WEEK 3: Creativity Of Microsoft

Found this video on YouTube just now and I want to share with all of you guys. It's shows the creativity of Microsoft that made a music video to promote their new upgrade of MS-DOS 5.0. It's kind of funny, classic and good commercial for me. Watch the video and share your comment! It's totally fun and hilarious actually. Hahaha! Enjoy!

WEEK 3: Class Activity - Analogy

This is another interesting and fun class activity. We had given several images from different categories. In this exercise, the lecturer asked us to write a short statement or maybe a poem that can best describe the concept of "LOVE" by refering to the images given. Wow! It's not easy for me, but I've tried my best. Let see what can I say about LOVE... ;)

Landscape/Mountain/Sky

Love is like climbing a mountain, it's getting tough as you reach at the peak.

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Ice-Cream

Love is like an ice-cream. Lots of colors, flavors, and tastes.

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Credit Card/Wallet

Finding a true love is like choosing a credit card. You can get a lot of benefits if you choose wisely.

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Time/Clock/Watch

Love is as precious as time,

It's just like a gift,

Appreciate it evey moment of the day.

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Sports Car

Falling in love is like having a sports car. You'll feel very special, unique and full of luxury.

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Kitten/Cat and Duck

Love is blind. You may love anyone you like, just like a cat that fell in love with a duck.

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Garbage

Don't let your love become like garbage. Stinky, dirty and brings unpleasant feeling to all.

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So, how is it? Good or bad? Hehe.. By the way, at the end of the class, Mr. Radzi gave us a homework. It is the same activity such as the above, but this time we have been asked to describe a concept of man or women using a "Gargabe" image and any other 2 images listed above.

These are what I've done:

• Garbage - Don't throw away your women like a garbage, eventhough they can be "dirty" in certain period.
  
• Sports Car - Women are like a sports car, very special, extraordinary and need extra care from the owner.


• Ice-Cream - Women's heart is like the ice-cream. Easily melted when saw a "hot" guy.

To all women out there, please don't get mad and angry with me. Hahaha! It is just a homework that lecturer assigned me to do. Take it as a joke and don't take it too serious. OK? So, I end it here. Bye.

WEEK 3: Analogy: Metaphor & Similies

Analogy

1. Definition (from Answer.com):
- Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.
- A comparison based on such similarity.

2. Consists of Metaphor and Similies.
- Metaphor: A figure of speech in which 2 different things are linked by some similarity. Not using "as" and "like". Example: Life is a box of chocolate, you will never know what you will get!

Example of metaphor - You Light Up My Life

- Similies: Using "as" and "like". Example: Life is like a maze in which you try to avoid the exit.

Example of similies - Sleeping Like a Log

3. Categories of Analogies:

• Logical Analogies - Use similarities in the design, structure or function to connect back to the subject. Example: A duck can be compared to a hovercraft because of the fact that both of them can move on the surface of land and water.
• Affective Analogies - The emotional resemblance. Used most frequently in conversation to emphasis certain points. Example: He is like a pig (because he is lazy). - Use an animal to explain a certain characteristic of a person.

WEEK 3: Class Activity - Juxtaposition

This activity is regarding the previous topic which is Juxtaposition. We have given a list of words with each words have its own number.

Step 1: Choose several sets of numbers between 01 to 99.
I have chosen 18 and 90.

Step 2: Combine the words from the list by using numbers that you already choose.
18 - Flower Wood
90 - Leave Head

Step 3: Make a sentence by using both words.
18 - That flower is made of wood.
90 - There's a leave on his head.

Step 4: Draw an image based on the sentences created.

18 - That flower is made of wood.

90 - There's a leave on his head.

Step 5: Now, draw an image based on the words that you combined in Step 2, so that when people see the image, they will straightly think the combined word.

18 - Flower wood

90- Leave head

Wheww! Done with the exercise. I can feel that this exercises is getting tougher from step to step. The toughest one is on Step 5 when we need to draw the picture of the words that we combined earlier in Step 2. Those words are not logic and doesn't make sense but, we must try to draw it. As a result, I managed to draw the pictures but sorry, I really don't have talent in drawing. Haha.. By the way, it was a interesting class activity which required the creativity and the brain.

WEEK 3: Juxtaposition

This is the third week of the second trimester of 2008/2009. For today's class, we've learned about Juxtaposition. I believe that some of us may not know or don't even heard about Juxtaposition, just like me before. :P But, after the class I can really understand its meaning and the function of it.

Definition of Juxtaposition:
1. The act of positioning close together (or side by side); a side-by-side position. - thefreedictionary.com

2. The act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side ; also : the state of being so placed. - Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

So basically Juxtaposition is the idea of putting 2 things together side by side and their contrast and similarity are shown through comparison. By juxtaposing 2 things side by side, human brain will automatically transfer their meaning. It can be something familiar or never be heard before.

Example of Juxtaposition:

Found this on the net. It's really funny! Hahaha! People might assume different things when see this picture.

In this documentary, Michael Moore uses juxtaposition when he plays the song "What a Wonder full World" while playing scenes of war and violence. So, it shows the contrast between peace and war.

WEEK 2: What Gender Is Your Brain?

Hi everyone! I'm in my hometown in Pahang right now and it such a beatiful morning here. I feel so good, sitting on a chair and updating my blog for Creative Studies. Oh ya, last night after updating this blog, I've found something interesting to share with all of you. I've found it on Blogthings.com, an interesting website that provide lots of things that you can put in your own blog or websites. What we need to do is just to answer all the questions provided, click on the 'Submit' button and the result will be appear after that. The question is, does our brain really have a gender?? Haha.. I've tried it out once and here is the result:

Your Brain is 53% Female, 47% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female You are both sensitive and savvy Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

Wow! Some of those criteria are really represent me. But, 53% female and 47% male? *straight face* OK, just forget about it. Hahaha. For me, it just for fun and no need to take it too serious. By the way, I think all of you should try it out! Just click on the link below. It's really fun when you see the result. Happy trying! ;)

What Gender Is Your Brain?

WEEK 2: Method of Creative Thinking

Mind Mapping
(Informations taken from Litemind.com and lecture notes)

Example of mind map

What is mind map actually?

- A graphical way to represent ideas and concepts. It is a visual thinking tool that helps structuring information, helping you to better analyze, comprehend, synthesize, recall and generate new ideas.

- An activity that is both analytical and artistic, it engages your brain in a much richer way, helping in all its cognitive functions.

- Mind-maps were devised in the 1960s by Tony Buzan, who has written a number of splendid books on the subject.

What are the benefits of of it?
- Mind mapping avoids dull, linear thinking, jogging your creativity and making note taking fun again.

What can we use mind maps for?

• Note taking
• Brainstorming
• Problem solving
• Studying and memorization
• Planning
• Researching information from multiple sources
• Presenting information
• Gaining insight on complex subjects
• Jogging your creativite

How to draw a mind map?
- Start in the middle of a blank page, writing or drawing the idea you intend to develop.
- Develop the related subtopics around this central topic, connecting each of them to the center with a line.
- Repeat the same process for the subtopics, generating lower-level subtopics as you see fit, connecting each of those to the corresponding subtopic.

Some additional tips:
- Use colors, drawings and also symbols. It will be look more interesting and fun.
- Keep the topics labels as short as possible; easy to read, to understand and to remember.
- Vary the text size, color and alignment.

In my opinion, doing a mind map is fun and also the creative way to represents something in a simple way. It is very useful especially for a student to remember what they have studied or any other things. By the way, below is the example of a mind map done by me. It is all about myself. I prefer to do the mind map by drawing rather than do it digitally by using software.

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Logical mind map
Directly connected to stereotypes. The logical mind map comprises of solely stereotype words., which means that every word or image that is put within the mind map is directly related to the central subject through its links.

Logical Mind Maps & Stereotypes
Before beginning a Logical mind map we have to understand what a Stereotype is; below is the definition of the word.

Definitions of Stereotype
ster·e·o·type
A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.
One that is regarded as embodying or conforming to a set image or type.

ster·e·o·typed, ster·e·o·typ·ing, ster·e·o·types
To make a stereotype of.
To characterize by a stereotype: “Elderly Americans are the neglected sector of the fashion industry, stereotyped by blue hair and polyester pantsuits” (American Demographics).
To give a fixed, unvarying form to.

The Rules Of Logical Mindmapping
1. Always have your SUBJECT in the center of the page.
2. Try to make the subject more dominant than the rest of the words and images in the mind map.
3. Decide on the main categories of the subject before executing on mind map.
4. Try to have the different categories in different colors, to make it easier to identify.
5. Try to use drawings or images to make your mind map more interesting and personal.
6. The ideal mind map should be shaped like the roots of a tree, branching out from a center.
7. It is OK to repeat words or even interlink certain words.
8. Try to make your mind map neat and easily legible. REMEMBER one of the aims of the mind map is to create interest and to be able to access information easily.

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Associated Mind Map
Using an associated mind map we are able to generate random words and also show the links between words that seemingly have no connection.

Associated Mind Maps & Random Word
Using an associated mind map we are able to be able to generate random words and also show the links between words that seemingly have no connection. Below is the definition for the word Random.

Definition of Random
ran·dom
Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective: random movements.

The Rules Of Associated Mindmapping
1. Always keep your mind open and relaxed.
2. Start off with the Subject (Word or Image) dominating the center of the page.
3. Immediately branch off in to main categories as you would in a Logical mind map.
4. Pick a link and start expanding. Write the first thing that comes to mind in relationship to the word. Eg. Malaysia – State – United States – Statue of Liberty – Woman – Beautiful
5. The links in the Associated mind map do not have to link directly with the central subject, but instead is only linked to the words surrounding it.
6. Try to put down the first thing that comes to your mind. An Associated mind map is supposed to be fast.
7. Sometimes we tend to get excited and go on and on. But REMEMBER the ideal mind map should be shaped like the roots of a tree, branching out from a center; the same rule applies for the Associated mind map.
8. Have fun. The best Associated mind maps are created when in a relaxed frame of mind.