We all know I currently have a day job, but still I get request for quotation more than I used to. So I’m rounding up all the talents here for the next possible project.

At the moment, the client requested a mock up and I have identified 3 competitors bidding for this project. And since I don’t have time to draw more than 1 PSD format, I will have to make this a competition. I will submit all the designs and IF I win the bid, I will be awarding RM 1,250 to the winner (upon first payment from client).

These are the details:

1. The title is Faces Of Malaysia. It’s a travel website for a travel agency that sells ticket for inbound tourism. Which means to say, they promote Malaysia overseas about the attractions in our country. (No e-commerce or online booking at the moment)
2. If you took/borrowed pictures from Flickr, please remember who they’re from. I don’t want to be linked to copyright infringement.
3. The design must have a Header, Highlighted content (animated jQuery slideshow, but you do not need to do any jQuery stunts here), Content area, Sidebar, Footer and a Search Form.
4. Colors can be used freely, but preferable if you could justify the design.
5. Corporate look based on Grid layout. So those who likes fancy background, please loosen your art sense. (I generally prefer sharp and simple designs)
6. You can submit more than 1 design.
7. Remember, IF I won the project using your design, you will be rewarded. RM 1,250 for a start. I could give more if I win big. But IF I don’t, sorry
8. The layout belongs to you in case I don’t use it.
9. Please use the attached PSD, it can be downloaded from here. (it’s based on 960 grid system)
10. The design must be unique, not from template. Automatic ban for life applied (for future projects).
11. Closing date is on 11:55pm Monday, 8th February 2010. You can submit in JPEG or PNG to me, edwin@laman7.com

How to design? Have a look at LiteTheme mockup, Laman7, Innobiologics. This is what I mean by corporate. You might also want to Google on Travel Websites and get some fresh ideas from there. Best, check out CSS galleries. Here are some sample, statravel.com, travelocity.com, holidaytours.com.my, seduniatravel.com and trafalgar.com.

So you can’t design? Well, help me promote. If I win this project, I will give RM 50 to the top 5 redirecting to this post.

Remember, I am thriving on IF I WIN. But with good designs, I don’t see a reason to fail. So all the best to participants.

ps: I will do one also. If they like my design, then I am RM 1.25k richer.

The place I work at are filled with old-timer. Needless to say, they have been in this industry for ages. I shared a conversation with a guy from the another department about my experience in web development.

“How old are you Ed?” he asked.

“Why don’t you pick two digits and I’ll tell you if it’s right”, I replied.

“33 years old”, waaaa.. Do I really look that old? Anyway, I decided to probe this further. ”What makes you say that?” I asked genuinely.

“Partly because how you dress, how you carry a conversation, how you think and your position in the company”. He sat right next to me, slowly inhaling carbon from his cigarette.

“Sorry to disappoint you, I’m actually 26 going 27.”

He turned and distant himself. Took a closer look from top to bottom. “You’ve got to be shitting me.”

Many think I’m in my 30’s. But it’s good. Helps me to convince people in negotiating a deal or do a presentation without interruption. Oh well, age is just a number.

ps: Tomorrow is big meeting for Laman7. Let’s hope I win this project

I woke up late today no thanks to an all night conversation I shared with a certain someone, the general term is called,Bergayut. With whom, I don’t need to disclose.

It’s 9 30 am and I was barely awake and eyes semi-opened. Everyone was at home. It’s a holiday for Wilayah Persekutuan. A colleague of mine called.

“Hey bro, are you coming to meeting at 10?” he asked.

“Dey thambi, today is holiday lah” my mouth reeked the smell of a morning breath. It wasn’t nice and I was still yawning & stretching.

“It’s only KL lah bro, do come to the meeting and don’t be late. We have a new CPE (Commitment Plan & Evaluation) for 2010. You must arrive at 10.” he hung up.

*Shit!* Tak cuti! Tidakkkkk.. I showered and got ready as quickly as I could. It’s been a while since I pushed Jenny to 170kmh. It does feel good when no one is on the highway. A normal 45 mins daily affair became a 15 minutes ride.

10:05 am, I reached office.

“Jom meeting bro,” I rang my peer’s extension.

“Bro, boss is on leave lah. So meeting cancelled,” he replied calmly.

Siaaallll.. I just wasted 12.5 liters of petrol for nothing. Anyway, it’s good to be in office. Even when they don’t really need me (I’ve met my KPI [Key Performance Index] by 400% last month). I am one darn efficient machine. Deep down I know, I was born for this job. I hope I don’t get bored before my time is up.

ps: Golf is the only thing I think of nowadays. I guess it’s true what they say, “Golf is like a drug, you’ll want more.”

It was a hot sunny Saturday afternoon, I lay in my room semi nude reading through an old edition of Auto Trader. “I have to go out”, I told myself, I was just that bored. Despite the piercing sun, I grabbed a few of dad’s clubs and my black leather glove. I’m going out to hit some balls and maybe improve myself in the process. Yes, golf is a drug I’m addicted to.

I arrived shortly, thanks to fully charged Jenny.

I wore a black cap which I found on the rear seat (I have no idea to whom it belongs to) and took all the necessary equipments. Unlike other golfers who brings their whole set, I travel light, so 4 clubs is good enough.

Once I got the ball from the counter, I glanced through, searching for an empty spot. When all of a sudden a makcik screams from a far, FAHRIN AHMAD. Her high pitched scream forced me to squirmed my eyes in agony. With an eye open, I looked the other way around, wondering, who is this Fahrin Ahmad guy. (I’d be lying if I told you I don’t know who he is, well, I think I know).

“Eh Eh, buat tak nampak plak. Dah lama awak main golf?”

The next thing I know, she was standing before me.

“Kak, mana Fahrin Ahmad?” I asked her.

She stared at me, analyzing my face per dot inch. I didn’t know what to do, so I stood still while keeping an eye on her as she swindled right to left.

“Oh, salah orang!” and she left.

What the Faaaaaaaaaa….

Either that mak cik is delusional or she forgot her glasses. I think it’s the latter. Anyway.

ps: A silent reader of mine is getting engaged this March. I’m so happy for you babe, but that also means another soon-to-be-missed friend. Oh well

Over the course of one month, my trip so far with the current company is a blessing in disguise. Suffice to say I am enjoying my time being in the corporate world despite having to travel 40km to work every day.

It’s a norm to roam floor to floor, introducing myself as a new addition to the company. Nothing much, just wanted to understand the organization as a whole before I lube my gears.

“You’re new here!” a lady who passed by said.

“Yes I am.” I replied quickly, I didn’t want to hold the lift any longer.

“What is your name?”, she asked

“Edwin”, short and simple, I replied, trying hard to end the conversation.

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