Ahsan Uddin Shan blog

Just In.....

2011-02-01T10:06:00.001Z

Design Rules - Non Sensical

2011-01-04T02:04:00.000Z

Helvetica always works
Good design communicates
Practice makes perfect
never stretch a font
Use a grid
Never use more than two types
Good designers copy, great designers steal
Make the logo bigger
The client is always right
A camel is horse designed by a committee

And So It Goes . . . . Billy Joel Killer song

2010-12-20T09:18:00.002Z

very sad song ... Anyway, one that really moved me (I guess it fits my current situation)

Lyrics:
in every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along

I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense

And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose

But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break

And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows

So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break

And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows.

Credits: Billy Joel

Adobe Fireworks Basic Shape Tutorial

2010-05-13T17:20:00.000+01:00

Using Adobe Fireworks to create a text block and attaching text to a path

2010-05-13T17:19:00.002+01:00

Adobe Firewrks Prototype

2010-05-13T17:19:00.000+01:00

branding

2010-01-26T14:51:00.001Z

Interactive content––random links

2010-01-26T09:05:00.000Z

http://www.victortaba.com/
http://www.simpleviewer.net/tiltviewer/app/
http://eight8.jp/inspiration/
http://www.madeofjapan.com/
http://www.typographykicksass.com/
http://www.takethisdance.com/
http://www.spamrecycling.com/open.php?reqVersion=8%26redirectURL=open.php%26senderid=%26mode=5
http://www.screenvader.com/

Aman Ki Asha dove slaughtered by Indians at IPL auction

2010-01-22T08:14:00.001Z

Many people might take this an insult but to me its a dirty well written script.
—None of the 11 Pakistani cricketers hired by Indian celebrities in IPL auction
—Chhota Rajan’s mafia Gang of RAW, Shiv Sena forced bidders, organizers to ignore Pak cricketers
—IPL Chief Lalit Modi dances to the tunes of Hindu Extremists, drug racketeers & match fixing mafia
—Modi emerges as Mafia’s top facilitator for drugs trafficking —IPL Chief convicted in drug cases while charged for cheating, forgery
—Shiv Sena men torched Modi’s home for pressurizing him to arrange slaying of Pak cricketers from IPL-3
—Rajan Gang’s Ramesh Gupta alias Pappu remained attached with Modi in South Africa edition of IPL

read more on http://dailymailnews.com/0110/20/FrontPage/FrontPage1.htm

Web Design Phase

2010-01-19T11:07:00.001Z

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Web Design Phase

View more presentations from Ahsan Uddin Shan.

Design Tools Html Xhtml

2010-01-19T11:06:00.001Z

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Design Tools Html Xhtml

View more presentations from Ahsan Uddin Shan.

Adnan Sami Beautiful Hamad

2010-01-19T08:33:00.000Z

Dinner @ The Line

2010-01-15T16:33:00.005Z

Moved in to a new apartment

2010-01-07T03:20:00.003Z

Airline Joke

2010-01-07T03:19:00.001Z

An airline's passenger cabin was being served by an obviously gay flight attendant, who seemed to put everyone into a good mood as he served them food and drinks. As the plane prepared to descend, he came swishing down the aisle and announced to the passengers, "Captain Marvin has asked me to announce that he'll be landing the big scary plane shortly,lovely people, so if you could just put up your trays that would be super."
On his trip back up the aisle, he noticed that a well-dressed rather exotic looking woman hadn't moved a muscle. "Perhaps you didn't hear me over those big brute engines. I asked you to raise your trazy-poo so the main man can pitty-pat us on the ground."
She calmly turned her head and said, "In my country, I am called a Princess. I take orders from no one." To which the flight attendant replied,without missing a beat, 'Well, sweet-cheeks, in my country, I'm called a Queen, I outrank you. So tray-up b@#^ch."

Arrived in Singapore

2010-01-07T01:55:00.003Z

I arrived in Singapore on 4/1/09, 4 pm. Srilankan airline took 24 hours to reach Singapore from London. This was my first travel experience with Srilankan airline and due to poor service, I have promised myself that I'll never take Srilankan airline. The plane was packed and departed on time at 10:20 AM from London. I requested to allocate me an exit row seat but it was taken already. I was lucky that seated next to an empty seat. It took about 11 hours to arrive in Colombo. I was totaly flat with two heavy hand carry bags. Unfortunaly, the flight got delayed due to an immigration glitch at colombo for three hours. Overall I had a very bad travel experience: The airline had old uncomfortable bus-size seats & toilets in tatty condition. The service standard en-rout from Colombo to Singapore was a disgrace. Flight attendants were completely uninterested in their duty, I would say its like they were forced to perform the duty, unhelpful & downright rude too.

enOUGH of lonDON!!!

2009-12-22T00:04:00.003Z

10 days to enjoy before heading back to Singapore. Looking forward to my jobs, too ambitious!!

It's finally over!!! I passed my course

2009-12-21T23:59:00.001Z

entry with no name

2009-12-21T23:58:00.000Z

Project Branding

2009-12-21T23:57:00.014Z

ACDT POSTER 1

ACDT POSTER 2

ACDT POSTER 3

ACDT COLLABORATORS POSTER

ACDT FAQ PAGE

NAME CARD

ACDT CURRICULUM BOOK COVER

ACDT LETTERHEAD

ACDT WEBSITE

exhibition

2009-12-21T23:57:00.004Z

Poster for Exhibition (cross cultural design on thursday, 10/9.09)

2009-11-18T01:22:00.001Z

A very Favorable reply from "The Citizen Foundation"

2009-11-10T15:06:00.003Z

Dear Shan,
The Cross Cultural Exhibition sounds wonderful, I will definitely like to attend and take photographs for future FTCF publicity.
I will bring some literature and a few TCF Annual Reports with me. The website link you sent me does not seem to be working, can you kindly send me the address and time for the exhibition next week.
Do let me know if there is anything else I can bring.
Thank you for inviting FTCF and for your commitment towards educating the underprivileged children of Pakistan.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you and warm regards,

------ XXXXX

Fundraising Officer
Friends of The Citizens Foundation
Lyon House, 160-166 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1JR

Tel: 0845 230 1947 I 020 7173 5129 / 5101 I Fax: 020 7183 7085

Collaboration Request from top NGO "The Citizen Foundation"

2009-11-10T15:04:00.002Z

Dear ----,

I hope you are fine.
My name is Ahsan Uddin Shan, an academic lecture from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore's premier education institute.
I'm pursuing MA design studies from Central Saint Martins College of Arts & Design, University of the Arts London.
For my Master project "How can Pedagogic Innovation enable Pakistani student to compete more efficiently in the global design market?", I have developed an artifact––innovative design curriculum, which I will exhibit next week in London for Cross Cultural exhibition organized by Chinese Society, University of the Arts London and supported by Embassy of the People's Republic of China.
With the great track record of providing quality education and leading NGO in the field of formal education in Pakistan, It will be a great opportunity to promote "The Citizen Foundation" in the exhibition and I therefore, would like to request you for a possibility of collaboration. Here are the details of the exhibition:

The Exhibition
“Cheers :)” Exhibition, organized by the UAL Chinese Society, is an annual exhibition with one of the largest group of artists and designers participation. It has the support of the Chinese Embassy and both British and Chinese media. The performance is the main highlight of the night of the private view, serving as the introduction to the entire exhibition, followed by important guest speakers.

The Website
www.exhibitioncheers.com

If interested, I can provide you further details on the collaboration.

Sincerely,
Ahsan Uddin Shan

NICE COMPOSITION

2009-11-05T17:09:00.003Z

Browsing through old photo gallery and picked this one. I miss shanghai and miss Ziggy too.

Asfandyar Khan (youngest brother)

2009-11-03T03:43:00.002Z

another hectic, stressful but rewarding day

2009-11-02T21:02:00.010Z

again . . . I was late for tutorial . . . . damn. . . . . it took me 1 hour to step-out-of-the-house and into CSM . . . always give myself 1-plus hour before scheduled class but was never on time :)
It wasn't my fault though, the bloody tube stayed at white city for longer than usual 2 minutes, I sent a text message to JS (junshi), but was so worried as this has been happening for every other week. I rushed out of station and ran from the holborn tube station to CMS but relieved when Aisha (my tutor) smiled at me (you again!!! couldn't help). Later she asked, "Shan, why you are always late(I usually late for 2 to 5 min)?", and I had no answer, as I always leave home on time :(
Any way, I had a great tutorial as usual, she was very happy with my project journey. I had to go through my journal with her and noted, lots of suggestions, critiques, etc.
Later this evening had a meeting with communication team to run through website architecture for the exhibition. Every one seemed to appreciate and like the simple, elegant design (used lots of CSS coding). They are great bunch of ppl from print and design background. So here is the final layout of the website:

exhibition website

2009-11-01T16:59:00.007Z

Just uploaded our exhibition website (central saint martins MA design studies).
This is the first prototype which I will refine accordingly after tomorrow meeting with communication team.

ACDT(art, craft. design and technology)

2009-11-01T16:56:00.003Z

I have been away for long three months to work on my project in Pakistan and hence, couldn't updateed my blog.
I have been working on innovative design curriculum (acdt) for third world country and finally have developed my artifact which I will showcase on my website. Attached is the first prototype of acdt website.

A life full of roses: My 2 months stay at Greenford, Middlesex.

2009-07-19T22:29:00.006+01:00

I'm gonna move back to Sudha & Gaurav house for two weeks before heading back home (Karachi, Pakistan) to work on my project ––innovative design education in third word countries.
Tuesday, July 21st is my last day at 223 Oldfield lane, Greenford, Middlesex. I have had a great stay with my multinational housemates, all with big hearts. If its not for my project, they may force me to stay on. I'm gonna miss Kaksha1, Kaksha 2 both from Poland, Valentino a.k.a Valyy, Agnes, Marek. Kaksha1 seems to be very emotional and she couldn't control her emotion, tears rolled down her cheeks when she heard of me moving out, I was amazed and honored, someone get so close in just two months [she has a bf, Valyy, a great Romanian bloke:)].

Agnes, Kaksha1, me, Kaksha2

A letter from Guru Jee and my reply

2009-07-19T21:16:00.002+01:00

My guru jee from Singapore text me if I'm still alive and attached is my reply.

Flash Carribean Interactive map

2009-07-19T18:47:00.001+01:00

So what!! it's not just usability lah

2009-07-14T13:49:00.006+01:00

Usability has been key topic of my lectures. But . . .but.....just usability ain't all that important, its like a best Pakistani dish without salt. According to wordnet usability is the quality of being able to provide good service, its about user satisfaction, give top priority to your user. However what if the design is simple and usable but the end result is frustrating. I spent hours to search for the cheapest ticket and finally got one but when I was about to key in credit card details, it just crashed.
Another night mare when I tried to contact the agent from Terminal A site via their chat line but to no avail. The site have good usable design elements; however, it failed to provide customer satisfaction (see attached screen shots).
p.s. I waited too long for the agent, I reckon the agent must have gone on holiday too!!

SRC consulting website, first design

2009-07-13T12:12:00.002+01:00

I have been working on SRC Singapore website for a week. After designing-redesigning, have created a basic frame. The design is simple, clean and usable. For the next couple of week I will be refining/updating the site. To view workable website go to http://www.srsconsulting.com.sg

What web designers could learn from print designers

2009-07-09T23:59:00.001+01:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

What web designers could learn from print designers

View more documents from Erlend Debast.

Web Typography & You

2009-07-09T23:58:00.001+01:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Web Typography & You

View more documents from Derek Bender.

Better Typography

2009-07-09T23:56:00.001+01:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Better Typography

View more documents from markboultondesign.

final design

2009-07-07T17:20:00.001+01:00

refined flyer

2009-07-07T14:04:00.000+01:00

Flyer first wireframe

2009-07-06T23:05:00.000+01:00

Garamond typeface

2009-07-05T19:58:00.000+01:00

NDP DANCE TRIBUTE VIDEO //bIG thaNKS goes to Sabrina//

2009-07-02T16:28:00.000+01:00

This is a great fun video of us performing belly dance (though, no belly movment) for Singapore natinal day at Ngee Ann Polytechinic. I was in in most hip, funky attire––orange trouser with big Ra-Bban shades.

NGEE ANN TEAM BUILDING RETREAT SIBU ISLAND FILM SOUND MEDIA 2002. //Many thanks and credits to Andy//

2009-07-02T16:04:00.000+01:00

A much-awaited card finally reaches London: a humble and swEAT swEAT surprise from a great friend!!!

2009-07-01T18:23:00.001+01:00

Finally, I received much awaited card just while I was having my breakfast. I was expecting the card for a while and wanted to open it right after my half-way breakfast but just couldn't wait and opened the envelop with a sharp cutter. Before opening the card, lots of thought running across my brain about the message, the writing, colors, design, etc. But it turned out to be a surprise––C$100 crisp note inside the lovely card .

The whole package was seems to be bursting with full of appreciation and compassion.

wow . . what can I say? i never expected this one .

A wonderful and sweet friend like you deserves all the treasures in this world. Take care of yourself!!!!

pata nishta chi so owyeam . . . .
chi ghussa yeam aw ka khussala . . .
da kho ta dir crazy car woko . . .
wala chi dera cute rata walagidi . . .

Desperate, helpless look from SWATAI (swat girl)

2009-07-01T13:14:00.000+01:00

I started every day with scanning online newspaper from around the world and it seems that I stuck everyday with sad news, images coming out of Pokhtonkhwa (NWFP, Pakistan). Millions of people desperately fled from trouble areas. Many peoples have left their paradise for the worst camp life in different areas of Mardan, Charsadda, Swabi, Nowshera and Peshawar. Peoples are forced to displace– thanks to army establishment and Taliban (Zaliman).
OK, I'm a regular reader of daily ummat and attached image affected me so much that I have stopped logging to the ummat website. The picture is hanging there for a while and its the first thing reader would notice, just look at her and you would notice, the whole story is in her eyes!!!

Principles of graphic design

2009-06-28T15:23:00.000+01:00

Four basics of effective graphic design:
1. Contrast
2. Repetition
3. Alignment
4. Proximity

Design Rules {in progress. . . .{

2009-06-28T14:03:00.000+01:00

What you do when you are passionate about designing but have no design education background?
You love to create typography design but have no clue about direction, positioning, basic typeface, basic graphic design principles {Contrast.Repetition.Alignment.Proximity} and, what about the color, blending, etc.
You know the humble Dreamweaver tool to pull up the website but never understood the relationship of design elements, and you appreciate mighty Photoshop but again, failed to produce eye catching usable design.
For all above and for many other reasons, I am recommending following websites and great books on design that will make you a proficient designer:
Websites:

1)gomediazine:Design Rules, great post, good to get a refresher on the basics

2) Write Design: Use these as a good place to start.

3)BC home design: Everything you need to know about making the most out of colour in your home. More on interiors but great stuff on color, psychology, etc.

4)Nicely organized articles on design inspiration by Jacob Cass

5) Daniel Pink: a great site by Daniel H Pink

6)The Gestalt Principles In the 30s and 40s Gestalt psychology was applied to visual perception, most notably by Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Köhler, and Kurt Koffka who founded the so-called gestalt approaches to form perception. Their aim was to investigate the global and holistic processes involved in perceiving structure in the environment (e.g. Sternberg 1996). More specifically, they tried to explain human perception of groups of objects and how we perceive parts of objects and form whole objects on the basis of these.

7) The Gestalt Principles: The Gestalt principles of form perceotion

Books:
1)A WHOLE NEW MIND

2) Designing Brand Identity: A Complete Guide to Creating, Building, and Maintaining Strong Brands

3)The Non-Designer's Design Book by Robin Williams

4) The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst

5) Designing with Type: The Essential Guide to Typography by James Craig, William Bevington, and Irene Korol Scala

6) Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students by Ellen Lupton

7) Color Design Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Using Color in Graphic Design by Noreen Morioka, Terry Stone Sean Adams

8) Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability by Steve Krug

9) Clear Blogging: How People Blogging Are Changing the World and How You Can Join Them by Bob Walsh

10) Typographic Design: Form and Communication by Rob Carter

Adobe name card template

2009-06-27T21:20:00.001+01:00

Please download Photoshop name card template form http://www.badongo.com/file/15722375 Thanks

SHYnz: final version

2009-06-24T15:40:00.000+01:00

Front Views

Back view

Refine design C

2009-06-18T00:32:00.001+01:00

Refine design B

2009-06-18T00:07:00.001+01:00

Refine design A

2009-06-17T23:55:00.001+01:00

Indesign tutorial Text Formatting

2009-06-14T22:59:00.000+01:00

This simple tutorial shows you how to manipulate text in Indesign CS3.

Improved Version of designerChannel youtube banner

2009-06-12T18:33:00.001+01:00

Color Sketch in PS

2009-06-11T00:39:00.000+01:00

Open any graphic
Duplicate the Layer (Command J)
Image > Adjustments>Desaturate
Duplicate the layer (Command J)
Invert the the image (Command I)
Color mode to Color Dodge (on layer)
Filter > Gaussian Blur >set the radius 1 or 2
Hide the middle layer to to create colorful sketch

SHYnZ Belly Dance site

2009-06-07T16:43:00.000+01:00

Matias Galan Flash site (in-progress)

2009-06-07T16:20:00.000+01:00

Background color (prepared for design students from KU)

2009-06-07T16:01:00.000+01:00

Typography Poster by me

2009-06-07T15:45:00.000+01:00

great article: 50 office-speak phrases you love to hate

2009-06-02T23:57:00.000+01:00

For the last 7 or more years, I was regular to adobe's seminar. You must be familiar with term "evangelist", If you ever attended adobe seminar. It took me a while to figure out the word as it was neither technical nor creative term. And there are so many other phrases, I used to hear during meeting which I hate to love. If you are in the same boat then you should read 50 office-speak phrases you love to hate from the bbc site.

Project 6: Execution

2009-06-02T23:10:00.001+01:00

Project 6: PR Compaign

2009-06-02T23:04:00.000+01:00

Project 6: Advertising

2009-06-02T22:56:00.000+01:00

Project 6: Branding, tshirts

2009-06-02T22:55:00.001+01:00

Branding

2009-06-02T22:50:00.000+01:00

Project 6: Contacting organizations

2009-06-02T22:48:00.000+01:00

Dear CONTACT PERSON-

We are a group of 8 energetic professional designers/creative thinkers from all over the world, who are currently participating in a MA Design Studies course at the Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London, England.

We want to make positive change in the world we live in and want to promote this energy through a global gateway for world changing organisations (www.kupu2.org)—we want to build an awareness of what and how simply something can be done over borders of continents, cultures and languages; www.kupu2.org is our service that will help individuals connect with organisations globally

During our research we came across your organisation, XXXXXX. We are very interested in your organisation and potential implications it has for positive change in the world—and because it fits perfectly to what we are trying to achieve..

We would like to list your organisation in our database; We would like to feature a simple profile as shown below.
NAME (organisation)
WHO (you address)
WHAT (is your concept)
WHERE (this could happen)
HOW (interested people could actually participate)
CONTACT (details)

The whole project still remains within the limits of a university project, and is an ideological experiment without the aim of making financial profit. However, we are not just gathering organisations on a website, we believe that the project’s true valuable aspect is to create an exceptional landmark for philanthropy all around the world. Participation will be at no cost.

We would be very happy to welcome you on board with kupu2.org and are looking forward in hearing from you as soon as possible

Kind regards,

logo ideas

2009-06-02T22:43:00.000+01:00



Final logo

Project 6: email disclaimer

2009-06-02T22:42:00.000+01:00

This message may contain confidential information and/or information protected by professional confidentiality. This message is exclusively intended for the addressee. Should you erroneously be the recipient of this message, we kindly request you to contact us immediately and request you to erase this message without further familiarization with its contents. All information issued is subject to copyright and may not be used, copied or given to other parties without written permission of kupu2.

Project 6: email address

2009-06-02T22:41:00.000+01:00

aki@kupu2.og
christina@kupu2.org
jimmy@kupu2.org
jin@kupu2.org
oscar@kupu2.org
shan@kupu2.org
sofia@kupu2.org
stephanie@kupu2.org
hello@kupu2.org

Project 6: Kupu2

2009-06-02T22:40:00.002+01:00

WHAT IS KUPU2EFFECT?
Kupu2Effect stands for Butterfly Effect. Kupu2 or kupu-kupu translated is Butterfly in Indonesian. The butterfly effect is a phenomenon where a tiny action at one place in a complex system can have a massive impact elsewhere. Kupu2Effect is a global gateway to simply connect you with world changing organizations.

MISSION STATEMENT
We are a global network of young and energetic visual designers/creative thinkers who want to re-enchant the world. We believe that people are generally good and want to make positive change in the world we live in; the future potential of networking empowers people to do extra-ordinary things. We want to promote this energy through a global gateway for world changing organizations; there are crazy amounts of organizations out there—we want to build an awareness of what can be done and how simple it is to network with them. We can’t tell you how to change the world, but we offer global connections that can assist you in your endeavour; with kupu2.org, you can find something that fits into your lifestyle—tiny action, massive impact. Where ever you are in the world and what ever part of the world you are interested in we can offer you insights on how world changing these organizations are.

MANIFESTO
(To Come)

GOALS/OBJECTIVES
• PROMOTE unique world changing organizations.
• EDUCATE you with possibilities of how to make positive change happen.
• MOTIVATE you by showing how easy it is to make an impact.
• CONNECT on-line only to disconnect in order to make change happen.

CONTACT US
We are a global network of young and energetic visual designers/creative thinkers who want to re-enchant the world.
info@kupu2.com
marketing@kupu2.com
help@kupu2.com

Project 6: Questionnaire For The Streets

2009-06-02T22:40:00.001+01:00

Please go on the streets of London or where ever you are and get feedback from these three questions?

1. If you could change the world with a small gesture, would you?

2. What could you do to contribute to the betterment of the world?
(options)
A. Knitting a hat for a baby in Africa.
B. Donating money for a charity organization.
C. Volunteer holiday in Panama.
D. Other?

3. Would you be interested in a service that is easily accessible that helps you learn about organizations around the world that empower you to make positive change in the world?

Project 6: Brand Development

2009-06-02T22:38:00.000+01:00

ATTRIBUTES/VALUES/METAPHORS
Represents 8 Of Us (From Around The World), 8 Categories in the site(?), Global Gateway Portal, Community, Team Work, Togetherness, 'Lucky' in Chinese, Most Powerful No. in Numerology: Inspiring, Result-Oriented, Powerful, Ambitious, Visionary, Generous, Broad-Minded, Self-Disciplined).

LOGOS/SYMBOLS
8, Circle Divided By 8(?)

1. A Whole New World (WNW)

ATTRIBUTES/VALUES/METAPHORS
Newness, Change, Positive Future Possibilities, Letters are Wave-like, Chain Reaction, Movement, Progress, Global, International

LOGOS/SYMBOLS
Waves, Ripples, Globe, World, Earth, Wholeness, Circle

Butterfly In Other Languages

Papillon (French)
Chou Chou (Japanese)
Kupu-Kupu (Indonesian)
Petaluda (Greek)
Mariposa (Spanish)
Titali (Hindi)
Farfalla (Itlian)
Borboleta (Portugese)
Papilio (Latin)
Schetterling (German)
Nabi (Korean)
Paruparo (Tagalog)
Pulelehua (Hawaiian)
Lapia (Burmese)

Brand Domain Names

www.kupukupukupu.com
www.thekupukupueffect.com
www.kupu2effect.com
www.thekupu2effect.com

FInal Name

Hi guys, we have made an executive decision...
this is the name of our organization...

kupu2effect
kupu2

www.kupu2.org

Project 6: Branding 'Butterfly effect'

2009-06-02T22:34:00.000+01:00

http://www.gloriousvisions.com/butterfly_symbol.pdf
seems good a reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly#Symbolism
also interesting

ATTRIBUTES/VALUES/METAPHORS
Butterfly: Metamorphosis, Transformation, Ultimate Freedom, Change, Courage, Growth, Inspiration, Creativity, Beauty, Grace, Lightness & Brightness is Reflective of the Human Soul. The message that Butterfly brings is that you are ready to undertake some form of transformation that will create joy in your heart and bring light to your spirit and those around you.
Butterfly Effect: The butterfly effect is a phrase that encapsulates the more technical notion of sensitive dependence on initial conditions in chaos theory. Small variations of the initial condition of a dynamical system may produce large variations in the long term behavior of the system. The phrase refers to the idea that a butterfly's wings might create tiny changes in the atmosphere that may ultimately alter the path of a tornado or delay, accelerate or even prevent the occurrence of a tornado in a certain location. The flapping wing represents a small change in the initial condition of the system, which causes a chain of events leading to large-scale alterations of events.

Project 6: Singapore Charity Organization

2009-06-02T22:32:00.000+01:00

Club Rainbow
Who: Club rainbow [http://www.clubrainbow.org]
What: Helping children suffering from a range of chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
Club Rainbow also helps in family bonding through a range of social activities.
Where: Singapore
Why: To help less fortunate children
How: Five free programs:

1) Emotional support through volunteer-based Befriender programe. Here a child is matched with a volunteer to become a friend and mentor.
2) Social integration – With the help of volunteers and benefactors, Club Rainbow organises regular social activities for Rainbow children and their families.
3) Educational help – Club Rainbow has a free home tuition program that helps Rainbow children "catch up" with lessons they may have missed due to their illnesses and frequent trips to hospitals.
4) Financial assistance
Other relevant information: In April 2005 Club Rainbow launched the Talent Development Fund (TDF) which is aimed at identifying Rainbow Children aged between seven and 20 with talents in non-academic areas such as in sports, music, drama and the arts.
The children were chosen after an impartial assessment of their identifiable, budding talents. They were interviewed (in some cases with their parents) by a judging panel from the charity’s management that gauged the keenness of each child to purse his or her unique gifts, their dreams and aspirations and how they intended to utilise this grant to further develop their talents and potential.

The Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF)
Who: The Kidney Dialysis Foundation [http://www.kdf.org.sg/]
What: Non-profit charitable organization which provides subsidized dialysis treatment to needy members of community.
Where: Singapore
Why: So that these patients will not be deprived of treatment due to financial difficulties.
How: Subsidised Dialysis program, Subsidised medication program, Share a life program (donors program)
Other relevant information: Attend only to a niche group of patients, who are from the lowest 10% of the income group and referred by the medical social workers from the restructured hospitals. Most of patients hold jobs such as cleaners, hawker assistants, store assistants and taxi drivers.

Singapore Children's Society
Who: Singapore Children's Society [http://www.childrensociety.org.sg/]
What: Society help protect and nurture children and youth of all races and religions, especially those who are abused, neglected, and/or from dysfunctional families.
Where: Singapore
Why: To promote racial harmony through number of activities targeting youth and children.
How:
Through Care Giving to children and youth on behalf of their parents/ guardians for a period of time
Preventive: Help prevent children and youth from being harmed or becoming at risk of delinquency, abuse and/or neglect.
Developmental: Help educate and develop children and youth to become healthy and well rounded.
Remedial: Provide rehabilitative services and medical subsidies to children and youth, with guidance and counseling for their families.
Community: Promote the welfare of children and youth through the fostering of happy family life.
Public Education:Conduct research related to children, youth and family to raise public awareness.
Other relevant information:

Singapore Association for Visually Handicapped
Who: Singapore Association for Visually Handicapped [http://www.savh.org.sg]
What:To serve as an Association for the visually handicapped
Where: Singapore
Why: To help the Visually impaired people
How: Through Vision Rehabilitation Programme
1) Orientation & Mobility Training
2) Activities of Daily Living Skills Training
3) Environmental/Home Modification
4) Sighted Guide Techniques
5) Caregiver Training

Project 6: Metaphors

2009-06-02T22:31:00.002+01:00

METAPHOR

how about book. Knowledge. Turning the pages. Going deeper. Knowing more.

_______________________________________________________________________
NAME - just some drafts

SWITCH ON/OFF
you decide!

It’s our turn!

TURN THE PAGE!

TURN OVER
Make change now!

Calling at: Global - Info - Change.

Calling at: Change

Welcome on board
ready for boarding
Getting prepared for landing
On board

Project 6: Brand Development

2009-06-02T22:31:00.001+01:00

BRAND ATTRIBUTES & VALUES.
(Work In Progress)
Energetic. Empathetic. Social. Approachable.
International. Global. Community. Connection. Human. Society.
Charitable. Caring. Giving. Empowering.
Making Change Happen.

BRAND NAMES.
(Work In Progress)
Change The World.
Rock The World.
Commune.
Community.
WE.
Connect.
Total Global.
Around the World.
Database.
Netsocial.
365 Connect.

BRAND METAPHORS.
(Work In Progress)
Railway Systems.
USB ports.
Socket & Plug.

Project 6: Project Direction from Stephanie

2009-06-02T22:30:00.000+01:00

Hi Everyone...
Just a little update to our Project Direction...
Myself (Stephanie), Shan & Christina are here in college trying to find that creative/innovative edge to our company. Yes, our target group should be more refined, and yes we have to be different than other sites out there that offer these kinds of services. We have decided to create parameters on the types of organizations that we will feature on our site. The main thing that we want to do is to make change happen, to empower people to connect with organizations so that people can make change happen. The idea of connection will start with 8 of us. Finding organizations from our own backgrounds that promote this idea.

Criteria. Assessment of Organizations.
(How do we begin to invite organizations, under what criteria?)
1. How Life Changing the Organizations are.
2. Sense of Empowerment of the Individuals to Make Change happen phsyically.
(More than donating money!)
3. Exchange of Communication between Individuals and Organizations.
(How do we measure positive change?)
4. Positive Enhancements to the Individuals and those are being affected by it.

From these 4 points, we would like to move forward with organization research!
Please reasearch/possibly make a connection with organizations that promote these criterias...

Please respond with any thoughts/conerns!
Cheers!

2009-06-02T22:29:00.000+01:00

We can use attached template to play around with, before finalizing name for our site. There are four column. e.g. functional, invented, experimental and evocative.
Functional Names: Named after a person, purely descriptive of what the company or product does, or a pre- or suffixed reference to functionality. (Infoseek, LookSmart)
Invented Names: "Invented" as in a made-up name (Acquient, Agilent, Alliant, Google) or a non-English name that is not widely known.
Experiential Names: A direct connection to something real, a part of direct human experience. Usually literal in nature, but presented with a touch of imagination. (Netscape, Palm Pilot)
Evocative Names: These names are designed to evoke the positioning of a company or product rather than the goods and services or the experience of those goods and services. Removed from direct experience, but relevant – evoking memories, stories, and many levels of association. (Virgin, Apple, Cracker Jack)

Project 6: Mission Statement (work in progress)

2009-06-02T22:27:00.000+01:00

We are a global network of young and energetic visual designers/creative thinkers who want to change the world. We want to create something that cannot be found elsewhere because we want to re-enchant the world as we shift into the 21st century. We believe that people are generally good and want to make positive change in the world we live in; the future potential of networking empowers people to create extra-ordinary things. We want to promote this energy through a global gateway for world changing organizations; there are crazy amounts of organizations out there that are not globally accessible and we want to network you with them. Our aim is to promote, educate and motivate people to connect with us only to disconnect to make change happen. We can’t tell you how to change the world, but we offer global connections that may easily assist you in your endeavour. Where ever you are in the world and what ever part of the world you are interested in we can offer you insights on how world changing these organizations are.

MANIFESTO

2009-06-02T22:26:00.000+01:00

MANIFEST mission statement

- Networking nowadays, always online GLOBAL COMMUNICATION
- global companies, organisations rule the market - globalisation
- Connecting online offline individuals with offline organisations (with online presence)
- we want to enchant the world: there are people that want that too, there are organisations that do it. We are connecting them globally.
Causes for the betterment of the world
GLOBAL CONNECTION

- connecting organisations that try to change the world
- non profit company
- embrace organisations around the world
- empowering everyone to change the world
- however your passion is you can come to this place and find organisations that help you to go ahead
- make the change
- making global organisations accessible for everyone
- making small specialised organisations accessible for everyone
- how do we make it unique? What is the speciality of the space? What parameters should we set up?

Project 6: Kinesics

2009-06-02T22:20:00.000+01:00

Kinesics
The study of non-verbal communication or communicative body movements.
According to experts, our non-verbal language communicates about 50% of what we really mean (voice tonality contributes 38%) while words themselves contribute a mere 7%.
Body language refers to any kind of bodily movement or posture, including facial expression, which transmits a message to the observer. Every part of the human body, either in motion or stillness, conveys a meaning which depends upon the physical, social, and cultural context of the action.

Cultural differences
Most modern studies of body language are based on the assumption that gesture is not a universal or natural language, but the product of social and cultural contexts. The likeness, for example, between the facial gesture used by chimpanzees to express fear and subordination, and the human smile, can serve to underline the differences as well as the similarities between the two species of primates.
The gesture of greeting displayed by someone who leaps, smiling, to her feet, to throw her arms around another person, may cause discomfort or even offence to a person unfamiliar with this custom; and ‘cutting’ someone, by passing by with only a distant nod, may fail to have any effect on a person who is not used to expecting displays of affection in public.

Social and national distinctions
Additionally, body language is an important ingredient in social differentiation; differences in physical comportment play a significant part in separating social groups from each other, and in fostering feelings of mutual hostility or alienation. For instance, the

Gender differences
Body language reflects differences of gender as well as of class and nationality. Prescriptions for the physical behaviour of women are often different from those of men. Characteristically, women are encouraged to look modestly downward, to walk with small steps, be more restrained in facial expressions than men of their class, and to eat smaller portions of food.

A world of gestures
Body language is both the most basic, fundamental form of expression used by human beings to communicate with one another, and at the same time a part of a highly sophisticated and culturally specific system of coded signals, in which bodily and facial movement play at least as important a part as verbal utterance. It encompasses an infant grimacing in distaste at an unfamiliar or unpleasant sensation; the careful timing and co-ordination of bows between two Japanese of equal rank; and the complicated series of insulting hand gestures which pass between altercating drivers in Brazil.

Project 6: Time Table

2009-06-02T22:19:00.001+01:00

How to take notes from the text book?

2009-03-20T22:49:00.000Z

I must confess, I don't have a great memory, reading books no problems but recalling is a very difficult task. Despite reading few titles, its not an easy task to recall a single passge during presentation or discussion. Now, I'm doing some research, if there is a way or process to keep a track.
great article on tacking notes

Recommended, to write down the title, author, and page number and then a summary of whatever key message.
http://notesaboutnotes.com: A website with general suggestions.
Useful article on http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Notes-for-a-%22Chapter-Book%22--Book-Report
I came across this great website while browsing sites

Characteristics of Critical Thinkers //from http://www.studygs.net/crtread.htm//

They are honest with themselves
They resist manipulation
They overcome confusion
They ask questions
They base judgments on evidence
They look for connections between subjects
They are intellectually independent

THE PROJECT WITH NO NAME

2009-03-15T15:39:00.000Z

Introduction
This project invites you to engage directly with the marketplace, bypassing or seducing its gatekeepers, to achieve a profitable intervention in the creative economy.

Brief
Despite the smell of fear induced by recession and fears of recession, we live in a culture with an appetite for novelty. This project invites your team to conceive, create, promote and sell a completely new product or service. There are no restrictions on the nature of the offer itself, beyond the need to adhere to the law of the land (nothing, for example, dangerous, fraudulent, or copyright infringing). Your product may be something tangible, it may be a service or event, or a virtual product. But whatever your product is, it must represent both innovation and application skills that allow it to connect with a commercial framework.

Exhibition Planet ME

2009-03-09T23:49:00.000Z

It was a fun days after days of research, most of us had a very good feedback. Some of us showcased interactive artifact.

Here is the manual of my artificate:
Metaphor: Planting ideas -- A seed is planted in my mind which I nurture with water and sun in the faith that it will sprout and grow

Details: The polished spherical pot is made of white cement, clay and set with marble chips. White cement is suitable for production of attractive and durable visual concrete. Marble and cement rely on each other in order to sustain. The pot can grow flowers, vegetable or just lie there. Unless seeds are planted nothing can grow. Also these seeds can change over time and behave differently in different weather.
I relate the pot to my mind (the pot is my mind). Everything else is immaterial i.e. the body can take any shape. The process of thinking and breathing becomes synonymous. The walls are porous- which is a feature. When the wall dies, so do I, the walls do not symbolize a closed in feature. The walls are hidden within the pot itself: inside of the walls. The roughness of the sphere can be similar to the walls of the mind. The sphere isn’t empty and has great ideas to generate. The pot is made of cement, clay and marble stone (for example), which mean over time it ages and eventually breaks, but the walls of the pot can be made of any material.
The brain cells help us relate to our surroundings and other people. When the sphere is closed, anything that comes from the pot needs to have been grown from the pot; therefore, my actions are a consequence of my thought process.
The pot has a hard surface that define me a person of strong character, a person of integrity, dignity, who is also honest, fair, positive and hard working. It shows a set of thoughts, actions, reactions and feelings. Having a strong character mean I’m responsible, family oriented, good citizen who concerned for the community and care for earth or Gaia, who have been involved in campaign in saving Gaia, our Mother Earth in Singapore.

There are stones or marble chips placed on the sphere; some are more visible than others, which show the direction of my actions and thoughts. According to known author Prof. Dr. Klaus Grawe, the neural structure that develop within individual therefore, mirror the individual’s cultural, societal, and familial context. The marble stones are all over the planet and this represent my ideas and knowledge to share with the world by travelling to different parts of the world. This is also solidify my interest in cross cultural design, to look for an opportunity to learn different cultures, customs and values and the impact of cross cultural design on businesses and strategic business decisions.

Acknowledgment and reference:
Klaus Grawe. Neuropsychotherapy
Betty Edwards. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. HarperCollins Publishers, 2001
Metaphors We Live By by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson http://www.cleanlanguage.co.uk/LearningMetaphors.html

Visited London graduate fair

2009-03-07T21:49:00.000Z

I have been struggling to find a part-time jobs and came to know the website "http://www.gradjobs.co.uk". The website's slogan "The UK hottest job" is self explanatory. I registered and attended the fair this afternoon. The fair was flooded with people from all over the UK but very few companies :( and there wasn't any part-time jobs for me, daMN!!!. It wasn't a fruitful journey since I was interested only in part time jobs. Contact Singapore booth attracted most people and I felt kind of proud of being a Singaporean (I must say a Pakistani born) after hearing hell of great comments/view about Singapore, though most people shared common view about Singapore law -- perceived to be harsh.

Barbican Tube Station station

Inside the exhibition hall

nearby buildings

a narrow road to exhibition hall

Project 4 - PLANET ME

2009-03-07T21:23:00.000Z

Introduction
Its about self discovery and giving dimension and access to the process of self-analysis.
The project was handed over on Feb 18 and will be exhibited on Monday 9th March and will be reviewed by peers and tutors.

Brief [key points]
I. Clarify who you believe that you are, who you like to be by creating your own planet
II. Planet should take the form of an artifact.
III. Should not exceed .75m in any dimension.
IV. Sustain life and therefore evolution.
V. A brief manual
VI. A metaphor.

Our Presentation on March 4 - Life Changing Experince

2009-03-07T19:55:00.000Z

We choose nostalgia and use multisensory approach to change or at least try to give our target audience a life changing experience. We used three senses--smell.sight. touch. to create thought provoking nostalgia.

How
We used, pencil sharpening, soap and vicks vapor rub, all are linked to childhood from visiting your grandmothers house, to drawing at school, to being at home in bed with a cold whilst your mother looks after you.
Three of us, Trish, Carla, and David went to Brick Lane to experiment with group of people. It was very interesting as some of target audience, indeed recalled their childhood.

Reading
I was reading Unmasking the face by Paul Ekman and many online articles on facial expressions and their universal ability to communicate, Smells, nostalgic smells, etc.

Video
David compiled couple of videos of their experiment. Videos were much relevant to our research and presentation and left a great impact on audience

Metaphor: To discover the child within
People are simply referring back to a specific point in their life, not necessarily childhood.

Final Presentation Structure
What is nostalgia? //run slides on screen, while simplifying nostalgia
Video
Q/A

Project 4 - Life Changing Experince. Wednesday 4 March //delay blog //

2009-03-07T00:12:00.000Z

The project brief handed over on Feb 18, right after our presentation --MIC.
I have been so busy with finding a way to settle into my new life style (so many days of without shopping, sharing house, cheap coffee and foods, finding part time job, etc) and therefore, had little time to update blog. I'm hoping to update it as soon as I get free time [but this is possible after I overcome stress].

Project Introduction
To evolve a multi-sensory strategy to create something that is intended for interaction with a small target group that will lead to a positive enhancement of their experience.

Project Brief
The project will also introduce you to the need to establish a relationship with a target group that you do not know intimately. Identify target group, who might benefit from a life changing experience. Explore the role of language in the transactions and interactions that shape our experience and perhaps condition our responses.Find a way to give the [multisensory]dimension

Our Presentation on February 18, 2009 - hearts and minds //dedicating this to Rahul, Yui, Steph, Rein, Justin, Jimmy

2009-03-06T18:09:00.000Z

As I have mentioned in my last entry, we are touching the stereotypes against the Chinese products and therefore, we name our project "MIC” or made in China". It was a risky project and was hard to differentiate really good product from poor product and to change people’s perception about government, culture, labor market, people, labor law and many other factors. We all work best to prepare for some constructive, stupid, and harsh comments but it was a wonderful presentation. We all prepared to answer any questions. At the end I was very relived and happy about choosing MIC for our project, as I always felt close to anything that is Chinese :)

Target audience
I. Target people for their lack awareness of how much they are dependent on these products for sustaining their lifestyle.
II. Simply generalize based on a couple of bad experiences with the Chinese products.
III. Lack awareness of the positive side of made in china products.

Final structure of our presentation
Our presentation consist of a play, a video, and couple of slides, all of us involved. Here is the structure of our presentation.

Our Play: MIC Life
We had three scenes, Justin (best buddy, protagonist, main character) play "MIC" or made in china play enact what we speak throughout the presentation.
SCENE 1: MIC’s mum (Jimmy played his dad and humble Yui from BK was his mom) packs bags while Dad gives him advice. They hug him and wave goodbye as he walks away.
Narrator: Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. What we are going to show you today is not a presentation - this is in fact, a story. The story of MIC. Born to a very devoted family in China, his parents always taught him that the world was a kind place. They taught him to care for people, give to them strength, honesty, loyalty and make them happy...with this advice, MIC left home with the wish to spread what he had been taught.
SCENE 2: MIC Knocks on the door. Rein and I play a typical stereotype couple rejected MIC. MIC explains that he is new and looking for somewhere to stay. Couple shakes their heads. Girl crosses her arms. Boy tells him to leave and closes the door.
Narrator: When he went out in the world, what he found wasn’t what his parents described it to be. He found that it was filled with untrusting, stereotypical people who didn’t want anything to do with him. They thought he was cheap, unreliable and untrustworthy. He was not welcome in their home. And so, They sent him away.
SCENE 3: MIC Knocks on the door. Girl opens door. MIC explains that he is new and looking for somewhere to stay. Couple nod understandingly. Boy invites him in. MIC bows slightly and he goes off to his room. As soon as his back is turned Girl whispers in her partner’s ear.
In this couple (played by Steph and Brian) kind of accept MIC but doubt and never respect wholeheartedly.
Narrator: And even though he found people who welcomed him into their homes and on some level, appreciated him...he soon found that they too fell into a stereotype. They were too quick to judge him on the basis of others who did not have the same values as him
And he felt sad.
MIC sits on a chair depressed, while there is a slide show of good products and bad products shown on the projector.
Narrator: He wanted to tell the world that there are two sides to every coin – and china is no different.
He wants to show the world how many of his trustworthy brothers are helping to make people’s lives better, easier and contributing to their happiness all around the world…and how only a few of his bad brothers are spoiling the name of his country...
He wants to ask the world to stop oversimplifying, to think of the two sides of the coin, to open their hearts and minds.
In this part, we spoke about the stereotype of made in china products being perceived to be low quality and bad in general because of various factors including violations of labor laws/human rights, being excessively cheap etc often forgetting the fact that there are some great products as well. This perception of "made in china" reading as a warning label and generalizing all that comes from there to be bad is what we want to influence. Some examples are Television, Mobile Phones, washing machines, etc. We also touched on specific Chinese examples of good and bad products like the (popular products/brands manufactured in china like Lenovo, Sony, Nike, H&M, Apple etc) and a couple of (fake and cheap products from china like iphone, iPod, etc). After few slides we had a play.

Playing a Video
Our great/greatest videographer, Jimmy from HK edited video fantastically showing the good side of Chinese product. The main characters of our video were Rahul from India (I called him idea factory), sweet sweet Stefanie from Cyprus (I cant forget her, when she always agrees with Rahul) and me. I will try to put video here soon. We wanted to show the existence of good and bad in almost everything that we interact with in our daily lives.

Another play: CAN YOU LIVE WITHOUT MIC
Narrator: Here is a play called “can you live without MIC: a tale of MIC and MII. We get a glimpse of what can happen when you reject MIC without any second thoughts. A tale of MIC and MII (MIC girl friend). We get a glimpse of what can happen when you reject MIC without any second thoughts. A silent play enacted by MIC and his girlfriend narrated by speakers, starring Justin as MIC and Brian as the wig-wearing girlfriend. The play shows what happens when a stupid girl decides to dump his Chinese boy friend. MIC takes all his made in china stuff and leaves and that entire girl is left with is an empty room. The play will underpin the theme of how dependent we are on Chinese products and how important they are for us to sustain our lifestyle.
Narrator: Its half past one on a Sunday night. MII (the girlfriend of MIC) is looking rather agitated. What could be wrong? She checks her watch again and again. Suddenly she hears a loud knock on the door.
Knock knock…
MIC (walking up in drunken stupor with beer bottle in hand): “Sorry darling, I”
MII(cuts him off): What time do you think you call this? I’ve been waiting up all night. Your dinner is ruined. AND you’re pissed as a fart!
MIC: “I’m so sorry, I met a friend, then we were helping an old lady, then we-
MII (cuts him off again): Just stop! I’ve had enough of you and your drunken lies. I can’t take this anymore.
Mic: “But baby, I –“
Mii: “No! I want you and your stuff out of here. Tonight.”
Mic puts all the stuff into the black bag and leaves.
Narrator: He tries in vain to give Mi a kiss but instead receives a slap. With Mic gone Mii looks around the house and sees how bare it is. She misses MIC and wonders if she’ll be able to live without him. Could you?
Narrator: Mic wants to ask all of you. Is there anyone who still thinks that Mic is untrustworthy? Put up your hands!!!

Brain storming, generating ideas and finally agreeing on MIC

fine tunning of our video. From left, Rahul, Brian, Yui, Rein, Shan, behind me Jimmy and Steph

Just before our presentation

Humble Yui!! ain't ya proud of your product!!

hei MIC (our Justin on the screen and Jimmy)

A great ending, well done Rahul!!

MII(the GF of MIC). Brian, sweet Irish bloke, played a MIC GF role :)

and after presentation. Is there anyone who still thinks that MIC is untrustworthy? Put up your hands!!!

Our second meeting on Friday

2009-02-07T19:33:00.000Z

We concluded our meeting in the afternoon and we are looking into something very interesting "Made in China" label.
Made in China label is found everywhere but has a poor image compare to "Made in Italy" or "Made in France" product. Why people are reluctant to go for a China made product, is it the mind set, or something else. What kind of perception does it give to consumer. We shall be looking at different factors attributed to this perception such as, branding, emotional marketing, fake product, poor quality, different socio-political forces that drive consumer mindset, etc. Ayyo!! again presentation!!!

Project Three: Hearts & Minds

2009-02-07T19:07:00.000Z

Introduction
Influencing perception is one of the most important skills that people in the creative sector need to accomplish. This roject is about the seduction, power and responsibilities of marketing. It will locate design as part of a complex web of interactions that are typically used of persuade people to consume without question.
Brief
Define an area in which the potential for negative stereotypes to dominate can be positively influenced by applying your imagination. You will examine the problems that you have identified as a sum of two parts in which two opposing ideological positions compete with each other. Your task will be devising a strategy that translate teh potential for negativity into transcendent potential.
Once again, researching, brainstorming, meetings. The topic is somewhat hard to present.
A stereotype is a preconceived, oversimplified, exaggerated, and often demeaning assumption of the characteristics possessed by an individual due to his or her membership in a specific group. Stereotypes usually function to deny individuals respect or legitimacy based on their membership in that group. They are the hardest to dislodge in situations where a dominant group desires to keep another group subordinate. {from wiki}

Here is the outcome of our first meeting (thanks Rahul for compilation)
While some stereotyping is necessary and good, most of them that we do are usually negative, exists in literally every sphere of our life.
Some examples

Racial stereotypes about the blacks, Asians, Americans etc
Gender stereotypes about men and women and how they are expected to behave.
Cultural stereotypes
Sexual stereotypes about homosexuals
Media stereotypes like the black rapper, Chinese villain, American cowboys, Indian call centre, etc.
The root causes are many and manifold:
Childhood influences like parents, teachers, peers etc
MEDIA - cinema, TV sitcoms, literature (we all know how high school sitcoms and movies have those stereotype characters American pie types etc)
Education - textbooks and other sources of information which provide stereotyped images and information
While a lot of stereotypes were discussed, following are the ones which were found really strong :
Stereotype of charity organizations not being actually what they claim to be
Stereotype of education being formal and theoretical and compartmentalized
Stereotype of how young blokes passing out of college are percieved to work as doctors and engineers or something prestigious
Stereotype of superheroes having special powers and being from another planet
Stereotype of talking to oneself being termed "mentally ill"
THE INNUMERABLE STEREOTYPES OF VALENTINES DAY

The last idea really excited all of us coz of and instant relation to it and also coz its around the corner and gives us the chance to use the occasion for our project. We discussed the numerous funny and negative stereotypes associated to Valentines Day and they are as follows:

The guy has to shower the girl with flowers, chocolates, champagne, expensive gifts and pay for the dinner as well.

The girls does nothing but sits and smiles and receives the gifts (it might not be the same in all countries)

If you are a guy and are single on this day, you are a looser.

If you are a girl and don't go out on valentines day, you are probably eating chocolates and ice creams at home(sobbing as well)

People in relationships are supposed to enjoy this day

People are supposed to say "i love you" a 100 times (ok, not a 100 times)

Guys are supposed to give "be my valentine cards" to girls

SOME good EXAMPLES OF CHANGING PERCEPTIONS OF STEREOTYPES:

Batman changed the stereotype image of superheroes we had (of being from another planet or having special powers)

Casino Royal changed the stereotype image of James bond we had held for so many years (pierce brosnan and his fancy gadgets).
The movie Blood diamond changed the perception of diamonds amongst women

Barrack Obama vows to change the world and the perception of blacks amongst white and even themselves as being inferior

dedicated my day to friends & family

2009-02-05T23:02:00.001Z

Had a grEAT presentation!!!

2009-02-04T23:55:00.000Z

The work is actually going pretty well! for Elena

- I adore her innocent smile.

One of our Brainstorming session

presentation is everything!!! just before the execution stage

a BOX, a perfect box to showcase our social love for yellow team, well done JunShi

a huge map, social love is everywhere, do we care?

Jilly, Shan and Jun Shi trying best to carry social love

Pikk, you deserve a smile!!

I spotted Sanya's bag

2009-02-03T23:25:00.000Z

I wanted to attend an optional meeting with part timers from my course (MA Design Studies, Central Saints Martins, London) and left home about 4 PM. It was a cold and damp weather.
But as usual, I confused and got down at Shepherds Bush tube station to shop/window shop at Westfield Shopping Center. My school is about 45 minutes tube journey, its a real torturing journey (missing short walking distance from apartment to FMS in Singapore).
Shepherds Bush falls in between South Ruislip (closest tube station from my home) and Holburn (My School, Saints Martins). I was very reluctant to travel all the way to Holburn and therefore, got down at the Shepherd Bush tube station, moment after the operator calls for Shepherd Bush passengers.Westfield is like a Vivo City shopping center but its huge and it has a great architecture with so many choices. The mix and match of designer and street labels. There are 265 shops from over 15 countries.


I spent two hours and took few snaps. I went to Tiffany to look for interlocking circles lariat but but couldn't find one, may be next time. Amazingly, I spotted the same bag, Mandy bought from Bangkok last year, there was nothing difference -- same size, same color combination, same shape, but the price (about 20 pound).

Snow Blankets Middlesex, London

2009-02-02T22:03:00.002Z

I usually on bed till 9 AM. In order to wake up by 9:00, I do couple of things:

Avoid caffeine
avoid the urge of nap during day
go to bed by midnight and
don't think much about the projects

Despite all these, its a bit tough to get up at 9.00. I put few alarms and they are far enough from my bed to force so I don't trun off the alarm while being semi-asleep.

Well, early morning someone knocked at my door and I thought it was a mere dream, didn't bother much, but knock, knock. . . . .never stopped. I quickly got out of my bed and put on my jeans (no, no, I wasn't naked, wearing a long john silver!!!!!). When I opened the door, great Gaurav and cute Sudha (amazing host and friends!!!) were screaming and asking me look out of the window, I opened the curtain and saw a magnificent snowfall that covered the backyard of the house. I went out of the house to view the snowfall that covered everything from back yard fence, to the big kids playing room. It was so beautiful, may be my first snow experience, at night it even more beautiful. Now its about 10 PM and when I look out the window, it doesn't look like night outside, its so bright. Why it's right: Ambient light is reflected off the white snow amplifying all spectrum of visible light. Darker objects obviously absorb light energy resulting in less ambient light.

backyard of the house, isn't it beautiful?

was very excited seeing snow

Our classes has been canceled as there was a severe disruptions to trains, tubes and buses and hoping no snow on Wednesday(our presentation is up on Wednesday and we are still miles away from the execution stage!!!). There will be more snow coming through again tomorrow.See how lah!!!!

Visiting London Chinatwon

2009-02-02T17:05:00.000Z

I went to China Town on Sunday, Feb 1, as I was missing Singapore so muchey (much!!!). It was hell of crowd there but sudden snow came as surprise, it was amazing, romantic and loving. Soon my body couldn't take the bone-chilling cold (i was wearing just a sweater, a week old from ZARA) while still enjoying the slow snowfall. I went to one of the store to grab a lovely orange, blue and yellowish kind of Scottish wool sweater (i think its hand dyed) to resist the cold weather. I felt much better and was ready to explore china town. It took me max 5 minutes to walk from Leicester Square Tube. You can take train to either Piccadilly Circus Tube or Convent Garden Tube and walk to the Great Chinatown.
London's Chinatown is a commercial area in the SOHO area of the City Westminster. Its a typical like Singapore Chinatown; full of Chinese restaurants, souvenir shops, great Chinese people and Chinese-run businesses. Its a great place to visit, if you are in cultural things or care cross cultural stuff. More on train guide go to this site (personal fav!!!), http://www.londontown.com/TransportInformation/Sights_and_Attractions/Chinatown/c6ab/

Sunday, august 17, 11:07

2008-08-17T16:07:00.000+01:00

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