gordonated

ABW2112

I am reconsidering to get a new car. The old Toyota Corolla car I’m driving has been causing quite a big hole in my pocket. Looking back at the past few months:

• August - Regular service - RM85.
• September - RM457.00 for replacing the driveshafts , brake pads, brake shoes, etc.
• October - RM120.00 for replacing the speedometer cable which connects itself to the gearbox output shaft, which in lay-man terms, enables the speedometer to work. It snapped all of a sudden for some unknown reason.
• November - The Air Conditioning Compressor blew up. The mechanic got the whole air conditioning system done for RM515.00.
• December - Timing Belt snapped! I’m absolutely lucky the pistons were not damaged. Undamaged eventhough I tried to restart the car a number of times (mind you). Tow charges + Service + reinstallation & exchange of a new belt, fan belt + a wiper blade = RM620.

Tomorrow, I will have to pay a visit to a foreman again. The air conditioning appears a little warm. God knows whats wrong with it. I hope it nothing big.

I’m visited the Transport Department office today too. Had to renew my car’s registration document as advised. Went to a certified government workshop for inspection and was directed to fill in some forms for processing. After all that, legally, the car is now ‘ownerless’. For two months as estimated by the officer which is absolutely slow for this age we live in.

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Many airlines offer cheap airline tickets. For example allegiant airlines offer really cool vacation packages from over 60 North American destinations. Similarly if you contact the head office of the cathay pacific airlines in Hong Kong, youíll get to know about their travel packages. You will always get the right airline news regarding any specific flight from the main offices of the respective airlines. They will also let you know what the latest airfare airline tickets discounts are.

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Popularity: 8% [?]

Posted in Life |

The New RM50 banknote

Yup, folks, Malaysia is 50 years old and to commemorate Malaysia’s 50th aniversary of independence, Bank Negara Malaysia has just announced that a new RM50 note will be available to the public from 30 January onwards. Limited edition packs of the note that comes with a special packaging will also be available from the 26th of December onwards at all Bank Negara branches nationwide. Limited to only 20 000 sets. Among the features of the new note are:

1. The Watermark Portrait
2. The Security Thread
3. Micro-Letterings
4. Invisible Fluorescent Elements
5. Perfect See-Through Register
6. Multicolour Latent Image
7. Holographic Stripe
8. Hidden image with moiré effect

More details on the special effects (for anti-copying reasons) are available on Bank Negara’s press statement here. The Star has covered the story in todays papers as well.

I’ve always appreciated the use of Islamic Art on national collaterals. They do appear beautiful especially when viewed in a unified context. And yes, I do support the cause of inheriting cultural aesthetics into the note (seen on the Songket patterns on the background and edges of the note). Somehow, somewhere, even-though it sounds cliché, cultural things still have to fit in somewhere in our society.

As much as the general public is curious about how special the new note is, I am too. Any thoughts on this anyone?

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People these days often book cheap cruises to organize big parties. However, these cheap cruises no more stay cheap on the last minute cruise deals if you have not booked them before time. Dealer takes advantage of the situation that you do not have any other choice but to book the cruise so he increases the cruise rating. All american cruise lines excel in the luxury look they give and the comfort they provide. However the mediterranean cruises do not match up to the American casino cruises standard. Same goes for the norwegian cruise lines.

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Popularity: 10% [?]

Posted in Design |

Holiday Reading

Here’s something to keep you occupied during the holidays. I might be late to post this up as the website actually has been around since 2005. Nevertheless, historyofbranding.com offers useful insights on some of the worlds best known brands.

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Many cheap flights are available for travel. You can search whether you can catch a specific cheap flight on time by checking on the internet through the flight tracker system. If you do not get one then you can even opt for cheap business class flight. In addition to this many airlines especially flights to new york provide quiet attractive packages. However, flights to orlando also offer many discount packages. On the contrary, the american flight schedule is really busy. It is very difficult to get flight airline tickets on time.

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Popularity: 8% [?]

Posted in Tabloids |

The Mac or the ‘chick’?

This months Macenstein ‘Mac chick’ of the month goes to Morgan Kennedy, who won a 16GB iPod Touch out of it. Morgan, 23, has 300 as one of her favorite movies. Fake Steve doesn’t sound happy about it (at all!) I have problems with this campaign or whatever you call it. I find the Mac far more attractive than the ‘chick’.

Updated: 17.12

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Nowadays cheap web hosting has become really common. You can find many examples of cheapest hosting web. However you must choose a reliable web hosting review for your website. This shows that the internet is playing a big part in our work. We can even search for bluehost reviews on the web. You can even browse for dot5hosting easily on the search engine websites.

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Popularity: 8% [?]

Posted in Tabloids |

1 year 6 months old

Have been working late lately. Leaving the studio at about 3.45am is certainly not a very healthy thing to do often. Waking up after about 4 hours of sleep adds salt to it. What more a long hectic day of picking up phone calls and coordination.

When I was a student, I was told to grab this book, How to be a Graphic Designer without loosing your soul before entering the industry. Hoping that it will help. For some strange unidentifiable reason, I never did bought the book. Why? Maybe I haven’t lost my soul (I guess).

Other than that, since using the word passion is a little bit of a cliché in this context, lets just say there are more interesting things that constitutes over graphic design. I find these things absolutely interesting. Example: Just take a look at the faces of people when you tell them you’re a graphic designer.

Also, it’s just kind of cool to be a designer.

* This books has a glorious display of typography!

Popularity: 9% [?]

Posted in Typography, Design, Life, Wishlist |

Learning from the Gurus

Just came back from the Kancil Awards 2007 & the MMVB (Malaysia’s Most Valuable Brands) appreciation dinner. It was held in Aliyaa at Damansara. We were served with authentic Sri Lankan Tapas.

Among those attended are people who have contributed much to the growth of the advertising industry. People who are CEO’s, Managers and Directors of all the huge multi-national advertising agencies you heard of. And of course, me, the little designer with less than two years working experience who happens to be working for the 4As. Surrounded by all these people really shows you how little you have actually achieved. These are people who have successfully staged world class events, inspired many, and contributed much to the wealth of the industry.

Also, over the past two years, I have heard some of my heroes speak; Andy Altman, Nick Bell, Neville Brody, Kyle Cooper, etc. Had the ‘one chance in a lifetime’ to have dinner with Stefan Sagmeister, sat down and had a short chat with Harry Pearce, etc. Pretty lucky for a designer!

Speaking and hearing from these people truly inspires and educates. They do have a lot to share and tell about. By just spending a few minutes with Micheal Johnson, he will be willing to share with you about his working days with Wally Olins and also give you an envelope full of his aerogram designs. Sitting down with John Walters, I was actually told how editorials are compiled and edited for the Eye magazine.

All these people are those who have had years of experience, been through the dealings of various parties, faced rejection in work life, fell down and stood up again and work really hard to make it to where they are today.

As the year comes to an end, I want to include this post as an inspiration to others including myself.

It is essential for a designer to stop looking at design monographs, online portfolios and learn from the gurus. Speak to them, write to them* or ring them up**. Be nice and don’t try to hard to impress or be a groupie. You got to have a little guts which always works for me.

* I do write to some designers sometimes.
** I used to call Kay up last time to ask him about typography and fonts when I was a student.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Posted in Life, People, Designers |

The Kancil Awards Annual 2007

Primary typefaces: Super Grotesk A, B & C
Paper: Cover, Milk skin. Text, Edixion Matt White 120 gsm
Cover Specs: Gold Stamp + White Stamp
Pages: 124
Printing: 4 colour
Grid: 9 Columns
(Click on the link below for more pictures)

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 10% [?]

Posted in Design, Work |