Shoes with my Name on it
20080429
Lately I have been lusting over shoes and can't seem to think of any art related topics to write about when I realized I could write about Melissa (not me but the shoe brand...by the way I am not narcissistic).
Melissa took my lust over shoes to the next level (especially the read one on the photo). Melissa is not another fad in fashion. It is rather the combination of design, fashion, comfort and simplicity. It is also earth friend since its recyclable (who would want to recycle them anyway?). Melissa is made out of plastic. Plastic shoes sounds tacky but this plastic shoes reinvents the "plastic shoe". It is made of a hypoallergenic material MELFLEX™ that molds the shape of your feet. Your feet won't also my smelly and sweaty since these shoes smell like candy.
It started in 1979 with Méduse inspired by practical sandals used by fishermen.
It has been a long since then. They have made collaboration with different Designers like Brazilian fashion designer Alexandre Herchcovitch, the famous Campana Brothers, British skin jewellery designer J. Maskrey and stylist Judy Blame.
Its definitely not just about shoes. In 2005 on the 25th anniversary of Melissa the Melissa Gallery was opened. It features a 45-square. meter concept store. Each season they change the exterior look of the store. Talk about super cool.
I will definitely be saving for a new pair Melissa! Melissa is availble here in the Philippines visit their site Melissaphilipines and I thought this site was about me....hehehe
Posted bymiles0282 at 05:14 0 comments
Labels: Melissa, melissaphilippines, plastic shoes, shoes
My new Best Friend: Google Reader
20080425
I love blogging as well as reading blogs of other people. I have only scratched the surface of the blogging paradise. I was trying to follow many blogs but I am still confused using RSS feeds so I only relied on my blog links (I know which is pretty stupid). A friend of mine asked me if I used google reader.
"Google reader? What's that?" I asked.
My friend was shocked because I didn't know. So explained to me that it is very essential for a blogger or a blog follower. So I tried Google reader. Right now I am hooked. I can now follow my friend's blogs, my officemate's blogs, gossip blogs, writers blogs, and art blogs (which is growing by the minute).
When I finish with my office tasks I would open Google Reader and forget boredom.
So many blogs so little time...
Posted bymiles0282 at 05:52 0 comments
Labels: blogging, google reader
My love story with my Diana
20080423
A friend of mine was the one who was really into buying a Diana camera. I was not really that interested since it uses 120 film and its hard to find here in Davao. At that time when he was in Manila there were no available supplies of Diana. So he just ordered and the supplier promised to ship him the camera once the product arrives. My friend Tisha who was working in Manila is going home to Davao for the Christmas break. She said she could buy me a lomo cam if I want to. At that time Kenth's orders already arrived (along with the fisheye that I ordered for my sister). I asked Tished if it's ok if she could get the orders. The time was short and so I didn't wire the money to Tisha but it was not a problem since we are neighbors here in Davao. When she got back I got the cameras from her and paid her. I didn't get to see Kenth at that time so I just paid for him.
He is so busy with work and so he said I could use the Diana. Tisha gave me a roll of 120 film. It's only 12-16 shots but I took my time taking pictures. By the time I started using it and saw sample pictures from the internet I was already smitten with the camera. My sister also said to me that I should tell Kenth that I will the camera from him. Later when I finally got a hold of Kenth I told him of my proposal. He agreed. I promised him that I could lend him the camera if he wants to use it.
My first shots were kinda disastrous. I didn't know the right timing, or lighting or whatever but still I did get a very nice picture. Even though its one shot my love for Diana grew.
There was supposed to be an exhibit for Lomodavao but unfortunately it was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Before it was canceled I bought films for my Diana since I wanted to showcase Diana pictures for the exhibit. I got 6 black and white films and 2 slide films (which I went great lengths in procuring).
I saw pictures from Tisha's multiply account and I was really itching to take my own photos. I am not yet confident with lighting so I wanted to shoot in daytime. I was very happy when I was invited to go to the beach. It was not just the beach we went to Samal island to Kaputian which has a very nice white sand beach.
Taking photos was one thing and having them developed and printed was another. When I got back from Kaputian. I immediately went to SM to have my pictures developed last time I got my film developed there. I gave the film and waited for an hour. I was really tired from the trip but I couldn't wait to see the photos. After an hour I came back. Unfortunately the salesperson there explained they couldn't the slide film and the black and white once. They don't develop those kind of film. I wanted to eat the salesperson alive. She let me wait for an hour just for that when she could have asked the technician about the film if she was unsure in the first place. I didn't really picked a fight or whatever. Still I was really pissed off.
The next day I went to another branch. Still they didn't accept it. My last resort was digiprint. Tisha has her pictures developed there. The people from LBC didn't really know what to do with since there are a few who have their film developed at digiprint (it involves sending the film to Manila to have it processed then shipped back to your house). The people at LBC were very friendly so I gave it a shot. It takes three days till you get the pictures.
After three days it finally arrived. After everything I have through it was all worth it.
My story doesn't end just there. I just finished reading the hardbound book that is included in the Diana.
I was totally blown away with the Diana vignettes , the image gallery and the stories from master Diana users. I loved the colors produced by the slide film but when I read the book I am now more interested in shooting in black and white (glad I still have 4 black and white films). I am inspired by the works of Mark Sink.
I haven't got my black and white pictures developed YET. Tomorrow I walked the crowded street of San Pedro and have it developed. Wish me luck.
Posted bymiles0282 at 09:25 0 comments
Labels: Diana, lomography
A Graphic Artist Delimma
A graphic designer (also known as a graphic artist and communication designer) is a professional within the graphic design and graphic arts industry who assembles together images, typography or motion graphics to create a piece of design. A graphic designer creates the graphics primarily for published, printed or electronic media, such as brochures and advertising. They are also sometimes responsible for typesetting, illustration and web design, or take a teaching position, although these specialties may be assigned to specialists in various graphic design occupations. A core responsibility of the designer's job is to present information in a way that is both accessible and aesthetic.[1]
When I am asked what is my work I automatically answer graphic artist. But what is really a graphic artist? It's a very vague job description. Today there a LOT of graphic artists in all shapes and sizes. The competition is very high. The skills of graphic artist range from basic Photoshop knowhow to all around knowledge of print, web and motion graphics.
My company is in need of graphic artists. There a lot who apply, there are a lot who try out but in the end only a few really gets hired. There are some who immediately claim they are graphic artist just because they know how to Photoshop. I had seen a lot of sample works and I only seen A FEW good ones.
That makes me think about being a graphic artist. I really have to update my skills in order to cope up with competition. I live in Davao and rates here are way lesser than my Manila counterparts. I definitely envy my peers who earn thrice of what I earn now. Sigh. A year in my company and I still have an empty portfolio.
What I really want? My Bf seems to know what he would do next...get certified, earn a Masters degree... I on the other is on the road to nowhere. I feel like everyone has left me standing under the stop light.
Creativity and inspiration has packed their cases and went to Boracay and left me here dumbfounded.
Posted bymiles0282 at 09:24 0 comments
