The Rules Of Work

Reunion Gathering 2008.

Making The Difference

Had a short meeting with my client in Spring Shopping Mall. Then i walked by the Hiroshima Exhibition, bumped onto a friend who organized the Exhibition. He explained to me from the story to the Nuclear Technology, to the effects of the blast in Japan, to the sickness and the symptoms carried by the survived victims till the effects of war today. It's amazing how a nuclear bomb can shake the world but at the same time it is sad to see the victims vanished or survived suffering from young to old.

After a long tour of the exhibition, i realized that people around me who has finished the tour began to feel emotional. Finally, i signup my name as a sign of support to stop the Nuclear production. Then i stood in front of the colorful backdrop, posing with a bird sticker declaring for freedom and peace.

Remembering StudioYolk

I worked in Studio Yolk in late 2006 and I resigned in 2007. Located at Pending. It was a turning point for me, gaining more knowledge, skills and experiences playing a role as a graphic designer. I can boldly say that it is one of the best companies I have worked for in Kuching. When I 1st came in for interview, I was amazed by the environment decorated in the Studio. That really attracted me working in a studio. I believe that every designers make sure they have a comfortable environment where it can help them release their inspiration on the work.

I once asked my boss why he called his company 'Studio Yolk'. So let me tell you a simple story how did the name 'Studio Yolk' came about. The principal of this company called 'John Huang'. He was born in Taiwan, raised up in Australia. Got married to a wife from Kuching and got himself started his design studio. The word 'Huang' in Chinese means 'Yellow'. So he brainstormed the concept ideas for his studio. Finally, he thought about the 'Yolk'. That immediately got him into an inspiration about this 'Yolk'. 'Yolk' represents HOPE. It is an idea of an egg hatching, then a little chick came out from it. But it doesn't stop there. It will continue to grow until it became an adult and fly away freely. He’s looking at his company that will continue to grow and expand their career not just in Malaysia but around the world.

After hearing his story, I was amazed and got motivated. During that period of time, I played as a role of a graphic designer for the company. I really enjoyed working on several projects or task given. After completing a task, we would go to the thinking room or the discussion room and hear one another's opinion about the work. I remembered one of my colleague’s work was criticized and he took it negatively. As for me, I remain positive because its a lifetime opportunity of learning for me. We have high and low in certain period of time but we always remain positive.

Yes I admit that I face challenges and even conflicts within the company. I guess that's what happen to every company you work for. John is person who has patience and self-control when comes to facing problems. He is a helpful person. He always open, willing to share his ideas and encourages me to read certain values of being a good graphic designer. We had the same interested in motosport ' F1'. So we traveled to KL to watch 'F1'. It was an exciting moment for me.

In a year 2007, I was also a freelance designer despite a full time staff for Studio Yolk. I thought it was easy being on both side. But it turn up harder than I thought. I had problem meeting up clients when I work full time. Sometimes I would stay up late at home working on the projects make sure I meet the deadlines. So at one time, my performance did not go well. John realized the problems I faced. He asked to decide either to be full time or a be a freelance. I knew it was hard, but I have to make my final decision. Finally I made up my mind and told him that I choose to be a freelance. Meaning I have to resign from Studio Yolk. I hope he was ok that after all he has trained me and able to contribute back with all my talents. I had a pleasant farewell lunch with my colleagues and John.

It's sad to leave but felt grateful and thankful for John who has put alots of efforts on me and willing to see me grow as a better designer for the society. I knew my standard has grown alot after working for Studio Yolk only a year. From that moment, I just kept moving forward and push myself to reach the goals I have dreamt of.

It's A Good Thing.

Recently, i was arranging all the invoices that has been digging out from my car, my bag, anywhere i can find them. Then i notice that the numbers of invoices i have in my hand, the numbers of business actually i have involved in. Now that's the good thing for me and my career. How exciting i am feeling now looking forrward for more invoices at the end of year 2008.

Adobe CS4 has Released !

Its a huge surprise for me that Adobe CS4 has released this 2008. I have just started using CS3 for only a year. Well i am excited to see new features in all collections in CS4. Wanna get to know more about CS4? Logon to : www.adobe.com

What's On The Hood ?

Recently, i have seen many cars that is modified into a tuning car. Some that turned into street racing car and some just the look. As for me, im just into look since my car is just a kelisa imago. Nevertheless, its quite a small affordable car. Most importantly, its comfortable.

Sometime last week, i was washing my car and after the washing and polishing. Then i sat down around the car porch staring at it. Thinking abt having my own branding icon inspired by hamnman tuning car. So i walked around my car brainstorming ideas and visualizing the car. Finally i came out with the idea of a motoring logo concept. An elegant and metallic concept that will enhance the visual of the car. Not to forget, with my name on it ( Im so daring don't you think so?). Not too much nor less.

For the end result, i loved it! People loved it too after looking at it. It's a good thing that as a designer, little things that you do will inspired the world around you. I got the right audience!

Mini Home Base Studio

Here it is, my mini home-based studio. Basically, i am currently working at home with flexible time depends on the scope of work given. I also got myself with several essential equipments for my work development. A desktop, canon scanner, hp printer black and white and color and my favorite macbook. The Studio was setup in early 2007 with a little support from my parent on the furniture and the equipments. So the rest of them, i have to play a part taking care the the equipments i have today.

I thank God for providing me all these i asked for. Able to reach for my dream i have always dreamt about since form 5 in high school. Despite the space that is rather small, but i enjoyed working in there. Not only for working purpose, but also a place to hang around. Searching for something that i can do. Sometimes i sketch, i listen to musics, i play the guitar, and also abit of reading.

It is one of the ways that you can safe lots of money especially starting a new business on your own. Once i have extra budget, ill slowly upgrade my studio or maybe even rent an office studio somewhere. I pray that one day Hamson Design Studio will make a difference in the society and able the bless their needs and to Hamson Studio too.

Hamson Makeover

"The old has gone, the new has come!"

Truly it has been a great passion in my design career started in 2007. I was just excited to run on my own. I knew it wasn't as easy as i thought before starting Hamson Design Studio. I thank God that everything is ok in my business career. I learnt from the mistakes i have face and some challenges i have en-counted with. Through that learning process, i have become matured the way i think in my business plan, vision, target audience and so on.

Now that i have understood the market demand in Kuching, i have fully prepared for my next plan and where my directions will lead me to. I have alot of dreams to achieve. Dreams to own a studio and building a united design team in my company. All the dreams that i have, i have to start something and somewhere. Therefore, i have finally came out with a new concept logo for Hamson Design Studio. This falls in 2008. It took me a few days to develop an innovative concept. Notice on the logo itself, u will find 3 letters in it. These letters speak of my full name 'Roy Hamson' but the letter 'H' is still the prominent subject of the company. Thus, the slogan 'Point of Solution' creates a shape in the logo of a finger pointing upwards on the right.

With the logo i have created, it helped build my passion in serving my profession to all my clients. It also inspires me to step a next level in my design skill and my knowledge of business marketing plan. I hope u will figure out the visual from the logo and u will be inspired by it too. Cheers!

THE CANON POWERSHOT G9

Let me introduce you the all new Canon PowerShot G9.

I bought it about a month ago during the PC Fair Roadshow. The price was worth to buy. It cost me RM 1800 with free items; 4 GB memory card, battery, canon case, tripod, and a voucher worth RM100. These item easily saved me RM500. I was amazed by the power of Canon. It's powerful, fast, tough, detailed, accurate and also reliable. Wana know about it?..

I took this information from one of the site which i think it is the best description about the Canon powerShot G9.

Canon today launches its new flagship compact for advanced photographers – the 12.1 Megapixel PowerShot G9. The successor to the PowerShot G7 – recently named EISA European Advanced Compact Camera 2007-2008 – the PowerShot G9 incorporates improvements driven by market feedback with a range of user-oriented enhancements, including RAW image capture* and a redesigned grip and thumb rest for improved handling. Other advancements include a high resolution 3.0” PureColor LCD II, enhanced Face Detection Technology and Red-Eye Correction in playback². A wide range of accessories – including optional lenses and Speedlite flash units – now also features Canon’s Speedlite ST-E2 wireless flash transmitter.

“A combination of advanced features, precision Canon optics and user-centric design made the PowerShot G7 our most successful G-series camera yet,” explained Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “By incorporating user requests and adding further enhancements, our engineers have made a great camera even better.”

The PowerShot G9 features:

• 12.1 Megapixels (1/1.7” sensor) with RAW mode for maximum image control
• 6x optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer and SR coating*
• DIGIC III and iSAPS for lightning fast response, superb image quality and advanced Noise Reduction*
• Face Detection AF/AE/FE and Red-Eye Correction in playback
• 3.0” high-resolution, PureColor LCD II with extra wide viewing angle
• ISO 1600 and Auto ISO Shift
• Compact body with dedicated ISO and Multi Control dials
• 25 shooting modes including full manual control and 2 custom settings
• Extra telephoto reach with Digital Tele-Converter and Safety Zoom*
• Hot shoe support for Canon Speedlite flashes and optional lens accessories

Total image control

With an enlarged 12.1 Megapixel (1/1.7”) sensor, the PowerShot G9 gives photographers the flexibility to crop images and produce high quality prints up to A2 size. The addition of RAW image recording and simultaneous RAW+JPEG recording offers advanced users complete control over image processing. The supplied ZoomBrowser software includes RAW Image Task for fine adjustment of settings such as exposure compensation, white balance, tonal curve and colour temperature. RAW images can then be converted into either JPEG or TIFF format.

Canon precision optics for ultimate clarity

Exceptional optical performance is assured by the fast f/2.8 (W) – f/4.8 (T) Canon 6x optical zoom lens (35-210mm focal length, 35mm equivalent), which includes a double-sided aspherical lens element to counteract lens distortions. The addition of SR coating significantly reduces ghosting and chromatic aberration, while Canon’s optical Image Stabilizer technology counteracts the effects of camera shake. The risk of image blur is further reduced by ISO Shift, which allows an instant ISO boost whenever camera shake threatens to affect image quality. Benefiting from the large pixel count, Safety Zoom allows extra digital zoom with no interpolation – images can be captured at up to 15x zoom with enough resolution for lab-quality postcard (10 x 15cm) prints. Digital Tele-Converter adds extra telephoto reach to every shot (1.5x or 2.0x), without any reduction in aperture.

Improved Face Detection and Red-Eye Correction

The PowerShot G9 offers high speed operation and accurate image rendering through Canon’s DIGIC III processor, which also powers Face Detection Technology. In addition to focus and exposure control, Face Detection Technology has been improved on the PowerShot G9 to adjust for flash exposure – particularly helpful when using the flash close to a subject. A new Face Select and Track function enables the user to manually select and track an individual face from up to 35 faces detected in frame. Photographers will also benefit from Red-Eye Correction in playback, allowing in-camera removal of red-eye from captured images.

Designed for photographers

Built for photo-enthusiasts, the PowerShot G9 provides external controls that include a dedicated ISO dial, multi-control dial and customisable shortcut button. The analogue-inspired design of the PowerShot G9 has been updated on this model with a textured coating and a black alumite lens ring. A larger grip and pronounced thumb rest ensure secure and comfortable handling. On the back of the camera, a 3.0” PureColor LCD II offers several benefits. With 230,000 pixels resolution, the high contrast screen provides vastly improved colour reproduction and better visibility at wider angles of view. An anti-reflective coating helps in sunny conditions, while a protective layer guards against knocks and scrapes. The PowerShot G9 retains its optical viewfinder for extra framing flexibility.

Creativity unlimited

Advanced photographers will benefit from a selection of 25 shooting modes that includes full Manual, Av and Tv, along with two custom modes for user-defined settings. Shooting modes are complemented by a variety of features that assist creative shooting. Safety MF performs fine adjustments to aid manual focusing, while Safety FE reduces the risk of blown highlights when using the flash. Photographers can now choose a smaller AF frame size for finer focusing control – particularly helpful when using the camera’s 1cm Macro mode. Other useful features include an in-built ND (Neutral Density) filter, AEB (auto exposure bracketing), focus bracketing and a live histogram display. A new Image Resize function lets users downsize full-resolution images to 1600x1200, 640x480 and 320x240 sizes. This is equally useful for conserving storage space or preparing images for email or the Web.

Powerful movie functions

The photographic features of the PowerShot G9 are matched by a powerful array of movie capabilities. In addition to VGA (30fps) and high resolution XGA (15fps) movie recording, the PowerShot G9 introduces LP (Long Play) mode. This mode offers movies of half the file size without compromising on resolution or frame rate. The new Time Lapse Movie function allows the extended capture of changing scenes – such as a blooming flower, or bustling city streets - for accelerated playback as smooth VGA-quality movie clips.

No boundaries: Speedlite flash units and system accessories

With hot shoe support for Canon Speedlite EX series flash units, the PowerShot G9 is ideal for existing EOS digital SLR users or those seeking to experiment with creative flash photography. The camera supports the Speedlite ST-E2 wireless file transmitter for multi-flash setups. Additionally, the camera’s menu can be used to control flash settings for the recently launched Speedlite 580EX II.

The PowerShot G9 is compatible with a range of optional lens accessories, including wide (0.75x) and tele (2.0x) converter lenses. A waterproof case allows for shooting at depths of up to 40 metres. Offering a level of flexibility typically only found on digital SLRs, the PowerShot G9 provides photo enthusiasts with a camera that’s fully equipped to lift the limits of their creative potential.

Additional Information

Printing

Full PictBridge support means users can print directly to any PictBridge compatible printer without the need for a PC. A Print/Share button allows one-touch printing and easy uploads to Windows or Mac systems.

Language

The PowerShot G9 user interface supports 25 languages: English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Greek, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Thai, Arabic, Romanian and Ukrainian.

Memory Card Support

In addition to SD, SDHC and MMC cards, the PowerShot G9 supports the new MMCplus and HC MMCplus formats for storage capacities of up to 32GB. The camera comes supplied with a 32MB memory card.

Software

The PowerShot G9 comes bundled with the following Canon Software:

• ZoomBrowser EX 6.0 (Windows), ImageBrowser 6.0 (Mac): For organizing and editing images, movies and slideshows, or creating and printing digital photo albums.
• PhotoStitch 3.1 (Windows) /3.2 (Mac): For creating panoramic photos from multiple images.

The bundled software supports Windows 2000 (SP4), XP (SP2) and Vista, or Macintosh OS X v10.3-v10.5. The PowerShot G9 supports PTP for driverless transfer to Windows XP and Mac OS X, along with MTP for image and movie transfers to Windows Vista. Purchasers of the camera are eligible for membership of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY*, 100MB of online ‘personal gallery’ space for sharing stills and video with family and friends.