Booklet cover for Lisa Chia

Eli and her friend asked me to design a booklet cover for their friend's graduation recital. They gave me a sketch, and some keywords, "antique style", "not too complicated", "growing flowers" (hoolanders). When I gave them the final product, Lisa was so happy with the design she told me to put my name there. XD

Cover:


Back:


Here are 2 early drafts that i sent to them to choose from, then develop from there:

Everyone is an artist

Everyone can create art. Any kind of art, in any form. A drawing, a song, some words put together and you've got a poem.

I believe everyone is an artist. We're created in God's image, God is an artist, a creator, we also have the artist cell in us. :)

Some people might say that they can't draw well. So, let me tell you, drawing can be learned!

Just like learning a musical instrument, no one can play the piano once they're born. They have to pick up piano lessons, and then step by step, with practice, patience and passion, they can play a song and another song and another song.

You can teach yourself drawing too. Now at this you-can-get-almost-everything-from-the-internet era, do a little google search and we can learn some simple techniques about drawing.

I've met some people who never went to art school, but they can draw/paint very well.

Art college or no, drawing lessons or self-taught, I believe everyone can draw. Just practice. And maybe imitate/copy some of the drawings you see as an exercise.

Here's a like I want to share with you. Drawspace.com. They have some some free drawing lessons on their website. It's free to register. And they have some paid lessons too.

Man, I need to continue to brush up my drawing skill...

KUASA Design Conference

Went to a conference organized by wREGA. KUASA Design Power Asia.

They've invited Asian designers to talk at the conference. There's Ahn Sang-soo (South Korea), Sudir Sharma (India), Freeman Lau Siu Hong (Hong Kong, China), Hermawan Tanzil (Indonesia), Little Ong (Singapore) and Tarek Atrissi (Lebanon/ The Netherlands).

Ahn Sang-soo famous for revolutionizing the Hangul written language. He look at the words as shapes and pattern, creating art from there. Most of his designs are spacious, much like another japanese designer, Shun Kawakami (Or maybe the term is Minimalism design?)



Sudir Sharma gave some tips about design business, he shared with us his 16 laws.

Here's the 16 laws:
1 Perception
2 Question
3 Precision
4 Position
5 Time
6 Integration
7 Top Driver
8 Measurement
9 Number 1
10 Control
11 Rules of pareto 80:20
12 Success
13 End First
14 Benefits & Proof
15 Life Cycle
16 KISS

Freeman Lau Siu Hong shared with us his experience of art and design. He collaborated with lots of artists/designers.

Hermawan Tanzil shared with us his works. According to him, Indonesians like stories in their design. Myths, traditions, art forms presented in a modern sensibility.

Little Ong from Singapore, the works he presented are more to multimedia design. Motion graphics, web design, interactive design, experimental short film, etc.

Tarek Atrissi shared about his love and passion for Arabic typography.

All of the designer's works has an essence of the country, culture they live in. Makes me wonder, as a Malaysian, how can my designs bring out the art and culture of the country I live in.