Corne van Dooren - (Multimedia) Designer

September 24, 2008

Today they arrived and I am mighty pleased with the result. As some of you may know, by reading the blog, I had to make something for a family-expo. I decided to have two big canvas prints made.

I had ordered two big canvas prints (1m x 1.5m each) for the expo. I designed a wall and put some of my personal work on it as posters. For those who are interested, I have added the work to my personal portfolio.

My major quest was finding a company that would be able to deliver the size, quickly and at the best quality. In the end I chose the Canvasstore. I mostly made my decision based on email traffic between myself and them and the fact that they are member of thuiswinkel.org - a Dutch organisation for quality online shops.

I am totally impressed by their work. I think the prints look absolutely amazing. Actually they looked better than I had expected. Some images I used were pretty low-res, but that doesn't show on the canvas prints. I am totally happy with the final result - so if you want a reliable company to handle your canvas prints, I can highly recommend the Canvasstore.

Can't wait to show them at the expo now...

Take care and speak soon.

September 16, 2008

Yesterday I received a copy of Guidelines for Online Success. I just wanted to share with you that I think this is an amazing book.

Mostly because the book not only showcases some of the most amazing Flash websites ever made, but because it has a great focus on the do's and don'ts of modern webdesign. I totally digg it. If you are into (Flash) webdesign and want to know what to do (or not do) when it comes to webdesign - check this one out!

You won't be disappointed by this book. This one should be on your shelf.

Take care.

September 14, 2008

What a week has come and gone. I am glad its over. It was too busy, too hectic and it even included an explosion!

When I was cleaning the house last Wednesday the vacuum cleaner kind of had this strange smell. When I plugged it in it started to rattle and shake. After about 20 seconds the motor exploded! Black goo splashed out from the back, the hood jumped off and there was black smoke.

I tried to fix it, but unfortunately it was done for. It was a cheap one anyways... We bought it when we moved into our place in 's-Hertogenbosch. So, cheap things last two years and a month...

Last Thursday I quickly visited the Kijkshop. Its a Dutch store and they offered a Siemens vacuum cleaner for 129 Euros. Normally the price was over 200 Euros and it had been voted best cleaner of 2006 and 2007 by the Dutch Consumer Foundation. So it was the obvious choice. I have to say that I've bought stuff from Kijkshop before and I like their store. Good service, decent prices.

This week will be quite similar I'm afraid. I'm off from work next Friday, but I have to get some work done for my own company, as usual, so its still going to be a busy week...

The outlook for now is that I'll have more free time from mid-October on. A nice outlook. And when I am able to clear my head, I will have to make some tough decisions on how not to get this busy anymore.

For now, I hope you are enjoying your weekend - as am I.

All the very best and speak soon.

September 9, 2008

Hello again and once more I apologize for the lack of entries on the blog. I am still very busy at work and at home. I am working on various big and small projects and they take up all my time...

At home I am working on some small websites. Nothing big really, but it quickly takes up some time. I am also working on getting something printed for the family expo.

I have mentioned the expo before, I think. Though the expo has changed a bit. Initially I was under the impression my family was doing an expo to honour my grandparents' creativity. A lot of people in my family have creative professions or are being creative in their own time. So I was always under the impression it was for my grandparents and that why I decided to show some stuff too.

However, more recently some things happened and I was wondering whether the expo was still about my grandparents. Apparantly it wasn't. It is a general family expo. Thats a real big shame, because I was only in it to honour my grandparents. If I had known this from the start I would not have participated. Especially as it isn't just an expo, its also a business affair and some members of the family aim to sell their work.

Anyway, I have worked on some nice posters to be used at the expo. I decided to just work on it, still thinking it is an honour to my grandparents. I still look at it that way and I have put some work into it. I think the expo is somewhere in October, so I better get everything printed in time.

But now you know why my response has been slow... I am taking on a bit too much. Thats something I hate as I mentioned before the holiday that I was gonna make sure I wouldn't be too busy anymore...

I hope my next message is written at a time when I feel a bit more relaxed and with a clear mind.

Take care and speak soon.

September 1, 2008

On this blog, one of my opportunities to communicate with you guys, I often reflect on Holland and mostly on what sucks about Holland. This time I want to say something positive.

You must have all seen it on the television, Gustav tearing up lots of America. Its hurricane season over there. That always delivers impressive video-footage and photos. It also delivers pain to the people living over there, mostly the poor.

At times like these, or whenever you see footage of nature disasters like Asian tsunamis or lack of decent food in parts of Africa - I feel glad and lucky to be living in Holland. Hardly anything happens over here if you look at the rest of the world.

We had the big water disaster in 1953 (26 years before I was born) but thats about it. We are very lucky with our nature and climate and at times like these I am reminded of that fact. I feel very fortunate living in Holland where basically no nature disasters take place. So there you go, something positive about my country. Who would have thought...

Take care.

Corne van Dooren, Multimedia Designer