Popcorn: The Smell of Cinema

For anyone who knows me well enough (or even those who have only just met me), they are aware that I have a love for movies and going to the Cinema. I can't place when my love for cinema began exactly. Seeing a new film on the BIG screen, the surround sound, munching on some sort of confectionery while you watch, (usually Malteasers for me).

It is a past time I will never get tired of. Perhaps it's just one of those things I was always meant to enjoy. Or maybe there's a deeper reason I enjoy the occasion of going to the Movies. It started long before I went with friends. It could of been when Mum took me as a child to see Bambi (one of my earliest memories). I mean I recall being pretty engrossed in the film while my sisters couldn't sit still. (admittedly they are younger than me though).

Or perhaps it is because of my Dad who to this day I still go to the cinemas with to enjoy a latest release film. He has taken me to see a number of movies over the years. Apollo 13, Independence Day and all the Star Wars movies just to name a few. And as I've got older I have taken him to see a few movies.

Perhaps it was both my parents combined who could of been responsible for the love I have of film and Cinema. Whatever the case, I love cinema and going to the movies. Which is why I designed a brochure about going to the Cinema and the different types of Cinema there are. Well for a Uni assignment. I don't think there would be a need for such a brochure in the real world. People like going to the movies and seem to already know about the Cinemas that they have available to them.

Basically the assignment was to design a DL Brochure around any subject we desired, so long as what we designed looked good and was designed in some way that could represent the subject matter. The information within the brochure was entirely up to us. And so I present to you my DL Brochure design for the assignment, a brochure about Cinemas and going to the movies which I have appropriately (I feel) titled "Popcorn."

Everything was designed by me and the photography was taken by myself as well. The next part of the assignment is to create a webpage with the same subject matter. It wont go live onto a server, but perhaps I'll take a screenshot when it's complete and blog about it later.

Ready? BREAK!

Today I am free! Free for 2 whole months it would appear as today was the end of the First Semester at Uni. And there is excitement while I post this as the Caps lock on the work 'break' might suggest. I try to keep my blog post title's interesting or unique in some way all the while being relevant to the blog post they are headlining.
While it is clear why I have used the word break somewhere in the post title some of you may ask why I have chosen to make it sound like the beginning of a play from an American game of football. Well thats simple; 1. It's because it's the first title that came to mind and 2. I might have been watching a little too much Blue Mountain State in the passed month.

Now while I still will be working any hours i receive from my casual employment at The Honeysuckle Hotel this 2 month break between Uni semesters is the longest break I have had in I don't know how long. And to be honest, I think I deserve it. The one thing I want to do over the Uni break is keep myself occupied, this way I wont get bored and waste the time off that I have. As I said earlier this year, I wish to be productive. So I guess this particular post today is a checklist of everything I wish to achieve in the holidays.

Alright, in no particular order here is my list;

1. Go to Crescent Head while Naomi is on placement. Eat out in Port Macquarie. Toast Marshmallows over an open fire and look at the Stars
2. Have drinks and catch up with Dave Nixon
3. Catch up with Tom Raymond
4. People I need to call and catch up with;
   - Nikki
   - Adam
   - Panaho
   - Wayne
   - The Vellings
5. Go for a run EVERYDAY. Rain hail or shine
6. Read the last 2 Hunger Games books
7. Wash the Car
8. Re - watch Alien, watch Aliens and go see Prometheous
9. Watch Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge
10. Create a Zine
11. Contact Eleane and create some final designs for Femme Modelle
12. Play the Playstation
13. Do some more Cooking and learn some new recepies
14. Do some creative design work. Maybe begin thinking about how I want my portfolio to look

I'm sure I will add other things to the list during the holidays, but I think that this is a good start.

New Design

Change is as good as a holiday they say, and while I would much rather go away on a holiday (preferably all expenses paid), one of the changes I have made in life recently is the look of my blog here. I'm not sure if ill keep it this way, and I may experiment with other idea's, but this will do for now.

The inspiration for this look comes from a few area's, mostly images I have seen of apartments through various media, TV shows, an article in a GQ magazine. Needless to say I do enjoy the look they produce and if I had an apartment (and the cash), I too would deck it out to look modern, yet unique and artistic. I do like the idea of making your living space (or any space you have) your own in some way or another. It's those personal touches we add that truly make something (like a house, apartment or room) our own.

Anyway the look I have been inspired by is the integration of things such as floorboards, old brickwork and dark wooden furniture mixed with bright colours such as reds or even whites. Old school rustic mixed with the slick and modern. A collaboration of dark and bright with various textures and items that you might not think would work together, but if done correctly can look amazing. I do like the idea that you can turn a room into an artwork and give it a personality, or a little bit of your personality. Lighting also plays an important role within these designs (however I don't really have that ability here).

Here are a few images to help explain the look I'm thinking of;




I'd like to find more images, but sometimes its hard to find on Google what it is you are trying to find, especially with something that's a little vague

Although I don't know how long I will hold onto this particular look ( I think this may be the 6th design change my blog has undergone since its creation), I might play around more with idea's and looks for this particular theme. Blogger does limit me some what as to how my page will look, but I'll keep playing around I guess. I have been in a very designer kind of mood lately and it's been far too long since I have opened up photoshop. The little skill's I did have need to be refreshed, and I need to learn some new one's. In the mean time I guess this look will do. I hope you like the changes

Re-born

From the moment I complete this post my blog has officially been "re-born". It has been well over 2 years since my last post and to say a lot has changed in that time would be an understatement. A lot can happen in a week, a day, 5 minutes. So you can imagine that a hell of a lot can happen in 2 years. Not only though am I giving this old blog life again by posting to it I have also re-designed it, made it look a little crisper I think and tidied up a few things. If your going to be re-born do it with some style and ad some changes I think.

Since my last post on what was as I recall a rather "good Saturday" I have had many good Saturdays. Heck I've had many good weekends. Even weekdays. My last post saw me coming to the close of 2008, which by all rights as I recall was a fairly good year. However 2009 was just around the corner and it proved to be a damn good year. If you ignore the minor detail of all the stresses that come with moving to a new town and selling a house, then 2009 was an awesome year. It was for me, a party year. Or so the first 6 months was anyway. But Im not going to get into that, as I'll be here all night typing, and you'll have a lot of reading ahead of you. (That is of course if anyone does happen to read this). So to summarize; Partying, turned 21, more partying, moved to newcastle, a little bit of partying and new job.

2010 . . . well, it wasnt as exciting as 2009. Im not saying it was a bad year, but 2009 rocked! Although the last 4 - 3 months of 2010 were pretty good. I met some cool people who im now fairly good friends with. I met a girl in November who I felt an instant connection with, staying up til sunrise talking and kissing. We would later go on 3 dates in a row, which might of broken some dating "rules" but they were great. However after that it would be almost another month before I'd see her again. Not that we didnt stay in contact, its just a month can be a long time waiting to see someone you really like. Im glad to report now though that she is my girlfriend now, and we've been together for 2 months on march 21.

The beginning of this year however, 2011 would see me back at my "hometown" of Wagga Wagga. But I gotta say, I dont miss it there at all. Newcastle is way better. 2011 has still really only just begun, but I think its going to be a good year. Panaho is returning to Australia and I think its time the TAFE boys had a reunion. I called the TAFE at newcastle today to enquire about Photoshop night classes so I can refresh my memory in the program and maybe start to get back into designing some things with the possibility and hope of earning some extra money.
Also I need to buy that bike, as well as actually give john a call to have a drink with him. I want this year to be a productive one.

Anyway, that's about it for now, until next time I come back with something worth typing. Hopefully this time though it wont take me 2 years to post again

- Lachlan

Harry Nixon Electrical: Part6, The end is coming.

Nothing has really changed since the last post. Brochure is still not finished. I am going to visit the client this weekend, probably Sunday if he is free that day, as I am free that day as well. This will give me the oportunity to go and take some pictures of his new Van for the brochure, and see if he liked the changes made on the Business card since we last discussed them.
Might also ask when and what he needs me to give him, so his friend can make the Fridge Magnets.

With these last few things that should not take long to do I can see the end of this assignment, and then maybe I can breath a sigh of relief.

Harry Nixon Electrical: Part 5

This particular project is almost due, very soon, and it still scares me. Since the last post I have visited Harry and he selected some of his favourite designs I presented to him. This included a letter head, and the final Business card look, only having to do 2 minor changes. He liked the design of the fridge magnet, and wants do do something different by making them black and white. This way they can be produced at a cheaper cost, and it still looks good, with all the important information visible, without being too distracting. He knows someone who can develop the Fridge magnets for him.
Also he got a new Van, which he hopes to put the new Business logo I designed for him on the side.
Last design thing that remains in the Brochure, which is almost complete, bar some final details, including text.

Not looking foward to really getting into the paperwork involved in this project, as I havent done much of it to date. But its just one of those things you have to do.

Flash Animation: Part 2

03 / 08 /07.

That date may not seem like much to you. Well.... to those who I know read this, that date probably does mean something. Judgement Day.

For those of you reading this who are unaware the significance of this date, I dont mean we were given information on the Date of the end of the world. Incase you were sitting there thinking, Crap! were was I when we found this out. Im talking about the due date to our Flash Animation Assignment.
Wow, I should probably be more serious on a post about actuall Tafe work. Ok from here on in I will be. *serious face*

First off it took me forever to come up with an idea for my Animaiton, and when my idea finaly arrived time was indeed running short. I really do need to manage my time better. However managing my time would have been a job made easier had I thought up a decent idea from day 1. Oh Well. So here I am, having done 4 frames from my story bored, and still got a bit to go. The most painful part has been the vector Art, which is rather time consuming. Hopefully I will have completed the requirements for this assignment by friday, and that Nathan will be pleased.

Harry Nixon Electrical: Part 4

At this point in time the Business card is complete, I am fairly happy with the way it has turned out, I just need the approval of the client with reference to colour schemes and location of the type.
Have done 6 different letter head designs to show the client who will have to choose which design they like the best.
Also completed a Tax Invoice design, complete with all required detailsn specified by the client. This includes a phone number, Address and ABN number.

Have started designing the broucher. Have riped out a page and folded it the way the broucher will fold and done some sketching to get an idea of how it will look. Will have to go talk to the client about what content he wishes to have in the broucher, and may have to take some more pictures, possibly of his truck.
Something else I have begun on is a Vector version of Harry. He seemed to like the idea of him in a cartoon style form, so I thought I would make one up and see what he thought.
Also trying to decide if I will make the fridge magnet a similar design to the business card or go for something different. Might have to bring that up in the next meeting.

Am sticking to the same colour schemes throughout the designs. Black, Grey, White and Orange. With the type face being Century Gothic.

Harry Nixon Electrical: Part 3

Since my last post I have seen the client and shown him some of the work I have done. He seemed quite happy with the way things are looking. Got the Draft of my contract signed by the client. Also took some pictures of the client to put on the Business Card, which is stil a working progress as the client suggested some more content for the card, but is happy with the design of the Powerpoint style.

Harry Nixon Electrical: Part 2

Ok. So far I have a design for the business card which I dont mind, but am still working on it. Theres just something about it I am unsure of. Begun some sketches and Ideas for the brochure. I got an A4 page out of my book and folded it like a brochure so I could get an idea of how I may want it to look.
In Illustrator have done various designs for a letter head which I intend to show the client. Also done a design for a Tax invoice. The colours I have used so far are mostly Orange, Grey, Black and White. Most of the Type is Century Gothic.

Harry Nixon Electrical

Ok, so I should post on my progress on my client project. I will have to go and get my contract signed after a slight change. A logo design was confirmed after a meeting with the client showing them 4 different designs.
Also after discussing and showing some design ideas I have begun work on the business card.

Studio Graphics

Just a website I found through News Today that displays images of some cool Photoshop work, some of which mixed in with a bit of Illustrator.

http://www.studiographics.biz/

Tshirt Designs

This is a site I found through Design is Kinky, displaying some different and unique Tshirt designs through their use of imagery, colours and type, most of which appears to be hand kerned.
http://www.graniph.com/

No Buttons!! / "Say what Again!"

Since my last post I have discoverd how to get the effect of the lights fading away, and it looks pretty cool. Here is a snapshot;



But as cool as this is, (the look and the fact I actually figured out how to make it work), I have no buttons!! They are not working, and I cant figure out why. Im sure someone will be able to come along and say "look you idiot, this is what you are doing wrong" But Flash just isnt my strong point. Dont get me wrong I have learnt tones about it this year, but I still suck. lol. I am really dreading the due date on this one, (and all the other ones). I feel like I am going to struggle through this year.

In other news, the weekend was full of emotional Highs and Lows, with tones of stories being told, and some rather Lol worthey events that happened at the Capital/Saloon. Dave and Adam will know what I'm talking about. HAHAHA, Luke. LOL.
It seemed that almost all our class was out that night. (curious to here how the rest of Heaths night went). Lots of laughing, dancing and Rum drinking; which resulted in Adam and I almost shouting the whole night.

"SAY WHAT AGAIN!"

Make your own damn Title!

Welcome to my blog! the program that asks the question; if Wagga wasnt such a shit hole, would I still spend as much time on the Computer?

Well today I have spent a lot of my morning, (well actually all my morning. I woke up had breakfast, got dressed and have been doing Nathans assignment since. It is now 2pm. Might get some lunch.) To tell you the truth, its not going too bad. I was genuinly surprised at myself, I made flash do what I wanted it to do! lol.
I have been working on a few things to make my GUI look cool, and fun to see. This morning I found a tutorial I think I may use. An effect to make it look like old scratchy film.

http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorial/Old-Scratchy-Movie-Effect/2526

Anyway thats about it for now. Still working through a few bugs, (am trying to get the effect that lights fade away) but Ill find a way, I hope, lol. But like I said, Im hungry, and am getting some lunch.

YES!!!

Yes! I have found something that is going to help me with my GUI assignment. The old school projector countdown that I wanted to put into it I found on Flash Kit, (thanx Josh for directing me there). So I dont forget, this is where I have to go, http://www.flashkit.com/movies/Animations/Old_Proj-Adam_Wes-11055/index.php
so yea I am a little excited that something I wanted to do is possible, I just need to make it now, lol.

In other news Rove was back on last night, and it wasnt too bad. Dave Hughes is going to be a regular on the show!! How cool is that?! Ross Noble was on last night aswell. Funny funny man. lol. I got his new DVD the other day. 4 discs! I thought that was pretty cool for 30 bucks. Might be getting Casino Royale today if I can. Best James Bond movie EVER. The 2006 one that is, not that crap 1960s whatever.

I work everyday this week except the easter holiday days, Friday and Saturday. I didnt realise that tafe wasnt on on Friday, only going 2 days this week how crazy is that? Plus Saturday is going to go off! Easter weekend and almost everyone I know is hitting the town. Aaaaawwwwww Yeah! lol.

GUI assignment

Ok, so we have an assignment. one we have had for a while, one I probably should have thought about for a while. (well, I was thinking about it. It was always linguring (thats probably spelt wrong) in my mind) but I never really, seariously thought about it. Until now. So here I am, I have 2 sketches and 1 idea and so I can begin, everything will be fine right? (Argh! im screaming on the inside). How can I do this? Flash isnt exactly my strong point.

Ok heres my idea. Im doing this GUI for what essentually will become my digital porfolio I guess, so I wanted to create something interesting, and something that is somewhat relevent to me. I like movies, so I have this idea that incorperates that into my design. Want to know what it is? Well it is a movie Cinema. As if you are standing in the back of the theatre looking towards the screen. All the seats are links and images, text and video will appear on the Cinema screen once you click them. Pretty cool huh? But now im thinking, how am I going to do that? You know those times when you think up something really cool, go to make it, but it doesnt turn out the way you wanted? yeah, thats what im affraid might happen.
Oh well, I guess all I can do is try. Why do things have to be so complicated sometimes?

Cool Flash Website

Some crazy flash website I found.
http://www.samorost.net/samorost2/

Get the Glass

The other day, yesterday it was actually, I was informed of a crazy flash game site, www.gettheglass.com. It had some crazy images and the game wasnt too bad either. I mean, not academy award winnig stuff, but fun. So go see it. (WARNING, have an awsume computer, otherwise it may take a while to load.)