Sketching --- wanna start again!!!

It's been more than 3 yrs that i have not done any sketching (pencil sketching or charcoal sketching). Well, as i am more relaxed nowadays..... i am planning to start it all again.

You can see the collections of all the sketches done by me at http://www.prashantpoladia.com/html_files/sketches.htm

Let me know your suggestions on it.

Is IT Salaries are at their peak level??

[image source: Corbis]

Just read the article today in Economic Times regarding "IT salaries soar as cos scramble for talent". It talks about the annual raise given by the Companies to its employees in India. It is raised from upto 20-30% on an average.

This is leading to the stage where India seems to be no more of Cheap Wages. People are visioning that it could be the threat to the Indian IT Market as the Foreigners will start looking at alternate option. As the expert says Indians needs to increase their talent pool to stay intact.

Pay Anyone Online

Wallet365.com, India's first e-Wallet is a revolutionary new service that lets you pay anyone, anywhere. It lets you store money, shop online and even receive money. Wallet365.com is absolutely safe, instant and convenient. All you need is a valid email ID. It secures you from the dangers of online credit card fraud.

Seems to be interesting stuff but the time will tell whether are there any flaws in it.

Stages of Design Process

This is an interesting stuff about "Stages of Design Process". The above diagram has been picked up from the book "Visual Research" of Ian Noble and Russel Bestley.

It talks about the 4 stages involve in design process based on their research.
1st - Difinition
2nd - Divergence
3rd - Transformation
4th - Convergence

Starting from 1st stage of "Definition" where Design problems are defined and the appropriate data gathered after agreeing on design objectives in the 2nd stage of "Divergence". Once the objectives are all set, prototypings are prepared and they are evaluated in stage 3 of "Transformational". If the tests were not successful revaluation of design objectives takes place. At the final stage of "Convergence", effectuve measures are checked and improvements are recommended.

The book talks more about an introduction to research methodologies in graphic design. The subjects covered are INVESTIGATION, ANALYSIS, SYNTHESIS, COMMUNICATION, EXPERIMENTATION, AUDIENCE, CRAFT, PRODUCTION, MATERIALS, SYSTEMS, METHOD, PROCESS, SEMIOTICS, SEMANTICS, RHETORIC and DESIGN.

Windows Live Local

It seems to be the old news but i have just came across Windows Live Local. Its interesting the way they have worked on User Interface. The MAP features are very very interesting.

You can define your destination and get the Road MAP printed. Its really useful for the people who are new to any place and for those who want to explore more.

As we are going out for bowling on this Monday at Phoenix Mills from Nariman Point, i decided to pick-up the best route to reach there early.

I wish later in the future we will see the information on traffic jams which will update every 5 mins.... so people can pick up the best route.