Unionstudios.com Blog http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/index.php Graphic Design and Web Design en aaron@unionstudios.com Copyright 2009 Pivot Pivot - 1.40.6: 'Dreadwind' Tue, 05 May 2009 10:11:26 -0700 60 Domsai Desk Pets http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=36 http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=36#comm

Matteo Cibic has created desk tamagotchi, an anthropomorphic planter.



Cibic describes his space-agey little tabletop toys as tamagotchis with regards to the egg-shaped handheld digital creatures that, along with Giga Pets and Nano Pets, became a major gadget trend in the mid '90s. Unlike their digital precursors however, Domsais are far less likely to perish from lack of constant vigilance.



Each Domsai is one-of-a-kind and crafted in Italy, with custom-blown domes that differentiate according to the individual cactus they enclose. Ranging from 25 to 29 centimeters in height, the plants stand on sturdy white or gold-tinged ceramic legs.















go to original post ]]> 36@http://unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/ default Tue, 05 May 2009 10:11:00 -0700 Amazing 3D Map of New York http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=35 http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=35#comm





Here and There is a great mapping project designed to give a viewer an unblocked point of reference. Imagine standing in one place and looking down a street, your view would be blocked by buildings, but the Here and There map takes that same point of view and then wraps the city up and over you. Amazing vector map has large amounts of detail and highlights landmarks.
































































Go to Here & There Website ]]> 35@http://unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/ default Mon, 04 May 2009 10:22:00 -0700 iPhone earbud winder from business card. http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=34 http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=34#comm










#design

Saw this and thought it was a really ingenious approach to earbud management. Using a standard business card you can make this earbud winder.



























































courtesy of core77 ]]> 34@http://unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/ default Fri, 10 Apr 2009 09:49:00 -0700 UNICEF Plants Landmines! http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=33 http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=33#comm








#ad #campaign #design

The UNICEF landmine stickers were created as a eye-catching way to let passers-by experience the dangers of hidden landmines that many war-torn nations still deal with.

























The campaign consisted of placing special LANDMINE stickers with self-adhesive topsides in front of the UNICEF booths. They were invisible until they stuck to people's feet. As soon as passer-bys removed the stickers, they were surprised to see a landmine picture on the bottom side and were informed that in many other countries they would have been mutilated at this moment.





































The Results compared to 2006, visits doubled, donations increased and the idea captured people's attention and will be used at all upcoming UNICEF information booths. ]]> 33@http://unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/ default Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:33:00 -0700 LED Bike Kit, Make a sweet light show! http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=32 http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=32#comm













#bike #pov #lights


Here is a sweet DIY project for anyone who has a bit of programming knowledge. Even if you don't have the knowledge, it might be worth it to learn in order to get a bike with these cool additions.
















Spoke POV is an easy-to-make electronic kit toy that turns your bicycle wheel into a customized display! The project includes a free schematic design, open software for uploading and editing stored bitmap images, and a high-quality kit with all the parts necessary to build your own.























Specification & Features
* Can be used with road, mountain or BMX wheels!
* 30 LEDs on each side (22 for BMX) x 256 radial pixels
* Runs on 2-3 AA batteries for 10 hours or more, assuming 3000mAh alkalines and 50% image coverage.
* Can run on rechargable NiMH AA's
* Comes with high-brightness red, yellow, green or blue LEDs
* Automatically shuts off after 3 minutes
* Software runs on any Mac, Windows or Linux computer with Serial, Parallal or USB port
* Design is all through-hole parts, perfect for a first time kit builder.
* With one spoke, total persistence at 15mph. Two spokes, 10mph. Three spokes, 7mph. (Assuming a mountain bike wheel). Looks cool even if not completely persistant.
* Great for safe riding at night, provides excellent side visibility.
* Playa-tested!
















Click here for website! ]]> 32@http://unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/ default Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:15:00 -0700 Twitter-ers now get Freshest Bread! http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=31 http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=31#comm








#twitter #gadgets

What is it?
BakerTweet is a way for busy bakers to tell the world that something hot and fresh has just come out of the oven. It's as simple as turning the dial and hitting the button. All of the baker's followers get a Twitter alert to tell them that it's bun-time. Or bread time. Or whatever.














The first BakerTweet device has been installed at the Albion Cafe on Boundary Street in Shoreditch, London. To find out what's cooking follow @albionsoven on Twitter.


BakerTweet allows businesses to use Twitter to communicate in real-time about offers, pricing and stock from a device that can withstand kitchen peril and is much simpler to operate than a laptop or a mobile.

















It was made by Poke. We're a digital creative agency based across the road from the Albion and, perhaps selfishly, we wanted a way to get the freshest baked stuff first. Then we realised it could be a great tool for bakers everywhere.
How does it work? (the simple version)

In simple terms it's a bakery-proof box that sends messages wirelessly to Twitter. The clever bit is that the baker can update their messages and things they're selling using a simple web interface. Obviously not something that you'd do mid-bake but it's an important feature for future-proofing the device.
How does it work? (the gory details)

The BakerTweet prototype is made up of an Arduino Duemilanove, Arduino Ethernet Shield, Ladyada Proto Shield, a Linksys wifi adapter, and a whole bunch of little parts that make up the rest of what you see. We went through a couple of weeks of prototyping until the we settled on all the final components and wiring.

One of the highlights of BakerTweet is that it interfaces with a Django CMS for all it's information. This means that an owner can sign into their account on bakertweet.com and edit the number of items, how they want them labelled on the device, and the body of the Tweet is sent out for each. To update the device with the latest information, the owner simply spins the dial "Update Items List," hits the button, and the box grabs the latest list of items. Simple.

Want one, Click Here! ]]> 31@http://unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/ default Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:53:00 -0700 Dirty Art Project Gets Help From Craig's List! http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=30 http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=30#comm













THE DIRT designed by H. Mathis.
"Using Craigslist, I posed a listing in every state. Each had to be unique.












The Craigslist post read that I was working on an art project. (oh man, do people love that) I explained that I created a dirt retrieval system to get the dirt back to me, postage paid. They simply had to go into their backyard, collect it, and throw it in the mail. Due to postage each kit cost me around 10 dollars. I ended up sending out over 100 kits to receive the 52 state total.





















I unexpectedly learned many many things from this collection. The massive differences in soil from each state, the stories told from each individual sending the dirt in, oh...and the dirt from Hawaii is cursed..."









































































Go to website.

]]> 30@http://unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/ default Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:55:00 -0700 America’s Top Graphic Designer TV Auditions!! http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=29 http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=29#comm







Try outs held at Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale for new reality television show.

Graphic Designers over the age of 18, student and/or professionals in the South Florida area, will get a chance to show producers why they are the next C.M.Y.K. America’s Top Graphic Designer™ during an audition session on Saturday, January 24, 2009, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Room 320, at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, located at 1799 S.E. 17th Street. Interested and qualified hopefuls should download and complete an application (found in the “Competition” section of the web site) prior to the audition www.cmykamerica.com.


C.M.Y.K. America's Top Graphic Designer is seeking graphic designers that have fresh ideas using traditional and new technology, and can handle anything from a logo design, to a layout for a high-end magazine full of text, to a podcast, and on to designing billboards. The elimination round will choose seven graphic designers from across America to compete in the new, hip, unscripted reality series.

The competition will be televised with seven episodes. Guest judges will include creative directors from design firms, magazines, newspapers, corporations, colleges, production companies, printing firms, and music/film celebrities, and the general public. The winning graphic designer will receive $50,000 in cash/prizes, and will launch a new chapter in their career with sponsors of the show as their clients.

For more information about C.M.Y.K. – America’s Top Graphic Designers, visit www.cmykamerica.com.

]]> 29@http://unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/ default Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:34:00 -0700 Here is a much easier way to do those Clipping Paths!! http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=28 http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=28#comm



Deepetch.com Has Launched an Online Version of Its Photoshop® Clipping Path and Masking Service Targeting Ad Agencies, Graphic Designers & Photography Businesses


Deepetch.com has launched an online version of its Photoshop® Clipping Path & Masking service. The service is specifically aimed at small to medium photographers, imaging professionals and advertising agencies who want to remove backgrounds from their photos for an advert they have due, a retail catalogue or even for online retailers. Previously, services like this were only available to large corporations & publishers however, you can now access the same service at the same competitive prices.


Wouldn't you think twice if you had the chance to swap 12hrs of processing clipping paths to receive 200 images within 4hrs for as little as $0.56 per image? You could, in fact, focus on improving your business or the rest of the creative work in your office with the time you and your staff will save.

Here is what one client had to say about the service:
"Form start to finish it was an exceptional service. The fact that I had 355 images to deep etch, which would have taken me weeks, and you guys finished it within two days is amazing. What a wonderful world!"

Deepetch.com plans to launch more exciting services in the very near future. Visit deepetch.com to view its Photoshop® Clipping Path Service, and its flat rate Photoshop® Masking Service.

Some of the features that stand out from other service providers:
• A flat rate per image
• No waiting for quotes as you rate the complexity
• Live tracking for all your jobs
• Complete simple online solution with no waiting
• A friendly 24hr chat and client support

View their rates here

Clients do have to set up an account to start using the service. Once logged in, Users can tell the difference between deepetch.com and other service providers. There is a 'Live Tracking' facility to update users on the status of their jobs in real time, so they never lose control of their images. Also deepetch.com works on credits, similar to most stock image sites, where beginners can opt for starter bundles and high volume customers can purchase the value packs. Bundles start at $15 and there is a bundle for everyone's requirement.

Users only need a computer connected to the internet and they are 2 minutes away from working smarter and efficiently, utilising deepetch.com as their image processing partner. Overall, the application is unbelievably easy and quick, but for first time users, it might help to play around with the system for a few minutes. The best part of deepetch.com is their customer service, users can click on 'Live Chat' anytime to talk to a customer service representative or even pick up the phone and call them if they need a job processed right away. ]]> 28@http://unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/ default Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:06:00 -0700 The Rule of Thirds to make better design and photography http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=27 http://www.unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=27#comm






Use this rule to make all your work more visually appealing.
The Rule of Thirds, one of the most popular rules in Photography, can be applied in painting, design and shooting movies too. It's useful to remember this rule when you're taking pictures with your digital camera or later cropping your digital image in Photoshop. In most cases, applying this rule will create a big difference in your image. And yes, it's a good difference.

The rule states that:
1. an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines as shown below:








2. important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.

See examples below:













The focus in this picture are the birds. See how the two birds are placed at the intersections of two lines.

















The focus is still a bird. See how the body is placed along the line to the right.

Placing the element of interest on one of the intersections or along the lines will create a balance and interesting look on viewers' eyes. If we put the object of interest in the center, it tends to create a monotonous and static feels. Same thing happens when you place a horizontal element in the middle of a picture.

One thing to remember is, points of interest in the photo don't have to actually touch one of these lines to take advantage of the rule of thirds. Falling near the intersection of two of the lines, close enough to take advantage of the rule.

But you know what people say about having a rule. It's meant to be broken. Sometimes, to achieve a good composition, you have to break the Rule of Thirds. So, don't be too stringent on yourselves. It's okay to break this rule once in a while. It's just here as a guide not to bind you for the rest of your lives.

original post by: best photoshop ]]> 27@http://unionstudios.com/blog/pivot/ default Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:19:00 -0700