New Eye Park development introduces technological improvements to a rapidly expanding Dubai

As part of Dubai's ongoing plan to become a worldwide tourist, entertainment, and leisure destination, Tameer Holding Investments have employed retail design firm Callison to develop six mixed-use towers in the heart of the new Dubailand development. The new towers – to be collectively known as Eye Park - will offer over around 1.9 million square feet of residential space, and 100,00 square feet of retail space, along with full amenities, car parking, and shopping areas.

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Create a Reflection in 5 K.I.S.S. Steps

Create a Reflection in 5 K.I.S.S. Steps

If there is one thing I have learned in my years as a graphic designer, it's that I need to keep things simple. I always try to keep in mind the old adage, K.I.S.S. (keep it simple silly). Now, I'm aware that normally the word "silly" is replaced by "stupid," but the word "stupid" is not a very positive thing to be repeating to yourself each day.

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Standard, Enhanced, Custom, and Multi-User Plans

Standard, Enhanced, Custom, and Multi-User Plans

What You Need to Know

Sometimes in our quest to find great images for our deadline-driven creative projects, it can be tough to find time to read the fine print. Though important, these legal details are sometimes overlooked. While it is essential that you read through the license terms in their entirety, this article will serve as a primer on these important issues and help guide you to the license and subscription plan best suited for your needs.

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Creating a Vector Face in Illustrator

Creating a Vector Face in Illustrator

by Natasha Graham, Shutterstock Submitter

Let's take the mystery out of creating a vector face using Illustrator. Although there is no single way of doing it, I will guide you step-by-step from sketch to the finished illustration using the magnificent Pen Tool. No reference photos will be needed, just your vivid imagination and drawing skills combined with a basic knowledge of Adobe Illustrator.

1. Let's start by creating some basic line art as the base for the illustration. I used Corel Painter to draw it, but pen and paper work just as well! Draw a female face, bearing in mind the basic proportions of the human face. 

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Creating a Vector Face in Illustrator

An introduction to Real Estate Opportunities in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

Read full version at Orange - Property 

Location :
The first of the Palm Islands to be launched, Palm Jumeirah represents one of the most exciting property developments of all time. This man-made island, off Dubai's popular coastline will cover an area of 7 million square meters and is surrounded by a 12 kilometre-long crescent shaped breakwater. Over 220 kilometres of beach front will be offered on Palm Jumeirah.

The Palm will offer residents a choice of some 2,000 villas from exclusive Signature Villas to beachfront Garden Villas and Town Houses. In addition there are 2,500 luxury apartments in a variety of styles and surroundings. Visitors and residents to Palm Jumeirah will be spoilt by the world-class hotels on the trunk and crescent of the Palm, the 220 boutique shops and restaurants on the famous Golden Mile, two marinas, spas and other first class facilities.

The Crescent
The Crescent is 12 kilometres long and surrounds the island, acting as a breakwater. This breakwater has been designed by international specialists and is able to withstand a four-metre wave. The Crescent on Palm Jumeirah will be one of the most desirable hoiday destinations in the world featuring 22 boutique hotels, each with its own theme.

The Crown
The Crown of the Palm consists of seventeen fronds. Each of the fronds provides residents a fabulous beachfront home in private surroundings. Buyers can choose from a wide range of different styled themed properties, ensuring that this is truly their dream home.
Signature Villas are on the 'fronds' of The Palm, providing the ultimate exclusive and luxury residence in a secure environment. These six or seven-bedroom homes have large private swimming pools and private beaches. The properties are finished to the highest standards and are offered with a choice of the following themes:

   1. European
   2. Mediterranean
   3. Arabic
   4. Contemporary

Garden Villas are available as three, four and five-bedroom properties. Each property features a fabulous private pool and stunning water views. These homes offer residents between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet of living space. The Garden Villas on Palm Jumeirah are fitted with the finest fixtures and are available with Mediterranean and Arabic themes.

Town houses offer owners 4,100 square feet of living accommodation in three and four-bedroom properties. Each of the Townhouses on Palm Jumeirah has the added benefit of shared swimming pools and private communal beach areas. As with all of the properties on this development they are finished to the highest standards.

The Trunk
The Trunk of the Palm will be home to some of the most luxurious apartments in the Dubai property market. At nearly half a kilometer wide, it will act as the central point of the palm Jumeirah with theme parks, marinas, shopping malls and restaurants. It will also feature a monorail system for the convenience of residents and guests.

Shoreline apartments are located on the right hand side of the trunk of the Palm. Sea-facing and canal-facing apartments ranging from 1 bedroom up to 4 bedroom penthouses are available. Each Shoreline Apartment has access to private swimming pools, modern gyms and children's playgrounds.

The Golden Mile Residences will comprise of 10 waterfront buildings, these will range from 1 bedroom apartments to penthouses and town homes. Together there will be a total of approximately 780 apartments which will afford residents exceptional services and views.
Marina Village Apartments - Oceana

Marina Village Apartments - Oceana is a major apartment project on the Palm Jumeirah. Located on the trunk of The Palm comprises of seven buildings. Each building comprises of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments offering owners spacious living accomodation, high quality finishes and panoramic views to the garden, beach and marina.

All residents of Oceana will be entitled to join the fabulous Regatta Club. The Regatta Club will include a number of world class facilities including a beach, running track, a large, landscaped recreation area, fully equipped gym, sauna and steam rooms, outdoor pool, children's pool and play area. The Oceana apartments are located within close walking distance from a first class shopping mall.

NY Museum gets needed upgrade

From WAN 

Smithsonian's Cooper Hewitt unveils expansion plan

The Cooper Hewitt, America's National Design Museum, has unveiled design plans for an enlarged and enhanced facility to house its vast collection. The $64 million project, which is slated to begin construction in January 2009, is being led by Gluckman Mayner Architects with Beyer Blinder Belle Architects on board as Executive Architect.

The ambitious project, which involves the restoration of the landmark Carnegie Mansion and the renovation of two adjacent townhouses, will almost double Cooper-Hewitt's exhibition space. Major components of the project include a new 7,000 sq ft gallery, restored galleries, a new National Design Library and expanded collection storage. When completed, the entire 4,000 sq ft of first floor galleries will be allocated to the display of the Museum' s permanent collection, an increase of 400 percent.

Beyer Blinder Belle will lead the Mansion's restoration work, which includes the addition of a new contemporary east stair that connects all three levels of galleries. The most visible architectural changes in the mansion will be this central stair and the new third-floor galleries. The stair design will be sympathetic to the character of the building, yet unify the disparate floors of the museum and facilitate public circulation. The new third-floor gallery will be transformed into a versatile and neutral vessel into which the museum can exhibit a wide range of temporary shows.

Sharon McHugh
US Correspondent

New cancer research facility underway in Lisbon

From

New cancer research facility underway in Lisbon 

The development of a new 300,000 sq ft cancer research facility in Lisbon has officially begun.

Symbolically, a small robot placed the first stone of the Champalimaud Foundation Centre at a ceremony attended by Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates. Officials hope the unit will lead researchers to make new discoveries, helping to enhance disease treatment and to bring forward scientific exploration in Portugal.

Consisting of three buildings, the centre is located at Pedroucos Dock on the banks of Tagus River and has been designed to provide a comfortable environment for people staying at its outpatient cancer clinic, as well as being environmentally friendly and enjoying optimal energy and resource management.

Building A will house a rainforest garden which can be visited by patients and staff, in addition to diagnostic, treatment and wellness centres; Building B is to encompass an auditorium, exhibition centre and restaurant; while Building C is expected to be an open-air amphitheatre to hold community events and public performances.

Stephen McDaniel, a principal at RMJM, commented that the project is "an excellent example of a holistic, site-specific approach to sustainability".

He continued: "For example, the proximity to the Tagus River allows us to have a geothermal heat-sink for temperature control, which is further controlled by the massive rainforest garden in the main building. The garden will be 80 x 40 metres, the size of a US football field."

RMJM Hillier are the laboratory and clinical design architects for the project, with Charles Correa appointed as design architect and Portuguese firm Consiste architect of the record.

The Champalimaud Foundation Centre is set to be the first development in a major regeneration of the Belem area of Lisbon, with an expected opening date of October 2010.

Darren Maybury
Reporter

The Oval Tower, Another Landmark For Dubai

The Oval Tower, Another Landmark For Dubai The Oval Tower is the latest piece of architectural whimsy to come out of Dubai. As you might guess, it is shaped like an oval. The tower in the Business Bay area will be home to 19 floors of office space and a leisure deck with a gymnasium with a sauna, shower and lockers. The building as two distinct parts, the tower and the podium. The podium of the tower will hold a dining area with a panoramic lift and staircase. There will be parking in both the podium and the basement for 651 cars. Source : The Oval Tower, Another Landmark For Dubai

Modernity and tradition in Dubai architecture by Luiza Karim

"The migration of an architecturaL style from an area to another foreign area is something that should be rejected because it will cut its relations to its heritage, traditions and culture. It leads to double personality and the loss of one's identity, thus to be a stranger in your house is the worst type of stranger."

The sheikh of Arab architects the late Hassan Fathi

Besides being a town on the old caravan route from Iraq to Oman, Dubai was also a transit port for dhows between India east Africa and the northern part of the Gulf. Gradually it developed into a busy commercial centre where people of different cultures and traditions settled and mixed, leading to today's multi-cultural society.

"Like most Arabian Gulf coastal cities, Dubai was established on land near a creek and fresh water. Creeks provided natural ports for dhows, and the sea was a convenient way of transportation, besides being a means of providing food and pearl diving," explains Rashad M. Bukhash, head of historical buildings section at Dubai Municipality.

Read more at Modernity and tradition in Dubai architecture by Luiza Karim 

Designboom.com : the future in dubai

the future in dubai
dubai architecture: new buildings in the united arab emirates


the future of dubai's waterfront

---
duabi or dubai city is located on the northern tip of the united arab emeritus on the persian gulf. it has been ruled
by the al maktoum dynasty since 1833 and has existed in its modern state since 1971. the current ruler is 
mohammed bin rashid al maktoum, who is also the prime minister and vice president of the united arab emirates. 
the rather small city has a population of 1.6 million people and a 37 billion USD economy based largely on trade, 
manufacturing and financial services. contrary to popular belief petrol and natural gas only make up a small 
percentage of revenues.

the city has gained world-wide attention in the past few years because of its booming economy and ambitious 
architectural projects. with a focus on business and tourism, the city is ramping up construction on an 
unprecedented level. in fact, dubai is said to be home to 15% to 25% of the world's 125,000 construction cranes. 
don't think that the architectural expansion is over, because a slew of new project are on the table and in 
the works as we speak.

here is only a small portion of the buildings that are being proposed, constructed or developed in dubai 
and its surrounding region.

 

>>> Read more >>>   designboom.com 

Architecture in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai in 1990 prior to the craziness The same street in 2003  Last year The madness.  Dubai is said to currently have 15-25% of all the world's cranes. The Dubai Waterfront.  When completed it will become the largest waterfront development in the world.  All of this was built in the last 5 years, including that island that looks like a palm tree.  The Palm Islands in Dubai.  New Dutch dredging technology was used to create these massive man made islands.  They are the largest artificial islands in the world and can be seen from space.  Three of these Palms will be made with the last one being the largest of them all.   Upon completion, the resort will have 2,000 villas, 40 luxury hotels, shopping centers, movie theaters, and many other facilities. It is expected to support a population of approximately 500,000 people.  It is advertised as being visible from the moon.   The World Islands.  300 artificially created islands in the shape of the world.  Each island will have an estimated cost of $25-30 million.  The Burj al-Arab hotel in Dubai.  The worlds tallest hotel.  Considered the only '7 star' hotel and the most luxurious hotel in the world.  It stands on an artificial island in the sea.  Hydropolis, the world's first underwater hotel.  Entirely built in Germany and then assembled in Dubai, it is scheduled to be completed by 2009 after many delays. The Burj Dubai.  Construction began in 2005 and is expected to be complete by 2008.  At an estimated height of over 800 meters, it will easily be world's tallest building when finished.  It will be almost 40% taller than the the current tallest building, the Taipei 101.  This is what downtown Dubai will look like around 2008-2009.  More than 140 stories of the Burj Dubai have already been completed.  It is already the worlds tallest man made structure and it is still not scheduled to be completed for at least another year.    The Al Burj. This will be the centerpiece of the Dubai Waterfront.  Once completed it will take over the title of the tallest structure in the world from the Burj Dubai.    Recently it was announced that the final height of this tower will be 1200 meters.  That would make it more than 30% taller than the Burj Dubai and three times as tall as the Empire State Building.  This is a city on crack. The Burj al Alam, or The World Tower.  Upon completion it will rank as the world's highest hotel.  It is expected to be finished by 2009.  At 480 meters it will only be 28 meters shorter than the Taipei 101.   The Trump International Hotel & Tower, which will be the centerpiece of one of the palm islands, The Palm Jumeirah. Dubailand.  Currently, the largest amusement park collection in the world is  Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, which is also the largest single-site employer in the United states with 58,000 employees.  Dubailand will be twice the size.  Dubailand will be built on 3 billion square feet (107 miles^2) at an estimated $20 billion price tag.  The site will include a purported 45 mega projects and 200 hundred other smaller projects.   Dubai Sports City.  A huge collection of sports arenas located in Dubailand.  Currently, the Walt Disney World Resort is the #1 tourist destination in the world.  Once fully completed, Dubailand will easily take over that title since it is expected to attract 200,000 visitors daily. The Dubai Marina is an entirely man made development that will contain over 200 highrise buildings when finished.  It will be home to some of the tallest residential structures in the world.  The completed first phase of the project is shown. Most of the other high rise buildings will be finished by 2009-2010.    The Dubai Mall will be the largest shopping mall in the world with over 9 million square feet of shopping and around 1000 stores.  It will be completed in 2008.   Ski Dubai, which is already open, is the largest indoor skiing facility in the world.  This is a rendered image of another future indoor skiing facility that is being planned.  Some of the tallest buildings in the world, such as Ocean Heights and The Princess Tower, which will be the largest residential building in the world at over a 100 stories, will line the Dubai Marina.    The UAE Spaceport would be the first spaceport in the world if construction ever gets under way.  I'm not joking...   Some other other crazy shit... The Dubai Metro system, once completed, will become the largest fully automated rail system in the world.  The Dubai World Central International Airport will become the largest airport in size when it is completed.  It will also eventually become the busiest airport in the world, based on passenger volume.  There are more construction workers in Dubai than there are actual citizens.  http://dubai.isnuts.googlepages.com/

PEACOCK DINNER CLUB

OLSSONLYCKEFORS ARCHITECTS
location	Gothenburg
function	club, restaurant
contributed by	Kirsten_Hannema

Peacock Dinner Club is the first of a number of new dinner clubs in Sweden, following the concept of a restaurant that develops into a dance club during the evening. OlssonLyckefors Architects used the metaphor of a peacock to translate this idea into an architectural design; just as the peacock spreads its tail feathers, so the space changes without any physical changes taking place. The centrally located bar is laminated in gold, its top reflecting an ellipse of light on the ceiling. LED tubes are concealed in the bar's front along the floor-edge and underneath a rail running along its top. The seating, organized like the tail feathers of a peacock, has been integrated into a slightly elevated podium shaped around the bar. As the night advances the volume of the music rises and soft lighting changes into pulsing bright colours. The lighting walls are made of MDF, perforated according to a fixed pattern and backlit by RGB lights, thus allowing the dynamic colours to change gradually.

http://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Sweden/Gothenburg/Peacock%20Dinner%20Club

Free Vector : Baroque Ornament

Copyright: Mauricio Duque
Author Website: snap2objects.com
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
Uploaded On: 22/09/08
File Size: 452 KB

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Free Vector : Flourish Pattern Vector

Copyright: iheartvector
Author Website: iheartvector.com
License: Free to use in your personal and commercial designs
Uploaded On: 22/09/08
File Size: 196 KB

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Free Vector : The angel

Copyright: Jay
Author Website: www.tshirtaxid.com
License: free
Uploaded On: 25/09/08
File Size: 1,2 MB

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Free Vector : sweated from pain ... and all for that red dress

sweated from pain ... and all for that red dress

Copyright: youworkforthem
Author Website: youworkforthem.com
License: free for personal use only
Uploaded On: 23/09/08
File Size: 299 KB

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VTI2 to transform lifeless Victoria Street in latest regeneration schem

From WAN  http://slickip.com/u/sldiR.7284722 

For several years, Transport for London have been undergoing a series of advancements in London's famous underground system to ease congestion, particularly prevalent in central London, and to make travelling in Europe's largest city as comfortable as possible. But surrounding the internal developments of the labyrinthine underground network are those cropping up more visibly in the streets of London. A landmark design for Blackfriars Station which will once again abridge the station at either side of the Thames was revealed in September, similarly other stations including Shepherd's Bush have been remodelled to accommodate the ever increasing stream of travellers through the bustling city.

But the latest developments in London's travel lifeline are issued not in transport itself but in a trend for regeneration through transport. Part of the London Plan, developed under former Mayor Ken Livingstone in 2001, is the encouragement of high density building around transport nodes in the city. The concept is to reduce further travel horizontally and instead encourage those working and living in the city to climb vertically in commercial and residential towers based around key central stations, developed to cope with capacity travel. The latest of these to be revealed is the Victoria Transport Interchange, aka VTI 2.

A development by investors Land Securities, VTI 2 will occupy a 2.5 hectare site close to Victoria Station, the capital's busiest transport hub with approximately 115 million passengers each year. Upon planning approval, a development of six buildings with office space, private and affordable housing, retail and leisure units will be created.

Richard Coleman, townscape advisor for the project said it will be a massive transformation for an important area close to Victoria Station: "Currently the interior of the site is dormant and of no urban value. The existing streets are underused because they go nowhere. The recasting of the area, with streets following desire lines, and very high quality architecture will serve people's needs and pave the way for redistributing the bus station uses presently cluttering up the forecourt of the station which has more people using it than heathrow airport. The heights of the buildings are very carefully calculated, in consultation with the city council, to respect the setting of Belgravia, Buckingham Palace and views from the Royal Parks."

The plans represent a similar regeneration to those presented in Renzo Piano's London Bridge Tower, aka Shard of Glass. These schemes offer particular regenerative efforts due to a legal agreement, Section 106, which is created to protect areas where larger developments are planned. It allows additional development to adjacent areas which may be affected by the larger scheme. This system runs side by side with the London Plan in encouraging regeneration of facilities creating a balance between public and corporate benefits.

The VTI 2 development is a collaboration between world-renowned Kohn Pedersen Fox and the less known Benson and Forsyth and Lynch Architects who will design the residential aspects of the project. If planning approval is granted construction could begin in 2010. Land Securities plans for Victoria will continue with the submission of plans for approval at Selhurst House on Victoria Street and Wellington House in Buckingham Gate in the coming weeks.

Niki May Young
News Editor

FREE VECTOR : Tres

DOWNLOAD http://slickip.com/u/sldiR.HEgbConzZp

Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon(s), which are all based upon mathematical equations, to represent images in computer graphics.

Vector graphics formats are complementary to raster graphics, which is the representation of images as an array of pixels, as it is typically used for the representation of photographic images. There are instances when working with vector tools and formats is best practice, and instances when working with raster tools and formats is best practice. There are times when both formats come together. An understanding of the advantages and limitations of each technology and the relationship between them is most likely to result in efficient and effective use of tools.

FREE VECTOR : BUGS

FREE VECTOR

Download link http://slickip.com/u/sldiR.aDtWSZyHfP

http://www.mgipson.com/2008/03/22/vector-bug-illustrations/

Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon(s), which are all based upon mathematical equations, to represent images in computer graphics.

Vector graphics formats are complementary to raster graphics, which is the representation of images as an array of pixels, as it is typically used for the representation of photographic images. There are instances when working with vector tools and formats is best practice, and instances when working with raster tools and formats is best practice. There are times when both formats come together. An understanding of the advantages and limitations of each technology and the relationship between them is most likely to result in efficient and effective use of tools.