Movie contest - EXTRAORDINARY, EVERY DAY

From: www.motiongraphics.it

Alcantara LAB, a virtual lab made of new expressive languages based on innovation and created by Alcantara SpA, organizes the following Movie Contest named EXTRAORDINARY EVERY DAY.

This is an International contest dedicated to those that study and/or work in: Communication, Graphic Design, Web Design, Animation, Photography, Cinematography and Visual Arts.

The objectif is to produce a video clip of max 3 minutes realized with anytype of video language tool (graphics, animation, filming...)

Prize is: 15.000 Euros

International jury

The prize ceremony will be held at the next "Salone del Mobile in Milan 2008"

more info at: www.alcantaralab.com/moviecontest

e-mail: moviecontest@alcantaralab.com

Info and photo Via: www.motiongraphics.it

Modern Architecture and true Design

We are living in a special era in which Architecture has done and still is doing incredible important steps to be more modern and very advanced.
Design and Architecture get together to generate and create fanthastic skycrapers and buildings around the world with the intent to offer better living and working conditions.

Dubai is , today, the hot city about architecture development the Regatta Hotel in the lower image.

In Europe Russia will soon have the tallest building, the Russia Tower on top image.

Photos and info Via: www.corriere.it

Fine Art Painting

The first two landscapes have been painted by artist Mike Cameron (Oil on canvas)

The last one is an abstract composition made by artist Jan Kabatoff (Encaustic)

To watch more about those artists and many others I advice you to follow this link:

www.summitfineart.com

Under by Luca Papini Design

Wellness Design is the harmony created by the shower "Under" designed by Luca Papini. It is a perfect relationship between phisic, mental and global experiences.
This shower Design will give great sensations to provoke good and mentally positive emotions.

Luca Papini
www.lucapapini.com
for IB Rubinetterie
Winner of the Good design Awards 2006

Info and photo Via: www.youngdesigner.it

Wallsticker Competition

Welcome to the design competition of design3000 and DESIGNSPOTTER.com!
design3000, founded in 1999, has become one of the leading design shops in the world wide web with more than 3000 visitors per day. Interested users can choose from a range of more than 5.200 products of well known manufacturers. Regular special editions as well as unusual products, which cannot be bought by retail also belong to the wide offering of design3000.
DESIGNSPOTTER.com considers itself as a platform for young and fresh design far from convention and establishment and counts to one of the Top100 design blogs in the web. The online design magazine daily presents the latest trends of international young designers and newcomers. Furthermore DESIGNSPOTTER.com presents itself at shows e.g. at the international furnishing show in Cologne or at the TENT in London, is multiple media partner, and runs a PR- and marketing-agency for designers and architects.

For complete information please check it here http://www.design-3000.de/competition/en_index.htm

Erotic Photography, the Art of female nudity

Erotic Photography - Body Art by Michael Papendieck see all his gallery at his personal website: http://www.blendeeinsacht.de

Student loans, good or bad?

Today to learn and get a respectable diploma can cost quite a lot of money in US as well as in many other countries around the world.
In the Design field almost all design schools, universities and colleges are privates and have a cost. For foreign students even public schools have a cost (in my case in it was US).
There are many talents out there that would love to get in a design school, but have not enough money to enter! What to do?

In US since many years , and recently in Europe too, it is possible to borrow money from banks in order to get access to college, university or specialistic school. The student Loan.

The first question parents ask themselves is : "will it be worth?"

In a way it is like buying a small appartement paying a loan for about 10 years (depending on your contract loan).

The thought I feel to share with all the people that are in this situation and currently in front of such dilemma is: YES!
Because it is like an investment on your future, that money hopefuly will come back with the job you will get, the good school you attended to will open doors that other schools cannot simply because their political power (lobby) is not enough developed.

Design is expensive to learn and it is right that a young talent tries his best to solve the economical problem in order to start school.
In some countries and in some design schools it is also possible to get money from government or local institutions in relation with family income (the lower the easier..)

In conclusion if you can apply for a loan do it, if you do not feel like then get all info to know how to do to apply for Grants or scolarships to see if you can be part of these programs.

Wacom Cintiq 12WX

Wacom has launched a compact version of its Cintiq interactive pen display. The Cintiq 12WX combines the features of the full-size 21 inches model with compact dimensions similar to those of the Intuos3 A5 graphic tablet.
Read full article with technical specifications by clicking the "read more"...

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Motivation in Design

Motivation in Design is a key element. It starts in school, in any design class (doesn't matter the field) there are always some students who show a big self motivation and are capable to lead the quality and creativity of their class. Those students will have a better chance to succeed in real life.
Motivation, in my opinion, is also a teacher issue. Motivated teachers are able to better provoke students motivation and creativity, just like a coach in sport.
Motivation is also a manager issue in a Design studio. Motivated people interact better, they are more productive and good in problem-solving.
Motivated designers are those that usually get a lot of job to do, too. However; do not think that it is just a way to take advantage of someone because on the long run it pays well. Meritocracy is connected to level of motivation, not just the naked results at the end of a given project. In a good team work its leader, most of cases, is a motivated person.

Lets go back to school now, when I travel to visit design colleges I meet a lot of students dreaming to become designers. I assist at their presentations and while they talk I observe them, I question them, I study their reactions because at the end I am looking for talent - passion - motivation.
My conclusion on this topic is that all starts in school. Your sense of responsability and auto-motivation to accomplish your final goal, to be a designer, will help you day by day to build up your strong inner part to produce good well thought out creativity with the right quality. You will be molded not just to be a designer but also to go over it and grow within a Design organisation for more important roles.
I know that all this is not automatic for everybody, but remember that you must give your best always in order to deserve that chance out there waiting somewhere for you!

Good luck!

Nikka Japanese Whisky

The Hong-Kong-based British designer of practically everything — has just designed a startling black bottle for Japanese Nikka Whisky. The man who in addition to interiors and installations has designed furniture for Cappellini, lighting for Artemide barware for Schweppes, Jewellery for Georg Jensen, polo shirts for LaCoste and bikes for Giant...click "read more" for the all story.

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Photography "The color of Black"

This is a photography project realized by Cristiano Paladini a manager that took two mounths of break in Africa and collected a lots of photos. He made a book out of it and sponsors the association " Kids of the desert".

Photos and info via: www.corriere.it

Photography and visual Art

Searching on internet I found those two images that I like very much. I find both of them very creative and dynamic specially the one at the bottom.

Photos Via: http://your-austin-dwi.com/Creative_Art.html

Interior Design: the bathroom

Here four pictures about latest new bathroom interior design productions :

Bathroom elements by Terri Pecora for Simas Bohémien
Sink by Naoto Fukusawa for BOFFI Terra
Mitigeur d'eau by JM Massaud for Axor Hansgrohe
Shower by Marcello Cutino/BCF Design for Gattoni

Photos and infos Via: www.abitare.corriere.it

Citroen C Design Competition

Citroen has launched the first edition of the 'C Design - Combine Connect Create' online competition, open to designers from all over the world. Participants are required to create every-day products by combining parts from Citroen cars, available as 3D files. Click "read more light blue " to read all necessary infos to apply.

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Microsoft new "Touch table technology"

Hi, today I would like to tell you about the new "Touch Table technology" developed by Microsoft. In this video from YouTube (but there are many more) we can appreciate all new series of opportunities to interact with computer thechnology, to me this way opens a big door on real "friendly use" manners and methods. The computer technology becomes very easy to use with a "magic effect" always very appreciated.
However; how can designer world exploit this technology? In a few words I would like to understand how I could use this new feature to improuve my life at work; or lets think about students, schools, art colleges, universities, how can they take advantage of this Microsoft new technology?
Thinking about this issue I started to associate the use of "touch table" to present a design project in an interactive way without dealing with paper pages from a portfolio that can fall down creating confusion, but dealing with menus of preordered sequences having the opportunity to enlarge, and a second later, reduce the same image or drawing. I could "touch" the table on a photo and start a video that shows my model or virtual film in action , I move it on the upper right corner and from the left side I get the image of a technical drawing and make a close up on a particular detail at so on...I could add a musical background or improvise a sketch to take important notes on given comments by my clients. You see? I am dreaming already..
I believe that this new technology will rapidly change our realtionship with techworld because it is so friendly and of strong impact that (like the IPhone by Apple) its use will be wellcome.
What do you think about this subject? Do you have an experience to tell us?
Please do so and thanks!

Fruit holder by Adele Rotella

Adele Rotella, designer from Campania South Italy, loves to provoke emotions with her Design proposals.

At the latest Salone Satellite 2007 Adele Rotella is present with her new products and prototypes to promote a dynamic relationship between the "user" and his/her "space".

A good example is "Fruttiera" this fruit holder that presents fruits in a new way and easy to be integrated in any type of interiors thanks to its simple and strong Design.

Photo and Info Via: www.youngdesigner.it

Hot Wheels Designer's Challenge

Mattel's Hot Wheels has announced the results of its Designer's Challenge, a competition among six automotive manufacturers tasked with designing a futuristic car that captured the brand's core values of speed and performance. To view all models and photos click "read more"...

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National Design Award from Graphic Design USA

Illustrator Louis Simeone has recently been awarded the prestigious American Graphic Design Award in the 2007 Graphic Design:USA competition.
The logo Simeone created for his online gallery site, samalou.com, was among the winning entries selected from a remarkable 10,000 entries nationwide.

More info at: www.samalou.com


Photo and info Via: http://www.dexigner.com

@chair by Brodie Neil

The "@Chair" concept designed by Brodie Neil , Australian designer. Visit his personal website to watch latest projects at www.brodieneil.com

Photo and info via: www.designerblog.it

Fiat 500 wins EuroCarBody 2007 award

The new Fiat 500 has won the EuroCarBody 2007 award, the world's most prestigious prize for car bodies, organized by by Automotive Circle International and held in Frankfurt on 16-18 October.

Read the full story, click "read more"...

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The model shop at MOME University, Budapest.

Few weeks ago I went to visit MOME University in Budapest. Here one of the photos I have taken..soon Ill give you a description of their Industrial Design Department.

"Eau" by Asterisco Lab, Italy

This vase named "Eau" is designed to communicate when the water is finishing and putting in danger the flowers' life.
A very intelligent concept with a strong visual communication of the main function of it, the aesthetic is also very elegant and modern.

designers:
Asterisco*Lab design studio (Davide Ratti, Alice Rizzo, Emily Louise Simonis, Lucia Venino) more info at their website: www.asteriscolab.com

Info and photo Via: www.youngdesigner.it

The Art of "Body painting"

Body Spectra Exhibit organized by art students in Cape Town, South Africa.

Photos and info Via: www.corriere.it