Phunky Venom

This Blogs Phunky

Phunky Venom

Page 2 of 6

Scroll to Top

Pencil Icon

Learning to Code

image

I’m a web designer, every day I design stuff from websites, UI’s, iPhone apps, Facebook tabs, emailers. All of these come as second nature to me, I enjoy designing them, I enjoy coming up with the best solutions for the problems and making the dullest of sites look fun. So I must be pretty adept at the coding side of things too right? nope, wrong!

This of course isn’t an issue as such at 383 as I work alongside some incredibly skilled Front and Backend developers, who are amazing at putting my designs into reality. But, it is still something that i’ve always been ashamed of, I can’t really call myself a Web Designer if I don’t have at least a basic understanding of coding myself. So this weekend I decided enough’s enough, its time that I start getting my head around it. 

I sat down properly with ‘HTML & CSS: Design and Build Web Sites’ by Jon Duckett and made initial progress in learning this side of my job. I have to say, from someone coming from a design background, where staring code directly in the face, is usually a very daunting and confusing experience. This book is brilliant. Unlike other books I have looked at it is very visual, full of colours and nice type, all the little things that help keep a designers mind interested. I know there’s plenty of other learning tools out there and Treehouse has also caught my eye, but right now i’m really enjoying working my way through this book.

So I thought i’d keep you guys updated with my progress as I go along and hopefully be able to have something to show for it in the end. 

Right now, im at the very early stages, i’ve learnt putting in headers and body copy, inserting links and images. I have my ordered and unordered lists nailed and dropped in the odd iframe here and there. I’ve learnt how to insert forms, radio buttons and checkboxes and applied first bits of CSS.

Now I understand that to anyone who does have an understanding of code, all of this is the same as someone saying to me, “Hey! I’ve worked out how to type out some text and colour it red Yo!”. But i’m still enjoying getting my head around something that has always seemed alien and scary to me. 

I’ll try and keep you all updated with how I get on! 

Pencil Icon

YuleTube

Today @383Project we launched our Christmas Campaign, Yule Tube. Yule Tube is the Collaborative Christmas Jukebox that allows you to set up a party room, share the pin to all your friends, who can then watch the videos either there with you or on the other side of the world, queuing up new tracks in real time from their Mobiles or Computers. Pretty neat huh?! 

Its been great fun working on this, from idea to completion and even with a quick turnaround time I think we created something here that all the guys at 383 are proud of. I worked on the designs and thought id share a few little shots from the app. But, why not go try it out for yourself and have a party!

See the post on 383, introducing Yule Tube

Pencil Icon

New iPhone 5 Case

Since picking up my iPhone 5 on launch day, I have been trying to track down a good case that wasn’t going to taint the aesthetic appeal of the device. I wanted something slim, light and most importantly just as aesthetically pleasing, that wouldn’t add any unwanted bulk to the phone and also do a good job at protecting it. Something, incidentally this phone is desperate for. The claims that were made at launch, that you “dont” need a case for the phone due to its sturdiness are frankly untrue.

Due to the use of Aluminium, a very soft metal, the phone is ridiculously prone to nicks, scratches and dents that I barely got in the 4. Unfortunately, in the time waiting for this case to arrive, my phone did indeed pick up quite a few dents and scratches.

So after a bit of looking around and not being particularly impressed by the initial offerings of iPhone 5 cases, I came across Society6. Society6 is a great site for artists and designers a like to upload their artwork and have them sold from Prints, T’s and iPhone Cases. The standard of work uploaded is fantastic and thus, a huge selection of Cases to choose from.

After a long time of browsing the site, I finally picked my chosen design and got the case ordered. With the slight doubt as to just how sturdy it was going to be. It arrived today and I have to say I am very impressed. The designs are digitally printed onto Case-Mates Barely There, cases. Something I was pleasantly suprised about. These are very lightweight and sturdy and protect both the back and sides of the phone. With a slight rise in front of the screen that means you can lie the phone face down without the screen touching the surface of the table. The print quality is also very high and a slight glossy coating is over the image. One drawback of this is that greasy / sweaty hands can leave a slight smear to it, but nothing thats particularly noticeable. 

Overall, if you’re yet to pick up a case to protect that very fragile iPhone 5 of yours, i’d hugely recommend taking a gander on Society6 and seeing if there’s any designs that catch your eye. I’d be hugely suprised if there isnt! but, if you are struggling to find one, may I recommend this Kanye West case…. 

Pencil Icon

ITV Rebrand

ITV has debuted its rebrand for ITV1 that will launch in January. ITV 1 will now be known simply as ITV and with it a whole new look. 

 This is the current logo for ITV 1 as we all know and have grown to recognise. The rebrand it taking it in a whole new direction…

With a new typeface that is supposed to mimic handwriting and a colour scheme that changes in reaction to the show that its advertising, this is a bold new step away from what they currently have. It gives the impression of a more entertainment led channel, rather than a serious channel, which I can appreciate. However, personally, I’m not sure I am a fan of the new look. The original logo, despite being simple, worked and recognizable agains the brands other channels. I feel as though this new look, has cheapened the brand, but it shall be interesting to see how it looks once in use.

Pencil Icon

Yum Yum London

Just discovered and instantly fell in love with @YumYumLondon. Yum Yum London are a studio based in London, who create some gorgeous character designs and animations, on top of this, they also sell their characters as toys. Which of course i’m definitely going to have to get my hands on.



Pencil Icon

Skyfall

Skyfall could have quite possibly just become my favourite Bond of all time and right up there in my favourite films too. I was a little apprehensive going into this as to just how good that this was going to be. I still hadn’t been fully won over by Daniel Craig as Bond, Casino Royale was good and Quantum of Solace for me didn’t quite deliver.

Enter Skyfall, a beautifully directed Bond film, with loving nods to its predecessors. Some fantastic acting by Daniel Craig and Naomi Harris, the introduction of Ben Whishaw as Q, but the star of the show was undoubtedly Dame Judi Dench.
I had heard mixed reviews leading up to this, the majority absolutely loving it and the small minority coming out slightly underwhelmed and disappointed. Personally, I can’t quite understand this. There was some amazing action set pieces, some funny moments and equally dark moments, a great storyline and a brilliant villain.

Sam Mendes has nailed it with Skyfall and I can’t wait to see the upcoming films.

To see more films i’ve watched and my thoughts, visit my Letterboxd 

Unlock the 007 in you. Love this. Unsuspecting commuters are given 70 seconds to get to platform 6, getting there in time they would win tickets to Skyfall

This interactive artwork by Random International allows visitors to experience the rain whenever they feel like it. Based in London, Random International studio creates all kinds of installations that explore behavior and interaction, often using light and movement as the foundation for their artworks. The Rain Room, an exhibition supported by the Arts Council England and made possible by the generous support of the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation for Art, is located at the Curve in the Barbican Centre in London. It’s a free installation that runs from October 4 until March 3, 2013. In the exhibit, a 100 square meter grate hangs overhead in the center of the room, from which a continuously falling rain shower streams. Visitors can experience the pitter patter sound of raindrops hitting the ground and the moisture in the air without actually getting wet. As they walk through the indoor rainfall, sensors detect their motions and the water is directed away from them in what the studio describes as a “carefully choreographed downpour that responds to your movements and presence.” Visitors become part of the installation as they walk, move, and spin among the drops, feeling what it might be like to actually control the weather!
Zoom
This interactive artwork by Random International allows visitors to experience the rain whenever they feel like it. Based in London, Random International studio creates all kinds of installations that explore behavior and interaction, often using light and movement as the foundation for their artworks. The Rain Room, an exhibition supported by the Arts Council England and made possible by the generous support of the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation for Art, is located at the Curve in the Barbican Centre in London. It’s a free installation that runs from October 4 until March 3, 2013. In the exhibit, a 100 square meter grate hangs overhead in the center of the room, from which a continuously falling rain shower streams. Visitors can experience the pitter patter sound of raindrops hitting the ground and the moisture in the air without actually getting wet. As they walk through the indoor rainfall, sensors detect their motions and the water is directed away from them in what the studio describes as a “carefully choreographed downpour that responds to your movements and presence.” Visitors become part of the installation as they walk, move, and spin among the drops, feeling what it might be like to actually control the weather!
Zoom
This interactive artwork by Random International allows visitors to experience the rain whenever they feel like it. Based in London, Random International studio creates all kinds of installations that explore behavior and interaction, often using light and movement as the foundation for their artworks. The Rain Room, an exhibition supported by the Arts Council England and made possible by the generous support of the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation for Art, is located at the Curve in the Barbican Centre in London. It’s a free installation that runs from October 4 until March 3, 2013. In the exhibit, a 100 square meter grate hangs overhead in the center of the room, from which a continuously falling rain shower streams. Visitors can experience the pitter patter sound of raindrops hitting the ground and the moisture in the air without actually getting wet. As they walk through the indoor rainfall, sensors detect their motions and the water is directed away from them in what the studio describes as a “carefully choreographed downpour that responds to your movements and presence.” Visitors become part of the installation as they walk, move, and spin among the drops, feeling what it might be like to actually control the weather!
Zoom
This interactive artwork by Random International allows visitors to experience the rain whenever they feel like it. Based in London, Random International studio creates all kinds of installations that explore behavior and interaction, often using light and movement as the foundation for their artworks. The Rain Room, an exhibition supported by the Arts Council England and made possible by the generous support of the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation for Art, is located at the Curve in the Barbican Centre in London. It’s a free installation that runs from October 4 until March 3, 2013. In the exhibit, a 100 square meter grate hangs overhead in the center of the room, from which a continuously falling rain shower streams. Visitors can experience the pitter patter sound of raindrops hitting the ground and the moisture in the air without actually getting wet. As they walk through the indoor rainfall, sensors detect their motions and the water is directed away from them in what the studio describes as a “carefully choreographed downpour that responds to your movements and presence.” Visitors become part of the installation as they walk, move, and spin among the drops, feeling what it might be like to actually control the weather!
Zoom
This interactive artwork by Random International allows visitors to experience the rain whenever they feel like it. Based in London, Random International studio creates all kinds of installations that explore behavior and interaction, often using light and movement as the foundation for their artworks. The Rain Room, an exhibition supported by the Arts Council England and made possible by the generous support of the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation for Art, is located at the Curve in the Barbican Centre in London. It’s a free installation that runs from October 4 until March 3, 2013. In the exhibit, a 100 square meter grate hangs overhead in the center of the room, from which a continuously falling rain shower streams. Visitors can experience the pitter patter sound of raindrops hitting the ground and the moisture in the air without actually getting wet. As they walk through the indoor rainfall, sensors detect their motions and the water is directed away from them in what the studio describes as a “carefully choreographed downpour that responds to your movements and presence.” Visitors become part of the installation as they walk, move, and spin among the drops, feeling what it might be like to actually control the weather!
Zoom
This interactive artwork by Random International allows visitors to experience the rain whenever they feel like it. Based in London, Random International studio creates all kinds of installations that explore behavior and interaction, often using light and movement as the foundation for their artworks. The Rain Room, an exhibition supported by the Arts Council England and made possible by the generous support of the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation for Art, is located at the Curve in the Barbican Centre in London. It’s a free installation that runs from October 4 until March 3, 2013. In the exhibit, a 100 square meter grate hangs overhead in the center of the room, from which a continuously falling rain shower streams. Visitors can experience the pitter patter sound of raindrops hitting the ground and the moisture in the air without actually getting wet. As they walk through the indoor rainfall, sensors detect their motions and the water is directed away from them in what the studio describes as a “carefully choreographed downpour that responds to your movements and presence.” Visitors become part of the installation as they walk, move, and spin among the drops, feeling what it might be like to actually control the weather!
Zoom

This interactive artwork by Random International allows visitors to experience the rain whenever they feel like it. Based in London, Random International studio creates all kinds of installations that explore behavior and interaction, often using light and movement as the foundation for their artworks. The Rain Room, an exhibition supported by the Arts Council England and made possible by the generous support of the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation for Art, is located at the Curve in the Barbican Centre in London. It’s a free installation that runs from October 4 until March 3, 2013.

In the exhibit, a 100 square meter grate hangs overhead in the center of the room, from which a continuously falling rain shower streams. Visitors can experience the pitter patter sound of raindrops hitting the ground and the moisture in the air without actually getting wet. As they walk through the indoor rainfall, sensors detect their motions and the water is directed away from them in what the studio describes as a “carefully choreographed downpour that responds to your movements and presence.”

Visitors become part of the installation as they walk, move, and spin among the drops, feeling what it might be like to actually control the weather!