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Showing posts with label design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label design. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Illustrations from Henrietta Harris


Chanced upon Henrietta Harris works via the Stumble Upon App.

The medium she uses include pencil and water colors.


The images are stark and arresting with
swirling lines that distort the proportions of the main subject.

It has a distinctive raw look, style and feel.
It invokes modern day melancholy, detachment and disillusionment to me.


It also sort of looks like a glitch.. like a electric circuit meltdown...
or if you've watch The Matrix, a coding malfunction.

Psychedelic electronic inspired art with subdued pastel colors.

With hints of influence from Dali and Surrealism.







It's exciting to watch how she develops with different subjects, techniques and movements.




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Excerpt:
"About Henrietta Harris
  I was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand and have been drawing and painting forever."

"  How did you first get into illustration?

    I'd always drawn and painted as a child and teenager. After school I did a Bachelor of Art and Design and they sucked the life out of me, but then I started making gig posters and creating better work and things snowballed from there.


    How would you best describe your style of illustration?

    I like to think it has a timeless look that won't go in or out of fashion, not that I care about that anyway... Watercolour and gouache portraiture probably best sums it up simply.
    Please take us through your design process, where do you start?

    I spend lots of time researching images, photography design and film, then collect and compile them. I paint them off my computer screen for reference, usually. The melty face paintings are laid out in photoshop first. All the actual painting is done by hand, all I do afterwards is slightly clean up paintings as my scanner makes them a bit dark........"


Saturday, August 10, 2013

Home Improvement Series - White Magnetic Marker Board

I had an idea to use the vertical or aerial space that I had
from the back of my wardrobe in my current bedroom.

I wanted to put a magnetic board that I could pin stuff like
postcards, bills, small notes and nice pictures on it.

Some inspiration pictures from the Web:










In addition, it would be great if the magnetic board could also be used as a white marker board.



I started searching on the web on where I can get something similar to those pictures.

Here are the shortlisted finds:
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1. Steel Magnetic Board from Ikea Singapore - S$24.50, 37x78cm

2. Steel Magnetic Board from Amazon - Various Price for Different Sizes

3. Magnetic Board from CB2 of Crate and Barrel - USD39.95,  23.5"x23.5"x2"

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1.Steel Magnetic Board from Ikea Singapore

Product Name: SPONTAN
Product Description: Magnetic board, silver-colour
Price S$24.50  |   Size: 37x78 cm




There was a cool Ikea Hack on  for this Magnetic Board.
Basically "Crystina, Saint Paul' painted the Magneitc board with chalk paint.
So the board can now be scribbled with Chalk and still be magnetic.
Cool Hack!!!



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2. Steel Magnetic Board from Amazon

Product Name: Muro Magnetic Board

Product Description:
Blomus stainless steel magnetic board is great for home or office organization. May be hung horizontally or vertically. Magnets are also available as an option to coordinate style/color.

Price: Various   |   Size: Various




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3. Magnetic Board from CB2 of Crate and Barrel

Product Name: Magnetic Dry Erase Board

Product Description:
White powdercoated galvanized steel square marks to-dos,
magnets pics, then resets a clean slate.
Magnetic black dry erase marker included.
Price USD39.95  |   Size: 23.5"x23.5"x2"












Conclusion
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In the end, I went with the Amazon product mainly
because I preferred the different dimensions the manufacturer offered.
It would fit better in the space I needed.

Thinking back, I think I would have bought the Ikea version as the shipping fees were kinda hefty.
Oh well.








Post Problems with the Steel Magnetic Board
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The thing with the Steel Magnetic Board that I bought.
I assumed that I would be able to scribble drawings on it with my white marker pen and rub it away.


But little did I know, the ink markings were really hard to rub away.
I had to use a make-up remover to remove it.



I did not want to reach for the make-up remover every time I scribbled or drew something wrongly.
It takes away the whole fun of the spontaneous and random thoughts flying through my head as I'm drawing or penning down ideas.



So I was stuck with this issue for quite a long while, until one day I managed to figure out a quick fix.





Tip and Hack
How to make a magnetic whiteboard wall
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If you were like me, and faced problems with
trying to erase the white marker ink on your magnetic board.


You can simply buy a screen protector.
You know, those used for your mobile screen or pc monitors.



And get the screen protector in a huge dimension and stick it over the board.

It's a 5 minute hack.
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Step 1: Measure the dimension of the magnetic board.
Step 2: Buy the screen protector.
Step 3: Stick the screen protector on the magnetic board.

And you're done!
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This solution works as the board still remains magnetic and
you can write and wipe whiteboard marker drawings on it.

And the best thing is, the screen protector is cheap, hardly noticeable and removable.


Tip: A4 Sized Screen Protectors cost S$2 at the Daiso Shop.










Random:
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While researching on this,
I chanced upon glass magnetic boards with the same white marker writing abilities.



They looked much nicer actually. More sleek and professional looking.











But it comes with a much heavier price tag that I am unable to afford.
Might be good for offices though. 




 





I found a cheaper one for home usage on the Crate and Barrel site.

Product Name: White Glass Magnetic 17.75" Wipe Board
Price: U$$22.95
Source: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/white-glass-magnetic-17.75-wipe-board/s258779



But I was afraid that during shipping, that the glass will break.
It would likely be more costly as well.

So I abandoned the idea altogether.



Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Home Improvement Series - Space Saving Furniture Exploration


Chanced Upon a site that has some real great samples of
Space Saving Furniture
while randomly browsing on the
Stumble Upon Windows 8 Browser App.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.itsdamncool.com/category/furniture-interior-design/furniture/
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Here are some excerpts that I loved!

1. Cabinent + 4 Chairs + 1 Coffee Table

You can keep the chairs and table away and have clear open space. 
Simple take it out again when you need it the next time.
Looks like it's pretty nifty and perfect for games like cards, scrabble, board games and mahjong!

Cool colors. Definitely keeping this in mind for the entertainment room.



2. Fold out convertible desk
Southern Enterprises Fold-out Convertible Desk, Winter White

Think it's great to be placed ay the doorway.
That area is not really utilized once the door is closed.
How could be a cool small coffee table in a small kitchen.
Or maybe if you wanna do business in the toilet?
Muhahaha...
















3. Convertible Sofa into 2 Bunk Beds.
Perfect for Guest Rooms!

Will it rust if you don't use it for a long time?
And how sturdy is it?
Will it snap back into a sofa in the middle of the night?





4. Stair drawers
The stairs can act as seats and storage.
It also creates the illusion of height and space when placed in housing with only 1 storey.






Random insert here:
Mario Furniture!

Just because it's cute.