This means war!

During last week's 4As meeting, there was an interesting discussion on using AI for design, with some of the best Filipino graphic designers as speakers.

This is definitely a hot topic these days since a lot of creative processes are being taken over by AI. From finding visuals, to creating layouts, to manipulating images - things that Art Directors and Graphic Designers usually do. 

So, the burning question is, will machines replace people in design?

The consensus is "no." Because good design needs soul and culture - things that machines can't replicate. Right now, at least.

So, we're safe. 

For now, at least.

Found in Translation

Here's an example when you ask AI or a computer program to translate text from one language to another.

Reading it, you know what the essence is. But the way it was translated to Tagalog was so mechanical and artificial. You look at it and think: "heck, no one talks this way."

Really, nothing compares to the human touch.

FMM: Turn it up!

Oh well, you can't win 'em all. Jessica's rendition of "Turn the Beat around" didn't really resonate well with the judges. But I'm sure she'll be staying on the Idol stage for a long time.

Yes, she has a nice voice, but a song like this needs more than a nice voice. She needs to sing it with soul, just like Vicky Sue Robinson did when she sang the original.



She also lacked the energy and sass of the 90s version sung by Gloria Estefan.




Looking at these 2 versions, it's easy to see what the judges were looking for.

Jessica needs to turn it up some more next week.

Where I want to be...

Checked out the American Idol Compilation CD at Odyssey, but the song Carrie sang there is "Independence Day" rather than her grand finale song. If they featured that, I'd be willing to spend P585 on it. But since it wasn't, i'll just wait for her single to come out on the 14th of June.

Meanwhile, here are the lyrics to the song:

Inside Your Heaven
Carrie Underwood - American Idol 2005

I've been down
now I'm blessed
I've felt a revelation coming round

I guess it's right
It's so amazing
Everytime I see you I'm alive

You're all I've got
You lift me up
The sun and the moonlight
All my dreams are in your eyes

Refrain:

I wanna be inside your heaven
Take me to the place you cry from
When the storm blows your way
I wanna be the earth that holds you
Every bit of air you're breathing in
A soothing wind
I wanna be inside your heaven

When minutes turn
to days and years
If mountains fall
I'll still be here
Holding you until the day I die

I wanna be inside your heaven
Take me to the place you cry from
When the storm blows your way
I wanna be inside your heaven
Every bit of air you're breathing in
A soothing wind
I wanna be inside your heaven

Carrie-Ok!

Today's obsession: Watching Carrie's final performance.

I've been nailed to my screen, watching and watching and watching and watching Carrie's rendition of "Inside your Heaven" which is her first single that will come out on June 14. (Yes, I've been paying attention to Ryan Seacrest.

Her performance is just heart tugging. Loved it when her voice was breaking as she tried to hold back her tears. It was so sincere, so raw, so lovely... Just watching it is enough to move me to tears.

I think that song will move up to my "songs that make me teary eyed" list soon.

Congratulations, Carrie!

IT'S CARRIE! WOOOHOOOO!

Underwood the Underdog prevails!

After an hour and a half of being glued to our TV sets at the office...
After enduring so many commercials and plugs about Star World's shows...
After numerous side comments on who should win and who will win...
After Simon Cowell said: "Thank you America for listening to me..."
After the suspense...

Yes, Carrie Underwood is the new American Idol!



Bo Bice is good. Bo Bice is great! But i've always had a soft spot for underdogs. That's why Carrie got my sentimental vote. Heck, if I were in the US, i'd call and vote for her. (Just like I did for Reuben Studdard when he went up against Clay Aiken.)

She's got that Trisha Yearwood/Leanne Rimes thing going on, and her voice is so polished. That's why I love her!

Congratulations Carrie. Now i'm singing her first single in my head...

"I, want to be the one to hold you..."