[ Piggsee ] Design, Art, Music, Web and all that by ARK and HANI

Expresso Actual, 21 Mar 2009. Pages 12 - 13

2009-04-10T19:12:00.001-07:00

Expresso Actual
21 Mar 2009

The Take Away Shows - Best Web Videos

2008-04-27T16:27:00.002-07:00

#40.3 - The National - Start a war
by lablogotheque

This video is one of my favorite web videos ever. It is The National's Start a War filmed by Vincent Moon. It is part of an amazing production called "The Take Away Shows". All videos are beautiful. The bands are filmed performing in their most intimate/spontaneous settings.

Excerpts from Tariq Ali and David Barsamian's book "Speaking of Empire and Resistance: Conversations with Tariq Ali"

2008-04-19T11:22:00.004-07:00

In “Speaking of Empire and Resistance: Conversations with Tariq Ali” (Amazon link), Tariq Ali tells the story of how Zia ul-Haq was involved in the massacre of Palistinians in 1970s. It would be much easier to believe Ali's claim if he had published the picture along with the text. Although, it seems to be a non-disputed claim as I haven't found anything to the contrary (yet). Wikipedia also states: "He [Zia] was stationed in Jordan from 1967 to 1970, helping in the training of Jordanian soldiers, as well as leading the training mission into battle during the Black September in Jordan operations, a strategy that proved crucial to King Hussein's remaining in power". Below are some excerpts…

The key turning point was Black September, in 1970, when he [King Hussein] decided to crush the Palestinians. Interestingly enough, the Pakistani brigadier chosen to help them was Zia ul-Haq, the so-called friend of Islam, who was dispatched by the Pakistani government. Zia organized the massacre of the Palestinians, for which the Palestinians never forgave him. I [Tariq Ali] have in my archives a very striking photograph, of a celebration in a Jordanian army mess after the crushing of the Palestinian camps and the resistance in Jordon. Brigadier Zia and one of Hussein's officers are dancing; the Jordanian is clearly drunk, and whether Zia had had one or two remains an open question. Later, of course, he masqueraded as a devout Muslim, but I never forgot that episode in Palestine.

Tariq Ali warns Benazir Bhutto that Zia will carry out a coup:

I said to Benazir Bhutto, "This man [General Zia] is going to topple your father. He is the Uriah Heep of Pakistani politics. In front of you he sort of cringes and is servile and sycophantic, but in his head there is another plan." I said this after I returned from Pakistan in January 1977, after I had a few clashes with Benazir's father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. She was then at the Oxford Union and invited me to speak. She said to me, "My father rang me today and asked me, 'Why are you inviting my enemies to speak?'" "He's always been very childish and stupid," I replied, and she said, "I know. But my father said to me, 'Now that you've got him there, ask him what he thinks is going to happen in Pakistan.' " I said--I'll never forget this conversation--"Tell your father from me that either he will be assassinated or there will be a military coup." And she said, "Assassinations, who can stop them? A military coup, never, because General Zia is in our pocket," and she touched her imaginary pocket. I said, "Benazir, you just tell your father I said that no Pakistani general is ever in the pocket of a civilian politician." Three months later, General Zia carried out his coup, and Bhutto lost his job and later his life.

Coming soon: More excerpts from Speaking of Empire and Resistance: Conversations with Tariq Ali

Ashes and Snow

2008-04-19T10:53:00.004-07:00

Ashes and Snow by Gregory Colbert

Ashes and Snow is a masterpiece. It's beautiful. Here is Gregory Colbert giving a talk at TED. Although, I tried searching the original video on TED.com but couldn't find it. Seems like they have taken it down. hmm... why would they do that?

Ashes and Snow's website.

Insight into Monocle

2008-04-17T12:18:00.003-07:00

"Monocle online team leader Dan Hill provides extensive insight into the planning and creation of the combined Monocle online/print brand on his excellent City of Sound blog. Anybody with doubts about the level of thought and attention needed to achieve the quality that Monocle offers needs to read his essay."

- Via MagCulture.com

Portishead in Portishead

2008-04-16T20:30:00.004-07:00

The first ever album I bought with my own money was Portishead's Yummy. I remember standing in the shop in Doha's Souk Seeri (I think thats how it is spelled) with my brother Murtaza and wondering should I buy this album? I never listened to them before but somehow I did pick it up and been a fan ever since.

Their new album, Third, is coming soon (available on sharing networks) and the video is the exclusive seven tracks performed in a studio (via Current_).

Radiohead Rainydayz Remix by AmpLive

2008-04-01T21:09:00.002-07:00

Great mixes, all from the original Radiohead album, In Rainbows, download it for FREE.

Test Post

2008-03-29T19:53:00.001-07:00

NIN Ghosts I - IV

2008-03-22T16:57:00.002-07:00

If you already haven't heard about NIN releasing an experimental album.

Nine Inch Nails presents Ghosts I - IV, a brand new 36 track instrumental collection available right now. Almost two hours of new music composed and recorded over an intense ten week period last fall, Ghosts I - IV sprawls Nine Inch Nails across a variety of new terrain.

Trent Reznor explains, "I've been considering and wanting to make this kind of record for years, but by its very nature it wouldn't have made sense until this point. This collection of music is the result of working from a very visual perspective - dressing imagined locations and scenarios with sound and texture; a soundtrack for daydreams. I'm very pleased with the result and the ability to present it directly to you without interference. I hope you enjoy the first four volumes of Ghosts."

It is available in multiple digital formats. Including a free 9-track version. I paid $5 for all the 36-tracks in FLAC format and a 40 page PDF. Life is great!

Give it a try http://ghosts.nin.com/

Outlandish

2008-03-22T15:58:00.003-07:00

A hip-hop band. Based in Denmark. An Arab, Pakistani and a South American. Only heard about them today from Farhan. Outlandish (Wikipedia)

Outlandish - Aicha

Based on the original song by Khaled.

No to Benazir Bhutto

2007-11-12T21:40:00.001-08:00

Does anybody seriously think that Benazir Bhutto is going to save Pakistan? I mean seriously, she is just riding this wave created by the emergency in Pakistan to come back into power. Can we take a moment from this uninterrupted and obsessive media coverage and ask what has she done in the past that we are blindly leading her back into taking charge of Pakistan's future. The Guardian has a piece on her and Asif Zardari: "Trail of corruption and kickback...". Isn't politics about constant promises... what's her promise: "I will save Pakistan and bring democracy till me and my party have taken every single penny out of Pakistan and saved it in our Swiss Accounts... then we will leave you again! for some other distressed Army General to come back in and stabilize the situation?"

Reading that piece should not leave any doubt in a sane mind she is not any better for Pakistan than President Musharraf.

I am ashamed to point out that our media as the Western Media is using the same techniques to awash the public mind in distress. "War on terror" meets "Geo Democracy". This ridiculous campaign of flooding the screens by repeating clips of bomb blasts, lawyers being arrested, women getting arrested and Military dictators... is it helping us? Is it true Journalism? Why take them out of their context and repeat them? Why not show clips from Benazir's previous campaigns of false promises, why just show Military dictators?

Is Geo and other channels just having a blast! Are they cashing the eye-balls? revenues streaming in due to the situation. Who is really benefiting from this... who owns shares in these media establishments...

I certainly hope that this does not trickle down into the International community's subconscious... making them believe that we need outside help... "the Caravan of Democracy" from likes of USA, UK or others as for Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Innerspace and all that" on Adbusters.org

2007-11-06T00:19:00.001-08:00

Innerspace and all that... (Sufism)

"Innerspace and all that" on adbusters.org home page and on ABTV. Can you believe that? especially the people who marked it at VFS.

Be Good or Be Gone by Fionn Regan

2007-10-23T10:34:00.001-07:00

Excellent Video.

Songs by Murtaza Khawar

2007-10-20T17:40:00.001-07:00

Here are some of the songs my brother Murtaza has been working on:

Incarnate - The Watchmen Cover (track3.wma)
Track4.wma
TheFly.wma
Lahore.wma
Track01.mp3
Track02.mp3
Why.wma

Downloaded Radiohead's 'In Rainbow'

2007-10-10T19:30:00.000-07:00

Is this the future of music records? Radiohead released their album for all on their website. The best part? You can pay whatever you want for it or don't pay at all. Go get it! if you still haven't.

The sound quality is just 160Kbps though. Love the album so far. So far my favorite track is "All I need". Will keep listening to it back to back for a while and see how it grows.

WWF billboard

2007-07-12T17:16:00.000-07:00

Spook Country by William Gibson

2007-07-11T16:24:00.000-07:00

William Gibson's new book Spook Country is going to be available on August 7. Can't wait to get my hands on it!

Misunderstood

2007-07-11T15:59:00.000-07:00

Just brilliant and excellent execution!!
(From CRBlog.com)

When Kalashnikovs are replaced with guitars...

2007-07-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

"Tinariwen (Tamashek for "empty places") is the stuff of legend in these parts (Mali). It is basically a rock band - six electric guitars, three female singers, and a percussionist - with a rebellious political flavor. The classic Tinariwen image: turbaned soldier-musicians on camels with Kalashnikovs and Stratocaster guitars crossed over their shoulders." (From Vanity Fair July 2007)

"Tinariwen's third album Aman Iman (Water is life) is what happens when a group of Saharan Touareg tribesmen swap guns for guitars and make music bluesy enough to ensure Mali's reputation as Africa's Mississippi Delta." (From Monocle May 2007)

Now, only if some of the music coming out of Pakistan was as honest and noble as Tinariwen's... we would be long way towards what is happening in Mali... so if you have any plans to pick up a guitar and start a revolution look no further for inspiration then the Tuareg (the Free people).

Here is a great introduction to Tinariwen on youtube (must watch):

and off course Tinariwen and Carlos Santana...

Finally, if you find yourself wondering... Is Tinariwen the greatest band in the World? head onto
Slate.com and find your answers.

Our love to admire

2007-07-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

Since my last post, almost 10 months ago (you can even round it off to a year), I am going to start posting again (yeppy!). The questions that come to mind are: Why would I stop posting? What have been I upto? Did I forgot my password for the blog? Was I really that busy? and Why am I going to post again? Will I keep posting or abandon it again... for yet another perfect day in Vancouver to post (like today)... with another perfect track playing like Interpol's "Pace is the trick" with another perfect mood busting "another line"... I guess I have loads of stuff to share now... the stuff I have been upto and to some extent lost in... so lets start with Interpol...

Interpol is going to release their 3rd album "Our love to admire" after their 2nd studio album "Antics (2003)". It is absolutely brilliant work... everything I anticipated for in an Interpol's album... is in it. My favorite track so far is 'Pace is the trick'. (You can pre-order it on iTunes).

If you are not familiar with Interpol, who formed back in 1998, then the following lines from Wikipedia will give you a taste of what to expect: "The band's sound is generally a mix of bass throb and choppy, sparse guitar, drawing constant comparisons to post-punk bands Joy Division,^[1] The Chameleons and Kitchens of Distinction."

Innerspace and all that DVD Cover

2006-10-02T23:16:00.000-07:00

The Mars Volta, Francis the Mute - Adapted Album Cover Art

2006-10-02T23:10:00.000-07:00

time stops

2006-09-13T22:41:00.000-07:00

Coma...

2006-09-12T23:08:00.000-07:00

breath - experimental painting

2006-09-12T21:31:00.000-07:00

How Strange... new experimental paintings - designbysoil

2006-09-12T21:28:00.000-07:00

posted post

2006-09-03T00:12:00.001-07:00

seems like everyone had forgotten about this blog

Today is Qatars independence day and today is a holiday for public and private sectors.
Qatar dosen't have any other direct holiday other than this, like solidarity day or something..nothing at all.

I am at home, feeling totally bored.My result will be coming out soon ,it is out actually but the local
organisers of the exams haven't received it yet.My third year classes will be starting out this week.

Sometimes I feel really busy and sometimes totally vacant.

Anyhow this post was just a filler ,for now

Adios

MySpace on The Daily Show

2006-07-05T23:43:00.000-07:00

We Feel Fine

2006-07-02T00:44:00.000-07:00

An exploration of human emotion, in six movements by Jonathan Harris and Sepandar Kamvar

We Feel Fine / by Jonathan Harris and Sepandar Kamvar

Beautiful... you can actually feel... especially if you have explosions in the sky or mogwai playing in the background... you have to see this... http://www.wefeelfine.org/

Blogged with Flock

Viewpoints: The urban world in 2050

2006-06-30T23:11:00.000-07:00

Dubai: Then and now

It's interesting to see the difference in Dubai from 1991 to 2005... I wonder what would a similar comparison be like for Doha...?

"The projection is that in 50 years' time, two-thirds of humanity will live in cities. Six experts outline their vision of the urban world in 2050." Interviews by Kathryn Westcott

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/5094602.stm

Blogged with Flock

East West Show Inc. Homepage Redesign

2006-06-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

www.eastwestshows.com

East West Woman & Bride Magazine, Surrey, Canada

2006-06-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

Here is my first project I have worked on as Art Director/Designer... check it out

Error/Perception Series

2006-06-26T23:57:00.000-07:00

Blogged with Flock

The Importance of User Experience

2006-06-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

From Bryce

BumpTop 3D Desktop Prototype

2006-06-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

The Burnout Cycle

2006-06-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

Source: Scientific American Mind Issue June/July 2006

Blogged with Flock

Ceiling Art

2006-06-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Via Make

Inna Lillah wa Inna Eliahey Rajeoun

2006-06-23T23:13:00.000-07:00

My father wrote to me on 17th June 2006:

AOA.This is the 2nd worst thing happened to us after Taimoor's death. Today

(17th June) some unknown motor cyclists shot Amjad Ashfaq and one of their
Pharmacy employee while they were reaching their home in Defence Society.
The employee (Faisal) died at the spot while Amjad died in hospital. Inna
Lillah wa Inna Eliahey Rajeoun. I spoke to Ashfaq sahib and Amjad's Mom.
Please talk to them and condole this very untimely and very hearbreaking
death. He was no doubt a very noble soul. Allah bless his soul.

Allah Hafiz
Dad
Doha-Qatar

Blogged with Flock

VFS Digital Design Awards 03

2006-06-23T23:08:00.000-07:00

Here are the awards I got this year from VFS... for Best Visual Design and Best Designer in Supporting Role...

Blogged with Flock

Design Anarchy by Kalle Lasn

2006-06-23T23:02:00.000-07:00

The most thought provoking work I have seen outside of Adbusters magazine itself... thank God I bought this!!!

Blogged with Flock

Finally saw my Niece

2006-06-19T22:55:00.000-07:00

My brother Usman visited me here in Vancouver over this weekend... I had a great time... finally went out around Vancouver... and seeing my niece for the first time was amazing she is just adorable... MASHALLAH...

Blogged with Flock

The best band alive! Explosions in the Sky

2006-06-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

Explosions in the Sky live at Reckless Records.
Setlist:
Yasmin The light
Once more to the afterlife
Greet Death

If you guys remember the last scene from my short film "Innerspace and all that" on Sufism, then you know who they are... Explosions in the Sky... as far as I can say they are the best (period)... here is some info on them... from wikipedia

listen and think!

Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Stadium Arcade

2006-06-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

What a song!!! equally great video... love the riffs man... great album... red hot!!!

Thought I include the Classic video from the californication album "the otherside"

The Eraser

2006-06-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

Thom Yorke of Radiohead's new album "The Eraser"... been listening to it since a week now... I got a crappy 192 Kbps version of it from torrents... Waiting for the CD to come out...

technorati tags:ThomYork, Radiohead, Music, theEraser

Blogged with Flock

then and now

2006-06-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

PBS Design e2

2006-06-03T18:48:00.000-07:00

VFS Digital Design 03 Graduation Show Pictures

2006-05-15T22:32:00.000-07:00

Here are some my Graduation Pictures at Digital Design 03 Vancouver Film School. Thanks to Allen, Up, Ryan, and Jack for the pictures.

Go to Flickr for the Photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/designbysoil/

Rammstein Amerika

2006-05-11T15:56:00.000-07:00

Could not help resist putting this here... brilliantly done... atleast I confess that WE ALL LIVE IN AMERIKA

Designbysoil Experimental Portfolio

2006-05-10T23:01:00.000-07:00

Collection of Designbysoil - Experimental Work - PDF 18.6 MB
http://bigbert.vfs.com/~dd03ark/ark.graphic.designer.experimental.pdf

Project: Innerspace and all that

2006-05-09T10:31:00.000-07:00

This is the final project I did at VFS
About this movie

Getting the VFS Digital Design Diploma

2006-05-07T22:17:00.000-07:00

VFS Digital Design Best Visual Design Award Clip

2006-05-07T19:19:00.000-07:00

*Thanks to Ryan and Allen for the clip

World Dominance

2006-04-06T23:00:00.000-07:00

People with Apple computers can now use Windows on their computers using a patch available over the internet.
It's Boot Camp software.

Iam feeling very hot now, so I can't write anything more.

But one more line would be to refer to the title of the post.

Ten things I have learned by Milton Glaser

2006-03-28T23:19:00.000-08:00

http://www.miltonglaser.com/pages/milton/essays/es3.html

Belong

2006-03-28T23:16:00.000-08:00

The "Bit"ten Apple.

2006-03-28T01:40:00.000-08:00

Soon to celebrate its 30th birthday, Apple sure is getting old (age wise) but its products remain as fresh as its image but that’s just a commonality, with age comes wisdom. (For most!)
!
I can predict some new launches coinciding with the birthday. We might get to see an ibook with the Intel dual processors further reaching consumers with a lesser price than the power mac pro. That could be one launch.
Apple had also filed for registration of the term “iMobile” starting the speculation among analysts that it could be launching a mobile phone. But I am going to be a tad different and predict something completely different.

For me iMobile could be as per the name a mobile, the auto kind which comes together to become an automobile. While my mind doesn’t allow me ideas for the aesthetics of it, what it does allow me is the “inner” stuff.
The engine for example could be a Dual Intel Centrino (ok, ok that was a joke), the engine could be normal but the interior of the car will be of the computer. The seats will be actual working DRAM, (joking again).
Let me get serious, the car will be stocked with a really powerful computer and a wi-fi station. Download the songs on to the inbuilt computers 40 TB hard disk from the fast speed internet and listen through the stereo speakers which Apple has recently launched. Microsoft has not made a secret out of it’s inroads into the software needs of the future automobile. For Apple to take it further by introducing a car, it would be shocking for all. Just imagine the grill on the front holding up a chrome Apple logo. Same thing goes for the center of the steering wheel.
That would be really a thing, the Apple iMobile.

Happy Birthday Apple.

VFS Digital Design 03 Grad Poster

2006-03-27T13:05:00.000-08:00

Here is a copy of our grad poster... each of us in the class contributed different assets to this piece... the central theme was developed by me... and the final composition too... So the graduation is on 20 April, 2006... in our Digital Design 420 Homer Campus Vancouver, Canada.

the word "complete"

2006-03-15T19:41:00.000-08:00

March 09, 2006

Facing west; while lying on my bed, It was about 6:30 AM and 2 degree celcius outside, my alarm clock went off and my brain broadcasted a signal to search an escape route to reality. What was the reality? It took my brain 2 nano seconds to establish it. "Nothing ordinary about it...” kept saying a region in my brain that was keeping track of the last 4 months.

But in something extraordinary there are always ordinary things like taking a bath, putting clothes on, breakfast and catching a bus that fade into the background... and the mind records them very differently, like it never happened...

Almost 8:00 AM now and I am sitting on the second last seat on an express bus to downtown Vancouver with the Quran in my hand and a bag containing 80Gigs of binary information that I am hoping to connect with my workstation at VFS to spit out 14 minutes and 22 seconds of moving images. I choose to call this duration of moving images "Innerspace and all that..." partially because it suited the subject matter and partially my inspiring brother once wrote it on piece of paper... and I digged it too much.

It is now 10:00 AM and I am in the audio lab while the new digital design batch is having their class on Protools and Reason. I am dongling around in Protools to adjust the levels of the background score and the narration. I bounce it to disk and leave the room. Over about 20 steps from this room is the "Orange Lab", where my class fellows have been living for the past 2 months. Literally, they have been sleeping and working there. The lab is a mess. With papers, clothes, pillows, and bottles are crowding most of space the workstations and the sleek LCDs take. Some cheap ass instructor is filming while he is advising his student projects... for the school's promotional DVD. I found that very uncomforting... and left the room... without giving it a second thought.

It is now almost 6:00 PM and I am filling out a form for Final project delivery... in my hands is the final copy of the film... burned on DVD... and I am saying to myself... finally it is over.

Nobody has seen what I have been doing for the last four months. I mean nobody. Not a single soul. What is about? How does it look like? Is it religious? Are you happy with it? Where is it? Are the questions that I have been ignoring for the last four months…

Somehow they all believe that is an amazing piece that I have been so secret about. But I tell them it is not. Because my brain thinks that it is not. It falls short on many aspects that I tried hard to control. But in the end I can say for sure... it is whatever it is... whatever it was supposed to be... it is an outcome of an organic process... undefinable... by definition very unprofessional and at the same time very creative.

When will I let anybody see it is still a question I don't have an answer for... and will anybody like it or understand it... do I even care... well, we will see in the next couple of weeks... here is a pdf draft of about the film

Microsoft blunder leaks information about Vista

2006-02-22T00:42:00.000-08:00

Microsoft Corp.The world's largest software maker, prematurely posted information about its much-anticipated Windows Vista operating system on one of its Web sites, the company said on Tuesday.

Microsoft disclosed information about a plan to release eight different editions of the new operating system on a company help page that was under development. The company has not made any official statements about the different versions of Windows Vista it plans to offer.
The company has since taken down the Web site and declined to confirm the information and said it will offer more details about the Vista launch, targeted for the second half of 2006, in the coming weeks.

"Microsoft recently posted a web page designed to test the Windows Vista help system that included incomplete information about the Windows Vista product line up," a Microsoft spokesman said in a statement.

"This page has since been removed as it was posted prematurely and was for testing purposes only."

The five-year gap between the upcoming Vista launch and the current Windows XP marks the longest-ever gap between upgrades for Microsoft's flagship product and the company's largest cash cow.

Various media organization saw the Web site before it was taken down and reported that Microsoft plans to offer six primary editions of Vista and an additional two variations for Europe that do not include Windows Media Player to comply with the European Union's past antitrust rulings.

Included in those listed offerings was Windows Starter 2007, a stripped-down version for emerging markets to offer an alternative for pirated software. There was also a basic and premium edition for the home as well as versions for both businesses and large corporations, according to the reports.

The Web site also listed a high-end product named Windows Vista Ultimate that targets gamers and heavy multimedia users, reports said.

Shares of Microsoft fell 26 cents to $26.44 in afternoon trade, in line with a near 1 percent decline on the Nasdaq.

source:Reuters

Quick Post

2006-02-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

No entry was posted on this blog despite having 3 contributors.

So I've decided to put up a post to get the blog moving.

Do you remember Farhan Munsif and his initials FM.
I was wondering about that much more and looked at his elder brother
Adnan Munsif AM.

FM and AM ...what a coincidence.

Younger brothers
Dawood Munsif… DM (Doc Martens)
Marwam Munsif…. M&M ??

If you are not laughing yet, go have some laughing gas!!!

Education

2006-01-23T01:13:00.000-08:00

Apple launches...

2006-01-15T07:37:00.000-08:00

Apple already did something which it was bound to do today or tomorrow. I am talking about the introduction of Intel chips in Apple Computers. Two models, an iMac and a completely new model PowerMac pro were introduced. I am not going to talk about the iMac only because it doesn’t look new but also because I didn’t go over the specifications.
Apple has significantly done what it does all the time, take my breath away. I was going over the deliciously detailed specifications of the PowerMac Pro and I was harboring the pity of not being able to afford one myself.
With every new product Apple does add a significant feature which makes the heart skip a few beats, like the Apple remote on the iMacs (the ones with the iSight built within the body).

PowerMac Pro has the Apple Remote too. Not only that, it has a particularly new system of power cord attachment: A magnet. Yes, a magnet which secures the power cord to the laptop. Apple says it is to prevent:
1.The notebook from flying of the base it is placed upon if someone trips on the cord.
2. Lessen damage to the connectors by putting force when connecting to the notebook to the charger.

I don’t know how Apple has divided itself over the minimum power of the pull for the magnet to break away. We wouldn’t want our laptop to be put to charge and just a little accidental touch to make the cord fall down. That’s for no.1.
And for no.2 is: the more the cord falls down the more the connector has liability for damage.

Not so long back the buttons on the fourth generation ipod were given the extra-sensitive label.These matters do affect the end consumer. Ipod couldn’t be rivaled since its release, but how does Apple convince consumers to go for its notebooks rather than the manufacturers which have already been dominating the market and have significant architectural experience to match Intel chips which Apple does not because it is oh-for-so-long being playing with other chip manufacturers.

Unlike the THREAT-ENDING which I have given in my previous Apple posts I will not end this post by a threat. But by a simple Question ….Does Apple know the meaning of free? If it does… then my e-mail address is callmerightnowatmynumber@hotmail.com.
I’ll provide you my shipping address over by e-mail.

your designer sucks! hire me!

2006-01-13T21:25:00.000-08:00

new business card...

New Identity Design

2006-01-12T21:15:00.000-08:00

Project Update: Subject Research complete

2006-01-06T21:20:00.000-08:00

My final project on Sufism here at Vancouver Film School is taking shape... Have finished the research phase. The project is sort of taking a structure in my mind and somewhat on paper... Now during the next week I would be doing early sketches and mockups along with the user research.

The topic of Sufism and Man's relationship with spirituality is off course something that cannot be understood in its entirety in such a short period. But I think I have covered some good ground in the subject area and have a pretty reasonable understanding what needs to be done for this project. I am having a time of my life doing this project.

do it yourself marketing ppl

2005-12-30T05:58:00.000-08:00

I was supposed to create a poster for CAIR... you saw one draft earlier... the one I recycled... the poster you are seeing on this page is a work of art... it is done by a fairly talented team called strategic inspirations in Michigan... basically into marketing...
this poster can show you that you don't need a designer at all... just do it yourself...

*Thank God I am not working for them anymore...*

work you recycle

2005-12-27T04:04:00.000-08:00

therapy...
*i love my clients*
*i love my clients*
*i love my clients*
*i love my clients*
*i love my clients*
*i love my clients*

Mr.Dunlop

2005-12-27T01:14:00.000-08:00

Some news which I believe would be of interest to those who read and manage this blog.
Mr. Zia-ur-Rehman, known popularly as Dunlop has been through some high and low times of late.
1. He is married. (Old News? Oh! I am sorry)
2. Dunlops mom passed away, (may her soul rest in peace)
3. Dunlop has a son now.
Dunlop is a Pathan, and keeping in traditions borne by the Pakhtuns he had a child.
Other than the first piece of news, he didn’t tell me about the other two himself, until I got tumbled by the news.

Also, he names his son, be ready for this one … Salman Khan.

On hearing this name, you will surely laugh, but when you think about it, you will realize that he isn’t wrong. The name is basically Salman and then Khan is a traditional surname in the Pathans, so it makes complete sense.

What else? I haven’t posted here for quite sometime so I can’t see myself go like this, with such a short post eh?

I went to the Eid Festival at my ex-school Pakistan Education Centre and there I met Dunlop there too, the worst part of going to these festivals is that people who know you forcefully hug you whether you like it or not.

Anyway, I got these “katlammas”,which turned out to be really spicy and I ate two full ones, vowing never to eat them again.. but maybe I’ll eat em’ again, if they are not so spicy :)

The journey is the Goal Itself

2005-12-20T01:28:00.000-08:00

Believe me or not I just feel overwhelmed by the fact that how my life journey is turning out. In the past I have been in certain situations where I said to myself that there must be an explanation of all this. What all this? All these lies I was living like fake personality and all... the most important thing I wanted an explanation and solution for was: why am I the biggest "approval junkie" I know?

With the course of time I have managed to trace the roots of the problem... through endless discourses... and I believe that it is not only me that has the problem since I am part of a society eventually the whole society has the problem.

Answers and Solutions are out there. All we have to do is look for them. It sounds as any other cool sentence we might have read in English but seriously that what it is... WE HAVE TO LOOK! Killing time and spending time on useless activities will get you to be cool... on the "guest list"... but won't get you to be your true self... your INDIVIDUALITY... NOT PERSONALITY... personality is just a showcase of yourself...

SEEK friends... we should stop accepting what has been imposed on us... Never become knowledgeable... always remain LEARNING

test number 3

2005-12-19T00:44:00.000-08:00

Was created while experimenting with vector flowers made in Illustrator... then animated in AfterEffects and finally treated in Photoshop. I posted business cards earlier for a film director... those were made from this experiment.

Digital Design Class at Vancouver Film School

2005-12-18T22:50:00.000-08:00

These are my digital design classmates at Vancouver Film School in pixels...
Designed by Naparin aka Fon

flash site mockup

2005-12-18T19:30:00.000-08:00

how does this look? try out the demo (wait for it to download doesn't have a preloader yet)

Intentional Error

2005-12-18T15:48:00.000-08:00

variations

2005-12-18T00:18:00.000-08:00

Designbysoil experimental piece

2005-12-15T23:32:00.000-08:00

This was done as a promotional piece... it involved a lot of experimentation... with vectors... this piece was done with Illustrator, Photoshop and AfterEffects...It is 60 seconds long. Audio is done in Protools.

soil.mov
Quicktime, 5.90 MB

Best design award ad

2005-12-15T23:27:00.000-08:00

This is an experimental piece as a best design award... I especially loved making the music for this piece... it was done using Pro tools and Reason... the motion is done in AfterEffects.

Check it out... design.mov

Maria Be Collection 2006 ad

2005-12-15T23:24:00.000-08:00

This motion design is a 15 sec ad for a clothing company... maria be... It was designed around the theme of being feminine, desirable, contemporary and nature...

see the results
mariab.mov

Takeaways

2005-12-15T23:11:00.000-08:00

This piece was posted before it was made around these lines: "when you die which moment from earth will you take with you to prove that you were alive!" It was made with AfterEffects and all footage was shot by me...

takeaways.mov
Quicktime, 1.13 MB

New poster design for TRG Pakistan

2005-12-15T22:27:00.000-08:00

Business cards for a film director

2005-12-14T00:47:00.000-08:00

I just love these... the way it plays with camera focus and light...

Schiller - Tag Und Nacht

2005-12-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

Brilliant new album by Schiller called "Tag Und Nacht"... Me and Mohsin are big fans of Schiller's music it is simply like Enigma on another level... Moshin messaged me on GTalk at 3:00 am in the morning... and I checked it out it is simply amazing... he mostly combines sounds from different parts of the world into his music... this time some more influences of eastern sounds... the track Berlin Bombay is too good... you almost feel like doing bhangra in a spiritual way... and yes he is a German!

Interview with Sami Yusaf

2005-12-11T07:37:00.000-08:00

Guys check his interview you can download it via any torrent client (right click and save)

His videos on his website
Bittorrent client

old illustration...

2005-12-05T00:38:00.000-08:00

this one i did for a fashion designer... for his catalog... which never got approved because I didn't have the time to finish it and the guy didn't have enough money to pay me :)

new motion graphics piece

2005-12-05T00:34:00.000-08:00

inspiration:
so high on the waves you made for us...
- deftones

Site mockup for a short film

2005-12-04T22:03:00.000-08:00

Money Saver

2005-12-03T20:37:00.000-08:00

This would be quite surprising to hear this from me
but I speak the right.

Don’t buy an Apple computer for the next 2 years.

The reason?

Apples decision to get its processors from Intel.

This means that for an Apple to be efficient in
running its systems both hardware and software would
undergo changes and lots of things will be goner,
which have so far been a part of Apple pre-Intel.

Buying the reliable products that Apple makes is
always good but what good is the reliability when your
machine goes void after 2 years? Since all new OS will
be designed to work with Intel the computers available
now with IBM chips will we obsolete.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away but this time
around
Abstinence from buying for 2 years an apple will keep
your money at bay

Message for Apple INC.
Being the freebie addict I am >>Oh Marketing people of
Apple, I will remove this post if you decide to give
me a piece of computing hardware for free. This post
spells big danger for your Christmas sales.

Sufism

2005-12-01T10:57:00.000-08:00

For the final project here at Vancouver Film School. I am working on the complex topic of "Sufism"... currently the idea is to design a primer interactive website for seeking visitors... it is going to introduce Sufism, provide some insight into the teachings of Sufi Poets and Philosophers and some further exploration paths for people to follow... recommended publications...
It is just going to be an enlightning invitation to all to get inspired to seek more knowledge about the world they live in and in a way I want to address my generation who is particularly a victim of media... and only understands what is given... so it is one small attempt towards opening their hearts towards the journey of the self.

beautiful music

2005-12-01T01:10:00.000-08:00

some of the other work in PDF files

2005-12-01T00:49:00.000-08:00

hey farhan and all... here are the files... please download them by right click and save target as...

1. ark_designer_work.pdf is collection of my work themed as "designbysoil.com" it contains my earlier work and some work that I have done during my three years in Pakistan.

2. rocksalt.pdf was a brochure that I did for an American-Pakistani company that launched Rock Salt Lamps in some state in America...

3. atlantis_brochure.pdf was a brochure I did as an Assistant Art Director/Designer at Agency in Lahore... for Atlantis water purification technology...

4. lakecity.pdf was basically a pitch the agency developed to win this real estate project

sigur ros music videos from the album takk...

2005-12-01T00:44:00.000-08:00

glósóli music video
the music video to 'glósóli' from 'takk...'
windows media format: low quality | high quality
real media format: low quality | high quality
quicktime format: high quality

from http://sigur-ros.co.uk/news/

hoppípolla video

we are happy to provide links to the new video to hoppípolla (which translates to “jumping into puddles”), which was shot in reykjavík last month. keep your eyes open for “cameos” by each of the band members.windows media: low res | high res. real media player: low res | high res.
all other videos

http://sigur-ros.co.uk/media/dldvideo.php

New beck website

2005-11-30T00:03:00.000-08:00

Kenzo campaign... by Evostruct.com

2005-11-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

check out the website http://www.evostruct.com
some beautiful work for Kenzo

my business card...

2005-11-28T18:10:00.000-08:00

man with a burning head

2005-11-28T18:09:00.000-08:00

one of my msn display pics...

making the invisible visible

2005-11-28T18:06:00.000-08:00

i need some sleep...

working on 15 second animation...

2005-11-27T17:06:00.000-08:00

last week:
good: played with water colors, ink, and scanned stuff... (happy about the work)
got my books from amazon... david carson's 3 books, paul rand's, naville broody's and others... ordered two fashion illustration books will get it after chrismas... and yeah sagmeister;s book too... and watched "revolver" by guy ritchie... was great... listening to the likes of the album leaf... a little progress in the final project about SUFISM... met this new guy will work on a shopping cart skinning... farhan latif started his own company called "strategic inspirations" in michigan... and i might do his graphic work... too...

bad: missed couple of classes (a long tradition of mine)... hmm what else...

maria be collection 2006

2005-11-25T02:07:00.000-08:00

Initial comps for a 15 seconds motion graphics piece... finally after a lot of experimentation got the look I wanted...

another bush.swf

2005-11-24T21:24:00.000-08:00

inked!

2005-11-24T21:19:00.000-08:00

making an illustration...

2005-11-24T20:48:00.000-08:00