Design Renegade

123Klan Engraved SK8 Boards

2011-05-07T05:53:00.000-07:00

Just found this in my google reader. 123 Klan just posted something in StationeryStyle. Will be hard to use it though. Instead, it will end up mounted in my wall.

Herakut in a childrens home in Russia

2011-04-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

Amazing work done by the duo Herakut In a childrens home in Russia. It's a great way to introduce street art to these kids.

The blog of Urban Cake Lady is back!

2011-04-10T00:53:00.000-07:00

There was some time that the blog of Urban Cake Lady was hidden from view from the general public and only subscribed people were granted access. I've now discovered that it is back live for everyone to see.

123klan Reel 2011

2011-03-19T20:38:00.000-07:00

123klan, One of the most inspiring figures in graffiti and graphic design have released their product reel via this video. Inspiring!

123KLAN REEL 2011 from 123 KLAN on Vimeo.

Check them out @ http://www.123klan.com/

Urban Cake Lady, Melbourne

2011-03-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

A new sighting of this art piece from the Urban Cake Lady

in Maitai's Riverside Drive, Melbourne. More details on the blog http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/4774121/Art-attack-on-Maitai-footbridge

BANKSY: Exit Through the Gift Shop

2011-03-12T07:43:00.000-08:00

Street art is a predominant force to recon with. It can be compared to one giant icon that stares at you in the face and just leaves you digest it’s meaning. Then you walk along.

After watching Banksy’s film Exit through the gift shop, It really got me to thinking how big of a joke the whole art scene is playing on the masses. Definitely a lot of people got suckered to buying the ridiculously priced “art” pieces, but you can’t blame them. That goes to show how peer pressure is prevailing, or it's just most people want to get a piece of whats popular.

It really goes to show that anyone can be successful in art as long as you are focused to work on your ideas. It doesn’t matter if you hire people to do the execution for you. As long as you can produce for consumption.

The perfect formula for street art: The use of using iconic figures, edited in Photoshop to make the guide for the stencil.

End result? A pseudo work of art that will definitely land in on your living room while it leans on your wall (not hanged) leaving this Just-got-this-off-an-art show-but-haven’t-had-the-time-to-frame feeling for other friends to see.

Still a great film though. A brief introduction to the street artists and their works that you most probably have searched in the net already.

Design: Herakut: The Perfect Merge

2011-02-08T06:05:00.000-08:00

The duo from Germany who is known as Herakut has been making cutting edge graffiti art that you don't normally see. You would definitely stand in awe once you've seen their masterpieces. Obscure but Sweet is the phrase that I can say as to how their art appeals to the viewer. There's also a certain depth in the characters they often use to depict an emotion.

The book features their process from pencil drawing, the initial sprays, until the finishing touches of the piece will leave you asking for more. You'll also be drawn by the handwritten pencil text (erasures included) that you don't normally see. If you're not into graffiti art yet, this book might give the best inspiration to create your first piece with the thought that anything is possible. I consider this one of those gems that helped me out of a creativity slump. The spontaneity and raw energy that their art manifests truly says that there is no boundaries in the imagination of man.

*This will be the 1st review in a series from the Design Renegade team.

2011-01-30T02:06:00.000-08:00

Just got the camera back from the shop last Friday. I had high hopes but some fell short after knowing the B Setting is not working anymore, as well as some indicator lights that have become faulty due to 2 decades of non use. The camera was diagnosed to have a lot of oxidation inside the internal mechanism so rust has built up inside. The camera lens was also out of alignment and was pretty obvious once it was put back into place.

The battery pack was customized to support newer batteries by insetting a larger spring and adding some support on the battery barrel. I actually saw this trick from one website that features a lot of history about the Yashica camera.

The camera has a character of its own. Aside from it's classic design, it is very is compact.

After some time fiddling with the camera when I got home I noticed that if I set the camera under Auto and hit the shutter, the opening gets stuck open for sometime. The problem is gone if I set to Flash setting. One more thing that I got a shock from was the external Flash, and its a literal shock! I got electrocuted from touching this metal piece thats exposed! I've thought of something to cover it so I don't get electrocuted in the face when taking shots.

A lot of people are asking me why do I even bother with the repairs and developing charges if I can get a brand new DSLR camera with all the cool features. It's the analog feel of using one, and the unexpected surprise that I get from the time the roll has been developed. Nothing beats the grain quality of a developed roll of film.

Pencil Drawings.

2011-01-23T09:59:00.000-08:00

I just love pencil sketches. The raw energy of a charcoal on paper has that feel of life in it. If you've seen the works of Herakut you'll be amazed how they can transfer the same energy from paper to graffiti art.

It was just a few months ago that I started drawing again and I realized that I still love doing it. I wished I hadn't stopped.

Time is your enemy. Better start doing what you love now!

Here's a shameless plug to my personal sketches. I would love to hear your feedback.

http://pencildrawingsinfo.blogspot.com

Revive the Electro 35 GSN

2011-01-15T11:14:00.000-08:00

Finally managed to send the camera for servicing. The shop said that they could customize the battery chamber so that newer batteries can be used. Apparently the battery that you use for the Electro 35 GSN is now obsolete. The camera was diagnosed really bad as well, but the shop gave me a reasonable price just so that we can revive it from decades of non use.

And I didn't realize it's 2011 already... Yaschica Electro 35

2011-01-10T14:06:00.000-08:00

Happy 2011! There are loads of things that I need to fix and start right away. I just acquired my Yaschica Electro 35 camera. It has been with my family since the 1980's. Before I find it really bulky and outdated. But now, it's a classic! It will be a major overhaul because I need to have it cleaned and serviced. The leather case looks like it's gonna give way anytime and there's a lot of dust or mould inside the viewfinder. I recall there were a few problems with the shutter, but looks like it's not there anymore. The lens cover got lost and I need to replace the batteries just so the other settings would work. Hopefully everything goes well.

2010 RAVE

2009-12-30T16:16:00.000-08:00

Later we'll be going to the Siloso Beach new year's party in Sentosa island. It's supposed to be this big party where a lot of DJs will be playing. Somehow it reminds me of a Pepsi commercial a few years back where hundreds of people were in a rave but the sun is almost in the horizon. So for them to continue the fun, they had to run and transport everything a few kilometers in the desert where it is still dark.

I seldom go to these types of parties due to the fact that you get to spend a lot of money. But because it is new year's eve, this is the best place to be to catapult your hopes for 2010 until the sun rises on the horizon.

Happy New Year!

Sound+Art

2008-01-13T01:32:00.000-08:00

Recently, I discovered this band Mogwai from various bloggers who claims of listening to the album. Now I know why this band has gained its elite status from bloggers and artists alike. It's just splendid! If you can still remember the first time you listened to a heavy metal album in the 90's, that is the experience it can bring back. However, the ironic thing is, they are not a Heavy metal band.

Art and music have always gone hand in hand to complement each other. During art installations, without background music the featured piece would seem dull to the audience.That also goes if youre creating art without music, it feels like there is something missing.

So while I was walking to the nearby mall (while listening to Mogwai), I passed by this guy who is wearing a Graphic T-shirt that is similar to the one I am wearing now. His shirt is from Diesel(with a print I forgot already)which is done in carefully executed Typography. I then had this thought that the print on my shirt could have been a lot better if I expanded it a little, made the letters a lot bolder and skewed it for added distortion. After that my mind drifted to a few other designs that suddenly surfaced. This clearly indicates how music can affect ideas a person gets. It's like tuning to a soundtrack for the soul.

The Vector War

2008-01-09T17:57:00.000-08:00

Creating vector illustrations have now evolved to a point where you can choose the best program for your convenience. There is now the option to use freeware Vector programs unlike before. Now the diversity of the choices depends on the functionality and compatibility to different file formats. However, it still depends on the user as there are others who prefer raster applications instead of vector. Personally, I use Adobe Illustrator for its clear cut lines, flexibility, and being the benchmark for vector output. You can visit this link to view the list of vector programs in the market today. Today, it does not matter what program you are using, it boils down how your design conceived and delivered.

DIY T-shirt Screenprinting

2008-01-06T11:03:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has a passion for collecting graphic T-shirts has one time or another thought of printing their own shirts. This can either be for sale or plain fun. A year ago after deciding to switch careers, I thought that I wanted to print a few shirts DIY. After a few web searches in the net I realized that the information on T-shirt screenprinting was very scarce. Most of the search results will direct you to an online store or some printing press that looks like it was in a farm. That is until I stumbled on the Gigposters forum site. The topics on this site is really comprehensive as it gives you all the options, tools, and mechanisms to print what you want. It even has the info to create your very own Printing press. You can check the site from this link.

The Lomo Passion

2008-01-05T11:50:00.000-08:00

I've been eyeing a lomography camera for sometime now and it is called the "Diana". The photo output is similar to the Holga, cheaper yet powerful. What's good about this is the extra features that this camera has. You can check out this link for more info.

I currently own a Fish Eye camera, but I would like to produce vintage looking photos that the Lomo Automat Kompakt, Holga, and the Diana can produce. It's always great to see anything out of the ordinary.

Art induced print on fabric

2008-01-04T10:48:00.000-08:00

Everytime I visit Page One here in Singapore, I always make it a point to spot a designer or artist who is scouring the shelves for endless books in design. It is pure heaven just to be in that bookstore. What do I look for? Someone with: A trendy messenger bag, messy looking hair and glasses. However, one thing is for sure, a person wearing a graphic t-shirt.

This trend that flourished in the 60's has now reached immortal status as luxury brands have already embraced this medium. But how do you separate the best designs from commercially induced print? The answer: Independent brands such as Design by Humans or Threadless. Both websites have an ongoing tee shirt design competition open to any artist who can execute digital art. What's best about Independent brands is the sense of feeling that only a few people has a similar shirt as yours. These shirts are printed only to a number, thus keeping the worth of your shirt.

There are also books that have finally focused on the topic of Graphic Tee Shirts such as 100% Cotton T-shirt graphics that celebrates various graphic tees from Vintage print to Electro Induced sensibilities.

I actually consider myself lucky to be in Singapore where independent graphic T-shirt brands are spreading like wildfire. But yes, it comes with a price. You just have to gauge which rises above everything else.This is where a good eye in design comes in handy.

Graphic revolution

2008-01-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

Currently, there seems to be a trend in the graphic design community. Everyone seems to have an insight on it due to the popularity of graphic applications such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Every art enthusiast or student gets the sense of need to learn these applications. I can also take into account my personal experience when I first took this path in the digital revolution of design.

So how do you exactly get noticed for all your efforts? Join graphic design contests! Yes, I understand that you are too good for that, but in reality competitions is the arena that your art can get it's rightful exposure. An example is The Adobe® Design Achievement Awards .

This competition is sure promising as it caters to different disciplines of design. All you need is the guts and the effort to create your piece and let the universe take its toll.

Design is an ever evolving organism, it can change shape at any time (that is how trends surface), it's how original you present it that counts.