Sunday, 31st July: Having established yesterday that the formatting of my trial Kindle booklet using illuminated capitals was unsuccessful, I chose an alternative solution, where the illuminated letter and the title, available in the book designed originally in Scribus, was converted into an image that would span a kindle page width. Simple in concept but a time consuming process.
The stages were: exporting the Scribus pages individually as images; Editing these in the image processing software, GIMP - first cropping to the headings alone and then sizing the images to be 520 pixels wide. The images were then incorporated into Sigil as an e-pub format document with the correct text underneath.
The original cover that I had designed was a bit bland too. Since the title was to include the phrase twelve pillars, I set out to design an ionic column, following Greek proportions of column height being eight times column height nine times if including upper and lower units). This was achieved using the software Inkscape, whilst sitting on the garden bench.
Then it was back to editing and extending the text in Sigil that Mrs T kindly proof read for me.
Showing posts with label design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label design. Show all posts
Sunday, 7 August 2011
A working Saturday
Saturday, 30th July: Mainly a work day, concentrating on translating a discussion document for Herr Juengst.
Revisited the notes on Business Startup prepared for the radio interview of the previous week with a view to converting it into a Kindle book.
I had prepared illuminated letters for each of the twelve sections that I wished to include. I used a software, Sigil, to do the editing in the computer language HTML. Here they could be aligned with the remainder of the chapter heading text alongside. However, when converting into a mobipocket book using Calibre, the formatting was not as desired when exported and viewed on a Kindle e-book reader.
Revisited the notes on Business Startup prepared for the radio interview of the previous week with a view to converting it into a Kindle book.
I had prepared illuminated letters for each of the twelve sections that I wished to include. I used a software, Sigil, to do the editing in the computer language HTML. Here they could be aligned with the remainder of the chapter heading text alongside. However, when converting into a mobipocket book using Calibre, the formatting was not as desired when exported and viewed on a Kindle e-book reader.
Monday, 27 June 2011
Mr Straus' cards, routes to e-book creation and the hottest day of the year so far
Today marked the completion of the business card designs for Mr Straus and his new venture, The Wine & Spirit Training Consultancy International (WSTC International). The design had evolved through a number of permutations and corrections – but today it was off to the printer.
The pleasurable was mingled with the difficult. Talking to and writing to two clients for whom we had not been able to find contacts in the UK, despite considerable effort expended. The one consolation is that this is a phenomenon in the minority.
We have permission to use the audio recording that I made and edited of Mrs Evans' interview on the Cambridge Open Studios website and I will address this possibly tomorrow.
Late afternoon and evening was directed to trying to convert both Word and Open Office documents into e-book formats via a variety of routes and with the use of different program sets. Examples were use of Mobipocket Creator and Calibre to convert either Word processing formats directly or via conversion to the internet language HTML. The test-ebooks generated in their myriad forms were then tested both on Kindle emulators and on the Kindle itself. I feel that I am getting a much better grasp of the process and possibilities.
Todays temperatures reached 30 degrees centigrade in the shade. The news claimed this to be the hottest day for years. Working in my windowed office afforded me the opportunity to practice dealing with heat up to 35 deg C whilst working, in preparation for an Egypt trip later in the year.
The pleasurable was mingled with the difficult. Talking to and writing to two clients for whom we had not been able to find contacts in the UK, despite considerable effort expended. The one consolation is that this is a phenomenon in the minority.
We have permission to use the audio recording that I made and edited of Mrs Evans' interview on the Cambridge Open Studios website and I will address this possibly tomorrow.
Late afternoon and evening was directed to trying to convert both Word and Open Office documents into e-book formats via a variety of routes and with the use of different program sets. Examples were use of Mobipocket Creator and Calibre to convert either Word processing formats directly or via conversion to the internet language HTML. The test-ebooks generated in their myriad forms were then tested both on Kindle emulators and on the Kindle itself. I feel that I am getting a much better grasp of the process and possibilities.
Todays temperatures reached 30 degrees centigrade in the shade. The news claimed this to be the hottest day for years. Working in my windowed office afforded me the opportunity to practice dealing with heat up to 35 deg C whilst working, in preparation for an Egypt trip later in the year.
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Battling with the conversion of documents
Friday, 24th June.
The resolution and de-escalation of the previously mentioned conflict appears to be progressing, as judged by the e-mails still circulating
It being a Friday, the accumulated work and urgency combined with a minimum of a couple of hours to progress, before setting of to HBN for a relatively quiet meeting . This was followed by a Tutorcloud session, where we progressed with practical procedures and instructions for potential users.
My battle of the day was getting an understanding of the finer points of converting a word processor generated text into an e-book. This being part of an exercise in trying to generate my own book on the subject in a form far more comprehensible than this document. Effectively, the conversion means translating a text from one electronic dialect to another, via an intermediary language. It required time and learning by trial and error, to gain an understanding of how different routes worked, their successes and their pitfalls. It was a very late night.
The resolution and de-escalation of the previously mentioned conflict appears to be progressing, as judged by the e-mails still circulating
It being a Friday, the accumulated work and urgency combined with a minimum of a couple of hours to progress, before setting of to HBN for a relatively quiet meeting . This was followed by a Tutorcloud session, where we progressed with practical procedures and instructions for potential users.
My battle of the day was getting an understanding of the finer points of converting a word processor generated text into an e-book. This being part of an exercise in trying to generate my own book on the subject in a form far more comprehensible than this document. Effectively, the conversion means translating a text from one electronic dialect to another, via an intermediary language. It required time and learning by trial and error, to gain an understanding of how different routes worked, their successes and their pitfalls. It was a very late night.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Positive turn to reconciliation after a shaky start and preparation for a workshop
A sixth day of waking with a migraine in the making and quelled.
I was prompted into a first and sharp response to another message by e-mail, a continuation of the debate mentioned on Tuesday, only to find that the subject of my ire was actually the first step in a more conciliatory approach by one of the protagonists.
A flurry of calls and e-mails was initiated throughout the wider circle of interested parties as well as between myself and the now offended letter writer. It did look however as there was a new mood to compromise and find an equitable route out of the conflict. There is a glimmer of hope.
A series of other calls and e-mails trickled in during the day relating to specific design work for Mr Straus' business cards. The afternoon was devoted to collating feedback from questions to UK contacts for a German client
With my workshop on networking effectively, for July 1st at the Huntingdonshire Business Network, just over a week away, I put in place two strands in support. Rather than just relying on what I though might be questions that attendees would like answering, I submitted a request for feedback from a variety of groups within the business social network LinkedIn, for their questions and opinions on networking effectively.
The second strand followed previous advice by Mr Howell, on using preset timed microblogs on Twitter. I chose a series of phrases and questions from my publicity text for the event and spread them, three to a working day (morning, midday and afternoon) starting today through to next Wednesday. Already, one friend kindly retweeted one of the first messages.
The writing of my e-book, on using free software to prepare e-books, is progressing. Last night I completed the intitial advice on formatting text whilst writing, with advice for experts, experienced digital writers and novices. Started the next session on reviewing and proof reading a manuscript.
I was prompted into a first and sharp response to another message by e-mail, a continuation of the debate mentioned on Tuesday, only to find that the subject of my ire was actually the first step in a more conciliatory approach by one of the protagonists.
A flurry of calls and e-mails was initiated throughout the wider circle of interested parties as well as between myself and the now offended letter writer. It did look however as there was a new mood to compromise and find an equitable route out of the conflict. There is a glimmer of hope.
A series of other calls and e-mails trickled in during the day relating to specific design work for Mr Straus' business cards. The afternoon was devoted to collating feedback from questions to UK contacts for a German client
With my workshop on networking effectively, for July 1st at the Huntingdonshire Business Network, just over a week away, I put in place two strands in support. Rather than just relying on what I though might be questions that attendees would like answering, I submitted a request for feedback from a variety of groups within the business social network LinkedIn, for their questions and opinions on networking effectively.
The second strand followed previous advice by Mr Howell, on using preset timed microblogs on Twitter. I chose a series of phrases and questions from my publicity text for the event and spread them, three to a working day (morning, midday and afternoon) starting today through to next Wednesday. Already, one friend kindly retweeted one of the first messages.
The writing of my e-book, on using free software to prepare e-books, is progressing. Last night I completed the intitial advice on formatting text whilst writing, with advice for experts, experienced digital writers and novices. Started the next session on reviewing and proof reading a manuscript.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
A morning of calls and three middle eastern conflicts in the news
A hectic morning of telephone calls, with potential and current collaborations.
My conversation with Mr Heker via Skype was interrupted twice, however we managed to pursue the possibility of another publication with a prestige journal in his field of expertise. The existing publications (see http://german-smile.info/Publishing/publishing.htm) now generating interest in both China and Russia.
The first interruption was from another business friend, Mr Burt of Jamy limited with news and also the opportunity to touch base about work for Mr Straus. The second call was from a Suffolk author, asking about the options for assistance with publication, which also digressed on the benefits of using pectin versus Jam sugar for strawberry jam making and on sourdough cultures.
A third and enjoyable call was to Mrs Maunders, a renowned botanical illustrator. Mrs Maunders had printed my photographs in the past and offered to do so this year; this call was to check whether this was still the case as I have four outstanding images for printing prior to framing for the Cambridge Open Studios. Fortunately, printing was possible – I now have to prepare the digital files to permit printing at the correct size.
The afternoon was spent in completing design work, for embroidery on corporate garments, name tags with two different affiliations for three people and a revamp of a business card design, again to be used as a template for three people.
The news is full of middle eastern conflicts, starting with planned troop withdrawals from Afghanistan over the next few years from the longest conflict that Britain has been involved in for a century or more. The cost of innocent lives – children and wives, through allied air attacks in Libya was also in the forefront of media interest. What is less visible is the overall level of casualties, which are now estimated around 10000 with at least 3000 being civilians. The brutal repression of the uprising in Syria also grips the media in a conflict where the the world is watching from the sidelines.
My conversation with Mr Heker via Skype was interrupted twice, however we managed to pursue the possibility of another publication with a prestige journal in his field of expertise. The existing publications (see http://german-smile.info/Publishing/publishing.htm) now generating interest in both China and Russia.
The first interruption was from another business friend, Mr Burt of Jamy limited with news and also the opportunity to touch base about work for Mr Straus. The second call was from a Suffolk author, asking about the options for assistance with publication, which also digressed on the benefits of using pectin versus Jam sugar for strawberry jam making and on sourdough cultures.
A third and enjoyable call was to Mrs Maunders, a renowned botanical illustrator. Mrs Maunders had printed my photographs in the past and offered to do so this year; this call was to check whether this was still the case as I have four outstanding images for printing prior to framing for the Cambridge Open Studios. Fortunately, printing was possible – I now have to prepare the digital files to permit printing at the correct size.
The afternoon was spent in completing design work, for embroidery on corporate garments, name tags with two different affiliations for three people and a revamp of a business card design, again to be used as a template for three people.
The news is full of middle eastern conflicts, starting with planned troop withdrawals from Afghanistan over the next few years from the longest conflict that Britain has been involved in for a century or more. The cost of innocent lives – children and wives, through allied air attacks in Libya was also in the forefront of media interest. What is less visible is the overall level of casualties, which are now estimated around 10000 with at least 3000 being civilians. The brutal repression of the uprising in Syria also grips the media in a conflict where the the world is watching from the sidelines.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Return journey to Lincoln and the Architecture Students exhibition
This morning was the last foray to let the chickens of our neighbours before the latter returned from their holiday in Yorkshire. I was rewarded with an egg, pristine and still slightly warm, nestling on the hay where moments before a chicken had roosted.
Toast, tea and a boiled egg later, Mrs T and I set off for Lincoln, to collect Miss T for the summer break after her second year at University.
We traversed the dangerous stretch of the A14 to Huntingdon at a remarkable speed and without incident and left Cambridgeshire on the delightfully six-laned and quiet A1 North. Past Peterborough, the road began to undulate on the increasing but gentle rolling hills. The fields were looking greener here, compared to the severely drought ridden Eastern counties.
Twice, we saw red kites with their distinctive forked tails and slightly raffish wings, wheeling above us as we thundered past at 70 miles per hour. At Newark, we turned off onto the A46 in anticipation of having made good time to Lincoln, only to encounter a temporary queue within a couple of miles of the city.
Miss T kept an eye out for us and directed the car to a small hidden car park, a short walk along the quay to her accommodation for a short break. For lunch we dropped in on Prezzos, for salads or soups according to taste. As part of my campaign towards a reduced waistline, I thoroughly enjoyed the lighter option of king prawns on pizza bread with a good mixed salad. The latter enjoyed all the more in the knowledge that the UK has not been affected by the plateauing E. coli outbreak in Germany, now tentatively linked with a Northern German restaurant in Luebeck and another in Hamburg.
Miss T invited us to view the exhibits by architecture students in their third and fifth years. We spent an hour wandering around and I was increasingly frustrated with the presentation of the otherwise excellent and imaginative displays. In most instances, there was little attempt at clearly presenting a story that the visitor could follow. The exceptions were some of the third year students, who added legible labels and had a clear flow in their exhibits for the eye to follow through.
From my experience of attending Ecobuild and accompanying German companies in the Green, restoration and retrofitting sector, I was also surprised by the apparent lack of obvious major inclusion of energy efficient and other green features in many of the works.
We then returned for a cup of tea to the student lodgings and took on the surprisingly simple task of collecting Miss T's packed luggage and possessions. I was even more surprised that the economy of materials to be returned home left the rear windscreen of the car still clear for visibility.
The journey back passed equally well and without problems, with high cloud gradually coming from the West as a harbinger of the meteorlogical change to cooler wetter weather expected tomorrow.
Toast, tea and a boiled egg later, Mrs T and I set off for Lincoln, to collect Miss T for the summer break after her second year at University.
We traversed the dangerous stretch of the A14 to Huntingdon at a remarkable speed and without incident and left Cambridgeshire on the delightfully six-laned and quiet A1 North. Past Peterborough, the road began to undulate on the increasing but gentle rolling hills. The fields were looking greener here, compared to the severely drought ridden Eastern counties.
Twice, we saw red kites with their distinctive forked tails and slightly raffish wings, wheeling above us as we thundered past at 70 miles per hour. At Newark, we turned off onto the A46 in anticipation of having made good time to Lincoln, only to encounter a temporary queue within a couple of miles of the city.
Miss T kept an eye out for us and directed the car to a small hidden car park, a short walk along the quay to her accommodation for a short break. For lunch we dropped in on Prezzos, for salads or soups according to taste. As part of my campaign towards a reduced waistline, I thoroughly enjoyed the lighter option of king prawns on pizza bread with a good mixed salad. The latter enjoyed all the more in the knowledge that the UK has not been affected by the plateauing E. coli outbreak in Germany, now tentatively linked with a Northern German restaurant in Luebeck and another in Hamburg.
Miss T invited us to view the exhibits by architecture students in their third and fifth years. We spent an hour wandering around and I was increasingly frustrated with the presentation of the otherwise excellent and imaginative displays. In most instances, there was little attempt at clearly presenting a story that the visitor could follow. The exceptions were some of the third year students, who added legible labels and had a clear flow in their exhibits for the eye to follow through.
From my experience of attending Ecobuild and accompanying German companies in the Green, restoration and retrofitting sector, I was also surprised by the apparent lack of obvious major inclusion of energy efficient and other green features in many of the works.
We then returned for a cup of tea to the student lodgings and took on the surprisingly simple task of collecting Miss T's packed luggage and possessions. I was even more surprised that the economy of materials to be returned home left the rear windscreen of the car still clear for visibility.
The journey back passed equally well and without problems, with high cloud gradually coming from the West as a harbinger of the meteorlogical change to cooler wetter weather expected tomorrow.
Thursday, 26 May 2011
From Picadilly Circus to night-time photos of the Tower bridge
Having learnt yesterday’s bus travel lesson, I forsook the opportunity of taking the number 9 from Milton and instead made way way rapidly to the Park and Ride on the other side of Butt Lane. This time I made the 8:15 to Kings Cross with minutes to spare. It took an interminable walk to reach the Circle Line and travel the one stop on to Euston Square and a more gentle stroll down Gower Street to meet Mr Straus. Indeed I was so early that I was able to have a cup of tea in the hotel's breakfast room whilst Mr Straus finalised his packing andwe set off amiably together to catch a number 14 bus to Piccadilly Circus. Roadworks conspired against us, forcing us to alight at Green Bank, however, this meant that we discovered the restaurant in the Royal Academy for a preparatory conversation.
With rain spitting occasionally upon our heads, we met up with Mr Scholz and his companion and walked along to the offices of Hakkasan in Wardour Street to our first appointment of the day. This was most interesting to both parties, as demonstrated by it's duration of over an hour. With our last appointment destined to be at the Chesterfield later in the afternoon, we returned to the new found treasure, the RA restaurant for a small luncheon.
Mr Straus ran his experienced eye over the wine menu and made a point of congratulating the lady serving us, who directed him to the Manager, to deliver the compliment in person. Whilst some may say, that Mr Straus is generally eloquent, his expertise and conversation is riveting when directed to his expert area, wine. In recognition of expert appreciation, we suddenly found ourselves the recipients of a complimentary tasting of two wines, including the house wine Tracy Emin. My crab salad was exquisite; I now know where to eat well at a reasonable price when next in London. In particular it was such a positive delight to see an establishment where the service was excellent and considerate, in a city where sheer exploitation and fleecing of the London visitors is more the norm.
Our final meeting in the genteel lounge of the Chesterfield brought a relaxed close to the business of the day. We parted company with Mr Straus who made his way back to his beloved IOD for another meeting. The heaven's opened so we took a taxi to Westminster Bridge, running to the public subway to shelter from the deluge. The water floods cascaded down the stairs, attempting to make up for the drought experienced over the past months.
Mr Scholz, his companion and I took a water taxi to Tower Bridge, to walk in the returning evening sunshine past the Tower and admire the Tower Bridge. Walking on, we reached St Katherine's Docks where Thames sailing barges were moored along modern yachts. Crossing the bascule over the lock, we attempted to find food at the Dicken's Inn which was unfortunately fully booked. Instead, we dined at the Mala Indian restaurant.
Our final parting was on Tower Bridge later that evening as Mr Scholz and companion caught the number 78 bus back to their hotel for a 3am start back to Germany.
Tower bridge was now illuminated in the twilight, a good time for photography, but the access to the bank by the Tower was blocked. I suddenly found myself in the company of three third year students dressed for a masquerade, who had similarly wanted to go along the bank to reach the pier. We now had to walk all around the Tower, where we went our separate ways.
I continued down to the pier and found a good vantage point to photograph Tower Bridge, both in a single shot, and also in an attempt at a panorama in 3 separate photos. The lighting was so low that the camera was indicating an exposure of between one eighth and a fifteenth of a second. Whilst this is practically impossible to take handheld for me, I was using the small olympus camera with anti-shake and appeared to get a few clear, if slightly grainer images.
At last, I strolled to the tube station, past the street performer with his sign “What do I have to do to make you love me?” (Give me a hug!) to catch the circle line back to Kings Cross, where I caught the 10:15pm to Cambridge. A chance comment to a fellow passenger revealed another networker and speaker who I will connect with on Linkedin. Back home by 11:45pm!
Major news this evening – Radko Mladic, indited for commanding the Sebrenica Massacre and the Sarayevo Siege, arrested at last! Doctors in some hospitals having to prescribe water for elderly patients due the poor care and positive neglect they were subjected to.
With rain spitting occasionally upon our heads, we met up with Mr Scholz and his companion and walked along to the offices of Hakkasan in Wardour Street to our first appointment of the day. This was most interesting to both parties, as demonstrated by it's duration of over an hour. With our last appointment destined to be at the Chesterfield later in the afternoon, we returned to the new found treasure, the RA restaurant for a small luncheon.
Mr Straus ran his experienced eye over the wine menu and made a point of congratulating the lady serving us, who directed him to the Manager, to deliver the compliment in person. Whilst some may say, that Mr Straus is generally eloquent, his expertise and conversation is riveting when directed to his expert area, wine. In recognition of expert appreciation, we suddenly found ourselves the recipients of a complimentary tasting of two wines, including the house wine Tracy Emin. My crab salad was exquisite; I now know where to eat well at a reasonable price when next in London. In particular it was such a positive delight to see an establishment where the service was excellent and considerate, in a city where sheer exploitation and fleecing of the London visitors is more the norm.
Our final meeting in the genteel lounge of the Chesterfield brought a relaxed close to the business of the day. We parted company with Mr Straus who made his way back to his beloved IOD for another meeting. The heaven's opened so we took a taxi to Westminster Bridge, running to the public subway to shelter from the deluge. The water floods cascaded down the stairs, attempting to make up for the drought experienced over the past months.
Mr Scholz, his companion and I took a water taxi to Tower Bridge, to walk in the returning evening sunshine past the Tower and admire the Tower Bridge. Walking on, we reached St Katherine's Docks where Thames sailing barges were moored along modern yachts. Crossing the bascule over the lock, we attempted to find food at the Dicken's Inn which was unfortunately fully booked. Instead, we dined at the Mala Indian restaurant.
Our final parting was on Tower Bridge later that evening as Mr Scholz and companion caught the number 78 bus back to their hotel for a 3am start back to Germany.
Tower bridge was now illuminated in the twilight, a good time for photography, but the access to the bank by the Tower was blocked. I suddenly found myself in the company of three third year students dressed for a masquerade, who had similarly wanted to go along the bank to reach the pier. We now had to walk all around the Tower, where we went our separate ways.
I continued down to the pier and found a good vantage point to photograph Tower Bridge, both in a single shot, and also in an attempt at a panorama in 3 separate photos. The lighting was so low that the camera was indicating an exposure of between one eighth and a fifteenth of a second. Whilst this is practically impossible to take handheld for me, I was using the small olympus camera with anti-shake and appeared to get a few clear, if slightly grainer images.
At last, I strolled to the tube station, past the street performer with his sign “What do I have to do to make you love me?” (Give me a hug!) to catch the circle line back to Kings Cross, where I caught the 10:15pm to Cambridge. A chance comment to a fellow passenger revealed another networker and speaker who I will connect with on Linkedin. Back home by 11:45pm!
Major news this evening – Radko Mladic, indited for commanding the Sebrenica Massacre and the Sarayevo Siege, arrested at last! Doctors in some hospitals having to prescribe water for elderly patients due the poor care and positive neglect they were subjected to.
Friday, 18 March 2011
Unusual weaponry and red noses
Ventured eastwards to Huntingdon, to meet friends at the Huntingdonshire Business Network. It felt like wading through the white foaming sea in the packed Indoor Bowls Club to reach our meeting room as local teams were in heated battle on the carpets.
Business at the Committee Meeting was less onerous than usual and speedily completed, permitting a more relaxing subsequent networking meeting
A long absent colleague, Mr Christie, made a welcome appearance, bearing a large misshapen sack that aroused curiosity. When it's contents were revealed, and in conjunction with Mr Christie's paramilitary attire, my first thought was that the oft presaged revolution had finally arrived, as a veritable arsenal of modern weaponry was exposed. Latent republican tendencies were stillborn as it became apparent that these were remarkable accurate facsimiles. Capable of firing pellets, these are for sportly skirmishes by those of a more excitable disposition.
The weapons were disturbingly alluring; the weight of the SIG 226 pistol in the hand had a seductive, sinister quality. Looking across at Mr Williamson, a master of drafting the last Will and Testament for his clients, his thoughtful gaze at the Magful Masada carbine intimated contemplations of a more terminal marketing strategy.
Lighter relief was afforded by Mr Straus, who displayed his choice selection of wines, beer and cider, all bearing the labels designed by me, with constructive contributions from a previous HBN meeting.
After HBN, I braved the highway again to travel to Over, to meet with Mr Beal, Mrs Farndale and Mrs Heeneman. to work on our Tutorcloud project.
I returned home in darkness, to spend the evening entertained by the Red Nose Day television broadcast. Highlight for me was the melodious interpretation of "I know him so well" in a duet by Mrs Boyle and Mr Kay, the latter droll in the role of a woman, yet a pleasant alto voice.
Business at the Committee Meeting was less onerous than usual and speedily completed, permitting a more relaxing subsequent networking meeting
A long absent colleague, Mr Christie, made a welcome appearance, bearing a large misshapen sack that aroused curiosity. When it's contents were revealed, and in conjunction with Mr Christie's paramilitary attire, my first thought was that the oft presaged revolution had finally arrived, as a veritable arsenal of modern weaponry was exposed. Latent republican tendencies were stillborn as it became apparent that these were remarkable accurate facsimiles. Capable of firing pellets, these are for sportly skirmishes by those of a more excitable disposition.
The weapons were disturbingly alluring; the weight of the SIG 226 pistol in the hand had a seductive, sinister quality. Looking across at Mr Williamson, a master of drafting the last Will and Testament for his clients, his thoughtful gaze at the Magful Masada carbine intimated contemplations of a more terminal marketing strategy.
Lighter relief was afforded by Mr Straus, who displayed his choice selection of wines, beer and cider, all bearing the labels designed by me, with constructive contributions from a previous HBN meeting.
After HBN, I braved the highway again to travel to Over, to meet with Mr Beal, Mrs Farndale and Mrs Heeneman. to work on our Tutorcloud project.
I returned home in darkness, to spend the evening entertained by the Red Nose Day television broadcast. Highlight for me was the melodious interpretation of "I know him so well" in a duet by Mrs Boyle and Mr Kay, the latter droll in the role of a woman, yet a pleasant alto voice.
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Misprints and the psychology of colour
My good friend Mr Straus was somewhat perturbed to find that a misprint on his new business card proof had transformed him from a Wine Trainer to a Wine Strainer. Since he was bereft of any facial hair to perform any such filtration, I considered his remonstration fair and implemented the correction forthwith.
The afternoon digressed into an investigation into the values ascribed to different colours. This was prompted by an observation by my now departed German guests, when perusing the bountiful wares in large shopping establishments, about the preponderance of stygian shades in products labels. It appears that black with gold or silver lettering is efficacious in conveying the impression of quality, whilst bright red and expanses of white are more suggestive of products at the lower end of the price spectrum.
Whilst we dine in relative comfort within our homes, the situation in Japan appears to be deteriorating with poor weather and problems in the distribution of food. Current figures deaths due to the catastrophes now exceed 15,000.
The media focus still remains on the Fukushima reactors and the hyperbole has led to the begin of migration out of the unaffected city of Tokyo, many miles to the south, and an exodus of foreigners. A Russian expert commenting to Reuters believed that, in the absence of combustible graphite rods in these nuclear reactors, there was not a risk of a Chernobyl like incident. What was needed was a restoration of power to the reactor cooling pumps.
The United Nations reach an unexpected agreement in passing a resolution permitting the implementation of a no-fly zone in Libya and an immediate cessation of hostilities. It remains to be seen whether it has arrived too late to assist the popular uprising now almost restricted to Benghazi.
In contrast, there is a muted western response to the suppression of the uprising in Bahrain with troops from Saudi Arabia.
The afternoon digressed into an investigation into the values ascribed to different colours. This was prompted by an observation by my now departed German guests, when perusing the bountiful wares in large shopping establishments, about the preponderance of stygian shades in products labels. It appears that black with gold or silver lettering is efficacious in conveying the impression of quality, whilst bright red and expanses of white are more suggestive of products at the lower end of the price spectrum.
Whilst we dine in relative comfort within our homes, the situation in Japan appears to be deteriorating with poor weather and problems in the distribution of food. Current figures deaths due to the catastrophes now exceed 15,000.
The media focus still remains on the Fukushima reactors and the hyperbole has led to the begin of migration out of the unaffected city of Tokyo, many miles to the south, and an exodus of foreigners. A Russian expert commenting to Reuters believed that, in the absence of combustible graphite rods in these nuclear reactors, there was not a risk of a Chernobyl like incident. What was needed was a restoration of power to the reactor cooling pumps.
The United Nations reach an unexpected agreement in passing a resolution permitting the implementation of a no-fly zone in Libya and an immediate cessation of hostilities. It remains to be seen whether it has arrived too late to assist the popular uprising now almost restricted to Benghazi.
In contrast, there is a muted western response to the suppression of the uprising in Bahrain with troops from Saudi Arabia.
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