Are you interested in Japanese filmmaking, have you ever wondered, while watching their anime, drama or manga, where it all started? Anime first started off in Japan in the 20th century briefly after the boarders were opened in the late 19th. This made the animation techniques that developed in the West easy to transport to Japan by 1914. “The very first three animated films created in Japan fit on one reel and were between one to five minutes long.”(Patten) The content of these works were primarily of old folk tales and samurai legends. Japanese animators were greatly influenced by American animators so the black and white style was a must but the rounded heads and animal adaptations of people was Japan’s first signature to making a style all to their own.

Many animators were urged to produce animations which enforced the Japanese spirit and national affiliation as a result of cultural nationalism, that japanese government began to enforce. Anime started to gain more appeal. The one to five minute shorts about common folk tales gave way to a more Western like style. The change in style meant that Anime was now going in a comedic fashion used to lighten people’s moods on intense topics like war.

In 1970 Anime introduced its most popular style of work yet: Mecha. Mecha, which is short for mechanical, involved large robots that were used in times of war. Also a theme variation started to show itself through Anime. Writers began to twist the good guy/bad guy roles and relationships. The idea of a troubled hero presented itself in shows like Lupin Sansei where a human infected with a demon had to use the evil inside him to defeat other demons.

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If you have a motorbike or are considering buying one, then a motorcycle helmet is an absolute necessity. Indeed, in many parts of the world, it is a legal obligation to buy one.

Walking into a motorcycle accessories stockist, you may be confused by the range of helmets on offer. Fortunately, things are not quite so daunting as they first seem.

Let's take a closer look at the four main different types of motorbike helmets that are available.

The first is the full face helmet, which is ideal for those who want to feel better protected. These helmets provide full cover for your face, including a hinged visor.

As a result, a full face helmet is perfect for providing protection from the elements. It also offers greater protection that some other alternatives in case of an accident.

An open face motorbike helmet, by contrast, offers a lower degree of protection. You'll find that it does not have any protection for your chin.

It's generally worn with goggles or a visor, depending on the preference of the rider. Given that it leaves the rider feeling more exposed, it tends to be preferred by those looking for more freedom in their riding experience.

A compromise between protection and exposure is provided by flip up helmets. These will also allow you to talk to other people more easily, while still wearing your helmet.

Finally, you'll find that there are a range of off road helmets. These are aimed at those wishing to take place in motocross and other such sports.

If you've ever tried to ride in such an event then you'll know the importance of keeping all of that mud and grit away from your face!

The four types of helmet listed above are all available for purchase within the UK.

Environmental signs are the signs in the environment and on products that makes it easy for people to interact smoothly with products for their usage as well as the things in the physical environment such as roads, streets etc. Two main signs are discussed in this article namely,
pictograms on the package and road / traffic signs.

Pictograms

Pictograms are graphical symbols representing an idea or thought. They mostly have an association with the idea that they portray. Today, most pictographs are used as symbols on packaged products to warn clients of the dangers or hazards associated with mishandling of the product. They also educate clients about the 'likes and dislikes' of the product. Examples of pictograms mostly used on packages are shown below.

a. Umbrella with drops of rain falling on it- This indicates that the product is waterproof.
b. Broken Glass- This means the product is breakable or fragile, so it has to be handled with care.
c. This Way Up- This is a symbol with arrows that indicates where a package is supposed to be opened.

Road Signs

Road signs are the signs identified along the streets to show road users what to do and what not to do at particular times and places on the road. Road users include motorists, pedal cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Road signs and markings are used to guide, warn, inform, direct, prohibit and regulate the usage of the road. Road signs are classified into three, namely:

1. Warning signs

2. Regulatory signs

3. Informatory signs

1. Warning signs

These traffic signs are encoded in red triangular borders with white backgrounds. They indicate a hazard ahead on the road that may be hidden from road users. Examples are:

a. Right Bend- This means the road ahead bends to the right.
b. Roadway Narrows- This indicates that the road ahead narrows.
c. Pedestrian Crossing- This means that pedestrians cross the road at that section and that, drivers must drive slowly at that spot.

2. Regulatory or Prohibitory signs

These traffic signs are encoded in red circular borders with white backgrounds. They are used to indicate a regulation that applies to the use of traffic lanes on the road as well as vehicles ahead of them.

a. No U-turn- This indicates that road users, especially motorists must not move their vehicles in a U-turn at that section of the road because it is not permitted by the road licensing authority.
b. No Entry- This means that no vehicle is allowed to enter that spot.
c. No Overtaking- This indicates that it is risky for motorists to overtake

3. Informational / Directional signs

These traffic signs give information to road users on the names of particular locations on the street, the mile coverage to towns and villages along the road etc. They are either in blue or green colored shapes. The shapes are mostly rectangular in shape.

a. 50KM to Mampong (A town in Ghana) – This gives an information to motorists that they are about 50km to Mampong.

Creating your own signs

There are several rich ideas that are readily available in the environment which the graphic artist can tap for use. They include animate and inanimate objects such as trees, stones, animals, flowers, etc. Also, numerous ideas can be generated from geometric shapes such as triangles, rectangles, square, hexagon, etc. Other viable sources of ideas can be obtained from photographs, illustrations and drawings as well as type or font styles.

The young graphic artist can follow the various stages in idea development to come out with original and unique designs which he can attach symbolic or philosophical meanings to them. The various stages of idea development are:

– Critical examination and analysis
– Analytical drawing
– Add or delete ideas
– Add color to the design
– Create one or two original designs

1. Critical examination and analysis- This is the first stage in idea development. It involves making a critical examination and analysis of the object, which new ideas can be generated.

2. Analytical drawing- This is the second stage in idea development. At this stage, the artist makes a detailed or analytical drawing of the object under study. He draws the object exactly as it is.
3. Add or delete ideas- The artist skillfully adds or delete some ideas to the original design drawn. This gives the resultant design a new and original look.

4. Add color to the design- The artist gives the create design different color effects to see how the final design will look like.

5. Create one or two original designs- Based on the design created, the graphic artist brainstorms and creates an additional one or two original designs. He may apply different color effects to the created designs. He then shows it to friends, relatives or collections and solicits for their general comments and choice. The best design is selected and used for the desired purpose.

Have you ever noticed that our water problem seems to be getting worse from day-to-day? The list of contaminants that can be found seems to be never-ending. We have everything ranging from chlorine, heavy metals, pharmaceutical drugs, industrial pollution and many other chemicals. Many other different types of chemicals are added almost daily which is why every household needs a water filter chemical purifier.

These chemicals come from a variety of different sources, and the majority can increase your risk of cancer. Sample water tests carried out on a major US city found tracks of 73 distinct pesticides and 25 synthetic organic compounds. The EPA only tests for 90 contaminants. However, the majority of water treatment plants carry out tests for about 150. A very few plants check for a maximum of 250 pollutants.

This is a very good reason why you need to install a water filter chemical purifier in your home.

There is a very subtle difference between a filter and a purifier. The dictionary states that a filter is a "porous device for removing impurities or solid particles from a liquid passed through it". Good examples of these are the membrane filters used in reverse osmosis systems; although they're easy to clean, they clog very easily. Another type of filter is the depth filter which is made of a porous material such as carbon or ceramic. For instance, the activated carbon filters that remove organic materials and heavy metals.

On the other hand, a purifier has the dictionary definition of "to make ceremonially clean, to remove contaminants from". Therefore, something which can remove cysts like Cryptosporidium and giardia from water can be said to purify it. However, just to make life a little more difficult some manufacturers call these filters.

What is critical in these filters is the size of the filter pore. This determines the size of the smallest organism that it can remove. The very best filters have a size of.5 microns.

What would our water filter chemical purifier actually look like? A simple one that attaches to your faucet would actually contain two cartridges; strictly speaking one would be a filter and the other a purifier. The way that this works is the first cartridge will filter out chlorine and turbidity.

The second cartridge has the much harder job of removing chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides. Included in this is the 5. micron filter which removes all the microorganisms. It does not matter from where we obtain our drinking water because all the sources are now contaminated. Do not bother reaching for that bottled water because many brands have been discovered to contain the same contamination is tap water.

A good quality water filter chemical purifier installed in your household is the only way to ensure your drinking water is safe and healthy for you and your family.