This week I participated at the summer youth activity pilot project hosted by the youth meeting point in Dinklage. Located at the Dümmer See I supported the organisation as a media educator. According with my photography knowledge it was a pleasure to give the participating kids the opportunity to fulfil their imagination of the perfect photo.
Due to the sunny weather, with extreme temperatures above 30°, we avoided to shoot indoor. On the one hand a pity because the understanding of proper lightning could be taught. But on the other hand we had much fun taking pictures at the beach and in the water.
The overall feedback was astonishing. All the participants were happy with our approach of outstanding youth-education.The climate with the kids and along the organisation-team was really calm and relaxed.

Also the local press and politicians were spellbound as they has a look at our work. I hope that encourages them to support the youth-work even more.

• http://www.duemmerheim.de/

Like every year during mid june the Hurricane Festival serves us all with the finest selection of good music. And like every year I’ll provide you a proper printable map of the campsite. With this clear map you won’t get lost during your dizzy times and you can easily coordinate your meeting points with your companions.

According to this map I recommend you to check out Koeckis Hurricane Timetable to have a clear overview of the upcoming bands.

Enjoy your stay at the Hurricane Festival 2010 in Scheeßel.

• Download Hurricane Festivalmap 2010 (PDF, 705kb)

Perform! Big performance on January 30th, 2010 from Janko Hofmann on Vimeo.

The second performance of the bachelor project “Perform!” from the University of Bremen at the celebration of the graduates of the university on january 30th, 2010, filmed by students of the bachelor project “ImageFilm” from the University of Applied Sciences Bremerhaven.

This is the follow-up of the bachelor project I participated in. I assume, that this is the mid-term presentation, because the only improvement is the multi-touch performance interface. I’d love to see both projects interacting together in the future, but I’m quite sure, this will happen.

Perform Website: http://medien.informatik.uni-bremen.de/perform/

Emotional. Depressive. Unpredictable. Heavy Rain is one of the few compelling games I completed straight. I was really bound in this dense atmosphere, according with the thrilling story. Actually I didn’t intend to buy this game. However I was meant to import it from the UK for my brother. In the end I didn’t regret that I gave it a try. Frankly, the controls are crap. Reminds me more of a racing game (R2 for acceleration) than an adventure but the rest of the game is just brilliant.

Encouraged by the story, you’ll be tempted to keep on playing. But that should be compulsory for a game that is acting like a movie. The final outcome is determined by one of the many interactive decisions you can make. Those consist basically of certain combinations you have to nail. But if you nail them perfect, you get honored, at least, with a trophy (which are almost secret, though).

You can’t really tell, if the previous choice was good or bad for the story. In total there are over 20 endings and if you make a “wrong” decision, it could alter the whole storyline and lead to a good, a bad, a weird, a strange, a happy, a sad, …. ending.

This is definitely a must-play for every gaming enthusiast out there. And I can imagine that this is one of the few games, which can be enjoyed by just watching it being played by a friend.

Even if you die, the story goes on, so do your best to survive.

• Personal Rating: 5/5
• www.heavyrainps3.com
• Heay Rain – Gametrailers.com Review

• What I did: Gamedesign
• Brief: To devise, design and refine an original Game System to be used in a non-digital card game.
• Download the GridGrind card game

This was the first time I devised a complete card game. I came up with the grid-based idea quite early. My aim was to achieve a simple game with basic mechanics and a good balance. However, the factor chance should also be included.

I started playtesting with prototypes. Initially I planned to add more rules, but it appeared to be way to complex. So I ended up with less rules and an easier learning-curve.

Feel free to download the game and play it. If you do so, please leave me a comment about your experience.

A company called Zebra Imaging introduced holographic 3d sheets at the Autodesk University. The highlight is, that you are able to “print” them out of any Autodesk application. However the angle of the image is more or less fixed. But keep in mind, that this is only the start of 3D without any glasses. Even though this technique is old fashioned, it’s different to the commercial bric-a-bac you can find every now and then in the malls.

Considering visualization this could become an obligatory step in architecture.

(via openmedi.de)

The SkyPort has been chosen for my Fantastic Airport Viszualization. I have loads of ideas, which will get me into learning useful new techniques (f.e. clouds) and use already known sophisticated techniques. I desire to achieve a massive airport to the stars, with a dense and convincing atmosphere.

• Above the clouds
• Port to space on a main route via massive spaceships
• Apartements and offices in the staves
• Several layers of floating traffic in stave area
• CargoPort for regional logistics
• Duty-Free, Waitinghall, Shopping, etc

Scribbles on Blockout