DMP, ADAA & More updates!

Calling Malaysian to submit their photos, illustration, digital art, animation, flash games and others to Adobe Design Achievement Awards 2008!

We only have 21 entries so far from Malaysia, rather disappointed to know that Malaysia truly have a lot of talent. Come on guys! time to get 'creatictify' (creative+electrify)!

Credits: Thank You!



I'm taking this opportunity to express gratitude the most wonderful person who had introduce me to the ADAA committee members, Carole Guevin for your support and appreciation for my masterwork, Digital Malaya Project. You had continuously supported us when no other local portal would do. And because of you, I am able to meet the wonderful and modest Claire Erwin, and to be given a full Adobe Creative Suite CS3 Premium for our (DMP) support to your ADAA prestigious event.

Anyway, DMP will be hosting another great event for next month, so I will release the official news soon, after everything falls in the right place.

Flickr Malaysia 2nd Anniversary

With the latest hoo haah about the Flickr Video new function, I consider it to be beneficial for people like me to also include more organized and compiled photography into multimedia format, rather to squander space and pages to cover a lot of photos.




This video was taken by Matt Marzuki and additional photo by Ripi, both of them are members of KL FLickr group, better known as KLickr. Enjoy my spontaneous freestyle movement.

Personal Updates: The e-Bay experience

I was introduced to ebay by my friend, Yunus back in 2005. But this year, I've gotten real serious about it. This is because things that you can never envision to possess it, can be possible, of course if you have the 'magic card' with you or most definite, the em-oh-enn-eee-why!

I was given the opportunity to fulfill my full-time hobby, which is Transformers collecting. Transformers had been a big influence in my creative life. I still remember back in 2003 when P.Angelina from In-Tech, TheStar did a 2 page spread about my work and Digital Malaya, I mentioned about my early days of creating paper robots from straw boards and manila cards. It was fun.


An article about me, by P.Angelina, 'A Passion for Art', IN-TECH, TheStar.

Now, spending time more than four hours just sitting in front of your monitor just to stay for something is very abnormal for me. Believe me, you won’t be able to control yourself when someone had outbid you for an item you certainly want to purchase. That's why you end up until the last minute of the auction / bidding till you get your possession! Winning the bid had definitely put you in a priceless victory. Mr. Pong, a guy who sold his Transformers Overlord (which is actually 22 years old manufactured from 1987) to me didn't realized how much this item means to me.

Let me explain:

I used to remember back when I had my primary school days, I used to walk with my sister (Aniq) after school, in fact I’d even 'ponteng' (skip classes) just to head down to Warta, Selayang (Wallmart), climbed up to the 3rd floor just to drool myself and fantasizing the Transformers action figures. I know that time, one Transformers cost RM49.90 and seriously, back in the 80's, I don't have much alternative to save up my money since I like to spend on buying those bloody 'Ding Dang', 'Tora' and mystery toys and trade cards wrapped inside a box printed with Gaban or Mask Rider photos. Those days huh..


Video: My Transformers Collection

But today, it feels good just to find myself to be able to collect these item again, even if it cost me RM300-1,000 ringgit just to get an action figure from friends or from ebay. But I don't do this all the time, I know my limits. It only comes when I needed to, and if I found interesting vintage Transformers available on eBay.com

I love watching the Transformers Masterforce series. They are simply the finest! That's why I plan on getting all (if possible) the PowerMaster, Headmaster & Targetmaster series, besides the G1 combiners like Devastator, Computron, Menasor, Predaking, Superion, Defensor, Bruticus, Abominus, Piranacon & Monstructor. I only have the original vintage GI Constructicon, Bonecrusher, and Blast Off of Bruticus, which I got it from my friend Jaesern). I got the Metroplex, from the Base series. However Tomy-Takara will be releasing the Encore version of Metroplex somewhere this September. I already pre-ordered Encore G1 Omega Supreme from Area51 Toys at OneUtama last month which expect to be release in June. Now, it looks like I have to clear another one of my shelves because I will be expecting another five (5) transformers to be in my room anytime soon. :P. A great hobby, and did I tell you, a good investment too? :-) Believe me, I do ‘Transformers Spring Cleaning’ very frequent.

New Artworks & Commercial Work:

It's pleasant to know that one of my creative direction for WCIT campaign are now available (seen) in newspapers and billboards including a large banner in front of our MSC Malaysia headquarters building. Thanks to the company who had helped us and continue to support this campaign. Anyway, regarding my more personal works, there are few more illustrations about to finish. I just love to draw funky illustration of ladies.



Photography > Fine Art > Self-Portrait, Muid Latif

Spending myself getting f*%$up with drained down emotional night after work,I decide to splash myself with white acrylic and get into action.


Artwork > Illustration > 'What do you want me to do?', Muid Latif

Few more to come! ;-) getting creatively productive but also my efficiency is slowing down due to my insomnia. My biological clock is so messed up!

Another thank you to Jay Lim & Vivian Toh for putting such great event for my previous post, Get Moooving Movable Art exhibition. My work got featured in March KLue & SPACE, Vol. 1 magazine. I also found out a nice photo of me dancing during that night was also featured in this month KLue (April) with cover shot by my dear friend Erna Dayanti and Syahrin Aziz.


Photos taken by After4Motion (Jay & Vivian)

I managed to hang out with KLickr friends again on 16th of April in conjunction of donut's day. I had such a great time with my friends and managed to do a sketch of them.


The gengs with donuts and horny conversations :P hehe



I'm giving a talk on Creative Commons organized by Syahrin Aziz this Saturday, 26th of April along with Zainal Abdul Halim & Barzuki from Reuters at KLIUC, Bangi. Something from my end to give more awareness to my crowd about protecting your copyright and your work. More info at Syahrin's Blog.

Heart Broken & Gaining Friendship

Have your heart ever been broken? I have. But when I touch on this topic, it doesn't necessarily have to be love and relationship. Broken heart can also be frustrated for something you, yourself wanted to do so much, but never have the courage to do so, or to find out about someone who’s in trouble and we are not there to offer them a help. On 13th of April, I went to see my old friend, I****m and hang out at his apartment. Before I met him, I went to see Afik (Rafiq), right after a boring typical freelance call by this very awful company which once my friend, Perez, Alvin Seah, Fariz Hanapiah had laised with before as a freelancer. Now most of the Motion / Animation scene here in Malaysia are fully aware of local companies who abuse and taking advantage of freelancers, and believe me, I will be exposing exclusive stories in an article for the upcoming DMP revamp talking about freelance, Intellectual Property, Getting yourself into business and so on.

So, back to ‘old friend story’, I went to hang out at his place and he told me how tough his life is because he and his partner have to struggle to sell their artworks and pitch for projects and even bake cupcakes and cookies just to survive. My visit was worth inspiring and had a slap on my face about reality.

He's a dialog of our conversation:

Old Friend: Muid, mana nak dapat pc murah? Aku tengok kat Low Yatt banyak tapi mahal.
Me: Ic, ada jugak komputer second hand jual.
Old Friend: Dah, tapi still mahal. Minggu lepas aku gi survey, ada komputer second hand harga around RM600 lebih. Aku rasa tu dah cukup. At least untuk siapkan kerja design aku sebab komputer yang aku pakai ni slow sangat.
Me: (I just stared at his computer). Bagus jugak kalau ko boleh dapat harga komputer second hand harga RM600.
Old Friend: Aku baru lepas buat projek design untuk kerajaan, tak banyak, buat brochure design. Esok dapat duit tu, so esok nak pegi beli la komputer tu.
Me: Ic.
Old Friend: Muid, company ko kalau ada projek-projek printing, pass pass la kat kitaorang. kitaorang boleh buat macam-macam, (and explaination goes on and on).
Me: Insya'Allah, boleh. Aku cuba carikan dari company-company luar. Ko tak buat web kan?
Old Friend: Tak, kalau setakat design tu boleh la kot (what he meant was mock), dan yang 'next - back' button tu ko boleh la buatkan.
Me: Oh.. ok.
Old Friend: Aku tengah prepare artwork utk art exhibition. Harap work aku boleh jual. Nanti ko datang ya.
Me: Insya'Allah, ko inform aku awal-awal, sure aku drop by.

We had more conversation and he had also showed me his artworks. His stroke is more of a 'Pollock'. His partner's artwork is much nicer, but both of their artwork can't be afford by me because I remember that next cheque (check), I will need to help a friend to finish his study project, so I didn't promise him that I want to buy his work. But he was so eager of selling his artwork to me. That night, I got so messed up, again, not because of him, but I'm analyzing my own self.

People around me touch me. Their life, their story somehow made me realized how thankful I am. I'm also glad that my dad taught me to donate to Surau / Mosque every time I drop by to pray. Help people in need. By any means, not just donation, but advices, motivation, support. I know there are things you can't avoid, but I know some thing can be fulfill by doing good deeds in this world. I know that I make things equal.

Outro
I felt frustrated with a part of me because I can do so much more. I managed to help people a lot, I see people grow towards their success very little from my motivation and support. And I grow for a better path because of their motivation and people around me who believe in me, who still understand what I stand and fight for. I learn from these few months about myself and I had tone down my ego and my stubborn in order to make myself a better person. It's not an easy step for me, but at least I feel proud. Some people might not change, some will be arrogant and ignorant, believe to hurt people and mute around things that are important to most of them.

There are few who I'm close to, had turn back on me with such hostility (not hospitality). Some will continuously threaten me and disturb my life, friends, family and career because they are evil by born and will never stop until the person fell down and torn apart. Tapi takpa, Tuhan tu Maha Esa, Maha Kaya, Apa yang diaorang buat kat Muid dan keluarga Muid, insya'Allah, takkan kemanalah mereka.

I will never give up to achieve my dreams. What I’ve learned, the next time around, I will analyst a person first before I start giving my courtesy and friendship. There are people out there who just want to be with you because they want to enter your circle of professional network of friends, and some who just want to take advantage by your reputation for personal gain. I would rather friends with people who understand the value of life, value of courtesy and respect, and work hard to earn their own dreams and achievement without depending on privileges or your rich-but-discriminated-and-spoiled family background. At least I don't fake my life, I don't have to fake about what I do or who I am, I'm embracing it and living it for real.Thank you God for giving me the chance to see beyond possibility.

Wassalam

_

Another Day in Jazzland

Interlude

To be able to find my time to write this blog would be refreshing, as I manage to finish of a lot of works on my plate. I got so many things to write about, but for now, I want to share my experience for the last one month. Hope all of you enjoy and inspire.

The Office @ Sinktuary

World Congress of IT (WCIT 2008)



A clean cut design work that will be featured in Jalan Pinang billboard, and finally to work on a widget for event countdown. Yeay indeed!

Penang e-Creative Open Challenge

An inspiring event I should say. I was invited as chief judge to evaluate the entries by local talents and I'm very inspired and flattered during and after the judging process, not to forget to meet new friends. As usual, judging is not easy and it takes a lot of consideration and evaluation to identify interesting subject message from the contestants.

I had hard time, because all of them are good, and to my surprise, they are all young, and we are talking about 14-15 year old school kids who enjoy watching Animax and read manga comics. The work produced is very well produced, and they use WACOM to do this. No joke for that!


Above artwork is made by the grand prize winner. Congrats to Reona Dawn! Her presentation is up to international standard, and she plans to study on Game Design & Programming. All the best girl!

Personal Updates

Adobe Design Achievement Awards 2008



Never in my life would be so lucky to be approached by Adobe Design Achievement Awards committee to be a part of their wonderful campaign. This year, Digital Malaya Project (DMP) had been invited to become Adobe ADAA Media Supporter, and I would like to give my thousand appreciation to Ms Carole Guevin, who is one of the outreach committee member and also the founder of the super-famous Netdiver. Morever, receiving a precious gift from them, the Adobe Design CS3 Premium software will make me more productive after getting this macbook pro baby. I'm planning to buy Office of Mac, Adobe Lightroom & Aperture 2 soon. Of course, we, DMP on our end need to promote this prestigious event to our local schools and colleges. I managed to get sponsors like EcazStudios and others (Jay & Vivian) to help me promote, so I thank those who supported Adobe and DMP.

Talk about DMP, I'm just trying to buy time to revamp back the site. It's been ages that I have not contribute any content accept major promo and updates. After reading 'Destroy The Web 2.0 Look' from Sireh & Cengkeh Terpilih, it made me pretty clear about myself as a designer, NOT to bow down on Web 2.0 look, entirely. We call ourself a designer but we are not if you kept on using design templates provided by wordpress and ready made templates, which includes following other people trends, but not yours? It's definitely a waste, and also a conflict of identity that you had been trying for, and as for me, I ain't going to give it up just because of the trends and so called 'the in-thing' that I myself need to follow, when back in 2001-2002, we already have explore the usage of JavaScript, Applets and DHTML. With the Web 2.0 look, or those ready-made template by other designer will will only weaken us as a designer. You can do everything according to the trend, but don't let all of your work be at one style. These days, Flash website gets more control because of FLEX and it's seamless interactivity. Thanks to Syed for bringing this great feature in his website. To us who have the pride of calling ourselves designers, do your design according to your own style and identity, but technically improve on back-end, whether integrating with a good CMS or a funkilicios ActionScript for your works.

Weekend Breakaway

Last weekend (29-30 March) had been another blast as I spent my time with my fellow Saladin artists such as Sandra, Remy, Hanie & Immo to go out for a sketch-session at the National Birdpark in Kuala Lumpur. I got so caught up with 'Toco Toucan' and Malabar Pied Hornbill species. Managed to get some sketches done, though I have to rush for Yahoo! Malaysia Flickr 2nd Anniversary Party at Pelita Hati Gallery, with another special freestyle dance performance by me :P

Photography: Going on Travel Photography, most likely.



Meantime, my photo work of Niah Great Caves has been shortlisted in the National Geographic 'Daily Dozen' for April 1, 2008. A big thanks to k.a.b.i.r, my KLickr pal who had informed me.

Digital Malaya @ PeKOMIK Mini Convention



I was invited by Azhar, chief of Malaysian Comic Association (PEKOMIK) to give a talk at the PeKOMIK Mini Convention last weekend, 6th of April. I was so honoured to be presenting my work with the attendance of fellow artists including the legendary Ujang. His talk was awesome, inspiring and hilarious.

RECAP: Get Mooovable Moving Art Exhibition

This show went with a great success, follow by strong support by my friends, mostly from Flickr Malaysia. Our exhibition was also featured in two magazine, one is Space, volume 1: 2008 and March's KLuE with name mentioned and artwork displayed. It was also one of my very rare event, because I had performed two dance session. I pay my greateast respect to two special individual, Jay Lim & Vivian Toh for putting up such a successful event and to be able to handle and coordinate very smooth. You guys are in my heart.


Muid & Friends


Muid's performance.

Artwork Updates: 3 fresh from the Oven

I managed to do some illustration on my flight to Penang, so this illustration was created 27 feet tall. Cherry Bomb! (Joan Jet)


'If Dreams Are Miracle', by Muid Latif


'Exploration: In Her Mind', By Muid Latif

I'm also digging up my old illustration and managed to rework on some including my current work-in-progress for the Hijau exhibition this June.


'The Punishment', by Muid Latif


W.I.P, 'Hizhou', for HIJAU Exhibition, this June 2008.

The Trip: Java Jazz

Back in 1994, when TV3 introduce us to Benson & Hedges: 'Golden Dreams', I used to remember that I wrote a letter to them about my golden dream to meet someone that I adore, someone that I constantly listen to back when I was wearing that green pale pants and white school uniform, imagining that someday I would meet Kenneth Edmonds, probably known as Babyface. His music had pretty much influence my life, my creativity and my interest for r&b and soul music. So when my sister bugs me about Jakarta's Java Jazz Festival, I had a flat chance to go there because of my workload, but thanks to my dear boss, I was able to go there! To know Incognito, D'Sound and Park Drive will be performing in that prestigious event, I felt there's no reason I should not waste my weekend by not going there. So later we tag along with our friends like Oya, Halimi Saidi, Atilia, our dearest local singer, and her konco-konco, Fizar Harun, Jerry, Fid Fathir (he's a cool dude!), David, Eric Li, Donna, Teejay, Comel, Roslan Wikinson (hope I spell the name right), and our dearest soul-lady, Salamiah Hassan and the rest.





A week before, my sister asked me if I would like to buy the special ticket to watch Bobby Cadwell and Babyface, but I rather spear my money for shopping, because I'm up for that. Going to Jakarta is like heading back to your second home, because I got lot's of memories and friends there. I know it's such a waste not to see Babyface performs, but on Sunday the 9th itself, set the most historical date of my life. This is how the story goes;


In front of Aquarius Record Store.

After shopping tons of CD at Aquarius in Pondok Indah, I kept on whining to Abby to go to EX Mall nearby Sarinah Mall (I think so!) because I want to get that delicious Japanese food that I ate early last year when I attended the Massive Offline conference. But instead, Abby told me to head back to Jakarta Convention Centre so we can arrive early to the show.

So we went there. We took the tunnel from The Sultan Hotel. There's a moment when we about to pass the lobby and I said to myself, 'If only I can see babyface..', and a few second, I saw a tall American-African came out of the lift alone. I immediately shout lightly to Abby and I said, 'Sh!t, that's Kenneth, Babyface!'. I lost all my sense and run towards him and greeted him 'Kenneth'. To my surprise, there's not even one assistant was near him. I ask him if we could take a photo of us together with him and I know that time, he was rushing for his show. He said 'yeah, sure'. It's just out of the world to know that suddenly I have a chance to meet him. I shake my hands and I told him thanks and said it's an honour to meet him. Right after we took the photos with him, three of his assistant start to chase him and ask him to leave for the show. I thank to Abby, and God for making that moment a day to remember.


So, this is for the cool in me, and Babyface!

The 3 days event is a blast, with a lot of fun and laughter. Finally I managed to get my hands of the famous Krispy Kreme, the most delicious donut. I also bump into my friends, and they are Azlan Abu Hassan @ Soulguy, and Omar K! Me and Azlan goes way back and we have been chatting since 2002 but never meet him in person, but Java Jazz made a great meeting point for us. Thanks Azlan, for recognizing me and to hang out with us. It was also a pleasure to meet Omar K, one of Malaysia latest new fresh producers who made great composition.





Parkdrive, as smooth as jamiroquai+incognito.

It was a pleasure to be able to stand in front of them and enjoyed their performance and meet them in person. Thanks to our brother lead guitar of Atilia's genious band, David, who's also a natural-born photographer, for hooking us up with the Park Drive's musician, Rayendra (Ray).





Transform: Masterforce!



More collection, more orders including the cool G1 Encore Omega Supreme. I managed to get Skylynx (but ain't really likin' it) and managed to get two precious Masterforce series, the Powermaster Lightfoot and Powermaster Dreadwing.

Outro: Kembara Hati

Being grateful and thankful to God, for giving such high spirit and awakening. Friends comes and goes, but to some friends, you made such a wonderful journey for me. Thanks again for your kind support, and thanks for accepting me for who I am, and for the worst of me.

I recently had a great smoking-break with a colleague of mine and we had discuss about relationship. I conclude his input that inspired me.

I will no longer push everyone to be in my shoe because they can't be as I am. I have to learn to accept that very small part of a person character, regards to the limitation they have. I understand some people can be comfortable within their box, within their own comfort zone and I will not push them to go as what I am. Some people are afraid to share their past experiences because they afraid of loosing, and I may no longer doubt or question them. Let them know me, and I let myself learn just little, as long as they are happy.

I revisited my mistakes and my failure once again, and in time and space, I will find my way again.

Up Against The Wind - Lori Perry

Day after Day seems like I push against the clouds
They just keep blocking out the sun
It seems since I was born
I've wakened every blessed morning
Down on my luck and up against the wind
Don't you stop, don't you run, don't you cry
You'll do fine, you'll be good, you'll get by

Night after night seems like I rage against the moon
But it don't ever light the dark I curse the falling rain
But it won't stop for my complaining
Down on my luck and up against the wind

Don't you stop, don't you run, don't you cry
You'll do fine, you'll be good, you'll get by

Swimming against the tide and striking the indifferent air
I'm swinging with empty hands
Driving that empty dream

Day after Day I fend myself against heat
But it don't ever cool the breeze
Don't you stop, don't you run, don't you cry
You'll do fine, you'll be good, you'll get by

_
It's time to blow that candle, and sit in a silent darkness, but not as a lone moth, but a free hummingbird, ready to sing beautifully.