By William Van Zyl (Published in November 2023). Synopsis: This eBook or article aims to give a short overview of traditional Māori Furniture and tools. Garden tools – the hoe or paddle – are one of the focuses—Māori-inspired shapes, forms and patterns for hardwood chairs and side tables. I also include ideas for a mild… Continue reading Māori-inspired AI Furniture and AI Tool Design (New Zealand). Including an Overview of Traditional Māori Furniture and Māori Tools.
Category: Articles.
Articles – all genres.
Deep calls unto Deep.
By William Van Zyl (Published in Nov 2023). Deafened by the noise of the waterfall, looking down to the next waterfall, and up to one he just fell from, Roland sighs. “Uuuggghhh! No, not another waterfall to plunge into.” He is thoroughly soaked in cold, pristine water. Tiny streams of water trickle slowly from his… Continue reading Deep calls unto Deep.
Vegvisir – Viking Compass and Kristi Kors: A Tale of Rescue.
By William Van Zyl (Published in October 2023). Have you ever been in a life-or-death situation? Have you ever been at a crossroad in your life? Are despondency and mental health issues plaguing you? Are you sick, have you received a devastating health report? Do you have to make a sacrifice? The Vikings had a… Continue reading Vegvisir – Viking Compass and Kristi Kors: A Tale of Rescue.
Navigating Stormy Seas: The Runic Compass (Vegvisir) as a Guiding Light.
By William Van Zyl (Published in October 2023) ‘Call me Agnarok’. Let me tell you about that fateful day in the Winter of 1016. A primal tempest, a symphony of chaos, bellowed its fury upon the Viking longship, an ageing behemoth defiantly marked by the snarling dragon carved upon its bow. In their unrestrained wrath,… Continue reading Navigating Stormy Seas: The Runic Compass (Vegvisir) as a Guiding Light.
The Art of Zines: A Creative Exploration.
By William Van Zyl Published on 5 October 2023. Short intro video: Creating a small blank zine booklet in under 30 seconds – from one size A4 page (magaZINE). Link the video: https://youtu.be/ab4O9SWNl9g?feature=shared Introduction In the vibrant world of artistic expression, zines emerge as unique and personal avenues for self-publishing. Originating from the punk subculture… Continue reading The Art of Zines: A Creative Exploration.
Influential Theorists for Action Research in Education.
By William Van Zyl (Published in September 2023). In this article I list, and summarise, the most influential theorists for Action Research in Education. I focus on researching in a High School context to provide a backdrop. I also include a research title as a specific focus to explain Action Research in simple terms. Title (STEM… Continue reading Influential Theorists for Action Research in Education.
What is That?
By William Van Zyl (published 10 September 2023). “Where did he get those glasses?” asked the man. “You don’t comment on Sir JK’s glasses,” said the New Zealand TV presenter (Rugby World Cup 2023 context). “From the welding shop,” responded the second man. The presenter immediately defended Sir JK. “Excuse me, those are very exquisite… Continue reading What is That?
Goliath’s Sword.
By William Van Zyl (published on 4 September 2023). Goliath fell to the ground like a heavy rock. The muffled cracking sound of his calvaria shocked everyone. The air was hot and dusty. The ominous sky – filled with jeering and shouting – kept the birds of prey at a distance. Blood slowly appeared between… Continue reading Goliath’s Sword.
How to Become Hugely Successful.
By William Van Zyl (Published on 3 September 2023) Becoming successful is a complex and often individualised journey; there is no one-size-fits-all formula for achieving it. You will need people, you will need well-developed skills, an opportunity, you will have to make some bold decisions, you will have to consider taking some risks, good timing,… Continue reading How to Become Hugely Successful.
Antonio Gaudi – ‘God’s Architect’ – transforms paradigms.
By William Van Zyl (Published on 4 September 2023). Nonetheless, it wasn’t until architect Fred Van Brandenburg’s return to Spain to New Zealand in 2004, and his exploration of Park Güell in Barcelona—a masterpiece created by Gaudí during his naturalist phase, drawing inspiration from organic forms in nature—that Fred experienced a revelation profoundly shaped by… Continue reading Antonio Gaudi – ‘God’s Architect’ – transforms paradigms.
Contemporary Māori-inspired Architecture in New Zealand.
By William Van Zyl (Published 2 September 2023). Modern Māori architecture in New Zealand blends traditional Māori design principles, cultural values, and contemporary architectural approaches. The new New Zealand curriculum for Design and Visual Communication (NCEA – DVC Level 1) focuses on Māori architecture in a Mātauranga Māori context. This article provides a brief overview… Continue reading Contemporary Māori-inspired Architecture in New Zealand.
Māori Worldview and Architectural Design.
By William Van Zyl (Published 30 August 2023) *Credit cover image: Toa Architects (NZ). Taumata o Kupe What type of unique building, house, landmark, chapel, church, marae, or shade space would you design to reflect and represent your worldview? I am referring to symbolism-related shapes, forms, patterns, and colours. What would be the main shapes… Continue reading Māori Worldview and Architectural Design.
Māori Architecture and Modernism in Architecture: A Design Challenge.
By William Van Zyl (Published 26 August 2023) I start this short eBook/article with modern Māori-inspired New Zealand (NZ) buildings. It showcases the innovative embedment of traditional Māori shapes, forms, patterns and colours in contemporary design in NZ. I then move on to explore modernism and Māori architecture. See the link to the Contemporary Māori-folklore… Continue reading Māori Architecture and Modernism in Architecture: A Design Challenge.
Architectural Design: Māori, Christian, and Modernist Influences – A New Zealand Perspective.
By William Van Zyl (Published 24 August 2023). Has your world been turned upside-down at some point? Look at the innovative and creative ideas in this article. What do you see? What ideas do you have? What would it be if I asked you to develop a unique idea or concept for a spatial design?… Continue reading Architectural Design: Māori, Christian, and Modernist Influences – A New Zealand Perspective.
Māori Architecture and the Use of Colour.
By William Van Zyl (Edited – 22 December 2023) In this compact eBook, I look at colour and Māori architectural design. The resource is also useful to designers and artists – providing a rich background of Māori colours. Everyone interested in Global Architecture – and art and design – will find this book helpful. The… Continue reading Māori Architecture and the Use of Colour.
Māori Design Principles versus Western Design Principles – comparing and contrasting.
By William Van Zyl (published 20 August 2023). For Designers, artists, architects, and Design and Visual Communication (DVC) students. This article provides an overview of an indigenous culture’s design approach: New Zealand Māori. I contrast and compare this cultural and spiritual approach with a typical Western World Design approach. It sheds light on the Māori… Continue reading Māori Design Principles versus Western Design Principles – comparing and contrasting.
Placenta and the Māori Worldview.
By William Van Zyl (Published 21 Aug 2023). I provide a short overview and exploration of Māori and other cultures’ placenta practices worldwide. This short article/book provides a rich canvas for artists, designers, architects and Design and Visual Communication students (DVC). The article/eBook is also handy for the new curriculum 2024 New Zealand – NCEA… Continue reading Placenta and the Māori Worldview.
Crocodile Skin reads Braille in the Dark.
By William van Zyl Published on 11 August 2023 The BBC’s documentary on The Secrets of Skin – specifically the skin of animals – is simply stunning. See the link at the end. What stood out for me was the crocodile’s jaws, which are lined with sensory pits and other multisensory organs. These amazingly well-designed… Continue reading Crocodile Skin reads Braille in the Dark.
Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design – Villa Savoye).
By William Van Zyl Published on 9 August 2023. Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design – Villa Savoye). I analyse the contrasting aspects between Bjarke Ingels’ moonbase design and the principles of Modernism in Architecture. This article delves into the… Continue reading Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design – Villa Savoye).
