The Bangkok Book 4 / 曼谷之書 4

設計的視覺語言

The Visual Language of Design

曼谷市中心每一個空中輕軌站都有一個以上的百貨公司，至於最中心的一級戰區則是百貨公司林立。雖然商業氣味濃厚，但每個系列的商場都有強烈的設計風格，例如奇隆站的天橋圍欄有一連串的平面設計，給我許多靈感。

Along each BTS station is at least one department store while there is more than one mall next to the most crowded stations. Despite the commercialized feel, I have to say that each series impresses me with their distinctive design style. For example, the graphic design decorating the overpass that connects Chit Lom and Siam stations give me ample inspirations. 

        百貨公司內的這些圖像除了視覺上很討喜外，也傳播很正面的生命訊息。

     The images in the mall are not only pleasing to the eye but also convey very positive messages about life. 

        暹羅中心的廁所很有意思！

     The graphic design in Siam Center makes it a joy to go to the restroom! 

        Emporium系列從捷運站就開始用文字和圖像作宣傳，其實看久了會被感動到喔！我不知不覺記下來很煽情的一句話：如果你需要擁抱，請來Em區！

     Emporium extends their advertising to the space in the BTS station with designs in all forms. They must speak to me even though in the beginning I didn't take them seriously. Now I can say one slogan right off the top of my head, "If you need a hug, come to the Em district!" 

        我對百貨公司沒有研究，可是Emporium讓我感覺是眼界頗遠大的公司，有為兒童設計的區域，同時之前提過的設計中心也在Emporium裡。

     I am not an expert on department stores, but I feel Emporium has vision. There is a playground designed for children. Also, TCDC, the design center mentioned in my earlier post, is located in Emporium as well. 

        空中輕軌站的視覺宣傳很簡潔有力，因為曼谷的外國遊客多到爆，採用簡單的英文和容易理解的圖像有它的道理。

     The visual design of BTS is neat and to the point. Bangkok is packed with foreign tourists, so it's very crucial to use simple English and understandable visual language. 

        讓座的圖像設計看起來很俐落。

     Even the sticker that tells passengers to yield priority seats is slick. 

        九號碼頭有一家我很喜歡的設計書店，對於空間的裝潢很用心。

     This is a bookstore selling books on designs near the No.9 pier. I love the small yet beautiful shop. 

生活的視覺語言

The Visual Language of Life

        只要出了八號碼頭，都會被這個按摩的漫畫吸引，實在太有力了！

     Anyone that walks out of the No. 8 pier will be attracted by this advertisement of massage. It's hilarious and lively! 

        乍都乍市集有吃有喝，但也要看畫！

     Art is a part of Chatukcha Weekend Market as well! 

        有些畫有濃濃的歷史感，讓我無法抗拒。

     Some paintings are reminiscent of the old ways of living in Thailand, which I find irresistible. 

人物風景

Portraits 

        曼谷人對於理髮的不同詮釋。

     The old and new ways of barbering in Bangkok. 

        我很喜歡新舊文化並存的畫面。

     It's not hard to find the old and the new co-existing in the big city. 

        曼谷神奇之處在於程市裡塞滿了各種顏色，居然也透露一種很難得的和諧感！

     The magic of  Bangkok lies in that its numerous colors create a rare visual harmony! 

Sale / 特價

美麗的貮們男裝在特價喔！ 不要錯過這些動人的設計！

The beautiful menswear of Irman is on sale. Don't ever miss the wonderful designs!

The design power of Sweden / 瑞典的設計力量

瑞典是我拜訪的北歐四國中最優雅的地方，斯德哥爾摩散發出高貴的氣息，城市裡處處都充滿設計感。

Among the four countries in North Europe that I visited, Sweden is the most elegant. Wandering in the lanes in Stockholm, I am captivated by its graceful beauty. The power of design can be found in every corner in the city. 

        許多歐洲國家的郵筒是大紅色，瑞典卻選了如此和煦的淺色系。

     Many European countries feature the loud red postbox while Sweden goes for the soft pastel colors. 

        小巷裡的每一扇門都長得不一樣。

     Every door in the lane is different. 

        視線往上移，招牌也互相競豔。

     Another beauty pageant is going on in the mid-air as the signs compete with one another to be the star of the day. 

        櫥窗裡的風景也無比精采，還好在斯德哥爾摩完全沒有購物時間，不然就淪陷啦！

     Inside shop windows the competition is especially fierce. Fortunately we aren't given any shopping time at all! 

Spring wear / 春裝

今天去掃墓，回家和竣弟在路上聊了很多生活和工作的事，好久沒有這樣輕鬆自在。長大之後，我才明白有手足是多麼幸福，除了有人可以幫忙分擔父母的嘮叨外，還可以看到不同的人生選擇。

Today we went tomb-sweeping. On our way home, Jun and I talked much about life and work, which made me recall our childhood when we always chatted to our hearts' content. After I grew up, I strongly felt how lucky I am to have siblings. Aside from distracting our parents' attention, they also show me life is full of all sorts of possibilities. 

        做自己的品牌並非容易的事，不過從弟弟和宴蘋開創「貳們」之後，我看到他們不懈的努力，也從每一件衣服上感受到設計的誠意，我很羨慕他們的勇氣。從設計到行銷，他們不斷在學習，目標是希望更多人可以穿上他們的設計。

     It is by far from easy to create a brand. However, since Jun and Irma started Irman, I have witnessed their constant effort and sincerity they put into each item. To be honest, I envy them a lot for their courage. They are learning every day about design and marketing in hopes that more people can put on their products. 

        每次看爸爸把貳們的設計穿在身上，便感受到獨特的流行味，生活就是需要那麼點小巧思，看起來就會與眾不同。

     Every time when Dad wears Irman's designs, he looks dashing and alive. Jun and Irma know that it doesn't take much to look different, and they have that "spice" in their line. 

        春天到了，來一件貳們的衣服，看起來會更閃亮！

     With the coming of spring, Irman's clothes will make you stand out!

Irman / 貮們

當藝術家不難，不過要當創業的藝術家可就不一樣了，因為我深知其中的大小困難，所以特別欽羨那些有勇氣的人。

Anyone can be an artist, but being an enterprising artist with his/her own business is a totally different story. I know starting from scratch involves numerous challenges, so I especially admire those who have the courage to take a try.

        竣和Irma在一年半前決定要做自己的品牌，儘管在過程中遇到不少挫折，但一輩子能夠做看看自己喜歡的事，真的是很幸福。雖然沒幫上太多忙，不過光是寫文案就花了我一天時間，看來還是做繪本簡單些。

   My little brother Jun and Irma made the decision to create their own brand. Despite the obstacles that lay on their road to success, they are, in my opinion, the luckiest people in the world because they have a chance to fulfill their dream. I didn't offer too much help along the way, but it took me one day simply to write description for the items. In the end I figured it's still easier to stick to making picture books.

        貮們使用的材質都是精心挑選過的，所以定價上有些限制，但這些衣服可以凸顯穿者的優點。

   The fabrics and materials are all carefully selected, which explains why the prices aren't that friendly. However, the designs really bring out the best looks in those who wear them.

        先來認識貮們這個品牌吧！

   Why don't we get to know the brand first?

   http://irman-co.com

Guts / 膽量

16 Episode 2 / 16 第二集

這週我們的作品都上線了，請按此處，給小朋友們一點鼓勵吧！

This week we have put all our works online. Please press the link here. Your reading the stories will greatly encourage my lovely students! 

我們的封面設計得到很大的迴響，其實背後有好幾個人的想法和執行，還有老師們的幫忙。

Our cover design received rave reviews. It was the outcome of several girls' idea and execution. Also, we can't forget the teachers' help!

還有好多老師花錢買我們的書，謝謝大家！

Many teachers offered to buy our books. We appreciate your good will so much!

Glasgow / 格拉斯哥

從愛丁堡前往格拉斯哥時，巧遇印度人阿尼，他說格拉斯哥的樣貌和愛丁堡很不一樣，因為前者在歷史上的發展是以工業為重心，當時聽了實在沒什麼期待。

On our way from Edinburgh to Glasgow, we encountered Anil on the bus to the  train station. He said Glasgow looks quite different from Edinburgh. The former used to be a centre of industrialization in history. Upon hearing that, I didn't have any romantic expectation of the city. 

這一集我決定先從民宿開始介紹，如幾個月前遇到的導遊說的，很多老闆拿四十年拍的照片放在網路上吸引客人，所以在網上看的和親眼看到的的確有出入。我對阿瑪迪斯沒有很美好的想像，不過一進入房子之後，立刻很驚豔。

In this episode, I decide to start by introducing the B and B Amadeus. Like a tour guide (whom we ran into a few months earlier) suggested, many B and B owners put old photos taken 40 years ago online to attract customers, so there is indeed a contrast between the images and the reality. I didn't ask for much based on what I saw on the website of Amadeus. However, I was immediately impressed after entering the house. 

格拉斯哥的秘密從門口就開始了，讀者們要注意看。

The secret of Glasgow begins right from the door. Everyone, pay great attention. 

我們的房間窗外有迷人的風景，我忍不住畫了張速寫。在這個房間裡我們開心地看了很受歡迎的「英國之聲」和休葛蘭的「新娘百分百」，這時才有種對英國文化還有好多要體驗的部份啊！

We had a remarkable room with a view. I couldn't help drawing a quick sketch of the garden outside. We had a good time watching the finale of The Voice UK and reviewing Hugh Grant's Notting Hill. It was at that moment that I realized that I would never learn enough about British culture! 

我非常喜歡畢卡索這幾張作品！

I am totally swept off my feet by these drawings of Picasso! 

娜娜在晴朗的早晨彈烏克麗麗。

Nana played the ukulele on a sunny morning. 

雖然民宿讓人流連忘返，還是得出門去逛逛。

Though Amadeus was a really brilliant place, we still had to take a look at the city. 

市中心的鬧區有不少好看的街頭表演者。

In the city centre, there were many gorgeous-looking street performers. 

格拉斯哥的建築初看之下髒髒舊舊，看久了又不覺得有那麼簡單，我想到布達佩斯的裝飾主義，因為其實仔細看，建築表面都有細部的雕刻。

The buildings in Glasgow appear to be quite washed-out at first sight, but after having seen a lot of them, I didn't think they were so simple. In fact, they reminded me of those in Budapest, which are typical of the secession art style. There are many ornate details on the facades. 

我們在起伏的街道上上下下。

We strolled on the streets that roll up and down. 

晃進了格拉斯哥藝術學校的咖啡店。

We strolled into the cafe of Glasgow School of Art. 

找到校本區之前還遇見了一位雕刻系的學生，和阿姨小聊了一下她的裝置作品。

Before finding the art school building, we came across a student majoring in sculpture.  We had a pleasant chat with the auntie about her installation work. 

格拉斯哥藝術學校的主建築是由查爾斯雷尼麥金塔設計，他是格拉斯哥享有盛名的建築師，在當地有好幾件具有代表性的作品。

The main building of Glasgow School of Art was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. He plays a key role in the art and architecture history of Glasgow. Certain well-known designs were attributed to him. 

麥金塔參與了英國的藝術和工藝運動和新藝術的發展。格拉斯哥為工程和造船重鎮，工業革命之後，人們對於大量生產的生活用品需求大增，麥金塔和其他設計師受到日本藝術影響，尤其是在傢俱設計方面，走簡約路線，取材於大自然，但作品又不失優雅。

Mackintosh was a designer in the Arts and Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau in the UK. Glasgow was an important production centre of heavy engineering and shipbuilding. After the industrialization revolution, the demand for mass-produced items rose. Mackintosh and other designers were influenced by Japanese culture. In the design of furniture, they preferred restraint and economy of means, simple forms and natural materials, and the use of texture, light and shadow. 

傍晚去格拉斯哥植物園散步，陽光看起來很閃亮，其實天氣很冷，我們在草地上野餐不到十分鐘便決定離開。

We went for a walk in the Glasgow botanic garden. Though the sunshine looked dazzling, it was actually quite chilly. We didn't picnic for 10 minutes before deciding to get up and go. 

西城有些小巷，都是餐聽和酒吧，晚上的人潮不斷。格拉斯哥人有自己的腔，也有很多當地的用字，只可惜我們不能久留。

There are some lanes in West End lined with restaurants and bars frequented by people in the evening. People in Glasgow speak with their own accent. They also have their own slangs. It was a pity that we didn't stay long in the city. 

格拉斯哥離愛丁堡約一個小時火車程，但愛丁堡蒼勁豪放，而格拉斯哥秀氣些。

Glasgow is about one hour away from Edinburgh by train. In comparison, the latter is grand and unconstrained while Glasgow is refined in certain ways. 

格拉斯哥大學也在西城。

University of Glasgow is also in West End. 

我們在校園裡的小角落裡探險。

We explored in the corners of the campus. 

大學有一座杭特博物館，收有歷史生物方面的珍品，其實樓梯的雕花設計也很有新藝術風格。

There is a museum in the university called Hunterian Museum with a collection of historical and biological artefacts. If you look closely, you'll notice that the design of the balustrade is quite Art Nouveau. 

離大學不遠處的凱文格洛夫美術館兼博物館，則有格拉斯哥藝術家的經典作品和其他方面的收藏。

Not far away from the university is Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum housing a collection of the classic works of artists from Glasgow and other treasures.