Viabox | The Global Leader in Package Forwarding TextureQualityPro - Royalty Free Textures & Backgrounds - This will bug you... The indestructible micro-animals that can survive the vacuum of space - and most of them are after your blood By Eddie Wrenn Published: 12:01 GMT, 24 September 2012 | Updated: 16:48 GMT, 24 September 2012 There is only one creature known to man which can survive the ravages of deep space. It is the water bear - officially known as the tardigrade - and despite being a fraction of a millimetre in length and mostly consigned to a lazy life exploring pond moss, it is almost indestructible. You can freeze it at close to absolute zero - at minus 273C - or heat it to above 151C. Or you could keep it without water for a decade, subject it to almost any kind of pressure, or send it into the radiation-filled vacuum of space where it can survive beyond ten days without any damage. It is just one of the micro-sized and extraordinary bugs living in our back gardens - or even in our own bodies. Hi! Magnified 500x: The green fronds seen here are tiny moss leaves In this set of images, under a powerful microscope, shows them in an incredible new light. Would this make you jump? Video: Velvet mite in action
Fixing horizontal cladding/weatherboard This article gives very general guidelines for applying horizontal external cladding. uPVC and fibre cement cladding materials usually come with there own instructions and include trim pieces (i.e. end sealing strips etc) specific to the manufacturer. This article is intended for the UK use, other countries will probably have their own building codes which will need to be conformed to. General guidelines Timber building materials should never be placed in direct contact with soil or used at a level which may be flooded. Cladding should always stop some 15cm (6 inches) above ground level, whether it is concrete or soil, this reduces the amount of muck splashed up to them from rain hitting the ground. The bottom of the lowest plank should ideally be cut at an angle to form a drip line along the front of the lowest plank (see right) Timber plank sizes Vapour barrier membrane This prevent any moisture which does get behind the cladding from penetrating the building structure. Battens Side seals
FOUNDFONT™ and the Art of Typographic Archaeology FOUNDFONT™ tutorial Andy Hayes here from Hucklebuck Design Studio. The subject for this tutorial will revolve around a pet project of mine called FOUNDFONT™. In this tutorial we’ll talk about what makes a good FOUNDFONT™ source and the steps to creating your own usable vector characters from found samples. Type is where you find it Useful typography is not only found within the bounds of one of today’s successful foundries. Here are a few great samples that are ripe for repurposing. What makes a good FOUNDFONT™ source? There are a few questions to ask when scouting good FOUNDFONT™ resources that will help you get the best result. Are you starting with a quality image? The set of key characters for capitals is: A, B, D, E, J, M, O, S. A: From A you can create V, W, YB: From B you can create a P, RE: From E you can create F, H, I, L, T, X,ZJ: From J you can create UM: From M you can create NO: From O you can create C, G, Q D and S are unique. Cleaning up and extracting your type Step 1. 2. 3.
25 Awesome Tools for Choosing a Website Color Scheme As a designer, color management should be an integral part of your workflow. A website’s color scheme helps shape its identity and therefore should not be carelessly thrown together. Here are 25 online, desktop and iPhone applications to help you live and breathe color management no matter where you are. Online Tools There are simply a ton of free color tools available on the web. Kuler Kuler is one of the best free online color scheme creation tools out there and my personal favorite. Color Scheme Designer Color Scheme Designer has a beautiful interface that helps you create beautiful color schemes in seconds. colorblind simulation is built in so you can ensure usability will be optimized for all users. Colour Lovers An online community where color aficionados can create, share and browse color schemes. Pictaculous The guys at MailChimp created this excellent free service. Color Spire A simpler, no frills interface that helps you build a five swatch color scheme. Daily Color Scheme Color Rotate
Bransons Building Materials - D.I.Y. Pergola We recommend the use of F7 Kiln Dfried treated pine for pergolas. This information is provided as a free service and must be used in conjunction with information acquired from local authorities - Design Lattice offers no guarantees or warranties regarding this information. Suggested beam and rafter spans - please check this information with your local council and request information on other local requirements. How will the site influence the structure you wish to build? Pergolas require firm ground for posts and post footings. Ground water and rain water should drain clear of the posts or any part of the structure. The picture shows a typical pergola construction. If the house is of brick construction, the ledger is attached to the bricks using dynabolts or locksuns (600mm spacing). alternate rafter placement for metal facias.
Totally Typography: 18 Textual Packaging Designs Totally Typography: 18 Textual Packaging Designs Article by Steph, filed under Products & Packaging in the Design category. These 18 packaging designs, found on everything from trash bags to gourmet cheese, don’t need fancy graphics or photography to stand out on the shelf. They employ the beauty of text, in flourishing or minimalist sans-serif typefaces, carefully chosen and arranged to convey the identity of the brand. Hand-Drawn Text by The Manual Co. (image via: invadespace.com) Modern and visually engaging, this hand-drawn packaging was produced for boots, bags and accessories by The Manual Co. Chocolate Cut-Outs by Niamh Richardson (image via: lovelypackage) Typography cut-outs characterize this fresh modern packaging by Niamh Richardson. One Village Coffee by Able Design (image via: designed by able) Eye-catching text covers the packaging for One Village Coffee, designed by Able of Philadelphia. So Good… Naturally by JJAAKK Design (image via: lovely package) Sivaris Rice by Pepe Gimeno
Virtual Lighting Studio - Interactive portrait lighting The ambient light represents the light coming from the studio environment. You can turn it on or off and change its color and intensity. If you're lost and need some help, click here. But you probably know that... Click on any help text to hide this. This is a schematic view of the studio. These are all the available models for lighting. These slots are used to capture your light setups. You can save a picture of your capture on your device by using the "Save As..." command of your browser on the capture thumbnails. This button is used to share or bookmark your current settings. This is the main view which displays your lit subject as seen through your camera. The garbage is used to clear your captured light setups. Here you can turn on or off your lights. The solo button enables you to temporarily visualize the effect of a single light in your setup. A gel can be added on a light to change the light color. This displays the intensity of the light.
How to Install Flat Roof Edge Trims Video and Installation Guide 3Install Timber Battens on Drip Gutter Edges Install a timber batten to all drip edges. This will extend the deck surface and ensure that water runs in to the centre of the gutter.6Fold Rubber membrane on corners Fold Rubber membrane on corners (sometimes called a pigs ear or hospital corner)9Install Internal Gutter Drip Corner (If Required) Install Internal Corner Trim if required (Normally used on L shaped Roofs)12Trim Excess Rubber Membrane Trim Excess rubber membrane with a stanley blade or scissors 6 Things Apple Did Not Invent Apple receives — and deserves — a lot of respect. They’re absolutely incredible innovators… But were they really the first to envision, manufacture, or sell many of the tech products we take for granted today? An Apple-loathing friend told me over the weekend that my favorite tech company “ripped off” loads of other tech companies with all of their most popular products. That’s not to say that Apple doesn’t deserve its accolades. There’s a reason every tech company in the world follows Apple’s lead, rushing new products to market to compete with Apple’s latest and greatest products. Personal Computers Micral N Depending on who you talk to and who you believe, there are several claims to the throne of the “first personal computer.” Apple II Most historians seem to agree that the Apple II was the first truly personal computer to be , though some will argue that the Commodore PET, which preceded the Apple II by five months. Portable Digital Music Players Audio Highway's "Listen Up" iPod iPhone
The Most Awesome Box Art In The World They may be known as Studio Liverpool today, but there once was a time British developers Psygnosis were responsible for the greatest video game covers of all time. From the mid-80s to the mid-90s, the team responsible for games like Lemmings, Shadow of the Beast and Barbarian (and who would later go on to create the Wipeout series on the PlayStation) broke from the infantile and/or boring styles preferred by other companies and went for a look that was part Heavy Metal, part Moebius and all brilliant. Things began to get a little more tame as the 90s dragged on, with fantastical art going out of style and Psygnosis moving away from home computer development and towards consoles, but for just under a decade, they were kings. [images via Psygnosis.org]
The Best Flat Roof - Flat Roof Systems Compared Flat Roof Replacement If the time has come for a new flat roof, look no further than this article written by an experienced roofing contractor, I will keep this page up-to date and grow it to encompass more flat roofs types in the future. Best Flat Roof What is the best new flat roof ? I have been fitting new flat roofs, or having contractors fit my flat roofs now for over 30 years. As you can imagine, I’ve seen nearly every type of flat roof in the flesh, from installation until its death so to speak. So if you’re looking for some advice free of sales patter on which is the best flat roof you have just found it. Calm down it’s only a flat roof Some times the mere mention of ‘Flat roof’ sends home owners into an illogical state of mind. Most modern flat roofs have an average lifespan of 20 years, so you would be lucky to replace it two or maybe three times before you are old or dead. Unless its for aesthetic reasons flat roofs are cheaper, and of course you can also have a pretty flat roof. Flat roof solutions
Is My Type Stressed? A Primer on Stressed Typography As a designer, either working with a design firm or on a freelance basis, you probably know a lot about stress. From deadlines to redesigns, client relations to cash flow — it is part of everyday life for someone working as a designer in any capacity. But did you know your typography could also be stressed? Just like in your life, type has certain pressure points, and there are good and bad types of type stress. In today’s article, we’re going to delve into this concept in a little more details. What is Type Stress? Type can also be stressed by its surroundings Type stress refers to the change in direction of a stroke, vertically or horizontally. Typefaces are designed with or without stress points. Type can also be stressed by its surroundings and by effects that are added by the designer in the creative process. Stress by Design Certain type categories tend to contain stress more than others. Uneven Strokes Tilts Italics are an immediate stressor for any typeface. Arches Bowls and Counters