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What to read?

I've been making a few visits these days to bookstores around Hong Kong wondering if there is a good summer time novel that I could indulge and read during my free time. I hadn't found anything until today. I had already scoured recommendations, looked up the best read lists, skimmed through new novels by some of my favourite authors but I still wasn't able to find the book that was screaming 'Pick me!' from the book stands. I had no urge to want to buy a book until I noticed a book in the Self-Help/ Motivational section.

So why was I looking in this section in particular? Recently I have been stumbling upon endless questions that had been questioning my inner psyche.It wasn't until the more I was catching up with my friends back here in Hong Kong that I realised that it is a vital time to reflect upon my achievements, my goals, who I am, what do I want to achieve and where to I want go?

Of course action speak louder than words. So there's no point rambling in my mind all these questions. They are inevitably only going to make my mind tired and . I need to find a way of achieving this goals. Making these words spring into ACTION.

This book is probably an indirect approach but will be of guidance in helping me as what the book states: 'to unlock my potential...find courage, inspiration, success and happiness'. Do these words not epitomise what people would like to acquire and pursue? Dare you to say no but these words definitely sprung qualities of what I would like to be defined with. Wouldn't anyone?

I stood staring at a bold red book. 'The Tools' by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels. Okay, so it's recommended by one if its staff. I guess it could be good. I can't help but notice the 'Hollywood's open secret' credential by The New Yorker. From a graphic perspective, the design it not bad at all It actually makes me want to read it. It's simple graphics- focus on the type, seems to wrap up that it will be a straight forward, no-fuss read. I wanted to skim read a few pages but it was plastic wrapped. I'm always reluctant about buying a book I don't know about but there was something about this book that was telling me to buy it. I couldn't leave it there. It was the last one on the shelf as well. I gave in. It must be a good read I thought to myself.

My curiosity did get the better of me and as soon as I bought it, I unwrapped the wrapping like a child on Christmas day wondering if I had bought a book that was worth buying. Mixed emotions reading the first few lines but I had to give it a chance. I was walking home and I couldn't help myself carrying on reading it as I was walking my way home. This is pretty darn interesting. Let me read a little more.

I got home and found myself glued to the book. I couldn't put it down. Was it because I was intrigued by what Stutz had to say or the approaches he was describing in his book? Will this change my life? Is this true? Will it work? Who knows, I guess I can only find out by trying his techniques. However, even before trying out his techniques the tone of voice of the narrative induces a sense of calm, expresses a sense that readers will grow and reassurance that everything will be okay, if not better.

I can't wait to apply these techniques to my life and foresee a brighter future that it awaiting through conquering fears, embracing challenges and times of adversity! Off i go to continue reading.

Illustration in progress

I am working on a few illustrations as part of my leisure.

Here's one that I worked on this afternoon...

The illustration not yet finished but I thought I would show you the progress.

What do you think?

Maeko-san © Kasumi Miyake 2012

What's hot? What's not?

 The Olympics has by far been all the buzz for this summer. Constant media updates of the latest fixtures and results fill up the screens, newspaper pages, webpages, facebook comments and tweets. Such availability of several social media platforms keeps everyone around the world up to date and perhaps more united to celebrate the atmosphere of the Olympics.

HK Station Samsung Advert © Kasumi Miyake 2012

It was hard not to notice this advert advertising Samsung Galaxy. Environmental and spatial advertising used at its advantage. Who knows how many Hong Kongers walk by this walk way to commute to and away from the center. Samsung Galaxy is another hot product competing against the iPhone4s.

It is no longer accustomed for advertising to promote a product via product placement means. Advertising exudes a way of life and a way for consumers to appeal to a lifestyle and gain an experience from. By advertising the Olympics swimming event through spatial advertising you may think that the product's attention will be lost. Instead, the brands unique approach to advertising reinforces Samsung as a smart product to its consumers. No one wants to be approached only about the performance of the product anymore do they? Visual impact is the key. This definitely gets the tick for that. When I saw this my first thought was: 'What's this pool of water doing?' Then when I looked up I was surprised (delightedly)  and this tapped into my inner psyche thinking 'What a smart way to use the space'. It's somewhat lighten up the space changes walker by's experience of an empty white walkway creating a different walking experience that was different from the usual.