therawcompound

[therawcompound]

Nowhere Man

Have you ever felt like you've been enclosed to a song like it's literally touched your skin? A pat on my back.

As I was driving alone in my car, the bright evening sun struck my eyes, there goes this song. "Nowhere Man" by The Beatles. I happened to be listening to The Beatles because of Murakami, but at that moment I realized how strong this song is for me.

"Nowhere man, don't worry. Take your time, don't hurry. Leave it all 'till somebody else lends you a hand."

Thank you, John, I definitely am a nowhere man right now. Sitting in my nowhere land, as blind as I can be, but I definitely can see you right now.

-CnaJlaa

[therawcompound]

Saturn

Last night I had my strangest dream to date. Well, I don't think I acquire it late at night tho, because it's always "the morning dream" that I remember when I wake up.

I dreamed about space travel that'll take 3 months of travel to Saturn. I don't even know if it's my favorite planet of all, but the strange feeling is that I felt really pleased because it's just so beautiful looking planet of all. You definitely can distinguish the Saturn in the midst of other round-plain-looking planets.

Turns out, in that delightful journey I can't be at ease because I forgot to tell my father that I had to be away for 3 months straight without being able to contact him. Dream Interpreter, hit me up!

-CaJnala

[therawcompound]

apa sih?

After writing about Juno, I'm kind of sick of my writings recently just channeling my depression through movies. In fact, all of it was movie-related!

mkay, let's talk about something else.

Lately I've been obsessed with this song titled "DARARI" by TREASURE.

I think my friend just caught me "out of character" because I've been listening to K-pop song. I didn't despise K-pop at all, truth be told I've always tried to enjoy it. I love Lisa of BLACKPINK. But honestly I can't find a single BLACKPINK or Lalisa's song I fancy like I enjoyed "DARARI".

Jak FM is the one to blame, really love their music preference. I haven't looked around TREASURE much, but this song is fire! The lyrics got me "apa sih?", but it's just so good. The beat, the melody, caught me dancing like <3.

- ClaJnaa

[therawcompound]

Juno

WARNING: nauseating lovey-dovey content.

"I just wonder if, like.. two people can stay together for good?", sweet sweet Juno asked her father after losing her faith in humanity witnessing Vanessa's tragedy.

He answers it calmly, saying that the best thing she (we) can do is find a person who loves us for exactly what we are. "Ugly, pretty, the right person is still gonna think the sun shines out of your ass", he said.

Of course by the end of his sentence, the right person he meant is her father himself. He loves her for what she is. Noted by dear Juno, she eventually just stormed out to find Bleeker.

Well, for the rest of the story you just have to find out yourself. I just am completely in love with what Juno said to Bleeker after:

"You're like the coolest person I've ever met, and you don't even have to try, you know?"

What a simple, effortless form of love that resonates with my feelings towards my kind of right person. I know people have their own needs from their respective lovers, but this is just it for me.

I don't need "the one" (dear God I really hate that term) to be the answer to all of my problems. Just let me be with my way, and let's just be obsessed with one another.

- ClaJnaa

[therawcompound]

Longing, longing.

After years of turbulent time, it is time for him to settle down.

On a 5 stories balcony, staring deep into his reality.

Seems so close, but far enough to distance himself from any kind of noise.

Almost like watching a 60’s Chaplin silent movie, everything becomes self explanatory.

Once, he tries to shout. everybody’s been wondering “what was that about?”

Silently observing the busy streets, He forget when was the last time he properly sleeps.

He’s been longing, longing.

-Al Mualim

[therawcompound]

Talk About Journey

Man, guess I'm on a slump.

With everything seems to be slipped out of my hand right now, feel like I really am stuck in the moment and can't get out of it.

Not quite the first time I experienced it though, the bittersweet of life, somehow I always managed to overcome it in the end. Although the slump's getting deeper and deeper I suppose. Hopefully, THIS IS the lowest of the low.

There is one movie, my favorite homegrown movie I can say, that always keeps me company whenever I'm on a slump.

3 Hari untuk Selamanya.

Starring Nicholas Saputra and Adinia Wirasti, is a movie about mission, purpose, question, and the most important of it all; the journey. Tells about a pair of cousins assigned a task to deliver family heirdom to be presented on their sister's wedding day, the trip took 3 days for them to reach Yogyakarta by car from Jakarta. Troubles along the way, they finally reach their destination, and it was a life-changing experience for them in the end.

There is one line from the movie I'd like to quote, that has always been my go-to whenever I'm on a slump like this:

"When you've tried your best to find an answer and can't find it in the end, maybe this is not the time for you to get the answer"

I know the line doesn't make any sense without any context. If it doesn't make any sense to you, I believe it is not the time for you to be needing this. Good for you.

I know that in this life, you'll never be in the state of not having any major problems at all. Believe me, people will always find a problem to work with. I myself have experienced where not at all those problems in the past should I sweat it because, in this state of my life, those problems didn't seem to matter at all right now.

IT IS about the journey, not the destination.

- ClaaJna

[therawcompound]

An Air of Mystery

Im seeing almost everyday that people will put their work and series of activities online, consciously or sub-consciously supporting the ideas of self-branding. Motivation behind this might vary, whether it is a survival mechanism for freelancers to land a job (because they need it to expand their opportunities and get noticed) or it is simply an act of showing who they are in public so that people will perceive their personality based on what they upload.

I find this quite interesting although me personally right now don't have such appetite to do it but nevertheless I acknowledge the naivety and consequences of not following those streams.

Guess I will let the air of mystery carry my vision, mistakes, and let the people guess and discover my presence and capabilities in realm of their reality.

-Mualim

[therawcompound]

The Only Sneaker Collaboration That Got Me (so far)

Not a sneakerhead, having zero clue about the hype culture. So, I might have non-bias answer on the best sneaker collaboration. My answer about the best sneaker collab? Nike and Tom Sachs General Purpose Shoe. This is how sneaker supposedly made and marketed. I really like the 80s-style ad that coming with the release of this sneaker. Everything written in the poster is really on point.

Like all collaboration sneakers that are released in limited quantities, people will giving value of the shoes by the hype and after market prices, which I don't think makes sense. People should value the shoes by how they use it, and how the shoes really represent you (sounds cringe but true). My wish is the after market price of this shoes never going exceedingly high like Mars Yard.

[therawcompound]

Pessimisissst Portion

Found this account a while ago on twitter, Pessimists Archive. I think the name already explains what this account brings, collection of old/semi-old archive (mostly news article) that criticize and giving pessimist view on new technology. Of course they also have web/newsletter format so that you can dig the archive more easy. It's both funny and revealing to read those old news that doubt the new things just because it's new... and nowaday seeing those things to be used in a daily basis of the majority. This newsletter really taught me things, that no matter what you do, you will always get doubt and cynicism from somebody somewhere, even the most excellent people like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk get the same. Indeed, I'm having no doubt that there must be some pessimist believe that true at the end. But at least the subject that they're talk about is die trying right? rather than just talking. Lastly, im taking personal note to reduce my pessimism portion both for myself and external. Don't be a pessimist gold medalist because it's a WASTING TIME:).

-Siza

[therawcompound]

The Dynamic Duo

Rarely amaze with software app, but I have to admit these dynamic duo have helped me a lot lately.

For Figma, I'm not talking about the app as a UI design tools. The real versatile weapon is Figjam, best collaborative brainstorming platform IMO, it can even be used for personal needs. From dumping all interesting images and references that you find everyday, to low-prototyping your concept/thought. A tool to quickly render your ideas into something more definitive. Imagine you have a big ass whiteboard that you can carry everywhere. And it’s cloud-based!

Kudos to Figma for making 'design tools' could be easily utilized by anyone, even people who are not familiar with design and design tools. Waiting for architecture design software developed with the same approach, so software as intimidating as AutoCAD can slowly fade away lol.

Notion… been using maybe since 2017 but never effectively utilize this app. Until I knew that the app made many improvement and it still going. This app might be the answer to moving away from ugly mess mobile notes. If Figjam is like a whiteboard, this app more like a colorful binder notebook that you collect when you are on junior high school. The difference is, you will actually use it instead of just left it blank. Tons of tutorial and guide out there on how you make the most of this app. But the ‘trial&error’ way is wayyy better, to find the best personalized on maximize the app based on my needs. Not productivity person but Notion running almost 24/7 in the laptop, rarely closed.

Ohh, although both Figjam and Notion are amazing, the most powerful tools are still the conventional, physical notebook and sticky notes.

-Siza

[therawcompound]

CFW CFW CFW

The talks and discussion about this phenomenon has been going anywhere right now. But... it’s never too late to write something around the hype (is CFW a hype?).

It’s impressive how bunch of underestimate kids can create a nation-wide sensation, still with the help of social media. From the start It's just bunch of ‘cool kids’ that just hang out with their community, and gaining more popularity because of some tiktok/instagram account that making fun on this kids activity. They interviewing those kids but not related to their expression/fashun. I mean, Mundut Mustofa has done it better.

In my opinion, to say that this phenomenon exists because of the success of city transport and great public space are true and not true at the same time. These children, if I'm not mistaken, have already doing these activities even before this Dukuh Atas revitalization, at Kota Tua and Bekasi City Forest. So, whether Dukuh Atas TOD (a term that only some people understand to describe this specific space) existed or not, they will continue to express themselves elsewhere. It just happens that Dukuh Atas is a very strategic place for them. Ironically, these exurb kids set a really great example to the metropolitan people on how to occupy city's public spaces. As a self proclaimed public space lover, i should envy them.

Now, it's no longer very interesting to follow this phenomenon, exploited by some people who just want to bandwagoning the hype for their own benefit. It's like... in an era like this, it will be so rarely to have something (movement, trend, hype) that grows organically. At some point, sooner or later, there will be particular people that ruin the party for their own sake and make those things no longer fun. Boo!

-Siza

[therawcompound]

Violence, Dignity, and Expressive Nature of 80's Bosozoku Logotypes

Back in junior high, I remember being fascinated and dazed by the bizarre life of an ex-biker gang leader with a dream of becoming the greatest high school teacher in all of japan in manga series by Tooru Fujisawa, GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka).

One of the funniest moment that hooked my adolescent mind before long was when Onizuka's patience as a new teacher on probation are being tested by 4 of his student who tries to blackmail him a million yen. They threatens to spread a fabricated photos of Onizuka undressing his female pupil which is also a fake act.

Shortly after, his student are waiting at a nearby park on midnight to collect the ransom from him. But even before their first cigarette burns out they accidentally greeted by dozens of roaming local biker gang. Little did they know that park happens to be a meeting spot for those mob. Instead of receiving a quick buck from their teacher, the three little rascals are now being scared shitless surrounded by sounds of clinking metal bats and smells of fresh gasoline with nowhere to go.

Suddenly there's a commotion going on away from the crowd which turned out to be Onizuka himself making his way in by swinging kicks and punches casually in front of several armed men. The agitated gang leader approaches trying to understand what the hell is going on and soon he realized that the lone man is the legendary former leader respected by past generation for being the most vicious commander back in the day. He immediately tries to de-escalate the situation by calming down his subordinate. Followed by a bow as a form of respect asking for apology from a mere high school teacher.

A sense of false relief came through their mind, "Our teacher are going to save us!". Onizuka asked the leader what have they done to his student. The leader said "We haven't done a thing to them, I swear", "Good, help me with those three. I will give them a lesson of a lifetime for having the guts to blackmail me". Three of them are now flabbergasted by the sight of half naked man with two flashlight tied into his forehead shouting "Tie them up!".

Then, they hanged the students upside down on top of nearby pond. Belarusian Army water torture style. Just to send one message throughout the school: Do not mess with the one and only Onizuka. That scene was my first introduction to a world of Japanese gang-culture filled with violence yet built by a foundation of respect and dignity. Way of Bushido they said. A subculture that revolves around speed, punch perm hairstyle, butterfly knife, thrill-seeking youth, and over the top modified vehicles ranging from two-strokes cafe racer bikes to an extravagantly decorated cars to show their wild-expressionist nature. Proudly calls themselves as Bosozoku (which can be literally translated to "violent running tribe").

Originally formed by a group of retired WWII kamikaze fighter who mostly suffered from PTSD, Bosozoku culture are an attempt to cope and escape from a daily mundane life contrasting to the camaraderie, excitement, and fiery atmosphere that they used to have on a battlefield. Beyond that, the practice of forming a gang is a pursuit to safeguard many traditional values revolving around dignity and respect of Japanese soldier to younger generation even after the war ended. Fast forward to the 80's the culture grew into more than 40.000 gang members from various factions carrying different symbols on a flag, bumper stickers, bike liveries, and their signature uniform called tokkōfuku. To avoid unnecessary conflict, every gang must have a distinguishable features from one another just like a medieval cavalries with different patterns painted on their battle-flag to recognize allies apart from foes.

"The recognized uniform of bōsōzoku is the tokkōfuku, a modified working clothes version of kamikaze pilot uniforms embroidered with the specific bōsōzoku group name on the back, nationalist phrases, and stitched on nationalist symbols like the Rising Sun flag" -Antonix Davis on Overview of Bosozoku From all thing that can be discussed there is one thing that stands out for me as a graphic designer: the way every gangs unite their own values, ideas, and beliefs on a single logo. A logo that are bigger than themselves. What kind of object, color, or maybe illustration that they use to intimidate rival gangs? did they still somehow manages to obey graphic design rule? or they just went rampant on the visuals just like they used to do on the streets?

Earlier this year luckily I came across quite a gem while trying to gather reference on are.na, a single channel by Masala Noir whom have collected archives on many Bosozoku logotypes throughout the year in a form of zine (you can buy the zine here.) and high-resolution jpeg. Though, before we move on to the design I want to appreciate their effort to gather all of these logos, masterfully clean material to scan, decides not to write any descriptions, and especially how they laid out visuals on a black background because I personally think that's the best way to transmit raw aura from each logo. Following images are taken from the archives to give you clearer context on what I'm trying to say later.

Due to Tumblr image limits (duh), more images can be accessed from here and there After I spent hours looking at the archives trying to answer my previous question reality is ... I don't really care anymore. My eyes instantly caught in conquest of visual domination. Sometimes grotesque, sometimes aggressive, whimsical, perverted, flashy, vibrant, but sometimes they can be direct too. I imagined myself being in a gathering of all gangs circling around me blasting their bike throttle with deafening sounds while shouting each other's slogan all at the same time. I am bewitched. They are there within the logo.

I can feel it. The aura is as real as it can be. After that experience I impulsively contemplate those images to dull and lifeless minimalistic contemporary logos. I can imagine the holy makers of every Bosozoku logo who are still alive or in heavens (or maybe hell? it doesn't matter) today rolling up their pride tokkōfuku sleeves showing the biggest middle finger to those who tries to sell fake company values nowadays. While still possessing their genuine Bushido code, a way of samurai spirit embedded not only on the symbol, but also in their hearts. It's true, they're just a bunch of scoundrels on a bike, but a noble one in my eyes. The word mesmerizing will not do them justice because every Bosozoku logos i've seen are an embodiment of rebel remark from a passionate young soul saying "fuck the rules, fuck the establishment, to hell with mundane boring life! Let's just ride!" altogether with time-honored values inherited from the past. I desire the courage to be a designer that can honestly pours my soul and genuine expression on every opportunity that might come regardless of where I learned it from. You're right. I learned it from renowned culture based on bloodshed, hatred, and violence. Still, I personally have so much respect on the ethics and moral standards from each members and founding fathers of what-so-called biker gang hooligans roaming around the streets of Japan. どうもありがとう、暴走族!

Al Mualim

[therawcompound]

All iz Well

How can a movie be so full of passion that it's so infectious to its audience?? And how come every time I watch it all over, the spirit and energy rushed through my body like it was the first time?

3 Idiots. Oh my God what a movie.

Before the start of every semester, it was like a ritual for me back in college days to revive my energy and passion by revisiting this movie once for the whole semester.

I didn't know why I always needed to watch this movie all over again just to feel all motivated again, but then I remember a saying that goes more or less; "Motivation doesn't last, neither does bathing. That is why it best to be daily." Baba Ranchoddas never fails to shove me down motivation, passion, and the most important thing for me right now; courage. Not even a week has passed since I wrote that my faith in architecture has become wobbly. I just realized that all of my problems lately are caused non-other by fear. Fear of facing bumps in the design process, fear of friction with my boss, fear of lacking money, etc. And because of that, I was hasty. But I'm not regretting those steps I took, because, through those processes, I learned a lot as well. But right now, I'm more content and ready to take action full of passion, not dread.

All iz Well.

- ClaaJna

[therawcompound]

On Reference Making seeking reference to create anything i mean whatever you do. be it an artwork, design, looking for some catchy phrase for your copy is like soaring through an infinite number of neurons. like literally from people's years of observing, tasting, feel something, conversation, its crazy to do it almost in subconscious state.

when you really really sit, breathe, and see it with total focus during reference seeking and making we are compiling a piece of end result from let say a movie or a poem which before it was finished the maker are also been through the same process like we do.

My whole point is that reference making > brainstorming > diverging > converging > concept > execution is a bizarre process on the macro scale that we are gathering millions and millions of archives from tons of people that we might not know their initial ideas or context of their work.

we just get the gist, and there it is. an image, a text, set of colors, photography, everything sits on our kilobytes of data on our computer. And it's amazing. - Al Mualim

[therawcompound]

Mandatory 1st Post

What’s the right topics to be a first post in a blog? Introduction? The reason why us created this blog? Why we create this blog? How do we plan to write on this blog? Post schedule? I will tell or maybe not tell those things.

One of the reasons I created this blog is none other than because I'm bored, that’s it. Ok, being honest, my main purpose for making this blog was to learn to write and pour what was in my head, because I know I am really suck at that. Set aside the goals about ‘will this blog useful for the world and society’ etc, just to be re-read again by me and not feel ashamed might be the main goal haha.

What will be shared on this blog? topics such as ‘what architecture destination that I will visit when I go to Japan’, ‘how to choose a haircut when you are 25 years old man’, ‘my thought on latest Citayem Fashion Week trend’. I can’t really the tell the full context of the blog because we never really decide what it will gonna be haha. Personally, i don’t really know what i will post in this blog. I want to learn how to write what I perceive on whats going on the world and things around me through my ugly perspective, of course with many grammar error and bad articulation because again, I am suck at writing. Peace✌🏻.

- Siza

[therawcompound]

wakakak

No way this shit’s getting real. I think we got ourself too much nicotine flowing in our body right now. 

Ahem. Pardon my English this time. No matter what, we have to produce something while our gut’s burning in this fine evening. It has to be in english this time, not really much makes sense to me but I accept the challenge anyway. I can’t really promise you that it will always be in english tho, but I’ll try my best 🤞.

Siza came out with an amazing idea about this space where we can express ourself freely without any friction whatsoever, just to clear-up our mind from overflowing ideas that I myself cherish so much but often missed-out just because it wasn’t recorded properly. I believe he’s been writing about his inspiration about “this” right now in his space, so we’ll just skip on that and move on.

“I’m an architect you know”

For so long I really wanted to say those lines just like Anakin Skywalker once bragged to Padme that he’s a pilot too despite his young age and his unconvincing appearance. But honestly, in my state of life right now, that faith becomes wobbly. Imma try not to get too “diary-ish” in this space, but what the heck. FRICTIONLESS.

Before it gets too blablablah, I just want to welcome you to this space, where we would like to share any thoughts or ideas passed through our minds without rules, less friction. Cheers!

- ClaaJna