Because Design Matters...

           

   

Visual Culture is what you call the holistic representation of our world in terms of visual displays.  Visual Culture is synonymous to how humans represent themselves visually.  Visual culture is as different as we are different. 

Visual culture is subconscious stimulation and how we unknowingly practice it in our daily lives.  It is a way of life; it is the about how we tie our shoelaces, what we eat, what we drink, what we do, what we wear, it is our lifestyle. This causes us to look, feel and act in a peculiar manner. 

Through experience and experimentation, we have increased our understanding of the visual world and how we are influenced by it. The concept of design is a specific relation between vision and understanding. A single picture is worth a thousand words. Our everyday experiences have become way more visual than ever. Our brain processes visuals faster. Design consists of objects of the everyday experience such as television, billboards, magazines, music videos and fashion that present ideas and stories that shape people’s lives.

Also, movies overtime have been a constant influence to men and women alike since the black and white era. For instance, if I talk about movies such as Umrao Jaan and Mughal-e-azam and the grandeur of those movies, everything from the sets, makeup, costumes etc. is designed in a certain way in order to create a huge impact on the minds of the audiences. Everything that is visual has a design to it, whether done deliberately or unconsciously. It is about more than just appearance. It can change people’s lives. It’s rooted in our everyday lives to help people live safely, efficiently and comfortably. Design has slipped into our subconscious in such a level, that we instantly interpret and recognize the signs and symbols on the roads. So unknowingly or knowingly design has become a daily part of their lives and is inevitable now. If someone looks at a product as a good design or enters a beautifully designed space, they simultaneously develop a feeling toward it and soon make a deeper connection with it subconsciously. 

A good design is able to make a close connection with the users and exerts an influence on their lives.  People get used to one design for example if one thinks of Mc’Donalds, the colors - red, yellow and white, instantly come to their mind, in not more than a fraction of a second. If suddenly Mc’Donalds thinks of changing their logo or their color scheme, it would really affect the brand in a negative way as people would feel cheated on. Design, thus, greatly influences our lives in more ways than most of us realize. 

FAM BAM! - 5 Family Friendly Summer Destinations

Summer is supposed to be the most engaging time of the year, considering the fact that it consists of more holidays.Where does one plan to go at a time like this especially when it comes to traveling with your family? Traveling with kids isn’t all Disney trips and gated beach resorts. After experiencing the place, its surroundings, engaging hot spots and varying feedbacks I came across the following countries to consider when planning a decent trip with your loved ones. These five summer destinations offer plenty of things to see and do for both parents and kids, including hikes and safaris.

Singapore

Long dismissed as a mere stopover, Singapore has reinvented itself as one of the world's hotlist destinations and is one of the safest and cleanest place to park yourselves into. From manmade beaches to bird parks, night safaris, laser shows, street markets, warner bros studios and the bustling night life, it is the ideal place to be. The people are extremely routined, disciplined, friendly and are very protective of their land. If you're looking for a particular genre in food, worry no more because Singapore has a good amount of pan asian cuisine and more. 

Thailand

Tackling an Asian supercity with jet-lagged kids doesn’t sound like a vacation—but Thailand is an exception. The beautiful kingdom of Thailand has one of the most scenic destinations to visit, my personal favorite being Phuket and Samuii. Not very ideal for toddlers but a great place to detox, to shop until you drop and to try out their glorious massages by the beach, after a very stressful life back home. Thai people are sweet and helpful and will reach out to your needs and make you feel as welcomed as possible. If you have a grown up family, taking a trip to Phuket will be the most satisfying time of your life.

Orlando, Florida 

Known for a thrilling itinerary of roller coasters, beaches, resorts, sea world, disneyland, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, Orlando is one of the most frequented place by families because of its almost never ending beauties.

San Diego, California

Beaches, fierce beasts and some serious splashes are just some of the sizzling hot family attractions in San Diego - it is the home of the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld and Legoland. Holiday in this magnificent place is always a hot commodity. 

Saint kitts, Caribbean 

This pristine island of heaven is one of the most sought after family escape. Sunbathe and swim on long stretches of stunning beaches, tour lava formations and tropical forests, massive Brimstone Hill Fortress or ride the Sugar Express. This will grow on you and you will definitely want a re visit soon. 

Unveiling the Nilaya with Sabyasachi

Nilaya – An exquisite wall covering that does much more than just cover a wall - it brings a wall to life. Recently collaborated with India’s most favorite designer, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Nilaya is a subsidiary of Asian Paints that creates wall coverings. It is a tribute to quintessential Indian sensibilities, with an earthy approach in design and aesthetics, curated with a global outlook. Nilaya, proudly supported by Sabya was unveiled through a fanciful installation - ‘The Forest of Wallpapers’ at the India Design show in Delhi and at the LFW 2015 with Sabya’s Resort 2015 collection. One can easily be intrigued by the honest approach of The Sabyasachi for Nilaya Collection that encourages quzality craftsmanship while reviving lost Indian traditions and stays true to its roots. It is extremely admirable that the brand graciously brings the essence of an earthy yet vibrant life in India, while giving us the experience of a contemporary and posh style. Nilaya celebrates the rich cultural heritage and craft of India and even though the surfaces are viewed through a global lens, its roots are firmly planted in India.

The collection has several prints in each of the five stories of the collection, and Sabya has his own way of telling stories - the first one being India Baroque that celebrates the north of Calcutta, the next being Jodhpuri, a collection done entirely in shades of blue. Another one being, Spice Route a collection inspired by the exotic spices of India, another part of the story is Varanasi - inspired by the Varanasi Brocades and their colors, and finally the last being Makhmal, which is an opulent collection of velvet wall coverings. The artwork for each of the wallpapers is hand-rendered by artists of the Sabyasachi Art Foundation. In addition, the collaboration does good to a lot of people by providing employment opportunities to the craftsmen of India. Struggling artists are hand-picked by the Sabyasachi Art Foundation from all across India, especially Bengal and are mentored along with a stipend. The work of these small scale artists has been showcased on a commercial scale and I think its a great thing and is extremely inspiring for all of us.