Have A Hot Dog!

To one and all that follow the lunar calendar, Gong Xi Fa Cai or Kung Hei Fat Choi.

Have a great Fire Dog Year with much woof woof!!

Design Unplugged: Towards a Global/Asian Perspective

Design Thinking & Innovation Conference

Asia and Asian Design is gaining a foothold in the international design arena. With the rise of India, China and Asia as a region, the implications to design from a 'new'emergence viewpoint of the enormity of mega-sized consumer markets and low cost production capabilities are something that all designers cannot and must not ignore.

What's an Intel chip doing in a Mac?

A whole lot more than it's ever done in a PC. Or so the doctor said.

Introducing, sooner than later, the new MacBook Pro notebook computer featuring an Intel Core Duo processor which delivers up to four times the performance of the PowerBook G4.

Why didn't they just change ibook to inbook? Or intelibook?

One can only assume that they coined the daggiest name ever for an Apple product - "Macbook Pro" - just so the masses know they were buying a Mac. A Macbook. Pro. Lor.

Catch The Thai New Wave!

Next time you're in neighbouring Bangkok, try and grab dvds of the films of "New Wave" Thai directors that include Wisit Sasanatieng, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, Nonzee Nimibutr and Apichatpong Weerasethakul. They are among the best, if not the best, this South East Asian part of the world has to offer at the moment.

Wisit Sasanatieng's two critically acclaimed films include genre-blending western Tears of the Black Tiger and the colourfully quirky Citizen Dog. Tears of the Black Tiger was the first Thai film to be shown in Cannes.

Pen-Ek Ratanaruang's films include the beautiful Last Life in the Universe and the upcoming Invisible Waves, competing at the Berlin Film Festival this year. Both films were shot by Chris Doyle.

Nonzee Nimibutr's Nang Nak, written by Wisit, was the first big Thai horror film that set the trend for the rest to follow. His new horror flick "Toyol" is being produced by none other than Singapore's own golden child of cinema - Eric Khoo.

Apichatpong Weerasethaku's Tropical Malady won the Jury Prize at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

Quote Of The Year 2006

"One can never expect the wind, but should always keep one's window open,"
Quote from aclaimmed Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai after being invited to head the jury of the 59th Cannes film festival from May 17-28, 2006. He will be the first Chinese president in the history of the Cannes Festival.

We say top it off with beautiful wind chimes so you don't miss it when the wind does come.

10 New Year Resolutions For Aspiring Designers

In the spirit of the new year, we ponder 10 new year resolutions for the aspiring Singapore designer in 2006.

1. Learn A Musical Instrument
Design, like Music, has rhythm, beats, highs and lows.

2. Watch More Films
Films are one of the most accessible examples of concept, interpretation, execution and teamwork.

3. Converse With More Non-Designers
Not everyone is into street art, quirky toys and figurines, Lomo cameras and printing t-shirts.

4. Use A New Font Each Month
Variety is the spice and dice of life.

5. Read And Write More
Read and write more. It helps articulation of your ideas. A good idea is only as good as its pitch.

6. Be More Asian
Trends are shifting. It'll do you good to be more Asian. Look to your neighbours and subvert traditions if you must.

7. Have Better Email Etiquette
Don't send job application emails with a CV attachment and no subject and body. You might get one back with nothing but a company brochure attached. And... Don't send job application emails to a million prospective employers without BCC-ing.

8. Try Everything At Least Once
You don't know unless you try. Experience makes for good calls and comments.

9. Use Design Annuals Sparringly And Wisely
Use design books and references to see what works and not what is "good to use".

10. Have A Balanced Diet
Consume less Apples and Pods. Ok. This is a tough one.

Happy New Year!