Graphic Design

There are many techniques I want to learn and skills that i want to use to build my portfolio. I want to collect a group of images that come as inspiration to me. The collection of images on the website link below are iphone and ipod wallpapers created by artists. Typography, fashion and retro images are used to create beautiful wallpapers.

http://www.hot-lyts.com/blog/freebies/50-creative-iphone-wallpapers/

Swiss Style

Swiss Style graphic design was made famous through the artistic talents of swiss graphic designers, however it also emerged in Russia, Germany and the Netherlands around 1920. The style became internationally known around the 1950's and is now produced by artists around the world. The name swiss style has kept the name and the swiss legacy.

The style pays attention to detail and precision and crafting skills. The font and lettering style used is inventive and shows a new movement of style.

Above are some examples of the style found on Smashing magazine.

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/07/17/lessons-from-swiss-style-graphic-design/

Enjoy the art of Haiku

Haiku is one of the most important form of traditional Japanese poetry. Haiku is, today, a 17-syllable verse form consisting of three metrical units of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. Haiku is a type of poem that originated in Japan over 300 years ago. They are very short set of words that are used to reflect on one particular thought or feeling. The poems are a way to capture the essence of a moment in which nature is linked to human nature.

Haiku poems are becoming more popular and understood around the world and the challenge is to express a short, yet dynamic message in only 17 japanese characters.

Examples of famous Haikus by Basho:

ncient pond
Frog leaps
Splash!

Waterjar cracks -
I lie awake
This icy night.

Lightening -
Heron's cry
Stabs the darkness

Sick on a journey -
Over parched fields
Dreams wander on.

http://haiku-poems.50webs.com/

Sweet Millions

The New York Lottery Sweet Million ad posted on youtube is a very cute and humorous ad. The ad is aimed for entertainment purposes and publicity. There are a few ads in the series however the link for the one below is my favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4fsHLWi_xI

TAKE A SIESTA

Video on Youtube teaches you how to power nap! The health benefits on naps taken throughout the day. Napping lowers your blood pressure, relieves stress and in turn can cause you to live 7 years longer.

The video explains that those that are not able to nap during the day have to learn to train themselves. Practice makes perfect and it takes a while for your body to adjust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ0oEedMX6s

How to Win Friends and Influence People

How to Win Friends and Influence people is one of the top bestselling self-help books ever published. Author Dale Carnegie has sold around 15 million copies globally.

Certain topics that are discussed in the book are the fundamental techniques in handling people, 6 ways to make people like you, how to win people to your way of thinking and how to be a leader and how to change people without giving offense or arousing resentment.

The basic ways of handling people include not criticizing, condemn or complain. It is important to give honest and sincere appreciation.

Advice on ways to make people like you include becoming genuinely interested in other people. Smile is a very important aspect, (people like happy people). Remember a persons name - this is deemed very sweet and flattering to people. Being authentic and a good listener are also important. Making some one feel important and doing it sincerely is also necessary.

http://www.westegg.com/unmaintained/carnegie/win-friends.html

Daily Deals

Groupon.com was one of the fastest growing websites that was started by a 27 year old entrepreneur and others. The company has grown now to around 500 thousand employees in just 2 years. THe company is worth over 4 billion dollars now. The whole idea of the website came from a very simple and unique idea. The website is unique because many websites offer coupons and deals, however consumers are often cluttered by all of these offers. However Groupon.com offers one deal every day. They are nationally and offer a deal a day for each region of America. Their goals are to expand globally.

For example Gap will offer a coupon for 30% in the New York area and the website keeps track of how many people bought it. Gap had over 430 thousand coupons sold that day.

http://www.groupon.com/subscriptions/new?utm_content=2s307&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search&utm_term=groupon&d=New_York_-_Long_Island&g=Groupon&m=e&k_clickID=1e32acfe-f5e8-4be9-5b99-000039b6d323