You may now read my blog on your iphone or andriod by downloading this app and take a photo of my QR code and Whala! Reading my blog on your smartphone can’t be any simplier!
Thanks for taking interest in Visual Cohesion – Snakje.

How to put your blog into an app ?

Step 1: Go to Bloapp
Bloapp is an application that readers will use to read your blog with.

Step 2: Sign up for an Account

Click here to go to the link directly.
After signing up, you will then prompt to verify your registered email address to activate the account.

Step 3: Claim Ownership of your Blog

You will then required to claim ownership of your blog by either :
1) Add a Meta Tag to your blog’s homepage.
2) Upload a HTML File to your server.

Step 4: Adding your Meta name

Option 1.
Copy and Paste the Meta Name. Paste the meta link in your blog index.html page hosted on your server.
Upload your blog index.html to it’s original location.
Then click the Verify button just below the meta name you copied from Bloapp!

Option 2.
Download the HTML file given and upload to your webserver!

And that’s it! It should be simple. Let me know by leaving a comment or even leave me your blog QR code! I shall pay a visit to your blog when I am free.

The life of a freelance graphic designer varies throughout countries and continents. At better times, works start pouring in like a flood during the monsoon season and the bad times where flocks of hungry vultures hunt for food in the dry hot desert.

Nevertheless the creative field is what I, Snakje Jake chose to live in as my passion for creation of creative artworks sprouts within my veins. There are heaps to rant about my design career in the country of Malaysia. Industries in this particular country does not appreciate design as they believe designers are mere artist who can draw and create works of art that only a hand full knows it’s value. That’s my life as a freelance graphic designer and it is similiar for many others all around the globe. But are there any happy moments working freelance?

There are many designers out there working for specific companies as an in-house designer or working in design firms. So what make us, freelance designers different from them? As freelancers, we have the previlege to work at our own place, time and pace.

Having listen to the sound of waves in a tuesday morning just beside the pool while looking for inspiration is just the appetizer of being a freelancer. It seems so much more relaxing as compare to being on a desk in an air conditioned room cracking your head and pulling your hair to get inspirations. As a freelancer with experience over 4years, I often have to keep my mind relaxed and clear to produce quality work. A stressed and emotionally disturbed mind will not only reduce the productivity as a designer but also affect our judgement.

It is often not about how much you earn but how you earn while living your life to the fullest. Not many designers in the world make big money and most of them work countless hours for little pay. Working freelance made me understand that workaholic designers make less money than a designer who works less. This is because hardwork and constant lifelessness clouds their mind. We, designers should always remind ourselves of the fundamental of designing is the create ideas to promote products or services. Therefore, designers should not be promoting their recent, past or future works but to promote the real values in themselves. I shall leave the quest to search for your real values to yourself and hopefully one of you will be the designer who works less and earn more!

From Wikipedia,
“Crowdsourcing is a distributed problem-solving and production model. In the classic use of the term, problems are broadcast to an unknown group of solvers in the form of an open call for solutions. Users—also known as the crowd—typically form into online communities, and the crowd submits solutions. The crowd also sorts through the solutions, finding the best ones. These best solutions are then owned by the entity that broadcast the problem in the first place—the crowdsourcer—and the winning individuals in the crowd are sometimes rewarded. In some cases, this labor is well compensated, either monetarily, with prizes, or with recognition.”

Businesses profits from having multiple designers submitting free ideas and only rewarding a small amount of them. Thus giving them access to a huge amount of different ideas in a short time frame. It may sounds great! but it is bad news to professional designers and also the small and medium companies. The fact that using free labour for commercial gain is already against business ethic, having designs produced by a group of beginners or college students may cause serious brand damage to your company. The clients of crowdsourcing businesses relies on competition, not research or professional consultation and are missing the values of creative designs. The industries and clients should know that the works from design crowdsourcing are not from professional designers. They will never engage with such activities as it will destroy great ideas and encourage plagiarism.

I have once participated in such activities and acquired recognition from several clients but I soon understand that it is an exploit that will destroy the design industry and my passion for great designs.
I hope future young designers will understand the implication of design crowdsourcing and make wise choices to promote creativity..

Below is a comment from a website that greatly describe the exploitation of brains.

Posted by Alicia Whetton on 20th July 2011
I was recently talking to someone in IT about this whose response was “If that’s what the market wants, you need to adapt”. I responded with “fine, provide me with IT support for a month, and if I like your service, I’ll pay you for it.” Of course, he was outraged.

But why do you need such softwares?
You can always purchase or download a trial photoshop version to manually resize to the resolution you prefer but here is a simplier software for you to run the task. The best part is that it can run several folders simultaneously!!

All you need to do is to,

1. SELECT YOUR PHOTO

2. SET RESOLUTION

3. WAIT FOR THE SOFTWARE TO DO THE JOB

Supported input image formats
.JPEG .JPG
.CR2 (Canon RAW) .NEF (Nikon RAW)
.DNG (Adobe)
.GIF
.PNG
.PSD (Photoshop)
.TIFF
and many more!!

Output Formats
.BMP .JPG .GIF .PNG .TIFF .ZIP

Hardware
* Processor Intel Pentium III / AMD Athlon
(Intel Pentium 4 / AMD Athlon XP or equivalent recommended)
* 512 MB RAM with XP
1 GB RAM with Windows Vista

Software
* Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista, Windows 7

Download here

Download it here

Saudi Arabia Pavilion

A Remarkable experience at the Shanghai World Expo left me thinking…

“Will there ever be anymore surprises in my life where I will be able to witness another spectacular event as such?”

It was the gathering of the world culture. A 2 Way ticket to China to see the world!
Having started my experience at approximately 5pm, I couldn’t take my eyes off the magnificant architecture excellencies. Having walked 5 hours non-stop but still not able to cover half the map. Nonetheless, why was there such excitement and enthusiasm in me? and what is there to see?

Other than just buildings, country flags, technology, and people…

First of all I learnt that China is advancing so much faster than many other developing country. They are far more mature than other countries in term of their political, economical and environmental. In keeping with Expo 2010 Shanghai China’s theme, “Better City-Better Life,” they chose to power the visitor shuttles at this year’s world’s fair with fuel cell technology.

Photo Reference : http://www.permapure.com/news/expo-2010-vehicles-equipped-with-fuel-cell-humidifiers-from-perma-pure/

The gathering of architectures from around the world led to a design competition between countries to showcase their best architecture designs. Here are some photos,

Australia Pavilion

Australia Pavilion presents the fun journey on urban development solutions. The pavilion showcase its understanding of the theme “Better City, Better Life” by keeping a balance between urban construction and the natural environment.

The Pavilion takes visitors on a journey of Australia’s natural beauty and rich culture in an exploration of one of the most livable countries in the world. Australia’s innovative ideas on urban planning, renewable energy development, transport and infrastructure will be presented under the theme “Mastering the challenges: Australia’s smart solutions for our urban future.”

China Pavilion
Architect: Jingtang He
This pavilion practices a range of green design, including features such as a temperature buffer zone and natural ventilation for the interior, and the inverted shape of the pavilion acts as shading for entire building as well as the courtyard below. The roof of the structure includes eco-friendly landscaping and harvests rainwater.
Painted the same red as the Forbidden City, the Oriental Crown consists of four pillars with 6 floors expanding out and up. The 30 meter high roof is constructed from 56 wooden brackets, which represent the 56 minority ethnic groups of China.

Israel Pavilion

Under the slogan “Innovation for Better Life”, Israel highlights the traditional Jewish culture. This is the first time that Israel is building a national pavilion at a World Expo. The design of its pavilion resembles two clasped hands, symbolizing Israeli innovation and technology. The impressive design for the Israeli pavilion has been nicknamed the “Sea Shell” (in Chinese “Hai Bei Ke”) which goes along with the mascot of the Shanghai Expo, Haibao, and Shanghai as a coastal city. (Source : Israel Ministry of Foreign Affaris)

Japan Pavilion

Museum of Shanghai World Expo in Japan is among the country’s largest exhibition hall, one of Japan’s participation is also an unprecedented scale in the history of the Expo Hall. Hall is about 24 meters high, the external was silver white, with solar power devices using ultra-light “membrane structure” package, forming a large semi-circular dome, like a “Robotech.”This is a “breathing Pavilion”, “groove” and the “tentacles” allegorical life on the “mouth, ears, nostrils,” and “fingers.” Large semi-circular dome was purple, like a huge cocoon, hence the name “Purple silkworm island.”

South Korea Pavilion View 1

South Korea Pavilion View 2

Hall facade with three-dimensional pixel Korean and colorful decorative painting, with “communication and integration” as the element, showing South Korean style. Layer is reduced in proportion to Seoul, South Korea, through the images show “My City”; the second floor show “My Life”, with a high-tech interpretation of cultural, technological, human and natural; “My Dream” exhibition display technologies of the future and preview the 2012 Yeosu World Expo beautiful picture.

Expo Axis Structure

The Expo Axis is one of the world’s largest membrane roof, which spans the entrance and boulevard building of the World Exposition 2010 in Shanghai.

The combination of the membrane structure, which has a surface of 65,000 m2 in total with a span of 100 m, and the six steelglass funnels of 45 m height, formed of a freeform double-curved framework, constitutes the landmark of the Expo Shanghai 2010.(Source : Wikipedia)

Spain Pavilion

Architects: Miralles Tagliabue EMBT

The Spanish Pavilion created an amorphous form out of multiple panels, emphasizing a traditional Spanish craft in a new, modern way.

Croatia Pavilion

The Croatia Pavilion presenst its historical and cultural heritage, its dynamic contemporary urban life and its important potentialities for the future development.There are white flags on the facade of the pavilion, which is painted red, and these two colours give an impression of the red and white fields of the chequy, the symbol of the Republic of Croatia which is presented on its emblem.

Turkey Pavilion

The Turkey Pavilion under the theme “The Cradle of Civilization” looks like an amazing red and beige box with an animal sculpture, inviting visitors to explore a maze of dreams.The main inspiration for the exterior of the pavilion was derived from settlements called “Catalhoyuk”, the center of advanced culture in the Neolithic period.

Estonia Pavilion

Under the theme “Save City”, the pavilion features a colorful exterior which displays the unique ideas and great wisdom of Estonian people to protect their environment. Inside the pavilion, future, travel destinations, business opportunities and culture during the development of Estonian cities are showcased with “piggy banks,” “digital notebooks” and interactive touch screens.
Visitors are given a chance to propose their own solutions to improve the environment. They can submit their solutions via SMS text message or with a paper ballot that can be left in huge piggy banks in the Estonia Pavilion.

Finnish Pavilion
The Finnish pavilion at Shanghai World Expo 2010 is called “Kirnu” (“Giant’s Kettle”). It’s also supposed to be a microcosm of a Finnish city.

For more informations, look up Shanghai World Expo 2010 at http://en.expo2010.cn/
and there should be loads of photos on flickrs on this event too!!

Lesson 1
This lesson will be focusing on the basics of landscape photography. Landscape photography is all about composing a scenery from a single point of view. Here are some considerations you should think about when composing a landscape photo:
a) Time of the day
b) Subject of focus
c) Mood
d) Distraction

Here is an example of a photograph taken by me for you to analyse.

Go out and take some photo after taking consideration of the above factors.
Do remember patience is the key to a successful landscape photograph. Be prepared with snacks and drinks or even a partner to talk to!!
Give me your opinions or feel free to give comments or share your experience!

This is a special post dedicated to the memorial of Michael Jackson. I may not be a huge fan of his songs, but he was a part of my childhood and losing him was a great lost to me and many others.It was a great lost for I was not given a chance to attend any of his spectacular live performance. Nevertheless, I couldn’t stop myself from attempting to educate the public on why we should give him our last respect and just give up on the controversies already! Let the pop legend rest in peace please…
Pay tribute to the legend by dropping a comment! Flaming or any harsh critics are not allowed and will be deleted. This is a space for people who respect him and appreciate his contribution to the world.

Do people realize what they did to Michael Jackson?
There are many controversies around the pop legend, controversies that are so harsh, hurting and damaging for a person who gave his life entertaining the world.
What have we done to the world, and what have we done to him?
He lived with all these controversies for life and even death. Imagine what would have done to him, mentally and physically.

Let us not talk further about all the pain and suffering of our dear Michael Jackson. It is just something the world should be embarrassed for what they did for talking behind the back of the legend.

His songs, dance moves and stage performance will live forever in the heart of the people. He contributed his life not only to music and entertainment but also to the society, children, poverty and environment. Close your eyes and just listen to his music within you. What do you think will happen without the songs and the great dance moves?

Here are more music video and live concerts of Michael Jackson.
Do consider getting his CD/DVDs as a way of showing your appreciation!

—————————————————————
Share his dream , sing a long with Heal the World

There’s A Place In
Your Heart
And I Know That It Is Love
And This Place Could
Be Much
Brighter Than Tomorrow
And If You Really Try
You’ll Find There’s No Need
To Cry
In This Place You’ll Feel
There’s No Hurt Or Sorrow

There Are Ways
To Get There
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Little Space
Make A Better Place…

Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

If You Want To Know Why
There’s A Love That
Cannot Lie
Love Is Strong
It Only Cares For
Joyful Giving
If We Try
We Shall See
In This Bliss
We Cannot Feel
Fear Or Dread
We Stop Existing And
Start Living

Then It Feels That Always
Love’s Enough For
Us Growing
So Make A Better World
Make A Better World…

Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

And The Dream We Were
Conceived In
Will Reveal A Joyful Face
And The World We
Once Believed In
Will Shine Again In Grace
Then Why Do We Keep
Strangling Life
Wound This Earth
Crucify Its Soul
Though It’s Plain To See
This World Is Heavenly
Be God’s Glow

We Could Fly So High
Let Our Spirits Never Die
In My Heart
I Feel You Are All
My Brothers
Create A World With
No Fear
Together We’ll Cry
Happy Tears
See The Nations Turn
Their Swords
Into Plowshares

We Could Really Get There
If You Cared Enough
For The Living
Make A Little Space
To Make A Better Place…

Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

You And For Me

You And For Me
Make A Better Place
You And For Me
Make A Better Place
You And For Me
Make A Better Place
You And For Me
heal the wordl we live in
You And For Me
save it for our children
You And For Me
heal the world we live in
You And For Me
save it for our children
You And For Me
heal the world we live in
You And For Me
save it for our children
You And For Me
heal the world we live in
You And For Me
save it for our children