The Imaginary Zebra™ // Official Blog

New hair cut

2009-11-11T22:44:00.001-08:00

Met this friend - Karl, from an event at Sacramento. Turns out, he's a hairstylist from a shop called Black Butterfly, in midtown intersects between K and 20th.

After almost 2 months after our own haircuts..

We went to seek some professional help.

Man of the hour.

Best thing about having hairstylists is not worrying about how you want the hair to be, but just giving the creative freedom to the stylists and anticipating the outcome.

The sideburn of death.

BAM.

Thanks, Karl.

Result:

Clean and different, but not overdo. We like.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

Layout rennovation - with stuff I use daily

2009-11-09T01:23:00.000-08:00

The blog layout was just missing something.

..that personal touch, perhaps?

My typical desktop on a daily basis - a mess.
It's where I spent all the time doing and typing the stuff you're reading. plus some.

Sidenote//Find Waldo.

So then I chose a few things that are quite personal to me

Sidenote//This case was only 1 dollar.

Last but not least, my Canon XTi lens cap.

There, from before..

to after.

Better?

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

The Imaginary Zebra Fall 09..11/16/09

2009-11-09T00:57:00.000-08:00

Focus.

Each button will be DIFFERENT. And it's only for the first twenty to see.

Whatever name you put as the receiver when you order the shirt would be the name on the button.

11/16/09 Monday.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

Dream like you mean it - Wall project

2009-11-03T05:44:00.000-08:00

I got this blank wall in my room. It needed to be different. And that was the motive of this project.

So I went around ACE and some nearby convenient stores only to realize they aren't that convenient when it comes to black masking tapes.

So I got 3 rolls off eBay for $15.

With those tapes and a pencil, the project begun....late

Time flies when you're a slow worker like me.

little tape left to go for the first roll.

Kevin dropped by to visit.

Roll 1. Done.

Attacked!

3 hours into it...and it was 3 AM.

BAM!

The End.
Sidenote// For those who once had a dream to do big things, mean it.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

Sorry. Thanks. Road Rage Reduction Project

2009-11-02T03:31:00.000-08:00

..that if we all carry a sign behind our car that allow us to be more polite and sincere during one of those "merges/cuts" in front of other cars, it can significantly reduce road rage.

It made sense, so we went for it.

Cody's the man who carried out this project.

It all started..

Massive amount of supplies.

After we got the stuff we needed, summer school started getting into the way..

And just with a blink of an eye...

Time flies.

Enable to switch between "Sorry" and "Thanks", we needed a flick/control.

This is where all the magic happens.

Holes for the wire to go through.

To be visible and clear from far, yet fit the canvas with appropriate sizing, I chose Futura as the font type for this project.

Cut out.

Unfortunately, the beige couldn't omit the light completely, so we painted the stenciled surface black.

Also the box black to fit the interior of my car.

Then, Fall quarter started..

Setting up the wire to the light boxes.

Then....

BAM!

Considering how clumsy my driving is, this'd definitely reduce a significant amount of fingers I receive in the future. And perhaps gain a few extra smiles.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

Remember Halloween & Daylight Saving

2009-10-31T13:33:00.001-07:00

For the occasion.

And daylight saving is Sunday (Nov.1, 2009).
Don't forget to set your clock an hour earlier, so we get to procrastinate just one extra hour.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

New Goodie for inspiration

2009-10-31T13:14:00.001-07:00

It's finally arrived. (Ordered this item on Oct. 9th.) And I thought I was a slow shipper.

I don't recall this packaging last time I ordered a book from Amazon. Very nicely done, the book was secured in 1 piece of flat cardboard.

Anyway, here it is.

I'm a sucker for books.
Sidenote// My sister's also really passionate about graphic design, and she once told me "Being a designer, the last thing that you should be frugal about is spendings on books."

Thanks, sis. Now there's an ever enlarging in my wallet.

Title, self explanatory, yea?

That was a teaser.

My mind's just exploded by inspirations.
Now tell me a book that inspired you.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

Japan - Global House Design Process

2009-10-28T22:52:00.000-07:00

Melanie, a friend of mine from high school, is studying abroad in Japan right now. (NICE!)
She lives in the dorm that's known as the "Global House", in which resides the most diverse group of foreign and exchange students from all over the world.

They make tshirts annually. This year, I was invited to hop on board to come up with a design.(WOOT). Here it goes:

This is their dorm flag.

I was given almost all the creative space I need to do this one, except for the 1-color only guideline.

Here's the sketch:

Globe + World -> Landmarks + Diversity.

So I made shapes of some popular landmarks.

And group them all together.

Hopefully, this'd serve the justice of the dorm!

The End.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

TIME

2009-10-27T17:14:00.000-07:00

Too many things to do and too little time, if only I had 29 hours a day.

Midterm in 50 minutes, wish me luck.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

Halloween Exclusive Lookbook

2009-10-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

All pre-ordered Halloween shirts have been shipped out last Saturday(10/24/09).

The lookbook's out now. The shirt is no longer available, sorry.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

BIG breakfast

2009-10-25T11:33:00.000-07:00

The most important meal of the day! in which I haven't had breakfast since summer, when I used to wake up around 7 because of jet lags.

It was Jim's healthy idea. The day started early..for a Saturday.

Why hello, grumpy Jim.

I call this "Lightheaded."

Ingredients for a big meal.

Friends showed up to enjoy the phenomenon with us.

Carmut the gangsta.

Jim's soul mates.

People really are grumpy in the morning.

Joey

Kevin.

& Yen.

THE MEAL!

Thanks, Jim.

Breakfast was delectable! I hadn't felt that healthy and rejuvenated for a looong time.

Now go eat breakfast in the morning or just be creative with it:

Keep up the opened mind.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

Surprise from TIZ?

2009-10-23T02:51:00.001-07:00

It's getting cold. Test run, perhaps?

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

When will the Halloween shirts be shipped?

2009-10-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

For those who pre-ordered, the shirts will be shipped this Saturday (10/24/09)

Keep up the opened mind & have a great Halloween,
Benson

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

SFA design process

2009-10-22T02:32:00.000-07:00

I'm forever grateful for Student Fashion Association. Nope, I still don't know the basics of making a dress, but I did throw my very 1st fashion show through their invitation:

Thanks Polina, Amy, and Ashley for all the opportunities!

Back to the design:

I was asked to design the club t shirt for 09-10.

Cloth, threads, needles were the first things that always pop up in my mind when the word "Fashion" flashes by. And BAM, that was the deal and concept of this shirt.

I also chose thin and clean fonts to carry out the elegance of the club.

The End. Thanks again, SFA.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

Window 7 Launch Event

2009-10-21T01:11:00.000-07:00

Registered this event about 2 months ago. Why? Because by the end of the day, you'd get a FREE copy of the latest Windows OS - Window 7.

After taking my midterm this morning, it was off to SF we go.

Other attendees.

The launch event was at a classy AMC theatre.

Did I mention "classy"?

The golden ticket if you will.

The presentation didn't start till 1ish, so we dropped by Mels that was right next door.

This is a 1/2 sandwich, 1/2 salad meal for $9 + tax.

I'm glad to see how much Mel's concerns about our health by giving us 6 pieces of fries for this meal.

I spent 1/3 of the time fascinating over their new features and the rest napping over their info-filled presentation.

There it was, the copies of Windows 7 "Ultimate"!

Then, touring Japan town.

When time gets harsh, Tony'll be there, even if you're Spiderman.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

New camera?!

2009-10-19T19:47:00.000-07:00

Weigh less than 2 lbs. 200 times more durable. and takes no pictures.

It was a prop we made for the fashion show. (Official video coming soon.)

Here are the peeps that contributed to the making of this project:

With special appearance of:

The night started early.

We used Jim's Sony Alpha 100 as template to contruct this camera.

The lens, check.

The base, check.

Tony crafted the body.

Jim built the infrastructure to adsorb the impact when tossing this camera around.

I made the top.

Basic structure, done.

More masking tape added to serve as primer for paint.

Black spray paint always get the job done.

Adding clear tape to make the lens.

With some silver sharpie touch up.

BAM!

Done.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

Fashionably Live Rehearsal pt.2

2009-10-16T02:15:00.000-07:00

just 48 more hours till the show, since around 8 hours ago.

People started to show up.

Nesquik & Raskeezy. They got magic powers.

Jen Sik

Julian Hoi

Jobu Cordoba

Nothing's tougher than rocking a mini-size old-school Dragon Ball shirt on the set. with Nestor. And having the name - Jobu.

Free ad for Weezer.

Too good for the web.

Now it's on.

Andrea Fourchy

Claire Sloan

Kellyn Wong

Rachel Getman

Stop drooling.

Cops came because AG newspaper's alarm was triggered. (?)

Good folks, though. They were pretty cool with us causing a "fire hazard" in the middle of the hallway. cough*ARC peeps*cough

The practice was explosive.

Jen's got the swagger.

LIKE WHOA!

Productive times. Thanks again, see you guys at the FINAL FINAL practice Saturday, then it's show time on Sunday. BAM!

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

Zeeb of the..while

2009-10-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

We got Shawn Luis.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

TIZ x Halloween Pre-order exclusive T

2009-10-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

OG Mummy for this upcoming Halloween.

You've got less than 5 days, as of 10/11/09, to get a hold of this limited T. It will NOT be available in shop after this period for regular purchases.

OG Mummy.

Back logo was crafted for the occasion.

Available in both men and women sizes.

Click here to purchase. Do hold your peace if you've missed this chance.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

10/18/09 Fashionably Live

2009-10-13T09:55:00.000-07:00

At Center Court,3600 N Freeway Blvd, Sacramento, CA.
10/18/09. Door open at 8, show starts at 930.

-Photo courtesy by Nesquik!
It'll be fun.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

J-Rockit/Andri Photographic Journey Exhibit

2009-10-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

Went to Andri's exhibition at Beatnik gallery/studio. Jrockit also threw in a performance with his crew. Fun times.

Photographer of the day:

First arrival

Yup, the tabling project was first displayed at this event.

A series of photographs taking through out Indonesia, China, Tibet, Nepal, and India.

Amazing photos throughout the set.

Andri's gone through riots, climbed on cliffs, and broken legs for these photos. Stunning.

Dinner time.

Jim and his Sony Alpha 100.

JRocit that rocked the crowd.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

Halloween 09 Limited Tee

2009-10-06T00:35:00.000-07:00

Coming soon.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

Sky Wall paper

2009-10-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

For those who requested it.
1280x800. 1024x768. 1280x960. 1920x1080.

Till next time

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

Project Tabling

2009-10-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

The night started a tad bit late. With all the parties going on, we couldn't help but begin this project at 11 PM. Procrastination's a virtue.

People on board for the project:

The man that can sustain with only 5 hours of sleep a night.

And cody, the YES man.

Part 1 of project tabling.

Supplies are wires.

Say hi to George.

Few hours into the process.

Realized the skeleton's too short.

Say hi to Yao.

Adding the muscle structures.

Maybe?

Part II of the project:

Supply is, surprisingly, caution tape.

Adding wire to a section of the tape can create this permanent flow-y effect.

Tabling at J-Rockit and Andri's photography gallery.

BAM!

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website

TCSS design process

2009-10-01T01:29:00.002-07:00

For the year 09-10.

I was asked to design something has the essence of Taiwanese culture. The following concept didn't work out.

So I played around with the traditional childhood toys like 竹蜻蜓, 陀螺, 橡皮筋手槍, 彈弓...etc, you know, stuff before Transformers, Power Rangers, or Pokemon came out.

But the one above looked a bit scattered.

Here's the final concept.

Spelled out with the traditional toys and have one of the S's shaped out like the Taiwan island.

The End.

-Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website