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Thought: RIP Grafik & Off the Edge.

June 28th, 2010

I embrace the internet. And I believe that online presence is important. But I still believe that the magazine is a very powerful medium as well. Through the years, perhaps the internet has overtaken the traditional role which a magazine plays in news reporting. I have a client which discontinued their internal magazine for a cold-hearted-digital PDF form. And well, surely magazines offer more insights than newspaper articles, and usually appear in a few weeks time after a particular news has been reported. While catchy but sometimes annoying and predictable headlines such as ‘The secrets of John Mayer’s guitar tone’ or ‘Bob Gill Speaks’ surely will sell; but nevertheless, I turn to magazines for a better understanding of things, usually.

I find myself benefiting more from reading magazines than articles online. Perhaps the enhancement of the form and assurance of properly edited editorial content before printing leaves a longer lasting impression of the articles I read. The physical form of the magazine gives me more attention than my Macbook Pro which usually has 5—12 apps running at the same time (currently 9 apps!).

Magazines should not die. But if corporations want to put in resources and priorities on other divisions of the businesses, do it respectfully. Do it with an intention in mind that there are readers who appreciate the current form and have expectations towards the title. Perhaps maybe, there should be a proper exit or endcore to the magazine. Like what Emigre did in the End Issue (issue 69) and the Look Back Issue (issue 70).

The magazine is a delightful form of media to me at least. And it is one of the reasons why I became a graphic designer.

Rest in peace, Grafik and Off the Edge.
They played a pretty important role in my jr. designer days.

Posted in Design | Comments

Thought: Read the comics which no one reads.

May 28th, 2010

Recently, I had an interesting conversation with a comic book shop owner (forgot the name of the shop but it’s located at Atria Shopping Centre, Damansara Jaya). We started off talking about about whats currently interesting in the world of comics; The Avengers, Captain America, Kick Ass, etc. Also spoke on Mark Miller, Alan Moore, Neil Gaimen, etc.

In the midst of our conversation, he introduced to me, Miracleman (which I’m currently reading). He too told me of the awesomeness of Kick Ass and also Wanted in comic book form. But he told me something which caught my attention. ‘Read the comics which no one reads. Sometimes, they are the best around.’

Which means, no Spiderman to start with. And all that mainstream madness which Wolverine Origins, X-men, all that DC Batman, Superman stuff. But why?

Probably they are less bound by commercial success?
Perhaps the ideas are fresher?
Maybe the public just can’t accept it?
It’s always cooler to be associated with something of the cult culture anyways.

Whatever it is, I do appreciate and enjoy the drama and complications which a good comic book can deliver. The CMYK inked, simplified cartoon drawings, saddle stitched, cartoon-like pictures in thin-issued-slightly-smaller-than-A4-size paper feels good in my hands. Furthermore brought to life by complicated and sometimes broken characters, unjustified storyline and oh, the value of a first edition of collectors items. Not to forget the corny part where the girlfriends of our beloved heroes are always caught in between the final battle scene. Funtastic.

Posted in Life, Tabloids, Utter Junk | Comments

Thought: My dog can design better than you.

May 6th, 2010

Before I start preaching about animals who can design, I just want to share my honest opinion that I’m running low on time to blog at the mean time. Besides that, the blogging era is probably a little outdated already. Twitter & Tumblr are probably the thing now for me (until the next thing replaces what we now call Social Media Networking whatever). Besides that, going to the backend of the blog makes me feel like I’m working on a job. So I have decided to keep my post short, simple and blunt. That applies for the future too. Besides that, I believe that critical design thinking stuff should be left in the good hands of those who can really preach about it and are qualified to do so. But if you still read this blog, I must say I’m really flattered that you do so!

Firstly, my point on animals, especially dogs who can design: Is that graphic designers themselves are sometimes not the best persons to do the job. What I’m trying to say is that clients should definitely not employ design services to settle a performance issue. Or perhaps a graphic designer’s aesthetic sensibilities to judge if whether a product is sellable or not. And definately not ask a graphic designer to write a company profile.

To compliment the issue, it also boils down choosing the right individuals for the job. My experience tells me that I’m not a designer who will stay loyal to my ideas. Last minute inspiration probably helped me form my greatest hits… So probably, if you enjoy the unexpected thrill of growing/throwing ideas, probably I’m the right man for the job.

Secondly, clients are getting smarter and better. Sometimes way beyond what we designers think they are. Clients are fully aware of the platforms we use, its limitations and its capabilities. In no time, some part of our work will be unnecessary as clients will also have the resources (including cash) to do so. Probably, in a few years time, production can be managed over the internet? or the iPhone monitors the design process? I’m not sure.

My last point, if a dog can inspire me to design in new ways, I will humbly acknowledge its assistance and enlightenment. Because if the idea of aerodynamics came from birds, then all vehicles working with the idea of aerodynamic systems to help boast performance must have been of its origin right?

On the last note, I sincerely do not mean to insult or make you feel uncomfortable via this post. But, lets say if you know a dog who can do graphic design, I’m most interested in its imaginative ideas.

Posted in Design, Life | Comments

Work: Kancil Awards Annual 2009

March 29th, 2010

132 pages, printed on Cocoon Offset 100% Recycled 120gsm (text) and Conqueror Silver Iridescent Silver Mist 250gsm (cover) from Antalis, printed by Percetakan Okid. Pictures by Daniel. Designed by Zhi-Ni. Hire her somebody.

Also, check out kancilawards.com

Posted in Design, Work | Comments

Heroes: Crabs, Batu Caves & Stefan.

November 3rd, 2009

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Before meeting Stefan Sagmeister, I’ve always imagined him being somebody totally out of reach, would expect him to answer questions very rigidly and probably not very easy to start a conversation with him and keep it going. He was totally the opposite. And I sure am glad that I had the rare opportunity to spend an evening with him.

After a talk which he was giving in Kuala Lumpur sometime ago, my colleagues and I were asked to accompany Stefan for a little tour to somewhere which he might be interested to visit around Kuala Lumpur city. Before boarding our transport, we had in minds to take him to Central Market, where the art scene is probably most happening around the city. But while discussing with him where he wants to visit, he gave an answer which surprised me; Batu Caves.

I admit I have not yet been up the caves before that. And while being asked by him whether I have been up there or not, I could not help but feel a little bit embarrassed and answer with an honest ‘no’. Same goes with the rest of the gang. We were also accompanied by Stefan’s friend, Alexander, who was then an artist in Bangkok. He told me that they both meet when Stefan hitch-hiked from his hometown back in Vienna. And I asked him if he had that funny long extreme left-parting hairstyle back then, he said yes with a huge laugh.

Like Neville Brody, he was also interested in the cultural heritage which Malaysia has. He spoke of his wish to visit the Islamic Arts Museum and also other spots which have deep roots in forming the Malaysia we know of today.

Batu Caves was almost an hours ride from the talk venue so we had lots of time to chat. We talked on his new projects back then like the famous digitally woven spider web which gets ripped everytime a viewer’s reflection passes it and reconstructs itself time and time again. Also we talked about the capabilities of new media and upcoming technological gizmos which seems really fascinating to talk about especially with him. He seems so interested in the advantages these things can offer. We also talked about Neville Brody; on being politically correct in design conferences (I’ll keep this open to your imagination). And also photoshop drop shadow effects.

We arrived and climb the stairs up to the caves. Up there, we were analyzing shapes of rocks which look almost like hanging alligators. And also stood silently observing the monks doing their prayer routines. We had a some drinks after that and then talked a little a project where he was commissioned to design a packaging for a cigarette company which did not manage to hit the market.

On the way to the seafood restaurant, we spoke of the newly reunited David Lee Roth and Van Halen gig. And he spoke of him being a band which he played flute in. Also touched a little or two about religion and beliefs. Over dinner we had more conversations about our lifestyles. Things that we do in our weekends and off times.

It won’t be until a few weeks later when we would meet in Goa for a design conference. It felt really warm talking to him and do a little catch up on things. The airline company actually misplaced his bags into another flight on that trip! But he sure does seem like he is having a great time during the conference.

After all that being said, I learned two important things from him:

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And also, being as honest as possible in life.

————
Stefan Sagmeister is probably what every young designer in my era look up to for inspiration and want to be like. He has designed album covers for the Rolling Stones, the Talking Heads, Live, etc. He is very tall.

Posted in Design, Designers, People, Wishlist | Comments

Work: Kancil Results out!

October 30th, 2009

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Kancil Awards 2009 results: This is my first year at the Kancil Awards dinner presentation after so long. I really enjoyed the ambiance; it was really energetic. My guess is that if it were a design show awards, probably bored like soft-rock-metal (most designers are cold-blooded introverts).

Here’s two of my personal favourite entries for this years Kancils:

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