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Friday, January 25, 2008
Black Days
What a week! I've never been more stressed this year, of course I have been forewarned that matters will only go downward from now on. Tons of work (courtesy of TOA) and loads of mind boggling-skull crunching flash assignments to catch up with and the best part is...I'm so tempted to just walk out on it. Well, I was contemplating but the Goddess and my mom whipped me back into perspective so here I am in front of the Mac.Surely my hands have never hesitated to turn the Mac on in the past, now I find reasons NOT to turn it on without assignments starring at my face. OK, so you now know how Red tried to run away from her Mac. Nevertheless, I've been good in doing research though. I love research, I can spend hours doing it and feeling two percent smarter than I did before doing so. Many hours spent video googling looking for documentaries on history, politics, social matters, art, literature and music. If you ever need to spend time on the internet watching something, try GoogleVideo, it will help you find the rarest and most interesting video documentaries (and I mean documentaries because most of them can be over an hour long) ever, about anything. If I were to every work in a team, I will never loathe the research part. I'd plunge into the post!

Anyway...just wanted to rant a wee bit. Can't help it really...just felt like it. And for those of you who have enjoyed Arcade Fire's Neon Bible interactive site, you'd be delighted to know that they've released another. It's not as interactive but still interesting (from my humble point of view) and I even have a screen shot. So click on the Black Mirror and you'll see why. Here's a BIG peek of the site.




Cheers,
Red.
posted by Red @ 10:35 PM   0 comments
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The BOX
So far, the term has yet to show its claws; then again I'm feeling it scratching down me back. Anyway, here's an update so far of what's been going on. Typo is a go, just need a title design (which I'm fabricating from actual khmer alphabets) and have to start on my interface which was also approved. All I need now is a nice big book on flash and actionscript, so I can get the motion going. Seriously though, I'm trying not to panic on the flash side but can I help it, really? Next thing is of course, web design. OK..got my moodboard and art direction going just need more variety for my interface. Too safe, as usual, funny thing is I didn't think I was in a box to start off with. Then again, what do I know about boxes except the fact that I've been spending my days and nights in one (a.k.a my room). So I really need to get this one approved so I 'd better in the next few days. Next on the list, is my BIG IDEA. I've got two so far, so I still need another three. Sketches? Ain't even near that yet. Well, I'm off to somewhere later to think about it. Being stuck in my room isn't going to help but I guess I need a computer. So might ask my dad if I can get his. :P *Note to self: I NEED A LAPMAC.* Last but not the least, my watermelon seed website ; and the 'walk' . I have loads of crazy ideas for this one. Don't see the box there...LOL. Will post up soonish...I hate blogs really...but in a good way. It keeps me in check, but I loathe it every time I don't update it. Anyways, will see how it goes. Happy Thaipusam to all...


red.
posted by Red @ 11:41 PM   0 comments
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
RE:Update on 'If I were'
Updates! Updates! After a two hour brainstorm session with the rest of the group outside the library earlier today, we've finally managed to redo everyone's ideas and redeveloped each others stories and ideas. It was a brain racking ordeal but am very pleased with the result. That goes without saying...of course towards the end of it, everyone was tired. So we've some how developed a rough system on how we'd go about doing it next time. So...here are the updates on the story and how I've finally up with a concept. It'd totally different from what I had in mind before but I'm up for change and in search of stuffs for my moodboard.

RE:Story

Story hasn't changed in general but just a few minor details reaffirmed here and there. The group of elite soldiers has officially been renamed either 'Black Noise'. It is the opposite of White Noise, which is a combination of every frequency; Black Noise is out to silence them and create an underground movement that will flaw the plans of Securico to take full control of the world. Instead of destroying radio stations, 'Black Noise' will now hijack Securico controlled radio antennas and broadcast stations, intercepting transmission whilst releasing Black Noise's own broadcast on hijacked frequencies. The concept on the website before this was rather wishy washy. But after a few thoughts and feedbacks, the website would be a Captain/Leader's personal log on missions and objectives rather than a recruitment site. It will list down all successful and incomplete missions, location of specific targets and a communication ground for all soldiers of Black Noise. Will soon release moodboard pictures as soon as I can think more about it...

So giveth thy opinions on storyline change and whether or not 'Black Noise' is a suitable name. Cheers in advance!

Red.
posted by Red @ 7:39 AM   0 comments
Monday, January 14, 2008
If I were a... 'Soldier'
The year is 2130 AD, the world has gone to hell and hell has frozen over. It had been almost a century since
World War III started and ended, peace treaties were signed and once again the world was at peace. Not only
were people living a common life, they were also slowly being controlled by a common government. No longer
were there countries and nationalities, even music was standardized and everyone listened to the same crap.
There were no more need for people to protect themselves. The Securico Forces (Policing Force) are well
equipped and trained, plus there hasn't been a major crime in the last 6 decades. That is of course until I came
along. I am the head of a group of rebel soldiers named 'Black Reckoners'. Our mission is to eliminate all
radio stations and record companies producing 'standardized music' which appears to be brainwashing common
people into giving the government more power. We operate under strict surveillance by Securico who has been
secretly planning to crush our tact forces. The type of music we eliminate ranges from Pop to Hip-Hop to Techno
because these are the only genres approved by the government. We also secretly transmit radio frequencies to
many of our fellow listeners illegally to be able to communicate to other rebel soldiers from around the globe.

It's a wee bit silly I know, but too much radio listening has done enough damage to my mind
and my sanity and basically I've had enough! So thanks and thanks again.

Red.
posted by Red @ 11:10 AM   3 comments
Website Analysis
So here goes the web analysis. It was a pain in the arse to do because the connection was so
damn slow and I had to wait so long for the pages to load. Still the first website is a interactive
music page by the band, Arcade Fire.






The purpose of the website was purely to promote their single 'Neon Bible' of their second
album 'The Neon Bible'. Not only could the visitors listen to the single but it keeps the user
interested by allowing the mouse to trigger actions as it rolls over the hands of the singer. It
seems that users are free to roll over and click as they please which encourages a high level of
interactivity. The grid system used is pretty simple and most of the attention are gathered
towards the centre of the site as such below.




The second website analysis is about another band called Editors.

Photobucket

Photobucket

The reason why I chose this website as my second option for analysis is because the grids used
are common amongst many band websites. Although to some it may be a rather boring layout
but I think works very well for users. Reason behind this is due to the nature of the users that
come and visit band websites in general look for systematic grids so that whatever information
they seek about the band is easily accessible. I would say that it may not be very creative but
this combination works for this website.



The third website is a favourite of mine. It's a spinoff from the original Uniqlo Store. This is
called the Uniqlo UT.

Photobucket

Photobucket

The Uniqlo UT website is mainly used to display the variety of T-shirts that Uniqlo has in their
special UT range. The website features a numerous models/customers buying and modelling
their purchase at the UT shop in Ginza (shopping district). The grid system used is once again
fairly straight forward and the main aim of this website is to display all their products in an
orderly manner and I think this grid system has managed to achieve its purpose. Not only does
this website has an archive of all its previous range of photos, it is also user friendly and easy
to navigate oneself about even if one does not understand the language.






posted by Red @ 9:50 AM   0 comments
Friday, January 11, 2008
Power Out!

So I have been told that the fonts are too small and the width is too wide! OK, I will try my best to 'suit' your comments but until I figure out 'what the fuck' is going on, you will have to bear with me. So Digital Media II was fun! I meant it was funny, cause we had a pretty cool lecturer. I have NO IDEA why we have four different tutors, apart from two repeat students who look like they came from the wrong side of 'Halloween Town'. You know who you are , so I shall spare the names for everyone's sake. Nevertheless, if you thought xHTML was torturing...ActionScript officially kills! To be fair, I've actually taken HTML and C+ programming during my first year inShobi Gakuen. God, how time just flies by. I can't believe it's been almost a year and a half since I left Tokyo. Oh how I love the freedom it brings and loathe the loneliness it harbours when I was there. Yes, I have a love hate relationship with Tokyo. Anyway, back to the current topic at hand – xHTML and ActionScript. So help me god if I should fail these two subjects! Meaning this should either be easy or downright frustrating for me, have been told that there are similarities and differences depending on the execution method. So we shall see how it goes and hopefully I will be able to perform as good as I was before, if not better!

Another item worth noting...the 'Goddess' has reestablished her internet connection!! Praise be the gods of the Digital World! Rekindling has never been this much exciting! *Laughs* Still, it went well and we had fun going through each other's iTunes playlist. Geeks, we are . As a matter of fact, I'm dead proud to be geeky. We rule the world, the rest are too busy trying to keep up! All you 'non-geeky' people beware, you shall be run over!


"What's the plan?

Is it a dream? Is it a lie?
I think I'll let you decide.
Just light a candle for the kids,
Jesus Christ don't keep it hid!
Cause nothin's hid, from us kids!
You ain't foolin' nobody with the lights out!

And the power's out in the heart of man,
Take it from your heart put in your hand.
And there's something wrong in the heart of man,
You take it from your heart and put it in your hand!"

- Arcade Fire -


Cheers,
Red

posted by Red @ 6:55 AM   0 comments
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Ladies & Gentlemen
Just in case you didn't know, this is my 7th blog to date. Reasons behind this blogging frenzy is due to my inability to focus on one blog at a time, yes my attention span is somewhat quite short. However I have remained with my photoblog all this while, for that I celebrate the minor victory. I've received a many odd looks as to my blog address, if you must know, I was inspired by Radiohead and this was the result. The title fits me, as my other half noted, am aiming to contradict stereotyping and labels. Nevertheless, this will be a blog for arty farty ranting, blabbering of ideas and various critiques on art/music/literature as I come across more stuff. Of course, for posting of assignments for Web Design I. Be warned that I spare neither gory details nor have mercy for bad taste, call me an elitist if you want, that is just the way I function best. The comment button and cbox are provided should you disagree with what I say, I welcome a little collision of ideas and opinions. However I see no need to thrust insults and venoms across the cyberspace, so if we disagree, then you must agree to 'disagree' with me as we are entitled to our own opinions. The point is not to force them through but to get them heard.

Cheers,
Red.
posted by Red @ 8:12 AM   0 comments
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
GEN:esis
down is the new up
posted by Red @ 10:24 AM   0 comments
Red: Wanted!

Name: Red
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