Design Rockstar

Flash Game About The Manila Bus Hostage Taking - Insensitive

2010-08-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

I love Flash games, and I also am a fan of quick thinkers. But this particular game depicting the tragic hostage crisis in Manila is just disrespectful and insensitive. Just 4 hours after the bloody ending to the hostage, I stumbled upon a Flash game upload at Newgrounds.com designed (modified) to add insult to the injury. The designer called it "Bus Hostage by Policeman." So while the world is grieving watching the event on live TV, this dude is already modifying his game - thinking it would be viral.

The gameplay is exactly like how the Shoe-throwing to President Bush, and Punching of President Gloria Arroyo is done. The player targets and shoots the police hostage-taker as many as possible. The instruction says: “Seeking to arm-twist authorities into reinstating him back, a dismissed policeman has taken a bus with 25 passengers hostage here. Can you stop him and blow his brain?”

The author of this game uses a Philippine flag in his/her avatar and uses keybol as handle. Maybe this developer tries to create a venue where people can force out their anger about the hostage taker. But not hours after it happened boy!

Here are screenshots of the 3 most popular Flash Games done with the same gameplays:

Friendster to become a Social Gaming Portal, Reincarnation or Suicide?

2010-08-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

Friendster, the social network powerhouse in South East Asia for a time (115 million members; 75 million of them in Asia), is going into another direction.

They call the change, Project Neutron. Basically, MOL Global (the Malaysia-based company that acquired Friendster), is transforming Friendster into a social gaming portal over the next three to six months. It will offer virtual currencies to be used to purchase online goods, games and apps.

However, from the report of Philippine Star, it is most likely to develop itself into a Social Shopping website with the games just upfront.

Will this bold move reincarnate the brand or lead them to the finish line? Or should they call this an Advergaming Portal instead?

(Original image courtesy of: http://picsdigger.com/image/51281f12/)

Threadless' Slogan Making Contest for Tees

2010-08-22T07:02:00.000-07:00

I just scored on theThreadless' t-shirt slogan-making program. You too, can. Simply login to the website, or sign-up to become a member. Find the link "Score and Submit Slogans" under Participate Menu, and there type in your most creative, original and catchy slogan.

Your entry will be displayed on a gallery where members can vote to like it (I'd wear it) or dump it ( uhm, stupid). If selected, you will receive $500 from Threadless. You may submit as many entry as possible.

You may start by voting for my entry:
"I refuse to be an accomplice of failure."

iPAD App Development Contest On in Manila

2010-08-19T22:55:00.000-07:00

Pixatology, the Philippines’ first iPad development group, has announced the 2010 Pixatology iPad Challenge, a 7-month application development contest for iPad.

In line with recognizing the talents and skills of the Filipinos, this contest aims to put the Philippines as a major player in the growing new market; and encourage developers to begin designing apps for the iPad. Amateur developers, students and hardcore Apple fanatics are highly encouraged to join this challenge

Participating developers will have a chance to get access to Apple’s software development kit as wells as the tools, education, experience and marketing support they need to develop and release apps for Apple-based devices like the iPad.

The contest runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 16, 2010 during which time, Pixatology will accept app concept submissions.

Once approved and during the contest proper, participants will have access to iPads during breakthrough monthly sessions, where they can check out and test their applications with guidance from a panel of experts. Winners will be announced on April 23, 2011.

The contest offers its winners P100,000 in cash prizes. The grand prize winner will receive P50,000 in cash, one runner-up will get P25,000 and five category winners will each be awarded P5,000. In addition, some participants will also have the chance to turn brilliant ideas into cash by making their apps available for sale at Apple’s iTunes Store under the Pixatology brand.

Here' what Pixatology has to add:

“Pixatology also acts as an incubator for promising apps and will offer revenue-sharing opportunities and cash advances to developers of outstanding applications,” Bitanga said. “As of July 23, Apple is currently shipping iPads in only 19 countries, not including the Philippines. Despite the limited launch, it took only a single month to sell one million iPads.”

“To put it in perspective, it took 20 months to sell one million iPods,” he noted. “(the iPad) is revolutionizing the mobile computing beyond anyone’s expectations. We’re investing our time and resources to get the word out so Filipino developers can begin carving a niche in the international mobile app development scene.”

source: Dateline

Win 1 of 3 Free Subscriptions worth $199 from Pixmac.com

2010-08-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

OrphicPixel's generous sponsor is giving away a 3 free subscription worth of $199 at Pixmac - the fastest, most usable and reliable microstock agency out there. If you’re looking for the best picture or just trying to sell your best shot, Pixmac is your perfect tool, with accurate search results and helping you at every step.

How to join?

Simply go to this website and leave a comment on the article
Follow @PixmacUS and @orphicpixel on twitter, and...
Retweet the post about the giveaway

The contest ends on 20th August 2010. 3 winners will be selected using the random generator from Random.Org on that day. Good luck everyone!

Future of Web Design Conference 2010

2010-08-14T02:15:00.000-07:00

One big reason why I want to go to US is Carsonified. Ye, because they ALWAYS do all the events every web designer want to go to. One of my favorites is The Future of Web Design. It is coming back to New York this November 2010. The conference consists of 3 full days of essential web learning. A full day conference followed by 2 solid days of in depth workshops, all taught by the best in the industry - I mean the BEST.

You can clik the image below to book your seat to the conference:

This year's conference will take place at New World Stages in New York on 15th + 16th November. It's 2 full days across two tracks, so that's 4 times as much content as last year! There's also 4 full day in depth workshops so you can really get stuck in to the topic of your choice. Here's the larger than life lineup:

Designing for Emotion
Getting Down To Business: How To Be Successful With Web Design
Advanced HTML5 Class
How To Design Delightful, Usable Interfaces
Graceful Degredation of CSS3
Getting Started with HMTL5 and CSS3
UX Masterclass
Responsive Web Design
10 Tips for iPhone Interface Design
Smart Tips For Wireframing
How to Fake your way through Modern Web design
Google Analytics Masterclass
Beyond Usability: The Art of Experience Design
How to Design Great WordPress Themes
Web Accessibility
What Will Web Design Look Like in 2 Years?
Tips for Making Your Web Design Business More Successful
The Future of Cross-Platform Front-end Development
Freelancer Survival Tips
The Changing Face of Typography
Enhancing your Creativity
Web Designers, Unite!
Getting Started With iPhone app Design
How to Run a Successful Web Design Business
How to Get Started: Designing and Building an iPhone app
Interface Design Bootcamp

Not much, isn't it? So if you wish to go, get your tickets now:

Facebook to Add "Meh" button?

2010-08-10T02:30:00.000-07:00

Since Facebook dislikes creating a "dislike" button, some online geeks proposed a "Meh" button instead (image on top) simply to express indifference or boredom to one's status. Would Facebook be willing? I found this website of App developers already offering that "Meh" button API for download.

Do not click “13 Worst Marriage Proposal Fails” on Facebook

2010-08-08T23:45:00.000-07:00

Looks like phishers are quickly settling in Facebook to do business huh! Well, long time ago. There’s a new Facebook link that’s been fooling us. It's actually an app that teases us to view 13 Worst Marriage Proposal Videos. (see screenshot below)

Clicking the link will direct you to laughallday.net - which is just redirected to a page of this app. The page instructs us to "Like" LaughAllDay to see the videos. Why bother liking something you really DO NOT like, when you can just browse Youtube and look for the Worst Marriage Proposal Videos. Some of my friends have already clicked, and there are 320,436 more (and is still growing) victims.

Nothing really happens after you LIKED the page. You've just spread the scam, spammed your and your friends' wall.

Manila Design Week 2010: Design Everyday 07-13 August 2010

2010-08-06T06:53:00.000-07:00

MANILA DESIGN WEEK 2010: Design Everyday
07-13 August 2010

DAY 1

GRAPHIKA MANILA 2010
SATURDAY / 07 August / 9 am – 6 pm / SMX Convention Center
Seashell Lane, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Graphika Manila 2010 is an International Multimedia Design Conference which has been in the Philippines since 2005. This year, Manila Design Week 2010 and Graphika Manila 2010 have once again brought together notable and well-known graphic artists and designers from the different fields of the international and local multimedia and graphic design scene to speak and inspire artists and designers in the Philippines.

Some of this year’s keynote speakers are:
Tara McPherson, a New York-based artist named by Elle Magazine as the crown princess of poster art.
Danny Yount, an Emmy-award winner and self-taught designer known for his main title works in film, commercial and television.
Phunk Studio, a Singapore-based contemporary art and design collective named as “The Champion of Singapore’s Graphic Scene” by Creative Review in UK.

Tickets are for sale at Php 1,250 for student pass and Php 1,750 for conference pass. Check out Graphika Manila website for more details.

Power Mac Center presents
WALL LORDS PHILIPPINES
SATURDAY / 07 August / 1 pm – 9 pm / The Collective
7274 Malugay St. San Antonio Village, Makati City

Eight of the top Philippine graffiti crews will beat out one another to represent the Philippines in the biggest graffiti competition in Asia, Wall Lords 2010 in Shanghai this August.

Manila Beer, Power Mac Center and Bratpack present
MANILA DESIGN WEEK KICK-OFF PARTY
SATURDAY / 07 August / 9 pm – onwards / The Collective
7274 Malugay St. San Antonio Village, Makati City

The creative community gathers to officially kick-off Manila Design Week 2010 with a host of bands – United Freestyles, Chilitees, Sandwich, Pedicab, Gaijin, Imago, Duster and DJs – DJ Gugu, DJ Radical, DJ Ry, The Diegos and Dj Euric 6. Meet New York-based artist known for its vinyl toys, posters, comic covers and illustrations, Tara McPherson in a tribute exhibit at Vinyl on Vinyl at The Collective. Manila Beer, Power Mac Center and Bratpack will give out freebies and special discounts to those coming to the kick-off party.
DAY 2
Manila Beer presents
CUT & PASTE @ MANILA DESIGN WEEK: The Ultimate Design Battle
TUESDAY / 10 August / 8 pm – 2 am / The Collective
7274 Malugay St. San Antonio Village, Makati City

Be the first-ever witness of Cut & Paste live in Manila! Spectate as the top Filipino Graphic Designers beat out one another under time pressure in Print Design and Motion Graphics live and on-the-spot! Experience the magnitude of their talent in a party atmosphere with DJ’s hitting the turntable and MC’s hyping up the design arena. Intensify their energy and push ‘em to their limits as we enjoy the digital design tilt with overflowing booze by Manila Beer.

“It’s a great platform where designers can get dissed in front of a crowd. Cut & Paste separates the boys from the men” – Jeff Staple, Creative Director, Staple Design

DAY 3

Bratpack presents
WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG?
WEDNESDAY / 11 August / 7 pm – 10 pm / Greenbelt 5
Fashion Walk, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City

What’s in your bag represents who you are. Get to know twenty five style icons of different backgrounds from Tim Yap and Brent Javier to Vicky Herrera and Amina Aranaz-Alunan, through the daily essentials inside their bags as interpreted by known lensmen – Xander Angeles, Steve Tirona, Daniel Tan, JA Tadena and Revo Naval in collaboration with graphic designers Randell Centeno, Nico Puertollano, AJ Dimarucot, Russel V, Dan Matutina. Styling by SoFA (School of Fashion and the Arts) and make-up by Make-up Forever.

WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG? AFTER PARTY
WEDNESDAY / 11 August / 11 pm – onwards / Encore
Unit D, The Fort Entertainment Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

DAY 4

Power Mac Center presents
DIGITAL VOICE: Graphic Design Freedom Wall
THURSDAY / 12 August / 4 pm – 9 pm / Glorietta 5
Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Makati City

Emerging student artists and designers from Fine Arts to Multimedia Arts are asked to take a stand and express their opinions through graphic designed artworks to form a 6 x 32 ft. freedom wall in Glorietta 5. The pre-designed graphic artworks can be edited in the Mac Stations powered by Power Mac Center, printed on the spot by HP printers and posted personally by the student artist in the freedom wall to demonstrate unity and positivity through graphic design. After the preparation of the freedom wall, Power Mac Center and SHIFT (School of Intermedia, Film and Technology) are hosting a series of seminars on Poster Design.

Finally, the launch of Big SHIFT - a project which aims to reshape the image of our country. Check out www.bigshift.ph for more details.

DAY 5

Manila Beer presents
MANILA SOUND VISION
FRIDAY / 13 August / 8 pm – 2 am / Cubao Expo
Cubao Expo (previously Marikina Shoe Expo), Araneta Center, Gen. Romulo Ave., Cubao, Quezon City

Manila Sound icons in the 70’s - Juan De La Cruz to Sampaguita collaborate with contemporary graphic designers to bring back the glory of vinyl through art in an exhibit at Cubao Expo. Simultaneously, there will be a launch of new music videos of Urbandub, Up Dharma Down, Greyhoundz, SinoSikat? and Razorback by Big Top Media and First Academy of the Arts. These same bands along with other musical acts – Sideshow, Imago, Techy Romantics, Gaijin, Taken by Cars and Sandwich and DJs – DJ Arbie Won, DJ Switchtrick, DJ Stolen Kisses and DJ Guadakomeda will give us a night of music. Watch out for a special performance of an iconic 70’s rock band on as we cap off Music Night this Friday 13th!

Visit their Facebook page here

websitetester.biz scam or legit?

2010-08-03T09:10:00.000-07:00

The www.Websitetester.biz is a project by Alpha Market Research. From its Twitter account:

AMR is specialized in internet market research. We help our customers getting their website functional and tie all of this together with marketing knowledge.

They have 12,979 followers as of this date. Websitetester.biz, according to the website, is about a market research company from the USA searching for internet users all over the world, who get paid for testing websites and giving a short opinion. The website aims you can earn up to 1,000 US$ per month working 1 to 10 hours weekly.

The company's contact details are:
3651 Lindell Road
Suite D317
Las Vegas, NV
89103

Tel. +1 (702) 347 6767
Email service@alphamarketresearch.com

FLAWS: Upon seeing the website, one wouldn't have an impression that they do legitimate business. For one, why not use a .com instead of a .biz? The landing page is merely for data collecting and no other resource links are in it (i.e. the detailed explanation about the payment scheme). Most importantly, the form collects ONLY your account details (email) and none about how you are going to get paid.

Some people have signed up using their secondary emails (like how I did for testing) - so I really wouldn't mind if they spam that email all throughout. But think. There are already bigger research companies who are dealing with projects about Website Testing

Vista Print Design Challenge

2010-08-05T00:07:00.000-07:00

Pick a product you want to design. Create your original images, upload it to the website (here). You can enter multiple times for more chances to win.

Your artwork must be original. Vistaprint can't accept anyone else's material in the design you submit to us (unless you have proper, written, legal permission), and you must be able to grant Vistaprint any legal rights needed for us to use your design.

Click here for full details.

Joomla Template Design Contest

2010-08-06T23:07:00.000-07:00

JoomlArt is calling for distinct designs to add to JoomlArt diversity (available at www.joomlart.com/demo). The site is looking for versatile design with clean lines, efficient use of space, subtle but varied colour schemes, typography and layout.

The winner submission will be coded and released as BONUS templates for JoomlArt members. All of contest template would NOT count to the monthly release templates.

Design Submission Rules:

The entry submission must reflect the contest Topic
Each submission can start with 1 design concept first, JA team will comment within 24hours to tell you to continue with the 2nd submission or not. However, the winner must have minimum 2 pages options, including:
- 1st Homepage
- 2nd Subpage with side elements and menu variations
Sidebar elements are flexible, it can be login form, Search module, poll, Latest Tweets, Most Popular Posts/users, Tags, Recent Comments, Quick Contact or anything you can think of.

For menu variations, you can choose one or more of following menu options

Prizes: ^{It may increase!}

Cash Prize: USD2,500 . The prize are guaranteed, a winner will be chosen and the prize money will be awarded when the contest closed.

On the day of announcement and upon delivery of layered PSD/PNG source files, a prize of USD2,500 will be transferred to winner's account.

The winner will be asked to work with JoomlArt team for some minimum adjustments during the coding process to make sure that the design concept are well developed into coded Joomla/Drupal or Magento template.

Copyrights

All winning design submissions, after the prize is awarded and design deliverables are delivered, will become property of JoomlArt. JoomlArt reserves all rights to use / distribute such designs.

Design By Humans 10K Contest

2010-08-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

It's the 3rd annual DBH 10K Contest and the prize just got bigger at $10,000. Sharpen those pencils and celebrate Design By Human's 3rd birthday with this highly anticipated tradition!

Submissions are now being accepted through August 22, 2010 (Midnight PDT). All contest submissions must be entered through DBH's online submission form and must conform to the DBH Contest Terms and Conditions in order to qualify for entry. Artists may enter multiple submissions. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Grand Prize: $10,000 USD
First Runner-Up: $1,000 USD
Second Runner-Up: $1,000 USD
Third Runner-Up: $1,000 USD
Fourth Runner-Up: $1,000 USD

Design Guidlines:
In addition to DBH general rules and guidelines, designs are also subject to the following:

The design(s) must be an original work created and owned by the entrant. Designs may contain up to 14 colors, including halftones and gradients.
If your design is selected you will be required to submit the winning design in high-resolution (at least 300dpi at actual size).

Submissions Deadline: August 22, 2010 Midnight (PDT). Click here to submit your design to DBH.

Selection Process:

Top 20 Finalists Announced September 6, 2010 (Midnight, PDT)
The DBH staff will announce the top 20 finalists on September 6, 2010. The top 20 finalists will be chosen based on a variety of factors including originality, creativity, ingenuity, votes*, and the artist's efforts to promote their design. Once the top 20 finalists are announced, their votes will be reset to zero and they will then compete against each other for an additional week of voting.
The 20 Finalist Voting Period September 6th - 12th (Midnight, PDT)

Top 5 Finalists Announced September 13, 2010 (Midnight, PDT)
On September 13, 2010 the top 5 finalists will be announced. The top 5 finalists will be chosen based on a variety of factors including originality, creativity, ingenuity, votes*, and the artist's efforts to promote their design. Once the top 5 finalists are announced, their votes will again be reset to zero and they will go head-to-head for one final week of voting.
The Final Five Voting Period September 13th - 19th (Midnight, PDT)

Submissions Deadline: August 22, 2010 Midnight (PDT). Click here to submit your design to DBH.

The Non-stop Tee Design Competition by Teetonic.com

2010-08-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

Teetonic's main competition is non-stop. Upload your design, let the public rate it or hate it and we'll select and make the best ones every month - they will choose the best designs as winners and make them into tees.

What do you get in return

If you win, you'll receive £100 straight to your pocket.
Teetonic will give you 50p for every tee design of your's that they sell - so your earnings are almost unlimited.
Teetonic will fire you off a nice tee with your design on it.

For those who don't quite make it there's always the chance to win an exclusive teetonic tee. Click here to get started.

What should you do?

Idea: Think about what you like and what you would wear
Design: Sign-up and get the Photoshop or Illustrator tee-shirt templates. Remember to keep your design to four colours or less.
Promote: Upload your design to enter it into the competition. Encourage people to rate the design by using the promotion links.
Results: The best designs will win a prize and be sold in the teetonic shop. Plus you get commission from each one of your tees sold!

Threadless: Submit a Shirt Design, Earn $2500

2010-07-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

Submit an idea for a chance at fame, friends and TWENTY FIVE HUNDEDD DOLLARS

Get you idea ready to be submitted.Take some time to come up with the best original idea you can think of - not your fraternity's logo or a photo of your new puppy. It can be an idea so amazing that your eyeballs may explode if you stare too long!

Use Threadless' submission kit at their website (here) for templates and to learn about all the various incredibly awesome specialty ink and print methods they offer.

Submit your idea to ThreadlessUse the templates provided in the submission kit to prepare your design files. Click the "Submit a design" button at the website, follow the instructions and fill out the form to submit your design for presentation to the Threadless community.

The community rates and comments on your ideaOver a period of 7 days, the Threadless community will score and comment on your submission. These scores and comments will help Threadless decide which designs should become the next Threadless tees!

If your idea is selected for print, you wil receive:

$2,000 in cash
$500 Threadless Gift Certificate (can be redeemed for $200 cash)
$500 in cash each time your design is reprinted
Up to $22,500 more if you win a "Bestee" in the Threadless Awards
Alumni Club membership including a Medal of Honor and other goodies

Submit you designs to Threadless now!

The 'possible' flaws of a business blog?

2009-05-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

What we write will go back to us – we need to assume high-level responsibility of what we write as it may backfire on us (positively or negatively). You are what you blog.
Competitors are always watching us – While we want to highlight what we do, competitors may look out for what we might be missing and take advantage about an idea
Theft of idea - We may decide of course of what we want to write or keep until a certain time period. The idea of publishing our business roadmaps is a great vision-booster and a high-scoring PR strategy, but might also be an opportunity for others to steal the idea.
Frequency of blogs – we must maintain a regular schedule of when shall we blog. If we’ll have regular visitors, they will always look for what’s new. It will also affect our SEO.

Client's clients unfamiliarity with online shopping causes trouble

2009-11-28T21:06:00.000-08:00

41 Best and Efficient Twitter Background Designs in the Philippines

2010-04-19T06:04:00.000-07:00

It's not just about the 'artistry' but also about how efficient you use that 290px space, left and right, to promote your website or blog. Here are 40 randomly picked Tweeple from the Philippines who implies a call-to-action strategy through their creative backgrounds:

@Naldzgraphics

@_chimes_

@johnarcews

@graphire

@habagatcentral

@cliffordx

@marghil

@nazcarpine

@seoknight

@xzykho

@airjunnel

@bloggista

@estancabigas

@jadimla

@jonasdelosreyes

@mcbilly

@ninjacrunch

@techathand

@alfredopalconit

@bossagurl

@excesc

@jeffersonfaudan

@kscreed

@mdjsuperstar

@pinoygossipboy

@techunk

@archondigital

@carloople

@fedmich

@jericpena

@lhiagosila

@melvinblog

@robangeles

@theionman

@ayoslang

@cesarnoel

@firequinito

@joeyalarilla

@lutzsuarnaba

@sachac

@vincegolangco

25 wonderful PSD templates - Web Design Fan

2010-04-19T20:10:00.000-07:00

29 Great CSS Tutorial Resources

2010-04-19T21:45:00.001-07:00

Most Beautiful Nature Photography

2010-04-19T21:55:00.001-07:00

Where to Learn Web Design on the Internet

2010-04-20T01:03:00.000-07:00

20 Desktop Designs with Desktop Motiffs

2010-04-20T17:56:00.001-07:00

40 Wordpress-Powered Websites with Awesome Designs

2010-04-22T02:57:00.001-07:00

20 Beautifully Designed Websites for Inspiration

2010-04-25T23:03:00.001-07:00