Categories
Makings

Student Budget Spreadsheet

As many of you might know, the default templates in Excel and Numbers aren’t all that equipped for uni students.

After a fair dose of modification on an existing Numbers template, I’ve optimised this for students, able to put in their incomings, outgoings, student loan, rent, all that jazz and some extra fields for that little bit extra you spend but doesn’t really have a place.

I’ll place it here for you to download and give it a whirl. I haven’t gone over it with a fine comb yet so there may possible be some glitches, but the basic structure works and any feedback is highly appreciated.

Click here to download the Student Budget spreadsheet – This only works in Numbers for Mac (sorry Microsoft users)

Hope this helps.

Categories
Inspiration

Something totally NOT funny.

I’ve just put this on The Cheese Grater, but I wanted to put it here as well. It’s pretty funny  – be sure to watch the remix!

Categories
Makings

MouseDuck

I wonder if there’s an animal as quiet as a mouse but has the swimming capabilities of a duck?

FUCK YEA THERE IS! A MOUSE WITH DUCK FEET!

RatDuck

Categories
Makings

Fatpants Vector

The vector bug has bitten, I’m getting really into doing these things. So I found a photograph on Google and as soon as I saw it, I fell in love. It was perfect.

This one I did so much quicker than the previous,but that’s what comes with practice I suppose. Also this image wasn’t as high resolution as my previous so it was a lot more vague and the detailing was minor.

Here they are side by side, photo by vector, potato potáto.

FatPants

Then I added a background and it’s done. You can see the final version on my portfolio, but to be honest. It’s just got a different background.

Categories
Makings

Vectorisation.

I’ve seen these amazing pop art style images of girls around the internet and on club flyers. I really like them, the simplicity of it, the minimal use of colours.

I decided to give it a go, so I found a photograph of my girlfriend from her old art coursework on my computer and started to vectorise. It was challenging at first, deciding where to put the shadows and in what order to build up the picture on, but I got there eventually and lo and behold, I think for a first attempt, it turned out really well.

Here’s the photo:

DSCF1011

and the final piece.

Vectorised

Viola! I’m going to make some more of these vectors. There’s something quite mesmerizing about the whole process.

Categories
Journal

It’s been a while.

I haven’t really posted anything on here for a wee while. I’m currently focusing more on The Cheese Grater than anything else. Still have some freelance design going on, Co-buy has come to a stand still for now as everyone is too busy with work etc. So yea… that’s about it.

Things are looking good on The Cheese Grater, I’m getting more and more unique page views every day as I’ve been putting it out there a bit more, getting a few more relevant link exchanges going on and it’s working out great. Currently pumping 4 digits worth of unique visitors around. Hopefully it’ll last as some months it can be quite a downer, however, the revamp has really improved everything about it and people are getting lost in the content sitting there for up to half an hour!

The Monster Hunter competition is going well, have over 30 entrants which is nice. Capcom sent more T-Shirts so more prizes for everyone.

Generally, life is pretty good. Can’t wait to go back to university, will be pretty shiick.

Categories
Inspiration

Hard Graft – 2unfold.

In addition to the perfect pair, the desk & chair, I’ve stumbled across this little delight. It’s Hard Graft’s 2Unfold laptop bag.

The great thing about this Italian leather bag is that it can easily be flipped and switched into 8 different types of bag to incorporate either a 17″ or a 13″ laptop. Gorgeous.

2unfold closeup2unfold styles2unfold_illu

Categories
Inspiration

Alain Clark – Father & Friend

Such a nice chill out song. Check out Alain Clark on Youtube.

Categories
Journal

Facebook Page

Well, I don’t know why I didn’t do this sooner but it occurred to me that I haven’t got a Facebook group or page for The Cheese Grater, so instead of making a group I decided on a page, as it’s only a single click from your profile to ‘become a fan’. You can check out the page here:

The Cheese Grater

Well, in it’s first day I’ve gained close to 40 fans. Pretty happy but I want more. I want to build a community around a single website as this IS the key to a website’s success. I also made another page for a website I’m planning on creating called MyDadSaid.com but what I’m doing differently is I’m building the community first before I introduce the website, which will then start being used by many people from the launch.

The gist of MyDadSaid.com is that random people can come on the site and post the things that their dad says. I mean, we all have dads that offer some funny, but to them serious advice, or come out with just plain nonsense. People can then which can vote whether or not they like the quotes or something similar, but I haven’t thought that far ahead into it yet. Would be a fun little website to have.

Apart from that, nothing much new. Still thinking, still dreaming.

Categories
Inspiration

Perfect Pair. Desk & Chair

If like me, you absolutely hate wires then the Bluelounge StudioDesk ($600) is the desk for you. It’s absolutely stunning. But what is a desk without a chair? The Herman Miller Embody Chair ($1,600) to be precise.

“The Embody allows for a crazy amount of tweaking and adjusting. Besides the standard movements, one pretty innovative feature is the adjustable seat depth. Any office chair has adjustable height. But the Embody’s seat actually gets bigger (front to back) with a tug of two handles up front. In addition, the armrests have a terrific amount of width adjustment, allowing chubby and skinny geeks alike a perfect fit.” – Uncrate.

Here are some images of the luscious furniture pieces.

StudioDesk

Embody Chair