Weather Woes Welcome 2018

January 5, 2018 General

It’s quite natural to speak about weather systems in Canada, and especially about its infamous winters. So at the time of this writing as I welcome 2018, the area of Southern Ontario (including Toronto) is under a spell of extremely cold temperatures with a warning to this effect also being issued by the Environment Canada. With the mercury dipping staggeringly over the past holiday season and moving towards the new year, the temperatures now feel anywhere between -26°C to -30°C. It would come as a surprise that I am writing about the cold temperatures in the middle of the winter season, but trust me when I say this, that the winter hasn’t been so severe over the past 2 seasons. A few layers of warm clothes was all that I needed to step out in the chill which didn’t last long, however, this season has come as a wake-up call in which I have had to even cover my face from getting ‘burned’ by the frigid cold air! For now, I am eager to see some warmth, and even the slightest indication of a rising mercury would make things better.

Books

Books On Design Which I Enjoyed In 2017

December 29, 2017 Design
My zest for ‘change’ led me to read books in 2017. here’s my short review of the publications I enjoyed on design and design-thinking.

As 2017 draws to an end, I had resolved from the beginning to make this a productive year, and more than anything, it turned to be a remarkable one as far as my reading goes! At the onset, there was sufficient appetite to read academic books on design and venture on a learning spree with the sole aim to pick new stuff and refresh my knowledge, challenge some preconceived notions, and change some of my perspectives and help me to go beyond the typical ‘design’ paradigm. In my search of knowledge, I also didn’t realize that I was unknowingly being influenced by the experience and writings from IDEO’s brilliant books and I was lucky to have found some lying on my shelves (that I would refer once in a while) but never got myself around to reading them completely. Now was a good opportunity then!

This is my short review of the magnificent and insightful books on design thinking and innovation this year!

Creativity Inc. - Books I Read In 2017

Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration (by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace / Publisher: Random House) [Book Website]

In this fascinating essay, Ed Catmull charts his career graph alongside the founding and management of Pixar. From his childhood dream of working for Disney to becoming the current President of Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, Catmull recounts his love for animation, leadership, and creativity. In all that, he became instrumental in developing the technology which enabled a newly co-founded animation studio ‘Pixar’ in the 90s to create award-winning movies and disrupt the animation industry forever. In general, this book explores various perspectives in successfully leading initiatives that range from collaboration to communication, and in trying out new ideas fearlessly even if they’re destined to fail. I particularly cherished the chapter, ‘Afterword: The Steve We Knew’ that is dedicated to Steve Jobs – he bought the niche Graphics Group from Lucas Films and spun it into Pixar. My impression about Pixar from reading the book was reinforced, not just as a path-breaking studio but for spearheading the use of technology and collaborative efforts in bringing the finer details of the movie characters on the big screen. And that’s not all, it was most humbling to read about Catmull’s humane qualities as an inspiring leader and an entrepreneur in leading Pixar/Disney’s teams on the large movie projects. It’s an exceptional book and a must read for innovators.

Why Should You Pick This Book?

Having read extensively about Pixar and Steve Jobs’ contribution I was already convinced on getting an ‘insider’s look’ into the processes of the studio. So, just like me, if you are curious about Pixar’s legendary mechanism of making their animation movies that create box-office history over and over again then this book is for you. It’s also inspiring to discover Ed Catmull and his humble beginnings as a computer scientist and leading up to his current standing at Disney. There are some valuable insights to have here. Besides, if you have read the several books on Steve Jobs, you will enjoy reading more about the legendary entrepreneur from a newer perspective.

Continue reading…

‘Muramba’ Is Just As Sweet As It Sounds!

December 23, 2017 Movies

Muramba - Movie PosterThe lush warmth of Pune’s sunshine apart, ‘Muramba’ conveyed the quintessential, endearing Marathi culture in oodles and that in itself totally won my heart. I chose to relish this scrumptious cinema on a frigid evening yesterday with only one desire in mind, and that was to enjoy a good Marathi movie. And, oh boy! ‘Muramba’ didn’t just entertain me, but the cosiness and the envious modesty of an urbane middle-class household, the sunny locales, not to mention the constant references to delectable Indian food, and alongside some unpretentious performances by the actors left me completely homesick!

So, Alok (Amey Wagh) and Indu (Mithila Palkar) are passing through some rough weather in their love tale and the parents step into a mentoring role for these youngsters. But that’s not all because there are personality issues to cope with before our man ties the knot. Which is why the agenda is not just limited to bringing the estranged couple together but also to inculcate the essence of life into their tender premature minds. And who could be more qualified to do this job than a paradoxical pair of doting parents who believe in having a friendly chat with their kids? In that, it’s so heartwarming to see the absence of a typical “I told you so” and “you better listen to me” nature of domineering banter that generally outlines a father-son relationship, rather what you experience makes you wonder if this is indeed the real interpretation of ‘Parenting 101’! Enough said. If homey Marathi family dramas suit your taste then you must watch ‘Muramba’, and warm the cockles of your heart.