Friday, August 30, 2013

Pleased to meet You - Photo-shoots

In my mid third year I had to design a digital magazine with photographs that is put into galleries. I had to do a photo-shoot before the project and I must admit doing this photo-shoot was made my year just so much more awesome!

Thanks to one of my dearest friends, Gina Jeanz for modeling for me. You are the BEsT! The most fun I had every doing a photo-shoot. Hope you guys enjoy this, to see even more of the images please check it out on my Facebook Page HERE






Till Later!
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Monday, August 26, 2013

Upgrading Maintenance

Apologies for all the inconvenience guys. My blog is currently undergoing upgrades and heavy maintenance is required. Fortunately you can still access the articles on your right-hand side under the Timeline!

Again, this will be sorted out in the next few weeks.
Till Later,
*F

Post 135

In the next few weeks I will upload some long lost post which I should have posted already... Yeah, yeah I know I should have uploaded them unfortunately life got in the way.

For my first post I will start by showing you guys what I did for a friend who is the best writer I know personally. I am proud to call him my best friend, so check it out and feel free to comment!





Till Later!
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Sunday, August 25, 2013

Coding for iOS made easy

So, I've been searching for almost 4 months what would be the most efficient and easiest way to learn Objective-C coding for the iOS to develop your own Apps. Since I am planning in designing my first App for my desertion I thought "hey, it can't hurt knowing how to code."

So I came across the Stanford University podcast classes on iTunes U and I have to tell you guys that is was quite a head scratcher figuring out what that guy was talking about. I decided to continue my hunt to search for a more easier way to approach this "coding" business. On YouTube I found this guys called Chris who was struggling with the same issue, not only me, but multiple people has. So Chris decided to start his own website helping idiots like me to start coding from scratch. I must say her is brilliant in explaining things in colour where the Stanford classes left me in the world of black and white.

So thanks Chris for making my life easier and actually explaining details for a person who doesn't know much about coding. Sure I fiddle around with some HTML code but also using Google as my guide though... For anyone who is new to coding and needs to learn the basics, and I am talking about BASICS basics, just check out codewithchris.com to start learning Objective-C and how to write code. And take it from someone who has no coding background, it is really worth reading this guys guides and watching his videos on YouTube.

Here is an introduction video to his online tutorials;



Hopefully you guys will get to see some of my progress later when I actually have some visuals ;-)

Till Later,
*F

Thursday, August 15, 2013

The Sims 4 Images Leaked

So this might not be so much design but more a hobby of mine. Well, I most of the time get my design ideas from games. I love Sims, there, I admit it. So to talk about the reveal, just a few months ago a sketch was revealed, by the lead concept artist, Albert Truong, of The Sims 4:


And just a few days ago some images leaked, a week before the Gamescom. I would hope that this was done by a fan or are just more conceptual images, because to be honest I am NOT very happy with whats going on. When I saw the sketch above I though, OMG what is happening to Sims! Are the creators leading towards more cartoony style? Are they following the trend of simplifying their designs as every other company? Will Sims actually improve for next generation gaming?

I read multiple blogs and comments of Sims fans who are not happy with the simplicity of the designs. Dozens of fans emphasised that they want more realistic looking Sims and objects, and now the developers of Sims has taken a different route. Will this choice upset the rest of their fan base? Will fans actually rebel against purchasing the game just because of this choice? Or will this turn around and be a great success? Who knows?

Personally I don't think this choice was a good one. Looking from a design perspective, there is always new innovative ways of designing and what is happening here is that Sims to be taking a step backward. well, I had my say so here are the leaked images, judge for yourself;



















Designing with the Golden Ratio


As we all know the designers at Apple has an attention to detail and that everything these designers design they really put in a lot of effort and long hours of brainstorming. If you tuned in to the WWDC this year you might have saw the new interface design for the new iOS 7 (operating system for Apple devices).

What is interesting with most of Apple's designs are that they use the Golden Ratio which lead to harmonious proportions in aesthetic design. This method of design was identified in the 16th Century already and today are being used as the backbone for most designs. Here are an example of the Golden Ratio being used in Apple’s icon designs;


So as you can see the Golden Ratio is very important in the designing of icons/logos. This is something (I feel) a designer should consider when designing if it is a logo or a layout. We are probably more familiar with the term 'grid system.' The images below you will see a clear grid system in the new icon designs of Apples iOS 7;


Using a grid system can sometimes constrain a designer to design freely but it makes you think more creatively, forcing you to fit shapes like a puzzle. I really think this method of designing can enrich ones designs. I don't think this should apply to all designs but for starting a new project, creating a foundation can help a lot!

Till Later
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