You The Biscuit

2011-12-08T09:45:00.001-08:00

I love this work of love. 12 drawings a day for 4 years... superb artist. Bursting with life, energy and ideas. Pen on paper.

12 Drawings a Day - 12 Dessins par Jour from Denis Chapon on Vimeo.

2011-12-05T12:48:00.001-08:00

The Beauty Of A Second.

I love this idea, 1 second video clips from everyone everywhere... you can submit yours for the 3rd round by 13 December.

Stop Motion Animation

2011-11-15T07:23:00.001-08:00

Its so refreshing to see stop motion animation, especially in this digital age. This is really sweet...

Hudson - Against The Grain from Dropbear on Vimeo.

Bricking it!

2011-11-07T04:55:00.000-08:00

I really like this piece of physical skill for a couple of reasons;

1. its a skill I knew a lot of circus artists would love to have, it must have taken a while to perfect his technique. He even has the failed attempt to add tension.

2. Its not in a circus. Its just everyday life. Its for a purpose that isnt entertainment, but the seeds are there...

The cat is sleeping

2011-09-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

The cat has come on and found some colour. Still very sleepy and furry.

More pre sketch sketches....

2011-09-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

Some more sketches for the book or the animation oh what the hell Both!.

Sketching the book

2011-09-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

My children's book is coming along... and in doing so lots of other ideas have come to the fore.
Here are some early illustrations for the Hairy Diary.

Thoughts and doodles

2011-08-09T13:39:00.001-07:00

Been a busy bee recently, lot's of admin, preparing my masterclasses and workshops in comedy, character development and improvisation. (if anyone is interested please contact me). I've been writing them also for animators as well as theatre students and professional actors and performers.

Speaking of animation I spent a fantastic weekend down Montreal at the Cinametheque for a masterclass by PIXAR. Matthew Lhun was superb sharing his vast knowledge of 'story'. What I found amazing were the links and parallels between Animation and or film and creating shows and acts. Character development and physicality is a huge part of the animation process at Pixar and for us clown/actors as well. So my creative juices are flowing and all the things that needed to be reinforced, were.

My book is slowly coming, having two kids at home means my work rate has slowed a little but it is moving and soon school starts. Some little sketches...

Sketchbook

2011-05-30T09:28:00.000-07:00

We have a bird nesting in one of hanging baskets around the front door.

My wife found a nest in the basket and brought it out for the kids to see.... later I saw a bird flying in and out of the basket.. hhmmm I thought, thats nice... later still I thought, wait a minute maybe she is building another one (Dont ask me why I thought like that, maybe they just love to build) I went to check and there were two little eggs... Aaah

Then the click moment. She made the nest to lay her eggs in it! WOW sometimes I'm surprised I can get out of bed in the morning. Anyway we replaced the nest and managed to get her eggs in there without touching them with our hands. So now she is very happy sitting in her nest.

Mind you we really played with her head. Nest, no nest, eggs, eggs and nest ?!?!?!?!?!?! So in tribute to all feathery things...

Animation for Kilimandjaro

2011-05-04T07:30:00.000-07:00

Just did a simple little animation for my wife's mother.

She is climbing Kilimanjaro and raising money for Mira and organisation that "works to help disabled individuals lead their lives independently as functioning members of society. We do this by providing dogs bred and trained to respond to their adaptation and rehabilitation needs."

Good luck Marie Claire...

Here's the link to the animation ~ http://www.youthebiscuit.com/marieclaire.html

Animation in an App ~ Task Dude is out!

2011-04-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

Well at last the anti procrastination app is out... took 10 long years of distractions... No not really.

I did the illustrations and animation for this neat handy little app. I think its a great idea as we... OK, I always need an elbow in the ribs to get back on track. You can download the app here ~ http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/taskdude/id428891160?mt=8&ls=1#

And the developers web site is here ~ www.inspirapption.com

Hope you enjoy it!!

Incident at tower 37

2011-03-23T05:31:00.000-07:00

Chris Perry released his independent short animation for world water day. Brilliant.

Character illustration

2011-02-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

Another character that didnt make it...

They end up here in the characters junk yard... the ones that didnt cut it... the almosts...hhhmmm maybe I'll start a new site, character junk yard . com and we can all share the ones that never made it.

Frog cartoon character..

2011-02-04T11:28:00.000-08:00

Some character designs. Didn't get used in the end but I like them....

Frog

Illustration and animation of jokes...

2011-01-26T19:07:00.000-08:00

This is the animation I made for Punchline Tees. I created the character, the setting, I really like the curtains I made... its the details eh? They ended up asking if I could do the voice as well, why not? There are about 4 jokes I've animated so I might post so more. All done in Flash and exported for iPad as Quicktime.

Books...

2010-11-16T07:02:00.000-08:00

Book characters...

Stand Up

2010-11-12T11:43:00.000-08:00

Working on a stand up comedian for a client. Telling jokes and drinking... and thats just me!?!

2010-10-18T17:11:00.000-07:00

I'm currently producing my animated book... its on its way but very much in its infancy. Here are quick character studies... more to be revealed as we go along. Stayed tuned.

Artwork

2010-10-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

Another collection of artwork done in Flash. Playing with characters, scenes and props.

More of those scenes and characters all mixed.

2010-09-08T09:42:00.000-07:00

Been having fu testing out the creations. Making stories and narratives, here's a little taste.

Characters and Scenes

2010-09-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a little mix of what I've been doing for Whaang.

All Flash, vector based graphics, super lite...

Backgrounds

2010-09-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

I've been developing some backgrounds for an online comic client and thought I'd share some ideas. Created in Flash.... they are also designed to give a feel of a place where something could happen. I feel its always the ordinary where the extra-ordinary happens.

Thinking, freedom, creativity and true success.

2010-08-31T16:10:00.000-07:00

Flash Artwork

2010-08-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a little look at a couple of characters I've been working for Whaang.. should be going live soon, very excited about it. Users can choose backgrounds or situations, then drop in characters with different props to create there own comic stories, its a lot of fun and a great concept.

Design...

2010-08-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

Recently been embedded in Flash illustration and to get me re energized and fresh I go out and cut the lawn or go for a run... Now these two things have recently had great change and given great thoughts.

Mowing the lawn was a chore, I had an anti Eco petrol mower that spread all the dust, twigs, small stones and occasional blades of grass over a mile radius of my garden. The kids, my wife and dog locked up safe inside as I blasted my country location with noise and fumes... NO MORE. I have an old fashioned Hodder der der (Thanks Eddie Izzard) But its more than a leap in ecological gardening, its a brilliant design. When Brilliant designs arrive you know immediately because its form and function in perfect harmony. Its like walking in the park, yes 'G and T' in one hand, kids running around, the grass looking healthy, birds singing and an amazing feeling of really enjoying myself. Another huge design feature, by accident or on purpose, is when you push the mower there is a slight by very satisfying resistance... it kicks in a split second after you start pushing giving you enough time to push with ease before it gets slightly harder and ... it feels really good. Its that simple, immediate bio feedback. Addictive and satisfying.

Now running. The foot. Michael Angelo called it the greatest of designs and now I'm trusting in evolution and my body by running barefoot. The first time just 10 minutes down the track in the woods... I smiled the whole way, it was liberating and I had so much energy. Day two rested as my calves certainly felt the difference. Day 3, 15 minutes in the woods.. feeling really good. So I just started but so far it feels right. After all they were designed for this. Inspired by Born to Run by Christopher McDougall and Barefoot Ted. Its all about thinking, really thinking about why we do what we do.

I know, no Flash in there but it'll all come out in the wash.

Character sketch

2010-07-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Some roughs for Flash characters.

More form the sketchbook.

2010-07-17T08:57:00.000-07:00

Some drawing from life and as roughs for upcoming animation/comic site client of mine. All to be done in Flash, but I love the feel of pencil and paper

Characters

2010-07-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Been playing with some seaside characters for a online book I'm animating thought I'd share a few of them. Coming out as an interactive book about seahorses with Tumblebooks.

Characters

2010-07-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

Fish in Flash

Kite Boy....

2010-06-01T08:52:00.000-07:00

Sketch that led to one of my.. almost but not quite pop up cards....

Sketchbook

2010-05-27T04:44:00.000-07:00

Here are some sketches from the sketch book.... Playing with hair styles. They are still in their infancy but I'll nurture them and see where we get to.

More Sketching...

2010-05-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

I've had this little character in my head for a while, inspired by my daughter... she's a real free spirit, country girl with a curious fascination for pop music, Lady Ga Ga and Gymnastics... she loves her hair. I created a series of "How I wear my hair". This is one of the early ones. I'll try and upload the rest. As you can see my sketch book is used a lot the other drawings are coming through... but you still can get a good feel of where I'm going.

AND I know, no arms... but I feel it really works.

Sketchbook

2010-05-23T16:50:00.000-07:00

I've decided to share my sketches with you.. well with anyone really. So I've started scanning my pencil drawings, these are playing with characters and situations. I guess its all part of master plan... but that will come later. These are pretty rough and you can see ideas being pushed and scrubbed around the outside, but theres still that magic quality of pencil on paper (A nice heavy 3b as well) Nothing will ever replace pencil and paper its such a wonderful sensitive and immediate medium, I love it.

Anyway I'll be posting more from my sketch book. Some are related to my animation work and some for the love of drawing.

Flash CS5 icon play time....

2010-05-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

Playing with the new CS5 icons and banner... Just seeing how it would look if it were me. Glad its not me to be honest.

duplicateMovieClip.... where did you go?

2010-05-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

OR ... there really is no duplicateMovieClip in AS3. So where do you go and what do you do? I used this alot in AS2, great for developing organic animations and out of synch, natural effects. so I was a little lost in the beginning. Thankfully there are lots of far more talented people than me about so stand on the shoulders of giants to help you go further.

There are many options like this from ~ Senocular ~. The I came across this at ~ Mr. Doob ~ So clean and simple. I really like it, although it duplicates objects/swf's from outside your file, for me not a problem. You just have to keep your assets in good order. He has some great lab works to play with as well.

If you search there are many ways round it, seems a shame to lose such a useful tool, but I guess its out shone by everything else that AS3 has to offer.

2010-05-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

A quick sketch of Obama. Done in Photoshop with my Wacom.

Photoshop fun and biscuits...

2010-05-03T15:56:00.000-07:00

Logo fun for You The Biscuit.

Crunchy, tasty and really good dunked. Hows that for a pitch line...

Animation

2010-04-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

Tall Thin Walk. AS3, bones tool is great for limbs and giving that pendulum feel. This is a different style. Wire in mind, just a simple character test.

link to animation here ~ http://www.youthebiscuit.com/play01.html

Not really but almost, Pop-up card.

2010-04-23T17:57:00.000-07:00

I guess this is a cross over hybrid model. More of a 'bend round card' than a pop up. I playing with characters and exploring more interesting ways of showing them.

Card, pen and ink and a little glue.

Quick Sketch

2010-04-23T13:29:00.000-07:00

Quick sketch of Jimi... to keep my hand ad eye in.

Character Animation.

2010-04-21T05:43:00.000-07:00

I've been loving the bones tool in CS4 AS3 and have been able to clean up some character designs.

Links to the animation coming soon.

Characters to animate.

2010-04-21T05:33:00.000-07:00

Here's another in that same style... a butterfly that makes me smile already.

Characters.

2010-04-21T05:31:00.000-07:00

Just been playing in Flash and creating some characters to animate. I like the feel of these sketches not too clean and not too rough. Bright and colourful and quirky.

Bird nest.

InterActive Books

2010-04-21T05:20:00.000-07:00

I've been working on developing some interactive educational books for Tumblebooks. Its been a great project and lots to work out. The key is always working out the way to show so much information in a simple clear and understandable way. Using standard symbols and expectations already brought on by the majority of internet sites is a good way to make users feel at home and give them confidence to explore further.

Dolphins is almost finished...

Sheep money

2010-03-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

Before money we used to barter and trade our valuable assets and skills, pottery, cows and sheep.... Now you can do both. The sheep is valuable...

Thoughts on thinking and inspiration

2010-03-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

Tips for Better Ideas from Andrew 'Big Show' Blodgett on Vimeo.

Really nice video about inspiration... when it doesn't come there are certain ticks to do and one is just to watch this. Makes me smile.

Photography ~ Flickr

2010-02-16T12:19:00.001-08:00

Bark 01, originally uploaded by YouTheBiscuit.

I have at last created a Flickr account for my photographs. If you'd like to head on over there you can see my latest shots.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/youthebiscuit/

This was taken on a short walk in the woods, the bark of a big old white pine.

Never ever complain your too old !!!!

2010-02-04T11:22:00.000-08:00

This is the most inspiring video I've seen in a long time. There is no message just joy and an incredible old lady... allegedly 90!!!!

What ever her age that is life living.

Apple Keyboard cleaning time....

2010-01-28T05:56:00.001-08:00

OK this isn't really about my creations or discoveries animating and coding... but chores are chores and they've got to be done. I haven't iSkin for my keyboard and its suffered the consequence. I spent the whole morning taking apart and cleaning my keyboard and lucky to find this image so I could put the keys back together.

I was tempted to rearrange the keys and re-map them as the QWERTY layout was invented purely for the type writer so the mechanical arms wouldn't get stuck with fast users... As for an intuitive and easy layout its terrible. But I'm use to it and looking to sell my iMac for an upgrade.... if your interested?
Anyway its like new now and gleaming and a dream to use..

Happy cleaning!

Martin

2010-01-22T17:23:00.000-08:00

Here's a little foot note for the Quicktime post... I found a great app called SoundConverter. Appropriate as this is what it does. BUT, what it does for me is convert PERFECTLY, with many choices, .swf to MP3 (and more).

Created by Steve Dekorte. The OSX version is free for files under 500K and only $14 for a license. Support small business and smart people. Thanks Steve.

Great bit of software creation. Get it here ~ http://dekorte.com/projects/shareware/SoundConverter

2010-01-22T17:12:00.000-08:00

Flash CS4 and exporting to Quicktime

I know I'm not the first to have this issue... in fact I think its been around since CS3 but I've been having problems exporting Flash movie to Quicktime.

But lets take a step back because originally all I wanted was the sound files. I'm running CS4 on a Mac and I haven't got the original sound files. My first step was to go to the library and right clicking (CTRL Clicking) and using the 'edit with...' I then use a fantastic little app called Switch. It converts everything (Sound wise) to almost everything else and if you pay, to everything else. Its very simple clean app. for MAC and PC ~ http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html.

Anyway I digress.... the "edit with " approach only works if you have the original sound files... which I didnt. BUT wait, there's the obvious way, I hear you cry... just 'export movie' and choose WAV and there you go.... Oh no no, not if you have a MAC... its true!. It doesn't exist!! If someone can enlighten me to this incredible omission, I'm all ears.

So, next step export to Quicktime and then rip the sound out... actually I have the option just to export Quicktime sound, GREAT I thought. No said my mac... an error occurred. No number, no excuses, no info just an error! To cut a long story short here's what to do if you encounter many different versions of the same problem... and I'm still not guaranteeing success.

Instead of exporting to the last frame, use the time function.... divide your frame numbers by your frame rate to give seconds and then work out your minutes etc.... I have heard that it might be better to make it slightly longer that the actual movie as it can still hang. It fixed my errors and I used the exact time (Lucky me : ) ).

Using the “Quicktime Settings….” you can switch to Sorenson, with specific types of screen settings, this will help solve the hang/error.

Also if you have stop() action in the main timeline this might cause Quicktime to ... stop ! Playing with Quicktime’s compression settings can solve this. So make sure you don’t have a stop() action in your main time line that prevents the play head from getting there.

More fun and games with our beloved Flash soon....

Martin

Creative thinking for health.

2010-01-09T13:16:00.000-08:00

Given the choice would you take the stairs or the escalator?

This is such a great idea. Confronting human beings innate lazy side with creativity and play. 66% MORE people chose the stairs.. this playful incentive really works.

2009-12-18T16:50:00.000-08:00

Just finished a little Christmas animation fun ~ Rain Dear ~

Looks Like Rain Dear...

Sketched in Flash and a lot of homemade soundFX. Hope you all have a great Christmas.

2009-12-18T16:41:00.000-08:00

Doing some pop up cards again this year and thought I'd share. All once piece hand cut... AND for sale...

Animation

2009-12-12T07:44:00.000-08:00

Been really busy recently, updating clients sites, performing some shows and doing a lot of Flash Animation. I'm working for a great company that animates kids books with read along text, thus helping kids to read while be entertaining. The animation work is really enjoyable, animating other peoples illustrations... its all about rhythm... The company is called Tumblebooks and has already developed an iPhon app for the books and interactive books are in the pipeline for a less passive experience.

Here's a snap shot and click here to view it on line.

3D sketching

2009-09-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

I saw this application aired a couple of months ago that allowed for 3 dimensional sketching or drawing. I think the app was developed by some guys in Toronto and it was/is truly amazing. I saw, I wanted it and I thought of what I could do... When they previewed the app it is represented very rationally, meaning the creations they developed were very architectural, very clean, and mostly quite boring... sorry guys, but with a tool like that you got to let rip. At last some one has. I know it should have been me, but I havent got the money or the contacts... YET.

Free lancing...

2009-09-07T17:32:00.001-07:00

I read this article... once... and it talked of how the US sees and battles with the notion of freelancers... Are they self employed or business owners or what, WHAT WHAT ARE THEY...

I realise (AGAIN) that us freelancers are on the outskirts of society. Even though we are 25 million strong we are still seen as a 'Condition'.
Fascinating, as for me and all I know it is a choice. A choice taken because we know that society isnt really under control. Society and sanity is the illusion we and every one else creates so we can go on from day to day. Being a freelancer, self employed, someone who goes it a lone, a free thinker, a whatever is a choice taken when one realises that what we are living is LIFE, there is no second chance and time to realise what is important to ones self. We are here now and we dont want someone telling us what is what when we feel and know something else to be true. Someone else telling us what decision to make for someone, or worse some entity else. To give your life, time, energy, commitment ... I watched my father give his entire life to a company that, at the end of his working career gave him... literally, just a watch!!!! How ironic. They didnt care so gave him something to remind him of time.. his time that he gave to them for...?
Am I going to deep... I feel not. This is the root of FREElancing... choices, no constraints. There are so many rules and most unwritten on how to live your life, reinforced by the media and societies pressures, but the Buddhists have known far longer than our so called advanced first world society that when one is in the present and not in ones head (Fantasising about what if and maybe) that the most important things are present. Freelancing allows one to give entirely oneself, creatively and physically precisely because we are not OWNED by a company. Thus creativity, individualism, and leaps in thought and creativity are nurtured and opened to all that is possible.

Ownership is a huge issue on the internet these days, but as we try to hold on tighter to the things that we think we have ownership over the faster they slip away. If you are creative you will always be creative... it is not just one idea you'll have. Give and you will receive... I'm not a Bible lover I have to admit, in fact I dont believe in God (But thats another post) but this really rings true in my experience. I have seen so many people be protective over what they feel is there creation, where it has consumed them and their time... meanwhile the whole world and everyone with it has moved on and lived there lives and forgotten about who came up with it. You will always be rewarded for creativity, you just have to watch your expectations!

I know from experience that EVERYONE is creative. There are so many pressures and judgements that not every one feels that they are and of course the confident creative ones can be become very eloquent at protecting there space, their 'creativity' presenting it as magical, gifted and not possible by mere mortals...

All I'm saying is hold on less, let go more and never stop playing, creating and supporting.

Articles like this are great but also show how freelancers a perceived by the majority. The most important thing is to sit well with yourself and your choices. If you dont, do something about it other wise you might end up at the end of your life with a watch and a lot of bitterness.

I love freelancing and being a freelancer it suits my personality and my view of what life should be.... mine to decide what to do with.

Cheers,
Martin

Animation

2009-08-22T17:38:00.000-07:00

Just been watching my wife rehearse and perform her German Wheel act and i got to thinking about the movement and animation. The wheel weighs 100lbs so there's a LOT of momentum there, yes she's really strong and technically brilliant.

I loved the movement, the flipping and rolling so slow then quick. So anyway the long and short is I sketched and animated it in Flash. Its just a short piece but has a really nice quality and keeps that feel even though its very un-realistic drawings...

Click here to see it in its rolling glory...

Graphic design print work...

2009-08-20T17:07:00.000-07:00

I created a DVD cover for a superb performer whose web site i also designed a couple of years back... wow that went quick... We kept to the same feel as the site so all sends the same classy, quirky and professional feel.

Here's the original site if you haven't already checked it out. Click here.

Book her, she's fantastic!

Bloggers Block...

2009-08-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

Havent blogged for a while... been very busy, travelling and working. But so many things have happened as well.

Been playing with a Flash clock, not very innovative but a lot of fun... here's version 6 - Flash Clock

Also lots of drawing and animation on its way. Check the TwitPics for latest doodles.

I'll be posting more soon as the mad summer is mellowing.

More twits on Twitter

2009-05-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

Since signing on to twitter, even I have seen an exponential growth of users... The reason for me is simple.. its simple! Unlike Facebook there are no 3,000 extra apps knocking at our door before you can even get to your account. Its very immediate and the best is you dont actually have go through the web interface.
There are numerous little applications, many of them AIR apps (Flash and Flex based) that sit in the background (More often in the foreground) of your computer loading in the tweets.
I've been trying out a few. I started with Twitterific http://iconfactory.com/software/twitterrific. I'm still using it occasionally, it has a clean simple interface, but some times I find it too simple. When I get into twittering with my Twfreinds I like to organise a little, list them in @replies or list the direct messages I have and for this I do like Twhirl ~ http://www.twhirl.org/. This is an AIR app and I used to find it sluggish, but I think they have streamlined the CP usage so its a lot more responsive. Very customisable. Finally I came across Skimmer ~ http://www.fallon.com/. This is great it encompasses all your socials... again it can be sluggish as is the nature of AIR apps sometimes but its very clean and groovy. Hasn't got the functionality of the Twhirl but I really like it, its beautiful and like beautiful objects we forgive a lot.

Thats touching on the subject of why beautiful things work better.. they do, but that's for another time.

New Artist Web Site

2009-04-23T14:31:00.000-07:00

I've created a web portfolio for an Artist, Monique Laramee. She has some amazing work the is flamboyant, beautifully coloured, mixed media and visually poetic.

We needed to create a site that would be a platform for her paintings, simple interface with four periods of artistic life represented...

The site has a lot of images so I decided to use XML to load the images into Flash, easily up-datable and changeable.

Visit the site

Flash AS3

2009-04-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

Well I'M making the switch in Flash from ActionScript 2 to ActionScript 3. So far its seems to be truly fascinating and I believe a great enhancement. Millions of articles have already been written by far worthier scripters than myself, but I have to say there are some great essential leaps that have been made. User created objects is a great addition and opens up the a whole new arena.

I'm using a great book Learning AS3 by Rich Shupe - http://tinyurl.com/cd8g43 - and obviously numerous on line resources...

I'm also upgrading to CS4. I'll let you know how I get on.

The birds are coming

2009-02-11T15:56:00.000-08:00

Life has been busy and full recently. Discovering AS3 lots of new print work.. links to follow and the all NEW YouTheBiscuit web site is under way. I have been exploring bird flight and actionscript and come up with this...

Click here to see the birds n flight. A quick knock up and its incredibly light... 4KB !!

Here's a quick screen shot. Yes these birds will be starring in the new site. Should be up in a couple of weeks.

Print work.

2009-01-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

Recently created a poster for stand up comedian, Sharon Mahoney. She wanted something that reflected the personal issues that she uncovers through out the show, her great aunt, her aunts love of the last steel body car, heart disease, crohn's, love and death. Full of talent and very funny her show premieres in Australia this February.

Video creation

2008-12-10T09:34:00.000-08:00

Just finished creating a new promotional video for wire walker, Madeleine Prevost - Lemire. We had to re edit 6 minutes of music to make a viable 2 minute piece with a noticeable start middle and end. Keeping the tension and build in the music. We then ciut down the act to give a feel of what she has to offer and to make interesting viewing.

This is the third video we've done for Madeleine and its always a pleasure.

Click here to view the video in small flash format.

Colour Lovers

2008-11-23T09:13:00.000-08:00

I have been creating palettes and patterns on Line via a Fantastic creative resource www.colourlovers.com

You can check out my palettes here http://www.colourlovers.com/lover/YouTheColour.

tWitteR

2008-11-20T13:10:00.000-08:00

Here's my twitter link: http://twitter.com/YouTheBiscuit If oyu follow you get Twetched. Very enticing I know.

http://twitpic.com/photos/youthebiscuit This is the TwitPic link.

Twetches... Twitter sketches

2008-11-19T14:39:00.000-08:00

I been twittering for a couple of weeks now. I'm not a maniac, but I do enjoy the contact with friends and design news when it comes in. The main thing about all social networks, visually, is the avatar. The little picture that represents you.
So I thought it might be interesting to sketch things that have shrunk and played with already and then send them back... So its a little project now. It keeps my quick sketch skills up.

You follow me on twitter you get TWETCHED!! Twitter Sketched.

Done with Wacom Intuos 3 and Photoshop.

2008-11-14T15:31:00.000-08:00

Here's a talk from Tim Brown all about creativity and play. The importance of play to feel free and safe enough to make those leaps and bounds. Great talk. I found it amazing that this is all the games and talks I've done in improvisation and clowning...

I think this is so important. It reflects how a person is and feels. The play is taken out of us by schools and work places and we are left, supposedly adult... but barren and ultimately very unhappy.

Take a look and go play in the sand.

CSS eMailer

2008-11-14T14:50:00.000-08:00

Just finished a CSS/HTML conversion of Dushan Milic design for his first eMailer.

Nice clean layout with drop shadows... Had a bit of fiddle to get them to layout correctly under each image but got there in the end.

The thing with eMailers is the other end. You never know which program the end user is using and a lot of e Mail programs strip tags or add them. You can end up with four 'body' tags easily. You also have to keep the CSS inLine and not an external sheet.

Always a pleasure to work on someone else design... especially when they know what there doing.

Pop up design creation.

2008-10-23T15:14:00.000-07:00

I wanted to create a pop up card for my bother & sister in-law for the arrival of there new daughter. I played around with cheesy teddy bears and rabbits, until I thought a bit deeper of what had just happened and how the baby arrives... we all know dont we?

New Project

2008-10-21T09:54:00.000-07:00

I've been playing with ActionScript and gravity. I have big interest in the way you can create certain effects using mathematical script. Its a lovely effect and feels very real.
Click here.

Illustrationer!

2008-10-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

Just like everyone to check out a great talent in Illustration and Art Direction. Dushan Milic. A Canadian who has gained a superb reputation for his wit and visual mastery and is often seen in the Globe and Mail, New York Times, Wall Street Journal to name but a few.

A very funny man now settling in amongst the dykes and canals of Holland. With pen actual and virtual in hand and his inline wheelchair, maybe one day he'll draw me a biscuit.

Viewing Images....

2008-10-02T16:46:00.001-07:00

I have been playing with xml and media RSS and have put up a gallery test using the new Cool Iris 3D wall viewing software.

http://www.youthebiscuit.com/gallery.html

I love the effect, especially with lots of images, its very impressive. You can add more than one gallery per page and you can draw images and galleries from across domains.

Paper art and Origami

2008-09-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

I have been making pop-up cards and playing with paper for a long time. But now with an amazing mix of technology, new thought and old crafts what can be created is INCREDIBLE. Check this on TED
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/robert_lang_folds_way_new_origami.html

Christmas cards, one piece, cut and fold. These are for sale and I'll put a link up soon to the rest of my collection.

The more you pay the more you get. ?!

2008-09-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

Well this made me laugh, top designers playing around or accident?

Great Design

Thats a lot of money for . . . a bit of a cock up.

Martin

New Flash Designer on the block.

2008-08-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

My daughter is 5 and three quarters... and has started to play with Flash. Its great to watch how creative she is, how easy it is to create things.. anything... everything. She has now got the hang of my or should I say our Wacom tablet and loves drawing and creatin little Flash interactions.

Have a look and a laugh..

Click here

Martin

Karina Gauvin...

2008-07-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

here's the link to the new Karina Gauvin site . . . www.karinagauvin.com

The site has really nice subtle colour fades all the way through which fits great with the sound track of her incredible vocal talents.

It was a great to work with Karina on her new site and we look forward to a continuing relationship.

Duo Volart Site up and running...

2008-07-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

The new Duo Voltart site is up and running.

After initial ideas of using papyrus or old paper background we dropped it for a more classic pure black and images of their exceptional act. The site is clear, simple and powerful. Making full use of Flash and its ability to make it a seamless user experience and being able to format exactly as the client wants.

The is dual language in English and French and relies on easy importation of text files for the content.

See the full site here

A little thumbnail of the intro page...

New Work...

2008-07-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

We have recently been working on a Flash based web site for multi Juno Award winner Karin Gauvin.

Karina is Canada's star Soprano singer and wanted a new site reflecting her and her art. Its been a real pleasure and a great creative journey to create a site that gives off the right feeling in a visual, interactive and audible way.

New site link coming soon.

Christmas Game.

2008-01-05T08:05:00.000-08:00

Made a simple little Flash based game for "The Mat Velvet & Charlie Show" as part of there Christmas e mail campaign.

We created cartoon designs for each character and then made a simple interactive experience. We kept it simple as we know how people get very busy this time of year. It was enough to just get them involved and be amused but not over burden them.

View the actual game here.

2008-01-05T07:22:00.000-08:00

.:: Joyeux Noël ::..:: Happy Christmas ::.

.:: HAPPY NEW YEAR ! ::..:: BONNE ANNÉE ! ::.

May the next year bring happiness, green thoughts and Biscuits...

New New New

2007-12-11T17:57:00.001-08:00

Just finishing off the last touches to a Professional Coaching Company from UK. A great company providing a space to think, reflect and move forward. We can all do with this. Personal coaching is a fascinating and very productive area and its been a really good experience designing this site.

www.aspace2b.co.uk

Up coming.

2007-12-11T17:44:00.000-08:00

Working on Duo Voltart's new web site.It should be live soon, hopefully before christmas. In the meantime here's a teaser of the opening page.

Design and others designing...

2007-12-11T17:33:00.000-08:00

Have been working on Sharon Mahoney (An exceptionally funny woman from BC) dot com. Its not my design but I have been fulfilling empty promises from another designer. The site is all flash based and its fascinating to work on a site that has been created by someone else.

I always knew the importance of good code and good site building but when looking into someone else's design it makes you realise whats on the outside may not reflect what's on the inside. Although the closer you look on the outside (this being the interface of the site) the more you realise that you actually can tell what's on the inside (How its been built).

So its been an education and a complete affirmation of my ideas and ideals. If you dont do it properly first time its a frigging nightmare to work on it again. Having said this its also been a joy and that is because of the client... That's why i love designing, re designing, coding and creating. You always learn something new and its great to make people happy. I realise there is a lot of crap out there... but then I'm sure you do as well.

Logo Animation

2007-09-27T16:31:00.001-07:00

Pro Session a UK based coaching service required logo and animation. Click here to view. Here is the original logo.

Also while we are on the subject of animating logos here is one I wasn't asked to do, it was something I just wanted to do. I sent it to the company based in Montreal not searching for work and hoping not to offend but just to see what was thought, to get feedback and make a connection but unfortunately I heard nothing in reply. Click here. You can follow the links to see more Flash projects and ideas.

Pictures...Speak...Words...

2007-09-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

Logo Work

2007-09-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

I was recently asked to create a new logo for a young and forward thinking company called Soul Acrobats. They are artists currently in a Cirque du Soleil production, but they also are creating motivational DVD's, books and giving seminars. I liked their philosophy and understand that sometimes to think we need to move. Discovering our selves through movement, our limitations and how to surpass them. Its not all in the head, to free the mind you need to free your body as well. Oh and biscuits...

A recent batch of creative biscuits

2007-09-20T18:20:00.001-07:00

Its been a busy time since my last post. The biscuit has been baking and new recipes have been tried.

Out of the oven over the last months has been Flash banner work for Ifti Chaudhri, some video work for Madeleine Prevost (wire walker) and Cirque Fantastic. This was all carried out using Premiere Pro and Final Cut. We use both depending on how the project looks as each application feels different and allows for slightly different expressions. All the video projects are rendered at full quality and then encoded through Flash for the web.

As usual a little visual treat I've been playing with;

Another batch of dough going in...

Creating...

2007-05-08T19:36:00.000-07:00

Currently working on a logo and in a distraction came up with this...

Where's the Biscuit?

2007-05-07T06:08:00.000-07:00

You The Biscuit Web Site is on its way.

Client work comes first, but I feel I have some time coming up.

While we wait I have inculded a quick sketch. This was done in Photoshop with a Wacom tablet.

Happy days,
Martin The Biscuit

Who is the Biscuit?

2007-04-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

:: Creative collectivE ::

Web :: Animation :: Video :: Illustration :: Photographic

A name says a lot and yet nothing.

A companies name is very important and yet considering human beings can only live on 4% of the planets surface... not that important.

You The Biscuit :: You The Artist :: You The Client :: You the Blog