I Just Won An Award!

Today would be the most historical day in my life. Now, before I go any further, let me take you back on a story that is something important happened to me past few months back when I was working in a top web agency working as a senior web designer. This is not a resolved issue between me and that person. After being evaluated for my work performance, oh, which includes of graph of the good side of 'Muid Latif' and the bad side of 'Muid Latif', I remember once that I refer him as ‘Mister Simplicity’ told me that designers at my age HAVE to be an art director. This is in order to prove you are a successful person in the industry and to achieve acknowledgement and recognition as a designer. So you either have to know what it takes to be an art director or loose it or, be what ___? (fill in the blanks if ya’ know what I mean). Right at that very moment, I was bolt from the blue to see how antagonistic and hypercritical that man was. I got mortified. Even my professor (Dr. Shukor) whom I regularly meet and get consulted for almost 7 years now never even thought to mortify me. We both appreciate and respected each other and I looked up to him like my own father. Oh, but not that particular person of course. I learn to think what is wrong with me instead and learn from it. Having said that, I recall back what he thinks about lecturers who work in art & design institution. He told me that being a lecturer is a last resort; a dead-end career where he would think it’s something not worth it to integrate interest and passion. I take a moment, analyze and thought how far true his statement was, so I start doing some research including asking one of my counselor, Puan Fatimah to give her opinion about what type of person he was and why he have to be so disapproving about what I do in the past and future. Above all, he got it all wrong about me. He believes all things existed by system, do things accordingly and being perfect in every single way. She covered me with so many psychological facts of human behavior including physical preferences. All I can say, long time ago, I looked up to him like 1o feet tall and now when I see him, it’s always the negative side of him. I never abhorrence that person however after what he said on the 10^th 0f February 2006, I lost my admiration towards him.

Anyway, after I had received numerous advices from many people, partly from my family, to close friends and even very influential person from the industry (thanks Weng Keong, Jai, Yasmin Ahmad, Izuddin, Tim Grass of Axis Films, Hasnul, Haryany @ Noni ). I know that I didn’t loose it at all. I’d once become Head of Creative in Netinfinium before. So been there, done that. I lead my team (my junior designers) to become extra creative and progressive. They learn a lot of things from me and I learn a lot of things from them too. It is called the gift of trading education and experience. After all, knowledge is the precious gift you can find and to be appreciated. That’s how I looked up my lecturers. Even when I see them today, I couldn’t be more excited and welcome their presence with warmth sincere smile.

So, what’s the award you mention just now?
For the first time (ok, the MSC-APICTA awards doesn’t count because it falls under student project), I finally got an award. Yeay! I’m really proud of myself. This has been such a prestigious and unforgettable. It started yesterday night around 10:45 pm on my way back home. I went to 7-11 to buy 2 dozen of eggs and a fresh milk. So, at the corner of the shop, there’s this three kids starring at the toy rack and playing some of the toys. One of them said that he wish to get one of these. I looked at them and smile (oh..hell not like Michael Jackson way!). I felt so sympathy for them and they look so adorable. I thought of buying those toys for them, because by looking at their dirty clothes, they are children who live in places not as good as us. But buying a toy won’t help a children mind grow, so I bought Vitagen yogurt drink instead on my way out of the store and pass it to them. For those kids. I choose Grape, Apple and Orange because all three are my favorite flavor. So what the hell 7-e, Kids and Vitagen got to do with the awards? So see them in such a precious smile and listening to them saying ‘Terima kasih abang’, it almost shed the tears out of me. I never felt so happy and I take that as a gift, an award that cannot compared to any other.

Changing My Personal Point of View:
Have you heard of ‘Zero Rebounce’? That’s a term of my friend, Mahen who use to be a senior copywriter in my two previous companies that I work with. ‘Zero Rebounce’ is a study, and process of how we build a brand (partially design), analyze, evaluate, execute and present to client for approval without rejection = zero. Most important, we need to recognize the type of product we want to help the client sell. Of course, normally we always come up with several of choice, probably two at least. Unless your creative rationale is convincing enough to support the work we produced. That’s normally happen in the design world because we felt variety help to save us.

Recently, representing Multimedia Development Corporation, I designed a logo for what I see a very potential government project created by MDEC/MSC which is called MSC-CMCI, which defines as Creative Multimedia Content Initiative. Anyway, this is not just an ordinary logo development. I really get to use the process, from studying the brand, to research, to stylize and a bit of oriental influence. Two design, one approval, and the next thing I notice, the logo has been printed, and animated. This logo will be launched by our very own Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi today. I never been much happier to work with an organization which surprisingly accept new ideas and to see how people acknowledge your effort. There are hundreds of VIPS, to minister of this and that, all came and applause on our presentation. To get the Prime Minister to see your design, and liking it, now that’s a real award you can’t get elsewhere. I hope it will be a new beginning of a new day, and in years to come. I never had been more contented.

And I go on:
I’m not a primadona designer nor artist. I am not famous because of my name, but I’m recognized for my work. I am talented, versatile and creative. BUT I never said I am super-creative, there are out there whose creativity is on peak of Mount Everest. I don’t believe one person can have all in one package. I don’t put attitude. If you say I’m arrogant, each and every of us born with it. If you say I like to ‘expose’ myself, that’s because I want people to recognize me. I like to make jokes and be funny because I like to make people happy and laugh, and at times, I also want to be serious but not fierce. I don’t take shortcut in life. I learn the hard way. God knows what I’ve been through. I learn things by myself. I build myself without having to rely on others, like most people who take advantage of their father’s wealth or family background. I take LRT to work. I remember I use to ride a bike fell down the road and got injured. I’m not ashamed to say I drive a Kancil. Yes, modern KL women may look down on me but it doesn’t matter anymore. Sometimes I have plenty money and most of the time I’m broke. I have a lot of friends but when I’m in trouble, I don’t look for them and I like to solve it on my own. Or else I won’t be walking from KL Sentral to Bandar Tasik Selatan from 12:45 a.m. to 3 a.m. in the morning! So, are you blaming and punishing me for having so much compassion in what I really like to do? If you got a problem with me, pick your own size first, and try to be on my shoe.

Disclaimer:
I write what is best for my own blog. For those who can follow and understand what I have been gone through, my deepest appreciation goes out for the support and respect of my opinion, however for those who doesn’t, kindly abandon yourself from this blog immediately. The choice is really up to us to take the good things in us and the bad things aside.

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You got flashed!

Think!

You can decide to be an opportunist, indolent designer/artist who thought to be an art director to presently come up with ideas and sell, or you choose to be among the designer who struggle to learn more, create and increase skill sets yet also have the same amount of ideas and they execute more, in this case being more versatile in what you do. Both one is radical and one who prefer simplicity because they can’t afford to do more. Nevertheless, what you need to know is that how you survive the world of design as a part of your career. Thinking of time, as time is money; we always need to think which is best for us, to cope with datelines.

In my early days working as a designer, I always wanted to give more and put the best out of my work. However, creativity does not come in a blink of an eye. Mood, environment and getting comfortable always had trouble me. In fact, you think to far to worry about the effect of our work, for instant, knowing how to fit your design with the backend, how easy it is to updates, worry this and worry that. But now, time consuming, we do that WYSIWYG. ‘Goggle’ing images, modify copyright images in order to catch the dateline, and voila, finish a piece that we claim to be ours? Live and learn to deal with it. But what will happen? What are the consequences? People will start analyzing your work. They will do comparison, and they found out exactly what is wrong, you’re in deep trouble. And your reputation will somehow disturb. I believe the local web design industry should understand what argument I’m talking about.

Question, do we always say yes to whatever client require us to do without putting some appreciation and dignity to our creative? What about the designers? Are they multi-tasking?

Negetive. Because we believe that we are selfish and greedy in ownership in a lot of project. We don’t consider and we pay no attention to appreciation to get work done. We want credits of what we do and more money in our pockets. And a lot of those who notify the company are practicing bad attics leave, leave and leave. Yasmin Ahmad once told me; “If the company does not appreciate you, don’t stay. Leave the company”.

What’s Flash Got to Do with It?

I was looking for many, many multimedia designers. One of the reasons is because I want them to work, learn and get experience. Three companies are hiring, from (if) interactive, to Huevisualab and Slipknot. And where are the designers? They go to sleep. They don’t look for job. The job looks for them. I met few designers who are currently looking for a job. I ask them, ‘are you good in flash?’ And they just simply answer with such an ease expression, ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I know little’. Joe, how the fark are you to get a job if you waiting for good things to come if you don’t work yourself to increase your skills? You got the time in the whole world, why wait? You can’t expect work come looking for you. You can’t expect to become an art director when you just finish your studies. Unless you’ father is rich and can send you to study overseas until the age of 30 and still taking different courses each year or got an uncle who works in Leo Burnett, you can definitely take that career shortcut without experience.

Last look: For those who may concern (based on few feedbacks)
I have a reason to talk about this issue. It’s because I’m not showing off that I know things, but the fact is I learn from my mistakes, and I want people to know what I’ve been going through and they will take precaution when they work in future. I believe in helping them as much as helping myself. If I don’t help myself from the beginning, I may not become of who I am today. Here’s a piece of advice, don’t be prejudice. I heard you guys are talking bad things about me, but I got other things to bother. I do my work, you’ll do yours. Get it right.


Where thou shall go in future? We’re all struggling, neither one of use have the most secure future in our careers. Anything can happen.

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MIDI Party

I have to force myself to attend MIDI party that night, of course with the help of Gary's extra golden tickets :P I had major fun that night. It's truly honored to meet Kustaa Saksi, Devilrobots (againand again) and Karim Rashid, along other great humble and low-profile speakers. We even had this T-dance square where everyone start dancing in the middle of the dancefloor. It was fun. I'd dance twice. It was crazy. Even Karim went to do his Robot dance, which I thought it was funky.

Thanks to Juan and Peter for introducing the guys. For those who like to see some of my snapshot, feel free to drop by my fotopages gallery.

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Creativity in common

Stock images, royalty free materials can easily be found from the World Wide Web. Few of us really care to make use of it wisely, and some does not. One of the favorite stock image online libraries I regularly visit is StockXchange, a.k.a SXC (besides google-ing images). SXC provide great quality of hi-resolution of photos, taken from amateurs to professional. The good news is that you can use it for personal and commercial use for free. Of course some stocks have their restrictions, depending on user. Interesting huh?

Two weeks ago, I got an email from Phil Ragen from Australia and he sent me a PDF version of their newsletter which features one of my stock images for their article. That is something cool for me because people do appreciate your work :)

Early last year, when I start to have my own blog, I was exposed to Creative Commons (CC). To my knowledge, I’m only aware that (CC) only helps us designers or bloggers to protect our materials and copyright. Surprisingly, they also offer great resources from images, photos, graphics, music, videos and even articles. It’s enough for you to create or compile a great project for your collage or an experimental work.

Here are some facts about Creative Commons (CC):
The Creative Commons License refers to the name of several copyright licenses released on December 16, 2002 by Creative Commons, a U.S. non-profit corporation founded in 2001. The Creative Commons website enables copyright holders to grant some of their rights to the public while retaining others through a variety of licensing and contract schemes including dedication to the public domain or open content licensing terms. The intention is to avoid the problems current copyright laws create for the sharing of information.

Why do I want to talk about (CC)? Many of you not know that Creative Commons spread their wings in Malaysia. Recently, they had a competition with amazing prizes to give away. It was a prestigious event organized by MDC (Multimedia Development Corporation). I was given the privilege to be one of the judges, along with me is Mr. Ho Chun Kiat, who needs no introduction, especially those who are familiar with Malaysian Video Awards (MVA).

Aerosolism



Saturday, the 4th of March will be my first kickstart for doing graffiti (after such a long time) at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur. You guys are free to come and see us, whole bunch of graffiti gurus (SWS, Orkibal, etc).


Adios.

Birthday yada yada...

Grave in quality or manner (or some of us called it serious) is a very perilous term in my dictionary. I am a person with great of sense of humour and I like to be for who I am at all time I could have. I refuse to take away my personality, appearance and attitude I own, because I believe it had shaped who I am today. I prefer not to be a 'dull', passive and boring person. But I ain't playin' neither. It doesn't mean people can step on my head. There are times I get serious in some matter.

I had achieve my discipline on training myself to stay healthy.

1. I stop smoking.
Heavy Dunhill, to Marlboro to Kent 9, then 6, then 1 and then stop!
2. I start working out. I go for more then just my regular dumbells.
3. I try wake up early. No more 10s!
4. I start compromising. I tolerate and be more patience.
5. I start seeing the real things more in front of me
6. I been offered chances.
7. I like to eat healthy food and more greens (vegi)

But no one is perfect. Deep in my mind and soul, I know that in some ways, there are some circumstances that makes me fall apart. No futher details to this subject ladies and gentlemen.

Past two days, was the day I turn 27. I got a day off (from working) and really fully utilized it. I had a nice lunch and discussion with my friends at PJ Hilton, and went for a Kanye West workout plan. I got home, then went back to Sri Hartamas for regular yamcha with Shieko and Orkibal.

On Saturday, I went to the city. I met Ameer (former collegue), then Shieko and Orkibal at Sg. Wang. Shieko, was very generous to buy me lunch to celebrate my birthday. Arigato Shiekocan!
Then, shieko split up. We (Me & Orkibal) decided to go to Time Square to buy a lomo camera (finally!) at this nice shop called The Folio. He got himselves a fish eye lomo while I got myself a colorsplash. Went for a foot massage (after the morning workout). It was damn nice, bloody brilliant Thai massager. I went out to the city to take some various shots and mostly they are experimental shots. That night, I went to see my personal trainer to discuss about my health and stuff. He was very nice and very helpful, or it was apart of the centre policy. Haha..
I took the Komuter train back to Bandar Tasik Selatan. Dozzed off so I stopped at Serdang. Abby went to pick me up and I suppose to join her at Subang Jaya (ss15) for yamcha and hangouts. Instead, I got my foot ache (due to the message) so I went back home, watch TV and fell asleep.

And on Sunday, I got interviewed by students from UiTM about Graffiti art and stuff for their final project / paper. It was ok but those kids are very nice :)

I went to Adidas store to buy some short sport pants, t-shirts and stuff. Had a nice club sandwich and went back home. But I had my weekend swim. It's a must. Geezz, i'm still having my hickups (since Friday) and it annoys me.






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besame mucho?