The more I observe objects, anything design related, the more I believe in Design as the finest procedure to have existed.

Prikka Chair by Ilmari Tapiovarra

In Journals   

As some of you may know, I’ve been teaching CG techniques in architectural visualizations, and in a few days I’m starting class number two.

I prepared a brochure containing details about the course and my contacts, don’t be shy.

NOTE: The above link to the brochure is a 71-MBs version, it’s only 8 pages but the images are high-res. Preferably save it from the link directly without viewing it in your browser, or download a low-res version here. (22 MBs)

UPDATE: I discovered a typo in the previous version of the brochure and now I got that fixed, plus I added two more pages to it.

In The Atelier   

The height of the high-rise is not interesting to us; instead, it is the coexisting of different entities within a single building that remains fascinating.

Rem Kookhaas, The State of Architecture At The Beginning of The 21st Century.

In I Came Across..   

This is a composition I’ve produced using my last effort in CG, the famous Lamy Safari fountain pen whom I’m a proud owner of a red one.

In The Atelier   

I just stumbled upon this and it does not look good! Mies’ Fransworth House was flooded from the storms that hit a couple of weeks ago. If you feel like helping they’re accepting donations to restore it.

IMAGES COURTESY OF FRANSWORTHHOUSE.ORG

In I Came Across..   

Hello everyone,

For those who have actually checked out the new website and obviously found that lots of those links were merely decorative, I have fixed lots of them and still am, it’s a pain really, but I love the feeling of this new design, it feels very young and self-made, it gives it a genuine touch.

Now broken links are minor, the whole photography page is not there, and I forgot to create a coming soon replacement until I found out how to build a good gallery, since my page layout wouldn’t do. You can meanwhile visit my Photo.net page here.

In Journals   

Over the last two months, I’ve been involved in teaching CG Art techniques, and gradually over that period of time, I’ve grown this addiction to this direction of creating reality out of nothing. The great thing about CG - that all CG artists know very well, is the keen eye one develops while observing objects thoroughly.

This is a model I’ve been working on for a while, it’s a Wassily chair by Breuer.

In The Atelier   

Greetings and salutations everyone! The new HaithamIssam.com has been launched, and to speak frankly in advance, the whole site feels like an old crippled site! I love the Minimalist design, I believe this is what I’ve always wanted, except for working links and a stable CSS layout! Anyway, feel free to wander around, and like a new house, its empty spaces will fill up as time passes by.

In Journals   

Tonight, I received a phone call, from an old friend of mine that goes by the name of Mohammed Balfaqeeh, whom I’ve written about before on this space. I’d written a long time ago about me probably getting featured in some book, and to be honest the last period was a quite busy time in my life and I’d forgotten the whole issue until a few days ago when I remembered it and thought to myself: “Well I wonder if they will ever release the next version of the book!”, but tonight I realized they did!

It’s called B2, it’s an exhibit of graphic design works related to the author, Mr. Abubakir Balfaqeeh, done by his respective Firm B&A, and the other part is a compilation of various artists and designers from across the region. The old cover related to design in way I prefer, how it’s white and it’s name has more character, B The Book! This white fetish of mine is becoming more evident by the day.

Mr. Balfaqeeh featured 4 photos of mine, and 2 architectural projects. The photos aren’t my favorites to be honest; I believe I have much better photos. Meanwhile the projects are 2 of my dearest projects, Concrete House and Ajman Ladies Club.

I believe this is a huge achievement for me, to be featured in an Arts book in 2 categories, yet a humble push for me to pursue whatever is in the horizon.

My appreciation goes to the author, Mr. Balfaqeeh, and much goes to my friend Mohammed Balfaqeeh.

EDIT: B&A’s Website is www.bnavcc.com

In Journals   

Tonight, after an oppressed confrontation with a young witch (i.e. obnoxious, arrogant lady), and afterwards a narrow-plotted movie (i.e. X Files the movie), I was wandering around until the group finished their movie, and from a distance, I saw a little logo, a logo that translates into my conception of manufactured therapy. It was B&B Italia.

I went and opened the giant glass doors that transferred me from a chaotic outdoors orgy to a completely silent world, where nothing spoke human languages, only the language of extremely fine design, and outstanding legends.

When I first walked in I spotted it in the close distance, its humble whiteness, the marvelous sculpture of its body, La Chaise!

I never thought a chair would leave one so speechless. I’m not trying to exaggerate to sound awestruck or anything, I was literally taken away. I was sitting in it, knees touching, like a criminal. Its asymmetry astonished me!

It is wonderful how when the Eames’ made it, their intention was a chair made out of affordable materials, yet appealing, well they scored on the latter. The chair was too expensive to make and it didn’t go into production until Vitra manufactured it in 1991. La Chaise costs 41,000 DHMS, which is about $11,000!

La Chaise turns 60 this year, but its beauty is still breathtaking.

I sat in a Mart as well, and today I believe it’s one of the most outstanding chairs of all time.

Mart - Antonio Citterio

In Journals