.

AI helped me save eur13/month

2026-05-14T20:42:42.337+03:00

Since 13/06/2022, I’ve been a paid user and have happily been using this tool called Lucidchart for flowcharts, BPMN diagrams, system maps, mockups, and all kinds of visual thinking.

I genuinely love tools that help turn messy systems and problems into something you can actually see.

Over that time, I paid €541.25 for the service, that's about €13/month. Worth it.

But after building digistrategy.eu with Codex, and seeing what AI-assisted coding can now do, I started wondering:

Could I build a simpler flowchart tool for myself?

So I did.

I exported my Lucidchart diagrams to Visio, built an importer for my own tool, and I’m now cancelling my subscription.

The migration was not just a test either:

63 pages
4,871 cards
2,436 connectors

All was exported from the old system and imported into the new one.

Not because Lucidchart is bad. Quite the opposite, it’s excellent.

But because the AI shift is no longer something “coming soon.” It has already started, and I’m already reaping the benefits.

AI has improved my work routine in many small but meaningful ways: faster drafting, better structuring, clearer analysis, quicker prototyping, and more effective decision-making.

But beyond the productivity gains, there are also very tangible savings.

So far, I can directly point to:
• ~€500 saved by repairing my dishwasher myself guided by the AI
• ~€13/month saved by replacing one SaaS subscription

And that disregards the numerous smaller ways AI helps me compare options, analyse purchases, and avoid inefficient decisions.

The biggest benefit is not even the money. It’s the ability to build tools that fit exactly how I work.

The build-vs-buy equation is changing fast:
less “one-size-fits-all software,” more personal tools built around specific workflows.

Curious to hear what’s the first SaaS tool you’d try to rebuild for yourself with AI?

If

2026-05-10T21:45:00.001+03:00

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling

I love you more than I can say

2025-02-06T21:56:00.002+02:00

The Mirage

2024-12-01T19:53:00.000+02:00

Vos apšviestame kambarėlyje, Andersas savo mėgstamamee krėsle, palinkęs virš gėrimo, akys ir mintys klaidžioja kažkur toli už lango. Už medžių ir šešėlių peizažo saulė jau nusileidusi, oras prisunktas, kai netikėtai akyse šmėsteli Zako šešėlio siluetas, beaudžiantis efemeriškų pažadų voratinklį. Zakas, kai buvome kartu kaime, kažką murmėjo apie tolimą kraštą, pavadino jį Miražu ir pristatė jį lyg išpirkimo šventovę, prieglobstį, kur nuodėmės ir klaidos išgaruoja į nebūtį.

Ten jis neva ras prieglobstį nuo paliktų mylimųjų karštų pažadų, kurie vyto lyg rudens paskutiniai žiedai. Moterys, kaip Astrid, Ingrida ir kelios kitos, kurios naršė Zako chaotiškos dvasios okeanus, radusios save laivynų pavidalu, užstrigusios ant jo abejingumo dykumos krantų. Tikinčios į tikėjimą, kuris žaidė su jų svajonėmis, jos buvo nuplautos Miražo srovės, siūlančios Zakui palengvinimą nuo žemiškų kančių. Andersas suprato, kad visa tai viso labo bedugnė, spektro likučiai, atsiradę iš Zako infantiliškų nuotykių chaoso. Jis visada žinojo, kad kelionė į mitinį prieglobstį nesunaikins šešėlių ar užtildys užmirštų pažadų ir paliktų mylimųjų aidų. Zako klausa buvo selektyvi, jis toliau ieškojo savo Miražo, tamsaus baro, pakraštyje apleisto miesto, kur realybė susilieja su pagunda ir praeinantis prieglobstis, negalintis nuraminti ilgalaikio skausmo.

Andersas, žiūrėjo pro langą į begalinę naktį, bandydamas iššifruoti sulaužytos meilės ir sudaužytų pažadų mįslę. Sunkumų kėlė ir tai jog tie meilės piruetai tebuvo viena iš delionės detalių... ką kalbėti dar apie artimųjų skaudinimą, pornografijos gamybą, teisėsaugos pritemptą narkotikų platinimą ir kitas nesąmones. Andersas tų klausimų neiminė, bet rado pamoką, paslėptą tarp širdgėlos ir šešėlių, suprato, kad savo demonų susidūrimas, o ne bėgimas, yra kelias į tikrąjį atpirkimą. Todėl jis prisiekė, ten, savo tamsioje celėje, patogiame fotelyje, kuris buvo jo tylus liudininkas, kad jis netaps Zaku. Neleis atsirasti šešėlių, kur turėtų būti šviesa, ir negims skausmas, kur turėtų gyventi meilė ir nuoširdumas.

Tai nėra etiudas apie atpirkimą ar pasiaukojantį šventumą. Tai istorija apie tai kai dabartinis kelias padengtas sulaužytomis svajonėmis ir suskaldytais vilties likučiais, naujas turi būti iškaltas najame luite. Andersas žinojo, žvilgteldamas į gintarinę bedugnę taurėje, kad meilė ir lojalumas nėra vien žodžiai - tai rimtas pažadas, tvirtas įsipareigojimas eiti neramų kelią kartu, ypač kai kelionė tampa pavojinga. Nors Zakas ir jo Miražo iliuzijos išsilaikė ir erdvė susiliejo su begalinė bedugne, Andersas visgi pasirinko jį mylėti iš tolo, už skausmo ir išdavystės ribų. Per stiklą to šešelio neįsileisdamas šalia minkšto fotelio.

Meilė, mąstė Andersas, yra prieglobstis, pragaro ir rojaus vieta, kur gynyba numetama ir gali viešpatauti tikroji esmė. Zakas, amžinai esantis prisiminimų šešėlinėse gelmėse, nuolat ieškojo pabėgimo, šalutinio kelio, nesuprasdamas, kad praeitis yra nelankstus šešėlis, visuomet slaptai slypintis, nepriklausomai nuo to, koks tolimas yra pabėgimas. Ir būtent čia ir yra ta vieta kurioje slypi tragedija.

Meilė apleista, pažadai sulaužyti, ir begalinis iliuzijos ieškojimas, paliekantis taką sumuštomis sielomis tyliai Miražų nevilties jūroje. Laikas nukalti naują kelią.

Bridging Divides in an Age of Polarization

2023-12-03T08:59:00.001+02:00

In recent times, we've witnessed an escalation in polarizing issues that span across various spectrums of our society. From the political clashes in the United States to the intense debates over COVID-19 vaccinations, from the enduring Israel-Palestine conflict to the ongoing strife in Ukraine, the world seems to be painted in increasingly stark contrasts.

To illustrate, consider the debate over climate change. What was once a scientific discussion has now evolved into a deeply polarized issue. Social media platforms are rife with divergent views, ranging from urgent calls for action to outright denial of the problem. This polarization not only hinders constructive dialogue but also delays crucial actions needed to address the environmental crisis.

A clear example of the change in how people express themselves can be seen when contrasting today's environment with the pre-internet era. In the past, avenues for public expression were limited, and the average person had fewer opportunities to voice their opinions on a public scale. Today, platforms like Twitter and Facebook empower individuals to share their views instantly and widely.

Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy, but it also brings with it the challenge of balancing this freedom with the need to maintain social harmony. Would a single, supervising authority reduce such polarization? The concept is intriguing but complex, with risks of bias and abuse of power.

The issues at hand are not just about differing opinions; they involve deep-rooted historical, cultural, and geopolitical contexts. A single authority might oversimplify these complexities.

Here, the importance of dialogue cannot be overstated. However, we must also recognize situations where dialogue may not be immediately possible. In such cases, the focus should shift towards fostering a culture of coexistence. Coexistence means respecting and acknowledging differences while finding ways to live and work together peacefully.

Encouraging empathy, critical thinking, and the ability to engage constructively with differing viewpoints remains key in reducing polarization. Our educational institutions and media play a crucial role in promoting media literacy and understanding diverse perspectives.

As we navigate this interconnected world, the responsibility to engage respectfully and thoughtfully becomes ever more crucial. The path towards a less polarised , more understanding, and coexistent world lies in finding a delicate balance between freedom and order, individual expression, and collective harmony.

The Cash Register

2023-09-05T22:34:00.003+03:00

In the bustling aisles of a supermarket or the quaint corners of a local store, the cash register stands as a sentinel of commerce. To the untrained eye, it's merely a tool for transactions, a mundane piece of equipment. Yet, beneath its metallic exterior lies a profound testament to human ingenuity: the materialization of an intricate accounting system.

Accounting, in its essence, is a theoretical framework. It's a dance of numbers, a symphony of credits and debits that tell a story of financial transactions. This abstract system, rooted in logic and methodical reasoning, finds its physical manifestation in the cash register. Just as a painting is a tangible representation of an artist's vision, the cash register is the concrete embodiment of the abstract principles of accounting.

Drawing a parallel, consider the marvel of modern computing. The human mind, with its boundless capacity for logic, reasoning, and creativity, has been the driving force behind centuries of progress. Yet, how do we transfer this intangible logic into a tangible form? The answer lies in silicon, a material derived from the most ordinary of substances: sand. Through intricate processes, this sand is transformed into microchips, the heart of our computers. These chips, in essence, simulate the logic and reasoning that once resided solely in the human mind. It's a profound realization: the vast landscapes of our thoughts can be mirrored in the microscopic circuits of a computer chip.

The journey from abstract thought to material form is a testament to humanity's ability to bridge the gap between the intangible and the tangible. The cash register, in its everyday simplicity, stands as a symbol of this journey. It's not just a machine; it's a physical representation of the complex web of accounting principles and practices that have been developed over centuries.

The world around us is filled with objects that, on the surface, seem ordinary. Yet, when viewed through the lens of understanding and appreciation, they reveal the profound depth of human thought and innovation. The cash register, like the silicon microchip, serves as a reminder that even the most commonplace items can be the embodiment of grand ideas and intricate systems. In them, we see the tangible results of our abstract thinking, and the limitless potential of the human mind to shape the physical world.

The Cosmic Leap Manifest

2023-09-05T22:22:00.005+03:00

The Cosmic Leap Manifest

... or the journey beyond our blue dot, challenging the boundaries of our understanding and place in the universe. v.1

Humans have always been captivated by the vastness of the cosmos. From the mysteries of the quantum realm, as described in the Plank Jump Manifest, to the enigmatic origins of our universe with the Big Bang Theory, our desire to understand the unknown has been unyielding.

The Big Bang Theory, the explosive moment of creation that birthed our universe, serves as a cosmic parallel to the Planck constant. Just as the Planck constant represents a fundamental limit in the quantum world, the Big Bang represents the very beginning of time and space in the cosmic realm. Both are thresholds, one of scale and the other of time, that challenge our understanding and beckon us to explore beyond.

While the Plank Jump Manifest emphasizes the need to delve beneath the Planck constant, the Cosmic Leap Manifest challenges us to trace back to the origins of the universe and beyond. To not only understand our place within the cosmos but to expand our boundaries and explore the vast expanse outside our world.

The universe, with its black holes, dark matter, and galaxies far beyond our reach, holds secrets that could redefine our understanding of existence. Just as the quantum realm can transform our conscious human experience, the cosmic realm can reshape our perspective of our place in the universe.

In the 21st century, we've made significant strides in space exploration. Yet, these are just baby steps. To truly make a "Cosmic Leap," we must overcome technological, societal, political, and economic barriers. Imagine a world where we can trace back to the moments just after the Big Bang, unlocking the mysteries of our universe's inception. This is the vision of the Cosmic Leap. To achieve this, international cooperation is paramount. By pooling our resources, knowledge, and expertise, we can accelerate our cosmic journey.

The first step is to establish a permanent human presence beyond Earth, serving as a launchpad for deeper cosmic exploration. And just as the Plank Jump Manifest calls for a computer-brain interface, the Cosmic Leap emphasizes advanced propulsion systems, sustainable life support, and AI-driven exploration tools. While the Plank Jump focuses on the micro, the Cosmic Leap challenges us to embrace the macro. Together, these two visions provide a holistic approach to understanding and exploring our universe.

Let's take the leap, not just downwards into the quantum realm but also backward in time to the origins of our universe and beyond.

Lukas - The Cosmic Voyager

2023-09-05, Vilnius, Lithuania

Footnotes:

Q: Why focus on the cosmos when we have so much to explore in the quantum realm?A: Both the micro and the macro are essential. While the quantum realm offers insights into the fabric of reality, the cosmos provides a broader perspective on our universe's origins and future.

Q: How can I contribute to the Cosmic Leap?A: Just as with the Plank Jump, we need both financial and intellectual contributions. Join us in this cosmic journey.

The Plank Jump Manifest

2023-07-26T22:18:00.002+03:00

The Plank Jump Manifest

... or the science and technology driven transformation of all the religions as we know it. v.1

Humans are physical, emotional, logical, and spiritual* creatures.
*spiritual not in a currently dominant religious way, but spiritual in a conscious belief there is something more to the human experience than we are capable to comprehend, way.

Religion started as a social-cultural phenomenon that at one point in evolution allowed us to get organized in pursuit of a mutual goal which was the “spread of the word of God” ...with all the good and negative attributes that came with it.

Evolution and survival of the fittest ensured the transition of the strongest DNA. Later on, science and the industrial revolution optimized the production process, making it more efficient ensuring prosperity of the humankind at unprecedented levels.

As a consequence of the above, now in 2023, the majority of 7.97 billion people live considerably well, at least considering physical needs, things such as starvation or famine is almost extinct. All these things, however, are elements of our physical world. For example, everything that’s behind Plank constant is still beyond human comprehension. It’s a pity because secrets that lie below, have the power to transform conscious human experience into the next level. Things such as teleportation, time travel, and flying without gadgets would potentially be just the tip of the iceberg.

If we are able to comprehend and act within the realm of quantum and below unmanagable fruits would flourish. Sort of opening a new dimension and pushing humanity toward the real truth. The truth that’s based on science, technology, and belief in fundamental good, generosity, and curiosity of humankind. This, however, can not be done quickly in an easy way using the tools we currently have.

The technology now is evolving rapidly disregarding the Plank Jump Manifest and we’ll get beyond the Plank constant eventually, but if one would take calculated steps, concentrate, and consolidate human and AI capital the barrier can be broken extremely soon. Perhaps even in a couple of dozens of years.

One of the blockers that slow down the progress is not so much the science community, but more politics, and military conflicts in essence the general population - the body that controls scientific budgets. The ability to coherently communicate between different languages and different people groups is the main blocker. If there was a way to fluently exchange ideas between people, broadcast our mission**, and explain steps clearly I’m sure humanity would accelerate the process fantastically.

**Concentrate resources and start a consolidated worldwide, conscious effort to experiment, invest and understand the world beneath the Plank constant.

So the first stepping stone of achieving the Plank Jump is a computer brain interface with the sole purpose of making language differences and communication difficulties between people a thing of the past, erasing the verbal boundaries of human communication. This on its own would be an enormous achievement that would bring a lot of life-changing byproducts. It is an enormous challenge, but once it’s reached all efforts shall be concentrated into understanding fully the quantum realm and possibly further.

European civilization (including the US) is leading the way with many technological innovations in this field already and this manifest is a first effort to simplify the message, mobilize the masses, consolidate human power and direct it towards the most meaningful work we can ever imagine doing - making a Plank Jump.

Lukas - The Plank Jumper

2022-07-26, Vilnius, Lithuania

Footnotes:

Q: Isn't it to early to have such big plans? first learn to walk only then run.

A: Maybe it is, maybe it’s not, I choose to place a really big target ahead, and let’s see, if we reach even halfway it would leave me satisfied. Maybe China will be the first to reach it.

Q: I want to contribute but have no relevant skills, how can I help?

A: With or without relevant skills at this point we do need a financial foundation to accelerate the progress so if you have money to contribute, it would be a great help. More about financial contributions contact me.

We do not claim to be the universal truth - these are just conclusions based on my understanding of the world around us, it may be wrong so I invite everyone to discuss and share the progress of scholars, businesses, and other movements that you think would contribute to Planck's transgression.

In all of our efforts to live good lives, we operate within the Newtonian physics level. It’s like optimizing an internal combustion engine. With all the brain power of the world, this will always lose to a fundamentally more efficient electric motor. That’s how, at least partially, I see the plank leap.

Courage is the heartbeat of success

2023-07-13T20:34:00.002+03:00

Courage is the heartbeat of success, empowering us to conquer fears and embrace achievements! 😊 Three crucial elements that fuel the magic of courage:

1 - First, having the freedom to choose our path and follow our passions unlocks our inner strength! 🌟 Autonomy ignites the fire within, propelling us toward greatness with unyielding determination.

2 - Second, diving deep into the subject matter and gaining expertise fuels our confidence! 💪 Armed with knowledge, we fearlessly navigate uncharted territories, turning challenges into opportunities.

3 - Lastly, having a supportive community by our side adds wings to our courage! 🤗 Together, we soar higher, inspiring and uplifting one another.

With autonomy, knowledge, and a strong community, we unleash the extraordinary power of courage, opening doors to unparalleled success in our lives! 🚀

#success #opportunities #community #power

I've joined public sector

2023-07-07T18:17:00.002+03:00

From all perspectives and business ideas I had, I've decided to try something completely different. For the last year and a bit, I've been working on various IT projects in government. Helping various institutions to save money and develop systems in a frugal way.

Promoting agile work methods, sharing a startup mentality for the public sector, and working with many awesome people. It's truly a different experience than building your own compan
y, dealing with clients, partners, etc. but I feel like I found an awesome place for myself for at least a couple of following years.

Also presenting a quick sneak peek of my first project, a system for the Environmental Protection Department under the Ministry of Environment that's used by 500+ inspectors on a daily basis:

More to come soon!

Some new exciting projects undergo

2022-12-08T22:04:00.001+02:00

Well first of all, after 2 and a half years of going through the driving instructions, pausing because of Corona, and in general, after a very long couple of years, I'm finally a certified driver!!

Wohooo!! 😄

I also quit TableAir. 8 years in the making but finally decided it was time to move into something new. Initially, I thought I'll have some time to reflect and decide what to do next (my last day at TA was Feb. 17th 2022) after 7 days the scum russists attacked Ukraine. So I and my wife got a bit anxious and considering after such a long time working on TA I had to readjust to a new reality - unemployed with a huge military attack by russia next door. Sleeping was difficult to say the least... Well oh well, but after a couple of weeks, I joined an NGO, a volunteer org. that helps Ukraine - Gedimino Legionas, and really felt great helping those innocent people. One thing led to another and now I'm working in the public sector at the ministry of the environment of Lithuania.

I've got a couple of extremely interesting projects - digitalization of the environmental control process - we're building software that should help inspectors do their job in the way they deserve in 2022. Tight deadlines, huge scope, uncertainty, and many unknowns - I love it! Also buying rigid tablets, loads of them, worth over eur0.5mil. And an awesome positive team to do all of the above. I'm really impressed by quality and maturity of my colleagues.

To infinity and beyond!

Summer breeze is over

2020-09-11T14:19:00.005+03:00

Did you know, oh did you know? The summer breeze is over.

My friend, oh my friend. Did you know that game is over?

Did you know that sun has passed and the moon has too?

Did you know, oh did you know..?

Old and new

2018-10-09T11:08:00.002+03:00

In the building where I work, there is a canteen downstairs. It's not to fancy to say the least, but where about 100 people a day have their lunch. The canteen update their menu daily on a computer screen and the design they use is just awful here is a photo:

I've noticed one day they're using simple Power-Point slide to edit the menu and decided to do a quick and dirty update. Just to make thins a bit more clear... Please see how it looks now:

Free meal was mine!

What if…

2014-06-25T02:56:00.005+03:00

what if there were a way of changing boring work at the office into sexy & exciting experience?

I spend most of my time sitting behind the desk — I bet you do too, and just like me must know the fatigue you get for sitting for too long. With TableAir we took on a journey and asked ourselves, what if you could transform boring work at the office into sexy and exciting experience.

I've been designing games for nearly a decade, game development was not only my bread and butter but also a topic that I've been very passionate about and could talk for hours, it still is exciting but just in different form. It took me 8 years to crystallize what I really loved about gamedev and it is that very subtle way of taking what at the most fundamental level is only a collection of equations that lights up pixels on the screen and assembling it all in such a way that the outcome becomes a living thing.

Gamification increases engagement and puts person through emotional ride, yet the fact remains the same — everything apart from reactionary feelings stay inside the monitor. For the most part work we do is digital thus a little bit not real, urge in my heart of creating something real was always present.

Years were passing, I could wait no longer and decided to create something tangible, thought of building product that could be grasped by millions was thrilling. Long story short together with a friend and colleague Justinas we built smart table like no other.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lukasluk/tableair-workstation-for-professionals

If you’re reading this article and am sitting behind the desk chances are you've heard about recent trend of height adjustable tables and statements such “Sitting is the new smoking” this one is becoming a little bit of a cliché actually... We believe healthy is sexy so we built TableAir.

TableAir in a nutshell is smart height adjustable table that can be paired with your smartphone. But this description doesn't do justice, TableAir is so much more than just a smart table. Bear with me a few minutes and I’ll walk you through exciting journey we've taken while making TableAir a reality.
1. Making experience natural

The most natural way of showing height is placing your hand in the air, the height is described by the distance between the hand and whatever base is bellow. This naturally came as a starting point for us, we embedded proximity sensor into the table top, wrapped everything into beautiful design and build technology around it. It works beautifully and feels as if table becomes natural extension of your movements, you place your hand in the air and table simply lifts up and adjusts to your desired height.
2. Let there be light

You know that moment late in the evening when the mood for working kicks in? I do, and when you turn on the general lighting in the office it becomes a day and it just kills that work mood… The benefits of having ability of activating an ambient back light can not be stressed enough and the experience becomes only more unforgettable when you can also choose your desired color as well.
3. Gamification

Healthy lifestyle is serious part of human life and acknowledging importance of healthy living is first step into more fulfilling, richer life. Starting using height adjustable table can be a tough exercise hence we’re developing a special program which reminds you to change positions every now and then by increasing standing periods until you reach your desired standing goal. Program activated and color of the ambient back light can be chosen using our specially developed iPhone app, yeah did I forget to mention you can pair your smartphone with the table?
Technology

Building real item is no monkey business that’s why we partnered up with a company which is involved into manufacturing and furniture business for decades. Leveraging on their experiences and contacts acquired through the years we are able to produce highest quality product at the most competitive price point. Infrastructure is there, knowledge is there, now we only need to see that you believe in the concept. The construction of table was manufactured complying to strict regulations and as a result TableAir is durable, strong and reliable companion in your everyday work environment.

Hello world!

We've put a lot of sweat into TableAir and it would be a shame if we only have a Kicstarter campaign as an introduction, the best way of experiencing TableAir is trying it yourself, so for that reason we’re excited to announce showroom in London will open in a few days. We've just finished fitting it and can’t wait to see you here! This is unique opportunity not only try TableAir firsthand but also meet the team behind it. We’re based at The Artworks in 2 Elephant road, SE17 1LA there were some delays with the opening of the entire place so if you get trouble getting in give me a call at 0793461570 and we’ll sort it out.
Interior design courtesy by Indrė Brazaitytėhttp://www.sharpdotdesign.com)

Cars

We spend 55 min commuting with cars on average, they not only help us get from point A to point B but also serve as sort of avatars to the strangers while cruising through the downtown.

In contrast we spend at least 7-8 hours at the office surrounded by colleagues, people who are (want we or not) big part of our lives. Cars have been out there for more than 100 years and faced amazing transformations, starting with three-wheeled automobile built in 1881, continuing with early Mercedec, BMW models and ending today with amazing Tesla. How ever innovation in our offices have only begun, imagine that with TableAir we’re jumping from 3 wheeled wooden carriage (which is equivalent to majority of the office desks) to the magnificent Tesla (or even further).

So just to get my point through: for driving 55 min a day we’re ready to pay an average price of $31 k when in comparison we think table where we spend 7-8 hours a day, few hundreds are enough for quality product. I think it’s about time to change that perception. If you’re paying up to £500 for table chances are you’re getting only a fancier looking wooden carriage, not a powerful piece of equipment that can help you produce better results at work.

TableAir comes at a price point of £1,500 (compared to £2,290 closest US competitor) we’re here to show you that there is another way of approaching work and if you’re ready to go ahead we’re here to share challenges and joys that await.

Just beginning

We’ve got many more exciting ideas that we want to execute in the fields of work efficiency and healthy lifestyle, this is our first step into making it all reality, the journey has only begun — I invite you to join along order TableAir here.

CEO & Co-founder
Lukas Lukoševičius
www.tableair.com

Special thanks to the wonderful people without whom TableAir would not have happened:

Justinas Vilimas — cofounder and CTO of TableAir who worked enormous hours to make a lot of things happen.

Indre Brazaityte — my better half and biggest support I could ever ask. Thank you for your patience and believing in me.

Two Dicks Klan — an awesome bunch of most creative guys who got the idea behind the TableAir immediately and made perfect video for it (Dominykas, Paulius, Egidijus, Vitalijus) also Lina for removing the protective film from the table, we've waited 6 months to finally see it happen!

Kęstutis Gramba — good friend and web genius behind our small but straight to the point website.

Vision LTD — all the T-shirts bags and goodies that will be given to the lucky TableAir owners.

and many others who gave valuable insights and believed in the project
THANK YOU, you’re people that makes this world a beautiful place!

Framework lets your users get T-shirts with their content

2014-04-29T22:23:00.003+03:00

Together with my colleague Justinas Vilimas we have developed a framework that enables any app user order printed T-shirt in 3 easy steps through the in app purchase. Of course we needed to make an example and lucky enough one of our simple apps "Beard Photobooth" is getting 500 downloads per day so in a course of a weekend we've integrated T-shirt printing system into it and are testing it right now.

You can see how it looks in action here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.a3pweek.beardphotobooth

So how does it work. You simply implement our code into your application, you can either use our default template or wrap everything into your own awesome app style. The system works in three simple steps:

You choose what your users would like to print (we recommend this being something they've created themselves but it's entirely up to you) and provide us with a JPG then at any given point in the app we serve a T-shirt silhouette and selected picture superimposed on it. First step of ordering the T-shirt is choosing its type. Obviously this module could be integrated in already existing app screen or be on its own.
User sees rendered T-Shirt and chooses Male/Female type of the shirt, chooses size and enters her delivery address. Then she completes in-app-purchase and vuola. High quality printed T-Shirt arrives in a matter of a 1-2 weeks depending on delivery country.
You get payed by either Google or Apple depending on the platform, operators take their share respectively (currently its 30% for both of them for in app purchases) and we split remaining 70% accordingly... ehem we're still working on the exact percentage but don't worry we want this be benefit both to you and to your users.

Printing Quality

We've partnered with a printing house that offers great printing prices that we get for ordering in a bulk, also their printing processes facilitates high volume custom T-shirt printing so it's a win win for everyone.

Please get in touch if you're interested at lukas@tinywhitetribe.com

Friend ventures: Garageo.us

2014-02-22T18:04:00.004+02:00

Sushi by Matt Lehman

This story starts one very cold autumn afternoon when I've met Manuel - totally accidentally we started talking at the sushi bar while I was having lunch. Now I feel honor to call him not only a friend but inspiration as well. Manuel together with his colleagues created an application which was an outcome of Stanford university course, that's where they all met. The very early stage of Garageo.us was produced as an assignment for the course, but a bunch realized what an opportunity they've touched and decided to bring this venture outside of education institution walls. Its now end of February 2014, 6 months from initial start and the team has produced apps beta version.

I haven't had a chance to check it myself yet, but Manuel was kind enough to demonstrate how the service looks. And sure, the experience is breathtaking. Value proposition is as follows: it helps you sell all your stuff in less than a minute. Pretty impressive, right? Mainly app is targeted at mothers because every mother knows kids grow like weeds. What to do with outgrown clothes and toys? We all have items that we no longer use, collecting dust in our garage or closet. Because selling unwanted items is a long and tedious process, sites like eBay are built for professional sellers. Manuel thinks that everyone should be able to sell their items quickly and easily! With Garageo.us all you need is your smartphone.

I'm also very interested in behind the scenes of Garageo.us. Because all the team is scattered around the globe the way they work represents already established trend - distance is not an obstacle. 4 People with average age of 32, live in 3 different time zones, truly international team consists of professionals from St Petersburg, London, Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. It is merely impossible to have everyone online at the same time hence BaseCamp is essential for Garageo.us workflow. 90% of communication is happening there. It makes you prepare and think thoroughly your questions and answers, because the next chance you'll have is in 24 hours".

Guys integrated testing deeply into their development process. Number of interviews were conducted with friends and strangers at the Starbucks and similar places. A lot of valuable realizations came from those interviews, for example old web page was changed to a new, a lot of people did not understand that they had to scroll down. Also message was not clear enough, a lot of text made it look confusing. Website was changed into conventional segmented website with navigation bar at the top, homepage now consists of one clear message and 3 bullet points and call for action. In first 10 sec you understand what's the service about.

I have some early shots of the app, but my understanding is that in final version it'll look a bit differently.

Manuel said that the app is not about features, Garageo.us want to change the way people sell. They want to reduce waste and the app is just a tool to accomplish that mission.

In upcoming weeks beta testing will take place with pre-selected users, after this test, final adjustments will be made and Garageo.us is going live. I can't wait to try it and see if I can sell my old printer using it. I'll come back with my impressions when the app is published. I'm very keen to see how they solved all of the UI and UX problems.

Graphically powerful names that won't let you sleep at night

2014-02-15T20:49:00.001+02:00

Good friend of my better half has a photography studio which she runs with her boyfriend. They're focusing mainly on wedding photography but also do some really nice personal projects. I had a honor of designing a logo for them, which they're using till this day. Their venture is called AA Studio, two As stand for their first names Aušra and Aleksandras, this is one of those names which have a huge geometric power behind it. "A" is one of the vertical symmetrical letters, which by itself hides an enormous compositional opportunities. In this case there are two of them which makes all the possibilities even more endless, if one could say so of course :)

First iteration for the logo was done more than two years ago, but to be honest, I wasn't completely happy with it. However guys adopted no3 (good choice from the selection btw) and were using it happily ever since.

When project like this comes a long one can't just simply forget it, especially when you're not absolutely happy wit the outcome. It is one of those things that keeps coming back to your mind because you feel the job hasn't been completed fully yet. So eventually when the stars were in correct alignment and wind was blowing frenzy behind the window I've eventually laid the ideas down on paper.

My favorite is this:

I chose to keep the top alignment of the "studio" letters as I believe it can serve as a natural bridge between first and second logo versions. I also like the relation that is being represented by the placement of the two A letters, they're similar in size and shape but also unique in the form they're created. The distinctive element of the logo is that both letters are dominant - just in different dimensions. The "A" that's being displayed in front is more coherent and defined, while the other "A" might look as its behind but it is on higher Z axis, hence on top of the first one. The relation between the letters show how two individuals can connect and and in pair form an iconic, rememberable union and symbol.

In the case of "AA Studio" I was focusing on creating an iconic symbol which shows the conjunction of two individuals rather than displaying a label of camera or something similar. Not to dwell to much but just in general I believe logos should be more than a literal labels displaying the industry that company is representing, anyway this requires completely separate blog post.

Logos aren't something that I do usually and are more of a hobby for me, but if the entity behind it stands for the values I believe in I'm more than happy to help communicate them through the visual medium. There are a few other my created logos that I'm happy about, I'll post them in following posts.

A few of my favorite AA Studio pictures:

Like and follow AA Studio on their Facebook page.

Noahs conference 2013

2014-02-10T13:17:00.001+02:00

Not so long ago in November 2013 NOAH conference took place in London. Together with the team we had a booth there and showcased Flick a Trade. Noah, according to their website is

The preeminent European event where Internet CEOs, executives and investors gain deep insights into the latest proven concepts, network with senior executives and establish new business relationships.

And sure it is one of the highest profile events, we had our app running on iPads so anyone interested could have a try. It was a pleasure hearing all the compliments, people were just wowing and it was a hit, everybody wanted to try.

I was fortunate enough to meet some of the highest profile VCs and people who are at the edge of innovation and are C level decision makers.

Our CEO, Kerem Ozelli was presenting app during Pitch session, you can check the video here:

he covers almost all of the main topics that we stand for.

Conference also had some other very interesting talks out of which I enjoyed mostly interview with Oliver Samwer from European Founders

some pictures to illustrate it:

Thats the iPad version of the app that everyone tried

thats happy me next to our fantasy markets, fine example of Galvorn, Kryptonite and such

The conference was a blast and I can't wait until next year.

Exciting times ahead and Good UX is Unique Solution to a Unique Problem

2014-02-01T22:59:00.002+02:00

It's a becoming a norm for me to have enormous gaps between my posts here, its like as if I'm accumulating all my ideas and have a burst of them in one go every six months or so. I should try posting something at least each month because current technique does not work really well. I end up with just a few random news and they're not that exciting. Aaand I should stop writing about how I write... Lets go down to real business.

In recent months I've been highly involved into working on UX and UI. Our company in addition to our London crew has two other offices in Dresden, and Vienna. Just after Christmas holidays we had a big workshop in Vienna for a whole week, teammates from all over Europe flew to Vienna. I can not stress enough how important it is for all team members to have a common understanding on where the product is heading and share the same belief about our mission.

St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna

Before going into details about my personal realizations I'd like to remind to those who are not aware, that before Christmas we've released v3 of the app which included new, very exciting segment - multi player mode. People still can trade against the market but scores that they acquire are not their final profit - at the end of every day we distribute the winnings to the top best players with best scores. That way, even if the market was playing against you, you still have a chance to go back home with sizable prize. It works like this: you pay $10 as an entry fee and we grant you access to trading floor for 5 minutes, you can enter the game whenever you want and play how many times you want, the only limitation is that you can trade for 5 minutes at a time. Every time you enter a game $10 fee is deducted from your account and added to the pool which is then distributed to the top players, so in some days you can still win even with negative score. Anyway that was the v3 its currently out on iOS so if you haven't tried it yet, go ahead link is here (ps. don't forget markets are closed on weekends) also updated video trailer here: http://youtu.be/QrmZxLTm_fM

Six months ago we knew where we were going and its super satisfying to see ourselves here, but it is much more exciting whats planned for the future. For apparent reasons I can not disclose how much app will be changed in upcoming months but I can assure that it is worth waiting. What we've came up together is truly lifting personal financing and trading to a new level. Working with people who are specializing in different domains empowers birth of amazing ideas and even more amazing and engaging discussions. It is very interesting to see how user experience is comprehended by front end developers and system programmers. Working together in design sessions, consensus on essential topics are met way easier than in waterfall structure, iteration and feedback we got from each other was priceless.

Some people treat UX as a new trending topic and characterize it with traits such as objectification or staticness the truth is that it's not a subject of trend, strong UX is always a unique solution to a unique problem. It shouldn't and just can not be compared to a trending colour that you apply for a dress which makes it sell this season. It is way more than that. User Expierence is a path that users take on their journey together with the product, it is the exciting momentum that is being captured by every person, it is the most intimate moment that we User Experience designers have honor working on.

I learn a lot from my colleagues, I'm very happy to see such professionals surrounding me every day, it is them who create environment where personal growth is unavoidable. Well that and books, God I can't tell you how much I love books. All the knowledge of humankind is captured in those lovely collections of words, sentences paragraphs pages and ideas, my recent books that I've read: Lean Startup - this one was on my list for quite some time. Lean Startup by Eric Ries is a must for every one involved in technology development, weather its your job passion or just something you're interested in. As the boxer Mike Tyson once said about his opponents’ prefight strategies: “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” the book is exactly about how not to get punched. Lean UX - a natural second step after Lean Startup, this one is about application of Lean Principles on User Experience. It touches a few interesting points and focuses mainly on integration of lean ux into already existing organisation, could be handy. I'm currently reading The Tipping Point, it compares ideas to viruses and analyses how they spread and what traits are shared. Absolutly amazing book, I'm enjoying reading this a lot. After I'm done with Tipping Point and it looks I should be done with it pretty soon cause its just melting in my hands I'll immerse into "Start with why" by Simon Sinek recommended by @Tomaslau. Tomas is a great person and product guy whom I've met not so long ago, I guess he wouldn't be angry if I'd also call him a Despreneur - a mix between designer and entrepreneur it is he who came up with the term and as a matter of fact is writing an amazing magazine just on that topic (design, technology and entrepreneurship) which can be found at http://despreneur.com/

Well this came up a bit dispersed but I'm gonna come back to this post and give it some more structure later. Over and out.

Flick a trade

2013-07-03T16:33:00.000+03:00

For the last 6months I was working together with Cygnecode (London based technology company) on a Flick A Trade a mobile trading game that gives you access to real markets with realtime prices.
Together with wonderful team in London I've been working on UI and UX on this project, the final touch was this short video:

Every day millions of people try their luck at casino tables, bet on sporting events and play chance games online—all of which offer worse odds of winning than trading. Financial trading, though, presents considerable barriers to entry: Would-be market participants need access via brokers, banks or retail trading firms; they need knowledge about how markets move and how to benefit from those shifts; and they need not insignificant amounts of disposable time and cash. Because of these barriers, trading is like a thrilling roller coaster that many people just aren't tall enough to ride.

"Flick a trade" offers all the excitement of the financial fair ground without any of the risk. The game is designed to be intuitive and fun so that complete novices are up and trading with fantasy funds within minutes. Beginners and pros alike enjoy fast access to 70+ live markets—commodities, indices or currencies—24/5. They can play anywhere from their smart phone, using simple, familiar gestures—drag and drop, pinch and zoom, fold and tap, swipe and flick—to create watch lists, interact with charts and place trades.

More info here: http://www.flickatrade.com/

Part Two & Lunar

2013-06-28T20:21:00.002+03:00

Part Two

Part Two is a project I did together with my better half. It is our first project together, hopefully not the last one.

In a nutshell it was a submission to a design competition "Design for death" it explores new eco-friendly possibilities of funerals and burying process itself. We haven't won the competition (very similar idea to ours won) anyway we ended up with this pretty animation so you be the judge of it.

If you're interested you can get in depth look at Behance.net here

This is a trailer which I did for Lunar Elcipse, iPhone, Android game which you can download from here and here respectively http://bit.ly/WwTxtf http://bit.ly/ZgmNcu

aaaand down bellow actual in game footage.

(ps.. there is an update already created, should see a daylight sooooon)

Also - something mega awesome and exciting coming in a few days (week max) that hopefully I'll be able to share with you and if my habit of the most irregular blog updating won't get in the way I'll post it here.

Over and out, yours truly,

Lukas

Lunar Eclipse

2012-11-01T10:49:00.000+02:00

Hi guys and gerls,

Long time since my last post, bunch of new things happened. I've started working full time at Pixel Punch (i'm co founder there) and relocated to London, UK so we have three offices right now, two proper offices in Lithuania (Vilnius and Kaunas) and one kinda office in UK. Things are going pretty radically awesome so its really exciting time for me right now. We're also finishing up one Arcade/Augmented Reality game Lunar Eclipse if everything goes as planned (fingers crossed) we should finish it this week and here is a time lapse video I made yesterday of final touches on the game.

Also together with Robertas who does contract work at Pixel Punch we've been working on some really awesome 3D assets for games, check out just a quick screen grab from 3DsMax view port (proper quality renders will come soon)

Printed my first canvas image

2012-03-30T11:45:00.000+03:00

Check out photo of how it looks while hanging on the wall, sorry for poor photo quality my camera is pretty shitty. I was really excited to see my work on the canvas, as I always work with digital format it was truly a relief to hold something I created in my own hands. It felt really good cause its first time my picture materialized. Wish I could print out all my pictures.

See final raw image at the gallery above.

Rice & Shine

2011-06-22T15:12:00.002+03:00

Latest game I was working on is Rice&Shine, here is a short demonstration video, you'll be able to get it on appstore and android markets really soon. this awesome game was made by PixelPunch team.

Bachelor's Degree is in my hands at last!

2011-06-16T12:15:00.001+03:00

I'm now official multimedia art designer :)

VILNIUS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGIES AND DESIGN have granted me a bachelor's degree and rated my diploma work with the highest possible mark 10

what next?