peanut minus butter...

Web Design 2: Redesign // Nando's // project definition //

2009-09-22T11:47:00.000-07:00

project definition

Redesign project website of: www.nandos.com.my

The purpose of redesigning is to improve the aesthetic and practicality of the website. Research will be done based on the behaviour and need of the target audience when browsing the website. The scope of the redesign is to increase the usage by user and the information they need making Nando's a place for everyone to share good food and their stories of the day. Nandos live according to a set of values which are core to everything they do. They are pride, passion, courage, integrity and family. Helping deliver a truly great Nando’s experience.

CLIENT'S ANALYSIS

company background

Nando's is a restaurant chain originating from South Africa with a Portuguese theme. Founded in 1987, Nando's operates in 26 countries and on five continents. Nando's specializes in chicken dishes with either lemon and herb, mango and lime, medium, hot or extra hot peri-peri marinades. Nando's in Malaysia offers halal. One will discover how special it is to be part of the Nando's family. Discovering the traditional hospitality, warmth and fun.

current site's analysis goals

- more consistency in the font size and similarity and color

- scrollbar navigation is confusing as it blends in real well with the design

- building a community among customers to ensure their trust and to gain confidence

- always keep promotion updated

- overall to give an identity to Nando's Malaysia

- more friendly user yet less Flash, for faster loading speed

- simpler with interesting content

short and long term goals

Short term goals, updates on more promotion with print-out discount vouchers.

Long term goals is to make sure the return of the user and customers and their support to the company. Having new add-on recipes to ensure the re-visit of user and as a guide for home-makers. Promising to give the excellent quality and flavour.

vision and aim

The aims are genuine but don’t take ourselves too seriously and our fun approach to life means when you visit Nando’s you can fully relax without airs and graces. This attitude is not just reflected in Nando's restaurants but always looking to share values throughout the communities.

why Nando's

- Nandos is a restaurant - not a fast food outlet

- Nandos is by far healthier than other outlets

- Nandos is tastier than other outlets

- Nandos is more fun

- Nandos has more chicken-based varieties than others

- Nandos actually cooks their food. No fast warm-ups

Web Design 2: Redesign // nandos.com.my //

2009-09-21T23:34:00.000-07:00

+VE

- nice color scheme

- nice art direction

- clear placement of menu navigation

- very informative

-VE

- mixture of more than one font in one page
- some text information are not selectable

- heavy usage of flash animations on each of every pages

- unbalanced used of image and text

Web Design 2 - Competitor Websites

2009-09-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

1. Tony Roma's

http://www.tonyromas.com/

2. The Chicken Rice Shop

http://www.thechickenriceshop.com/

3. KFC

http://www.kfc.com.my/

4. Kenny Rogers Roasters

http://www.kennyrogers.cc/

Web Design 2 - Beautiful Website // Commercial Site

2009-09-13T09:21:00.000-07:00

1. Pinkberry

www.pinkberry.com

2. ABSOLUT

www.absolut.com

3. Mercedes-AMG

www.mercedes-amg.com

4. FOSSIL

www.fossil.com

Web Design 2 - Tutorial // html // css // javascript

2009-09-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

URL for HTML tutorial

- www.w3schools.com/htmL/

- www.davesite.com/webstation/html

- www.quackit.com/html/tutorial/

- www.html.net/tutorials/HTML/

- www.echoecho.com/html.htm

URL for CSS tutorial

- www.w3schools.com/Css/default.asp

- www.csstutorial.net/

- www.echoecho.com/css.htm

- www.tizag.com/cssT/

- www.htmldog.com/guides/cssbeginner/

- www.yourhtmlsource.com/stylesheets/csslayout.html

- www.subcide.com/tutorials/csslayout/

URL for JavaScript tutorial

- www.w3schools.com/JS/default.asp

- www.pageresource.com/jscript/

- www.javascriptkit.com/javatutors/

- www.supershareware.com/free-javascript-tutorial-pdf-free/

Web Design 2 - Sitemap // original

2009-09-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

am i...

2009-07-19T06:54:00.001-07:00

the unexpected...

2009-06-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

is always upon us ?

"How To...?" sketches

2009-06-03T10:33:00.001-07:00

1:: scroll down page layout

:: the information will be changing accordingly within the paper in the middle

2:: one page layout

:: create a real working/ study table where usually a cork board are place, once you see the interface

:: the information will be changing accordingly within the paper in the middle

:: small interactive button might be used to replace the yellow note

"How To...?" moodboard::content::flowchart

2009-05-26T09:32:00.001-07:00

page1:loading page::main page

page 2:who::student

introducing what does being a student faces while revising on their daily studies

who are they, their living environment - away from home student, lifestyle

*list of the common unhealthy way of living (to create the awareness)

page3:when::whenever run outs of ideas

*symptoms

the main factor that contribute to running out of ideas

not only study factor but others ex: entertainment, friends, the thought of having fun

page4:1st task:: step away from table ( strain and pain = dead brain)

*sitting at the table for too long will cause not only the computer to hang but so as our brain functionality rate.

so: walk around , get ourself a cup of refreshing drink or even coffee

then: dont go back to the sit straight away, do some simple stretching, this will avoid backaches

remember staring too long at the monitor will strain our eyes, do often look away or at greens as this will help to relax our eyes

page5: 2nd task:: get moving. a healthy body equals to a healthy mind

Take up a sport as it says a healthy body equals a healthy mind

* suggest some simple task like walk the dog or even house chores

*call one or a few friends to come along, bonus as brainstorm while exercising

*as long as there is on-going physical activities, the heart will keep on pumping and the mind rejuvenated

* a few exercising steps

page6:3rd task::day dream. let your subconscious mind take over

*subconcious mind had the ability to conjure anything while our logical part of the brain in pause mode

*peaceout in a serene and quiet place can actually generate great ideas, whether our brain is in clear state or subconscious , we are able to focus

*even better if we can shut all our electronic appliances

page7:4th task:: let it flow naturally

*read more and more and more books

*ideas will be everywhere

page8:munch on brain-friendly carbs

*easy to prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner

*suggested food for thoughts

**flowchart to be upload soon

Web Design 1: "How to...?" Project

2009-05-18T01:30:00.000-07:00

Title 1: How to keep your brain running

1. who: student

2. when: whenever run outs of ideas

3. 1st task: step away from table ( strain and pain = dead brain)

4. 2nd task: get moving. a healthy body equals to a healthy mind

5. 3rd task: day dream. let your subconscious mind take over

6. 4th task: let it flow naturally

7. 5th task: munch on brain-friendly carbs

8. outcome: a better and refreshing mind to continue the brainstorming

Title 2: How to choose a sunglasses that flatters you

1. who: fashion police

2. when: fashion disaster

3. why: sunglasses have become the ultimate fashion accessory, and their look can change with the trends from season to season. Whilst they may be glamorous and stylish on the rack, make sure you choose appropriate ones for your shape. Shades will draw immediate attention to your face, so select wisely.

4. 1st task: finding the shape of your face. oval face round face square face etc...

5. 2nd task: choose a style to suit your face. aviators, vintage, classic etc...

6. 3rd task: deciding on the color frame

7. the outcome: looking great and flattering. having a pair of great sunglasses is just as important as having a pair of comfortable shoes or a great bag.

Title 3: How to travel with pets

1. who: adventurous and pet lover

2. when: on a vacation and you do not want to leave your pet behind because your pet is part of the family too

3. how: i. by plane

ii. by car

iii. by sea

4. 1st task: collect every details on the traveling and lodging with rules and regulations

5. 2nd task: check with the vet

6. 3rd task: what to pack for your pet. extra tags, a recent photo, leash and flashlight, medical records etc...

7. outcome: a memorable trip.

Title 4: How to make your own decoupage soap

decoupage soaps are very easy to make and are great craft for all ages. they can be used to decorate blocks of plain soaps for fetes or for fundraising events.

1st task: prepare material kit

2nd task: cut out picture according to need from mag

3rd task: mix glue with equal parts of water

4th task: place the cut out onto the soap and cover with the gaze

Outcome: Any soap can be decoupaged, provided it isn’t too oily. The soap can be used although the picture will eventually come off. Decoupage soap makes great gifts.

976 miles away

2009-05-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

we are both living in the different ends of the world

you live your own life and i live mine

if we ever run into each other one day

we might nod to one another, smile and say hi

then fall speechless

because we might no longer knew each other

as if it never happened

all i have in mind is that i...

♥ the sky ♥

2009-04-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

OOo~laa~laa

2009-04-11T08:25:00.003-07:00

faint ~

No way I can resist...

There goes my money to survive till next week ~

Cute ~

2009-03-29T02:12:00.000-07:00

This winning video entry was created by Michael Warner.

An animation for The Weepies‘ Hideaway video contest.

During Earth Hour ~

2009-03-28T10:11:00.000-07:00

VOTE EARTH

YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS

YOUR VOTE

we from USJ 2/2M voted

WeeMei voted back home in Seremban.

Snap ~ snap ~ Snap

2009-03-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

DCIM 2009

MidValley

...did not manage to snap any proper shot...

they were attacked by huge swamp of photographers with

1/2 : 9 1/2

ratio

Happenings ~

2009-03-27T05:16:00.000-07:00

Looking forward for next week's field trip to KLDesign Week

with TOA's Multimedia gang. Hooray ~

and

do visit

www.kldesignweek.com

i love the loading page

it's simple and nice yet very Malaysian.

make sure you don't browse away.

a few snapshot of the loading page

miss me ~ not...haahaa

2009-03-25T06:16:00.000-07:00

~Missed Me by The Dresden Dolls~

Flat flat flat ~

2009-03-21T03:55:00.000-07:00

~ 2 flat tyres in a row within 2 weeks ~

fuh ~

To do ~

2009-03-17T00:41:00.000-07:00

Wednesday (18/3)

- submission of Design Method 1 interface design

- include research folder

- refine interface

- complete part A-G of matrix development and route

- digital research with references

- documentations: mindmap, sketches, visual development,

research & references

- digital files (PSD, AI, JPEG, PDF)

- revolutionary art: Man & Machine

- select one : Man & Machine is the new human

: Man & Machine is taking over the world

: Man & Machine, who's stronger

- what does it mean ?

- is there any mental image ? what ?

- Logic and rigid

- illogical and non rational ?

* answer the above question, then present with

research and examples

---------------------------------------------

Friday (20/3)

- 3 simplified figures

- can show flash project "Save The Planet" for final

critique before submission

- flash interface thumb

---------------------------------------------

Monday (23/3)

- flash final submission

- flash interface thumb, ideas and concept

---------------------------------------------

Tuesday (24/3)

- CGPP Spongebob submission

- Typography : 1. Paperbag submission

- 12 steps layout on A3 mounting board

- selected thumbs printed on texture paper,

each A3 on mounting board

- paper bag final, size of surface within A4 to A5

- softcopy: jpeg of 12 layouts and approved

thumbs in CD

2. Postcard submission

- 150 dpi

- print front and back of postcard on glossy paper

- copy and paste front design typeface text and

apply on back of postcard

- make sure to apply real stamp of any value

- include postcard's jpeg file in compilation CD

3. Show computer work of redesign CD cover

- do whatever we can of CD redesign

- show at least three option

- with photo

- with illustration

- or just typeface

4. Poster

- concept, title, info to fill in, own exhibition,

to promote any product

- try different media; bring: color pencil, charcoal,

soft pastel, watercolor etc.

- must relate to title

...that thing...

2009-03-14T05:32:00.000-07:00

everybody is looking for something

but ~

what exactly is that thing ?

won't get to sleep ~

2009-03-13T12:15:00.000-07:00

~ from today till next week ~

" House of Joy "

2009-03-07T06:18:00.001-08:00

Visited House of Joy with WeeMei, Nicholas and LinEr's moral group yesterday. The house's condition is not what i have in mind before the visit. The place is filthy and the hygiene is bad. With water containers at the entrance, it's such a good mosquito breeding ground. We were greeted by a bunch of kids of all ages, we were all known as "gor gor" and "jie jie" to them. Heartache is felt, the kids condition is not that good...with traces of scratch scars here and there which is left untreated. The biggest problem that I personally think the house is lack of is proper education. From what we heard from a grown up residence of the house, they are not provided with proper education. They barely read and write, some even their own name. What can i do to help ?

A boy asked me..." This gor gor ( Nic ) cannot understand Chinese ? "...i said " yup "...then he replied..." I can't understand nor speak English and Bahasa "...in a sad tone.

What can one promised ? Who knows what is behind all those laughters ? Who can tell what is there the future can offer them ?

..................................................................................................

Although, there will always be a situation where there is a shortage of requirement from orphanages to provide care for the children. But among the orphanages i've been, House of Joy's condition is bad. I suppose we all leave the place with heavy heart...i do...

Self Reflection Report

2009-03-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

There is uncertainty of mood in this very first piece as i am not much of a listener to this type of symphony. The repeating strokes and roundish waves indicates that i am trying to find peace in the symphony. The rhythm of strokes is sort of similar as to me the symphony sounded almost the same to me. As the symphony played on, my mood changes to gloomy which is shown in the red dark circle upper left.

The colors in this second piece is more toned down compared to the first one. Here i kinda found harmony in the symphony. The strokes are much lighter. There are a few circles formed using the cap of the water color bottle. I 'm trying to express, sometimes it is not that bad to tryout new things. Who knows what it might brings. As for the brown wavy strokes, it is when the part of the symphony suddenly changed to some highly spirited Chinese voice of a group of patriot.

The strokes in this third piece are made up of more common brush strokes. Until the brush is out of color. Sometimes or maybe most of the time, life can be a routine. But it really depends on us whether we want it to be or not.

Matrix Development: Part E

2009-03-04T10:47:00.000-08:00

Part E : Logo Type Matrix

My favourites...

2009-03-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

Design Method assignment:

collect 10 of your favourite items and then putting it together in a collage form

as much as i adore takeshi kaneshiro...

lego man cant be left out from the pic..

mmm.....

海角七号...Cape No.7

2009-03-01T01:07:00.000-08:00

If the sea can talk

and if wind falls in love with sands

if my longing is lost in vacancy

I'll listen to the waves

and let the wind blow my hair....

****n: You can call me JERK...

2009-02-25T05:28:00.000-08:00

Jerk is sarcastic, mean, unforgiving and never misses an opportunity to make a cutting remark. Jerk have repulsive personality. Still, Jerk is very happy to participate and he is free to be himself without realizing that he is a Jerk.

YOU deserves a real-time punch in the mouth.

Happy Birthday Wee Mei !!

2009-02-21T01:01:00.000-08:00

We turn not older with years but newer and wiser every day.

Cousins ~

2009-02-19T18:04:00.000-08:00

Cousins....I heart my cousins. And we have a cousin song " Top of The World " by The Carpenters. I used to take my small small cousins for movies and when everytime this song is played, everyone is so excited and started to sing along.

A Painful Grief Witnessed ~

2009-02-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

It came as a tremendous shock

Love them presence

Love them absence

KLPac ~

2009-01-21T20:25:00.000-08:00

19th January 2009

~ with Harvin, Kimm, Nicholas, Wee Mei & Pei Siu

World AIDS Day

2008-12-01T07:16:00.000-08:00

Wear a Red Ribbon ~

Very first ~

2008-11-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

My Movie Clip assignment for Visual Comm. Really had fun editing steps by steps and my mind was functioning forward and backward !

path...

2008-11-08T06:11:00.003-08:00

photos via flikr~

Finale ~

2008-11-08T04:45:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my friends who did the user testing and leaving comment. Appreciated much.

User Testing ~

2008-10-25T22:14:00.000-07:00

Design interface for interactive storybook.

Tsukuyomi lived in the heavens with his sister Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. Tsukuyomi angered Amaterasu when he killed Uke Mochi, the goddess of food. Amaterasu once sent Tsukuyomi to represent her at a feast presented by Uke Mochi. The Goddess made the food by turning to the ocean and spitting out a fish, then facing the forest and game came out of her mouth, and finally turned to a rice paddy and coughed up a bowl of rice. Tsukuyomi was utterly disgusted by the fact that, although it looked exquisite, the meal was made in a disgusting manner, and so he killed her.

Soon, Amaterasu learned what happened and she was so angry that she refused to ever look at Tsukuyomi again, forever moving to another part of the sky. This is the reason that day and night are never together.

Please help me by leaving comment about the interface design. Any comment will be appreciated and thanks in advance for doing the user testing. Cheers ~

Characters Design

Loading Page

Character Intro

story ~ killing scene

1. What do you think of the characters design ?

a. Suitable

b. Oky

c. Not Suitable

2. Are the fonts readable ?

a. Yes

b. No

3. Do you find the vector style interesting for children's interactive storybook ?

a. Yes

b. Can be more interesting

c. No, it is too boring

4. What do you think of the art direction of the design ?

5. Would you like to visit the website again ?

6. Is the visual and elements strong enough to potray a Japanese folklore ?

Thanks for spending your precious time and do comment more on the design other than the questionaires.

* the final visual will be added with a layer of old paper texture to look like an old story book. Will be uploaded in a short while.

Lanterns~

2008-10-17T22:10:00.001-07:00

'" light source "

photos by ~

http://flickr.com/photos/gnarayan/

http://flickr.com/photos/kamoda/

kelouy ~

2008-10-09T20:34:00.000-07:00

in progress...

KELOUY aka Sai Lou ...

2008-09-28T04:29:00.001-07:00

Pixel ~

Pixel in Progress ~

2008-09-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

~ COLOR COLOUR COLORS ~

2008-09-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

Color Pallate

WALLANCEY

BYTHE

SHOEOLATTE

VANTEY

SEAMONSTRAY

RANDOMSOUOL

REALDEALL

RELUCTANC

POTERYPROT

PUMPADYPUMP

LOTUSSY

TULOVEY

STRANDEDY

LEFLOBEN

GREENERGRY

HANGO

FALLYFOUN

WERYPOT

CARNBALLOONZ

BERRLYMERRY

...................................................................................

photo from: http://flickr.com/photos/97968921@N00/

To Do..

2008-09-17T01:17:00.000-07:00

Blog post exercise

~ Color pallete collection: 20 palletes + images

~ 5 colors from one image, black and white can be one of the colors

~ Size per color pallete 100px * 270px

~ Name every color pallete

Tsukiyomi...月読の命

2008-09-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

Tsukuyomi was the first of the "three noble children" born when Izanagi, the god who created the first land, Onogoro-shima, was cleansing himself of his sins while bathing himself after escaping the underworld and the clutches of his enraged dead wife, Izanami. Tsukuyomi was born when Izanagi washed out of his right eye. However, in an alternate story, Tsukuyomi was born from a mirror made of white copper in Izanagi's right hand.

After climbing a celestial ladder, Tsukuyomi lived in the heavens, also known as Takamagahara, with his sister Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess.

Tsukuyomi angered Amaterasu when he killed Uke Mochi, the goddess of food. Amaterasu once sent Tsukuyomi to represent her at a feast presented by Uke Mochi. The Goddess made the food by turning to the ocean and spitting out a fish, then facing the forest and game came out of her mouth, and finally turned to a rice paddy and coughed up a bowl of rice. Tsukuyomi was utterly disgusted by the fact that, although it looked exquisite, the meal was made in a disgusting manner, and so he killed her.

The Tanuki Myth

2008-09-14T09:25:00.000-07:00

The English name for tanuki is "raccoon dog". Tanuki appear often in Japanese folklore as shape-shifters with supernatural powers and mischievous tendencies. Animals with the power of transformation for either benevolent or malevolent purposes are called Henge in Japan. In Japanese folklore, Tanuki are considered masters of transformation, as in Tengu the bird-man goblin of the forest and mountain who is revered as the slayer of vanity and pride. Tanuki statues are found everywhere around Japan, especially outside restaurants and bars, where the Tanuki beckons drinkers and dinners to enter. The beckoning Tanuki is most often depicted with a big round tummy, gigantic scrotum, a flask of sake, a promissory note, and a straw hat. Like most tricksters, the tanuki can be comic but also cruel. In folklore, the tanuki is a shape-shifter. In addition to changing its own shape, the tanuki can create illusions, making things seem to appear that are not really there. When the tanuki creates an illusion, it supposedly chants magic words and rubs leaves on its head.

What's with the gigantic scrotum ?

A curious and defining characteristic of Tanuki is its gigantic scrotum. According to some legends, the scrotum can be stretched to the size of eight tatami mats. The scrotum are supposedly symbols of good luck rather than overt sexual symbols. According to Japanese legends, a tanuki would inflate its belly or its testicles and beat upon it with its paws to scare wayfarers: pon poko pon poko pon.

In biological terms, the mythical Tanuki's large scrotum are a true depiction of the real-life Tanuki. According to evolutionary biologists, the Tanuki's scrotum is large because of fierce competition among Tanuki males for females. Phrased differently, Tanuki copulate frequently, and those Tanuki with larger scrotum size have a greater chance of getting their genes into the next generation.

What's with the leave on head ?

The shape-shifting Tanuki is said to put leaves on its heads and to chant prior to transformation. In some legends, the leaf is the sacred lotus plant of Buddhism. It is also believed that Tanuki can change leaves into money.

Lies...?

2008-09-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

What is Isometric Pixel Art

2008-09-14T05:29:00.000-07:00

1. Findings

Isometric Pixel Art is a modern form of digital art that has been accepted as a new art form. The 2D representation of a 3D object is fascinating to many people because of the simplicity and amount of small details that can fit into a single pixel piece. Pixel art is a form of digital art, created through the use of raster graphics software, where images are edited on the pixel level. IPA can be compared to cartoons in many ways, as people like to watch and accept the 2D art form as it is very simplistic and easy to follow. The main purpose of any art work is that it draws attention that is, to represent something that looks like it could come from the real world, yet it's just a computer generated image.

Graphics in most of the old (or relatively limited) computer and video games, graphing calculator games, and many mobile phone games are mostly pixel art. Each separate IPA image is always going too made up of single computer generated blocks, known as pixels. Each pixel is the same size as any other pixel, but it can be any colour you can think of and it can fit together with other pixels. Pixel-based image served as a mosaic in real life that is made up of tiles to form an overall picture.

2. History of Pixel Art

Pixel art is a style of digital art. Pixel uses the limited resolution of monitor a stylistic device to create graphics edited with rasterization software, similar to mosaic. The concept of pixel art arose in the early 1970's, but was first used by Adele Goldberg and Robert Flega of Xerox Palo Alto Research Center in 1982. Depending on limited technology of that time, early pixel art graphics were simple black and white bitmaps, and simulated different gray tones by texturing. In parallel with the evolution of computer technology, pixel artists make use of higher screen resolutions and a palette of millions of colors.

3. To be found or used...

mosaic tiles

cross-stitch

perler beads

painting

4. Examples of pixel art