There’s many mini flash games across the web, and I think the advertising versions – you know the ones, where you shoot 5 ducks to win a house – are slowly disappearing. Replacing this is Facebook games, apparently 90 million people were playing FarmVille last March (I’ll post about that later).

Simple flash games are good though, when you want to take a break from work. Or in the case of this game, when your account team get on your back.

Go throw some pencils. Since you wouldn’t get away with it in reality – you can in ‘virtuality’.

Most of my time at home is spent in one of two places. Either in the conservatory (where my books and computer reside), or in my bedroom where my TV shares it’s list of films (along with Xbox games too).

One of my main dislikes about the conservatory is also my greatest loves for it. I despise the natural light when the strength of its shine changes — the clouds create a shade and make everything darker, only to move on and leave me blinded as the brightness returns. This makes it especially hard to read as my eyes must keep adjusting. But there is one huge benefit to this room of windows.

Since I live on a hill, there isn’t much blocking my view north towards Manchester and also the Yorkshire Dales a ‘little’ further. Nothing beats getting inspiration than from a little daydreaming, and the best daydreams come from looking at nature.  I guess a reason for why I love clouds. Turns out not a lot shares the contrast of Marmite, I love and hate a lot of things and I’m sure you do too — clouds aren’t the start or the end, their just another in the pile, but today I do love them.

Brief:

A quote from this chapter: ‘In this world, it is instantly obvious that something is odd. No houses can be seen in the valleys or plains. Everyone lives in the mountains.’ (lightman, p28)

Lightman tells us about a world where people built their homes on stilts in the mountains, for the further they are from the earth the longer they would live.

The reasoning behind my images is that I felt that the chapter had a great interest in height and age. I decided that trees were a perfect example in both subjects. Each photograph has been taken to accentuate the height of nature and to give the impression that each tree is looking over you, possibly even thinking that you are ‘spent, weak and shortsighted’.

I tried to capture the age of the trees through their bark. Seeing each crease as a wrinkle and each tear a scar, I witnessed the similarities between their skin and ours.

If we were as tall as them, it may be possible we would live just as long.

Since I broke up from college, and before I get my summer brief, I’ve been catching up with some American Dramas. Lost and Stargate mainly.

I finished season four of Lost this morning, and felt I should share my findings so far.
There have been a lot of coincidences through the past few seasons, especially with people being related, and suggestions that our world isn’t so large. Hence we all affect everyone else’s lives.

The story is rather fantasy based and therefore lends its self to many morals.
A few to mention:

• Don’t give up at the first hurdle
• A belief that things will get better can be as good as it being so
• Someone’s misfortune can be your gain
• Every decision affects someone else

I think these can be all be related to the design practice:

• You should never give up on a idea or project because the client doesn’t like it or there isn’t enough budget
• If you believe in the idea enough, the client will be encouraged by your confidence
• When someone is struggling with an idea, they are more likely to accept assistance
• Never change the project without communicating to other people

Ps. Need to start looking into what I will base my dissertation on soon. Currently thinking along the lines of the benefits of freelance over employee.

Going to print some business cards soon on my press. Got my stock sorted and colour.

Though I want a message on the rear, or front which ever you feel is more important.

Hmm, maybe that should be my message: ‘Please turn over for details’

Also thought about:

- Inspired to design, Design to inspire

- Printed by Ashley Dean Newall

- White with one sugar please