Throughout the year there are going to be three main sources of info for you to keep an eye on for One Army/Lost Buildings topic. First is info via email [this I am going to try and use less though will sent out occasionally important posts that have been put up on blog site. Will be used mostly for response to individual's queries and concerns]. Second is the blog [which you should check daily or at least every second day for new posts. Please utilize this portal for your own agenda's to post questions, good ref's and whatever. The third is Scott's Outbox [in here i will pop all briefs, digital readings and other useful ephemera, as well as relevant and not so relevant clips for you to peruse at your leisure]. Any digital files like clips, readings, or webloc's that you want to share pop them in either your own outbox's or drop them into my mine [send me a message once you have] and i'll put them in our 305 folder.

'Coffee Madness'

2006-03-13T13:50:00.000+13:00

A production by Raw | SOME. Gen, Luci Mac, Moses Teatos & Citizen Monteith. Check out the trailer in Scott's Outbox in the folder: '4.5. Stud X'

Advanced Research Session

2006-03-08T18:35:00.000+13:00

Next Tuesday [the 14th] I have jacked up an Advanced Research session at the Central Library with Richard Wartho which will run from 3:30 to 5pm. Nick went with his group earlier in the week thought it was immensely valuable especially for getting you to start looking for good articles/resources when working towards your lit review and towards pushing your sophistication and information literacy.

As a pre-empt to the visit I want to introduce you to a magazine series that the library stocks that you may not be aware of entitled: EYE [Magazine] the international review of graphic design. It s a superb resource for contemporary illustrative ephemera, with lots of thematic and profile article and numerous book and web references. Recent volumes of Eye are located on close reserve [NC 1.E93] and older issues in the first floor journal stacks.

If you have an idea about a topic that may have potentially featured in EYE, try their website www.eyemagazine.com to search story/article titles. There are some excerpts and reviews on here too but these are not a substitute for the actual publication.

The universities stock of visual communication mags is a tad limited though this one’s a winner, that myself and Alex rate very highly.

Meeting Tuesday

2006-03-06T19:24:00.000+13:00

I'm probably not going to be able to make it to the lecture for 305/6 on Tuesday though we will still meet once the lecture has finished which will be probably just after 2pm (ish). So once that is done if you can make your way over to the CApSc building and wander up to Attic central and we will aim to kick off about 2:30pm. Attendance to this session is manditory - i will be introducing the projects formally as well as giving out some key resources and going over how we are to approach these sessions over the rest of the sesmester and more. So yeah see you all then, oh and bring your written proposals

S