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Design Information Technology Innovation Software

Alvin Woon’s “The future of social app interface design” talk at the Future of Web Apps

Alvin Woon is the UI lead for Plurk, a social network with a focus on short messages. His primary work is focused on designing user interface and leading aspects of usability research. Watch Alvin Woon’s ‘The future of social app interface design‘ at the Future of Web Apps London 2008

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China Consumer Behavior Economics Trend Watching

China, Socialism & Consumer Behavior: In a Tidal Shift, Chinese Spending More Overseas

Money is moving in a new direction in China — out: Some Chinese are so eager to turn their yuan into other assets that when an online real estate brokerage organized a tour of foreclosure auctions in the United States, it received so many applications that it had to turn away nearly 400 people. In Shanghai, cash-rich Chinese companies are buying high-yield bonds issued by distressed American companies at a time when most investors are steering clear of bonds even from solid companies […]

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Design Innovation Software Trend Watching

Kathy Sierra: “How to grow and nurture your community”

Kathy Sierra has been interested in learning theory since her days as a game developer (Virgin, MGM, Amblin’). More recently, she’s been a master trainer for Sun Microsystems, teaching Sun’s java instructors how to teach the latest technologies to customers, and a lead developer of several Sun certification exams. Along with her partner Bert Bates, Kathy created the Head First series. She’s also the original founder of the Software Development/Jolt Productivity Award-winning JavaRanch, the largest (and friendliest) all-volunteer Java community. Watch Kathy Sierra’s ‘How to grow and nurture your community‘ presentation, from Future of Web Apps London 2008

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China Consumer Behavior Trend Watching

Living in China: Beijing ranked as most expensive city for expatriates

A recent survey by ECA International, a London-based human resources consultant, ranked Beijing as the 31st most expensive city for expatriates in the world, surpassing Hong Kong to become the most expensive city in China […]

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China Design Innovation

Design in China: Shortage of creative talent in Shanghai

Shanghai has a shortage of creative design talent, experts said at a forum at the China International Industry Fair recently. Chen Tianzhong, president of Wiselogic Investment Group, said in seven industries in Shanghai, including construction, advertising, light industry and multimedia, are eager to find more design personnel […]

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China Consumer Behavior Information Technology Trend Watching

Internet in China: digital advertising spend to rocket

The Chinese love affair with the internet will see digital ad spend increase 40% to $5.2bn (£3.07bn) next year, making the booming Asian online economy roughly the same size as the current UK market, according to a report. The study by KPMG, to be unveiled today at the MediaGuardian Create in China conference in central London, estimates that the total ad spend on all media in the Chinese market will grow by 22% this year and 19.5% next year. By the end of next year, the Chinese ad market will be worth $37.85bn, a year-on-year increase of more than $6bn on 2007 […]

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China Design Information Technology Innovation Software

Autodesk University China 2008: Second Day

The second day of Autodesk University in China featured several breakout sessions targeted at specific industries. The event also provided a platform for Autodesk to champion for few initiatives toward more efficient, innovative, and sustainable design, like Digital Prototyping, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Digital Cities. For the Digital Cities initiative, AU China brought Doug Eberhard — Sr. Director and Industry Evangelist for the Geospatial Business Unit — to share Autodesk’s vision to create a collaborative environment around intelligent high-fidelity 3D digital models of existing and proposed infrastructure […]

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Design Information Technology Software

Autodesk to buy Softimage|XSI

Autodesk has signed a definitive agreement with Avid to acquire substantially all of the assets of Avid’s Softimage business unit for around US$35 million. This will mean that Autodesk will own three of the main 3D suites: 3ds Max, Maya and Softimage|XSI. Autodesk plans to acquire and continue developing the core Softimage|XSI suite, the Softimage|Face Robot facial animation software, the Softimage|Cat character animation plug-in for 3ds Max and the Softimage|Crosswalk ‘interoperability solution’ – which will be integrated with Autodesk’s own sharing technology…

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Information Technology Innovation Software Trend Watching

Andrew Turner: “Beyond Google Maps”

Andrew is co-founder of Mapufacture, where he works developing open-standards and building tools to make it easy for people to create dynamic, customized maps using complex geospatial tools. He also actively participates in the open-source community and develops several mapping tools such as Mapstraction and GeoPress. Watch Andrew Turner ‘Beyond Google Maps‘ presentation at the Future of Web Apps London 2008

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Design Innovation Readings Software

Super Bowl XLII: Digital Artists Tackle Commercials With Autodesk Solutions

More than 30 Super Bowl XLII TV commercials for Bridgestone, Budweiser, Coca-Cola, FedEx and other advertisers were created using Autodesk, Inc. technology. Autodesk’s visual effects, editing/ finishing and 3D modeling, animation and rendering software were used to deliver computer-generated imagery, including digital animals and environments. ‘With a viewership of over 97 million people, this year’s Super Bowl commercials have exceeded expectations and delivered the inspired entertainment we look forward to year after year,’ said Karim Salabi, Autodesk Media & Entertainment vice president of marketing…