Design, Web and Interesting News from Zise | Blog

Facebook to go public

Apparently the IPO papers revealed that Facebook now has 845 Million users and experts are expecting that to grow in 2012.

They are also saying that changes may be made to Facebook once it goes public. Changes may include a paid premium paid for use service and may also extend to more invasive advertising. Currently Facebook users who access the social networking site on mobile devices don't have to put up with advertising, however that could change. With Facebook users who access the site on their mobile devices now totaling around 50%, Facebook may include advertising and sponsored stories on their mobile apps and mobile websites according to the filing document.

Check out the Channel 7 snippet below. It maybe worthwhile keeping an eye on this one to see how things may change in your social media campaigns.

Do you think the Facebook IPO and any changes it implements could effect your social networking campaign?

Inspiring Illustrations

This week i've decided to put together a few digital illustrations from some amazing artists around the world. These artworks are a great source of inspiration and should not be used against the artists wishes. Click on the artwork titles to view the full sized image of each artwork.

1. First up is Melanie Delon, who creates stunningly realistic images. Melanie's artworks often appear in the digital art magazine, ImagineFX for workshops and tutorials, this one is titled 'Age'.

2. Anna Dittman (also known as Escume on DeviantArt) was recently picked as one of the top 10 Rising Stars of the ImagineFX digital drawing competition. Only 17 years of age and her artworks are already known all around the world. This artwork is titled 'Coral'.

3. Cryptwalker (as known on DeviantArt) created this extremely amazing image for a new Magic the Gathering expansion. It features all of the characters and was created to be a life size printout. This is titled 'Planeswalkers Pantheon'.

4. Chen Wei (also known as Lorlandchain on DeviantArt) is a well known digital artist and has also been featured, surprise surprise… in ImagineFX magazines. His artwork is always beautifully detailed and tells an interesting story. This artwork is titled 'The Queen of Ultima'.

5. Alexander Tooth is a member of the online community for ImagineFX aspiring artists. He often helps people out with their artworks and is extremely talented. His artwork can also been seen on DeviantArt under AlexTooth. This piece is titled 'King of the Mountain'.

I hope you've enjoyed our inspirations for the week!

Stop Online Piracy Act

If you have been on the internet today and gone to Wikipedia you would have noticed something a little different to normal. The 24 hour 'Blackout' is underway to protest against SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act). Hundred's of major websites have protested in different ways against these two acts including Wikipedia, Wired, Reddit, WordPress, Twitter, Facebook and Google.

The most notable of the blackouts would have to be Wikipedia, one of the most visited sites on the internet being completely blacked out. Most sites used interesting methods in which their content was still able to be viewed (see the Wired.com screenshot below) but Wikipedia was completely shut down.

SOPA is a massive issue in America, but it is also going to effect anyone who uses the internet regularly. PIPA, if passed, will give corporations the right to get other website showing their material shutdown permanently and have their domain blocked. This means social networking sites, in particular Google+ and Facebook, will become liable for any content that their users' post. If they fail to remove infringing content, they can become subject to shutdown.

Even though these acts are in America, if passed, will effect Australia too. If you are interested in discussing SOPA further, check out the Zise Facebook Page. Also, if you are interested in learning more about SOPA and PIPA check out Stop Online Piracy Act | Wikipedia

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Hi-Tec Oils - New Website

Zise has been working with the Australian, family owned company Hi-Tec Oils to re-design their website.

Hi-Tec Oils specialises in producing high quality lubricants, greases and specialty products. To see what they have to offer you can visit the online store and view their range of premium products.

The team at Zise has been working hard to make the new website look clean, sleek and easy to navigate. Take a look at our before and after shots to see the difference yourself!

Dont forget to check out their website at www.hi-tecoils.com.au

Creative Workspaces 101

No one likes working in a boring workspace, no imagination, no freedom, creativity blocked out by the mess scrambled over your desk. Having a tidy, simple and well designed workspace can be extremely helpful in your productivity and the amount of creativeness you have. Get out of the boring and get into a functional and creative working environment.

The most important part of a good workspace is the functionality. There is no point having a beautiful space to work in if there isn't enough room for your keyboard to fit amongst your screens, no point having an awesome wall mount for your desk if its too high off the ground. Make sure when designing your workspace that you leave ample room for all of your equipment, suitable places where cords can be run out of sight and finally, make sure you leave enough room for books, paperwork and anything else you are likely to place on your desk as you use it.

As I mentioned above, one thing that greatly improves both the look and the functionality of a workspace is having every single cord, no matter where it is running to, hidden and out of sight. Having them hidden does not only make the whole space look much tidier but it also helps to avoid cords being knocked, pulled out or tripped over.

My last piece of advice before I show you some inspirational workspaces is; Simplicity is Creativity. The more simple your workspace is, the more freedom you have to move both physically and mentally. Having a tidy workspace leaves nothing to distract you from your work and will greatly help boost your productivity.

Finally, Lifehacker Australia is a great resource for workspace inspiration as once a week they showcase a featured workspace. Here is a list of my favorite workspaces from the Lifehacker Australia Website. Enjoy.

• Elevated Workspace
• Wood and White
• Basement
• Sleek White
• Chalkboard
• Deskbed
• Spacious Office
• Elegance Basement
• Compudesk
• Monitors & Fireworks
• Makeover