A pencil/ˈpɛnsəl/ is a writing implement or art medium constructed of a narrow, solid pigment core inside a protective casing which prevents the core from being broken or leaving marks on the user’s hand during use.

Pencils create marks by physical abrasion, leaving behind a trail of solid core material that adheres to a sheet of paper or other surface. They are distinct from pens, which instead disperse a trail of liquid or gel ink that stains the light colour of the paper.

Most pencil cores are made of graphite mixed with a clay binder which leaves grey or black marks that can be easily erased. Graphite pencils are used for both writing and drawing and result in durable markings: though writing is easily removable with an eraser, it is otherwise resistant to moisture, most chemicals, ultraviolet radiation, and natural aging. Other types of pencil core are less widely used, such as charcoal pencils, which are mainly used by artists for drawing and sketching. Colour pencils are sometimes used by teachers or editors to correct submitted texts, but are typically regarded as art supplies, especially those with waxy core binders that tend to smear on paper instead of erasing. Grease pencils have a softer, crayon-like waxy core that can leave marks on smooth surfaces such as glass or porcelain.

The most common type of pencil casing is of thin wood, usually hexagonal in section but sometimes cylindrical, permanently bonded to the core. Similar permanent casings may be constructed of other materials such as plastic or paper. To use the pencil, the casing must be carved or peeled off to expose the working end of the core as a sharp point. Mechanical pencils have more elaborate casings which support mobile pieces of pigment core that can be extended or retracted through the casing tip as needed. (source from wikipedia)

This year, my company would prefer a series colour of ang pow and he would like to have a daring concept which are yellow with chrysanthemum, red with gold chinese calligraphy and turquoise with cherry blossom.

What is New Year's resolution? According to Wikipedia, "a New Year's resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere but also found in the Eastern Hemisphere, in which a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement or something slightly nice, such as opening doors for people beginning from New Year's Day^."

While everyone around you is thinking about what their resolutions will be, it's impossible to forget that another year has come and gone. But self-improvement don’t always have an arsenal of bad habits to give up, and forcing it doesn’t seem like the best way to enjoy the coming year. Below are my new year resolution as a designer:

1. Update resume & portfolio to meet industry standards
2. Take some times to inspire
3. Go against the grain & don’t follow design trends
4. Simplify your life & simplify your design.
5. Redesign something just for fun
6. Learn the basics of copywriting, advertising and marketing
7. Try out some sort of new online social media.
8. Take an extra class about design
9. Save for that dream computer I’ve always wanted
10. Try a color scheme I have never even imagined
11. Embrace Failure & don’t be afraid to make mistakes
12. Save more money!!!!