How to brighten up a Basement Apartment

A bright, well-lit basement can add value to your home and make it more appealing. Brightening up your basement can improve the look and feel of the space, making it a more enjoyable and functional area of your home. Moreover, A brighter basement can have a positive impact on your mood and well-being. The increased natural light can help boost your energy levels and improve your outlook. Here are some ways to make it happen-

Make use of the natural luminance-

I know you are reading this blog because you do not have natural lighting, but if you have a few extra dollars to spare from your piggy bank, here are a few ideas that you can work on-

Adding glass sliding doors if your basement is in the ground level
Adding egress windows to the east and west to make sure that we capture the maximum amount of light
Cutting out the extra bushes or trees that block the natural light can be a lifesaver! (or a light saver)

Redo the dark walls-

The first and foremost thing to thing to do in order to brighten up your basement is to paint your walls white! White is a color that absorbs only 10-20% of the light from the source and reflects the maximum. So white is an obvious choice but let’s add a few bright colorsthen and there to make the space lively.

If you do not want to get your hands messy, you can go for wallpapers that are either plain white or with small patterns on them. By simply painting the room lighter, you can not only brighten up your basement but transform the entire area.

Flooring-

There are lot of options to choose from when it comes to flooring- Concrete, Carpet, Vinyl, Engineered hardwoord, Ceramic tiles, etc. But did you know that the best-suited floor for basements is Vinyl? They are durable and waterproof. They come in a huge variety of options to choose from. But choosing a light-colored shiny surface would be a clever choice as it would reflect the light from the ceilings.

Epoxy flooring is also gaining a lot of popularity these days as it helps with leakage and mold issues and they are glossier than other materials. So, when it comes to choosing the material for flooring, durability, warmth and moisture resistance should be the priority.

Brighten up with Mirrors-

Adding long and wide mirrors to the room creates an illusion of a larger space. They reflect light and brighten up a dark basement apartment, especially if there is limited natural light available. Mirrors can be used as decoration also to replace basic cabinet walls, wall decor and on top of the windows to create the illusion of space. It is a great way to improve the look and feel of a basement apartment and make it a more livable and enjoyable space.

It can be employed as both a practical and ornamental element, increasing the light’s bounce rate. Mirrors are additionally said to multiply energy in some cultures. So, win-win?

Window treatments-

There are a whole lot of options when it comes to window treatments to brighten up a basement. But first, it is important to know what is the actual requirement.To use the window as a decorative element or to use the window for its actual functionality. If it’s the latter, you can use sheer curtains to let the light in instead of using thick drapery that will cut out the light. Angled windows let more light to pass through than the regular box-shaped window frame.

Pro Tip: Hanging longer curtains in the absence of windows can help create an illusion of tall windows.

Bright Decorative accents-

Throw pillows, area rugs, wall art, installations, indoor plants, and elegant light fixtures may all add splashes of vibrant colour to your space. Check out these cool motion sensor lights that you could add to your wardrobe, kitchen cabinents and what not!

Remember the key to brightening up a basement room is to create a sense of openness and lightness, so choose accessories and décor that will help you create a cohesive look.

Top 10 Animated Movies You Should Watch With Your kids

The pandemic increased the amount of content consumed by kids drastically. You can use this as an opportunity to bond with them and make sure they are consuming the right content!

As the summer break approaches, the kids get excited to spend time with their friends and finally, take a breather from their studies. This is also an excellent opportunity for parents to connect with their kids and spend quality time with them. It is vital to create a bond with your children during their growing years as it nurtures a healthy relationship between the two. There are various ways of spending quality time with your kid, but one of the most impactful and easiest ways is to watch a movie together. Children learn a lot from the content they consume and a parent needs to make sure their kids are consuming meaningful content. Content that not only entertains them but also teaches them a valuable lesson about life. Animated movies have always been the best source of meaningful content.

Here is a list of ten such animated movies that you can watch with your kid/s in the coming break:

10) How to Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon is an amazing tale of friendship between a boy and a dragon. The boy lives on an island where men are raised to be hunters to hunt dragons, however, he has a very different approach towards them for which he is mocked. The movie is more than just their friendship, the movie tells us about the journey of a boy trying to prove himself to his father and the other island hunters. You can watch the movie on Netflix.

9) DC League of Super-Pets

If your kid is a fan of superhero films, this is a must-watch. DC comics’ Super-pets is undoubtedly one of their best-animated movies. It is the story of how a pet dog with superpowers creates a team of Super-Pets to rescue his owner (Superman) and the rest of the Justice League. You can watch the movie on Amazon Prime Video.

8) Up

Up is a movie about 78-year-old Carl Fredrickson who has lost his wife and is on a journey to fulfil his wife’s last wish. However, when he meets a few people on his journey, he learns more about life, friendship, kindness, and joy. You can watch the movie on Disney+.

7) Ratatouille

Ratatouille is the story of an unusual friendship between Linguini, a simple boy who wants to be a chef, and Remmy, a rat who is an expert in cooking and lives the same dream as the boy. This movie covers some important topics like friendship, greed, respect, and love. You can watch the movie on Disney+.

6) Kung Fu Panda 2

An excellent sequel to an exceptional film. Kung Fu Panda is one of the best-animated franchises existing and has created some remarkable characters. Kung Fu Panda 2 talks about some important issues that are relevant to us at any age. It teaches us one of the most important lessons in life, which is to let go of the past. You can watch the movie on Netflix.

5) Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse

Spider-man has always been one of the most loved superheroes of all time. We have always known this superhero by the name of Peter Parker, however, this is the story of Miles Morales. When the spider-man in his universe is killed and he (Miles) gets bitten by the radioactive spider, we see his journey of becoming the new Spider-man. The movie talks about courage, friendship, and family. The movie also even talks about depression, but since it is a kid’s film, it is done in a rather subtle way. You can watch the movie on Netflix.

4) Inside Out

Inside Out has to be one of the most creative children’s movies to ever be written. Though it is a kids’ film, it talks about a very heavy topic, which is human emotions through a girl named Riley and how her life changes when she moves to San Francisco with her parents. You can watch the movie on Disney+.

3) Brave

Brave is a perfect choice for a mother-daughter movie night. It is the tale of a courageous princess who is tired of listening to her mother all the time and wants to be free from all the rules. The story gets interesting and rather funny when Merida has to save her mother from a witch’s curse. You can watch the movie on Disney+.

2) Coco

Coco is an Oscar-winning film that tells us the tale of a young boy named Miguel who wants to pursue music but unfortunately, is born into a family that hates music and has a rule of no music. Miguel is banished to the land of the dead when he does not stop playing the guitar and learns about his family’s past as he meets his ancestors. You can watch the movie on Disney+.

1) Kung Fu Panda

Kung Fu Panda is a perfect example of maintaining a balance between entertaining and teaching when it comes to kids’ movies. Kung Fu Panda is undoubtedly the most hilarious animated movie with an extraordinary lead character Po. The movie teaches us the importance of believing in ourselves, believing in others and most importantly, never giving up. You can watch the movie on Netflix.

Each of the ten movies mentioned above has its unique tale and characters. Movies have always been an important part of our lives movies teach us some of the most important life lessons which we wouldn’t be able to learn in classrooms. I believe it is our duty as parents/adults to make sure our youth is learning these important lessons along with maths, science, and other subjects. Hence, don’t forget to watch these movies with your kid during the holidays and stay tuned for more such content on films.

Brand Identity Shaping a Business’s Image.

Brand identity is a crucial aspect of any business, regardless of size or industry. It sets a company apart from its competitors and helps it build a unique image in the minds of its target audience. In the creative industries, brand identity design plays a vital role in shaping a business’s vision and helping it stand out.

In this blog post, we will explore the art of brand identity design, what it entails, and how it can shape a business’s image.

What is Brand Identity Design?

It refers to the visual representation of a business or a company, including its logos, typography, color palette, images, and other graphic elements. It’s the combination of these elements that creates a unique image for a brand, which can be recognized and remembered by its target audience.

Why is Brand Identity Design Important?

It is important because it helps a business establish its image and communicate its values and personality to its target audience. A well-designed brand identity can help a business differentiate itself from its competitors, increase its visibility, and establish a strong connection with its target audience.

The Components of Brand Identity Design

Brand identity design encompasses several key components, including:

Logo Design: A logo is the central visual representation of a brand, and it’s often the first thing people think of when they think of a brand. Logo design is an important aspect of brand identity design, and it should be simple, memorable, and easily recognizable. You can try making your own customized logo here.

Typography: Typography refers to the style and arrangement of text in a design. It’s important for brand identity design because it helps create a consistent look and feel for a brand.

Color Palette: A brand’s color palette is another important aspect of its identity. It helps create a consistent visual identity for a brand. It also evoke certain emotions and feelings in its target audience.

Images: Images play a crucial role in brand identity design. They should be chosen carefully to support the brand’s image and values.

How Branding Shapes a Business’s Image?

Brand identity design plays a crucial role in shaping a business’s image, and it has the power to:

Establish Visibility:
A well-designed brand can increase a business’s visibility and help it stand out in a crowded market.

Communicate Values:
It helps a business communicate its values and personality to its target audience, which can help establish a strong connection with them.

Evoke Emotions:
The colors, images, and other elements of a branding can evoke certain emotions and feelings in its target audience, which can help establish a connection with them.

Create a Consistent Image:
A consistent design language helps a business create a consistent image in the minds of its target audience. It can increase recognition and recall value in audience’s mind.

In conclusion, brand identity design is a crucial aspect of any business, and it plays a vital role in shaping a business’s image. Whether you’re starting a new business or revamping an existing one. It’s important to invest in a well-designed branding that will help you stand out and connect with your target audience.

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Advertising: The Art of Persuasion

Advertising is a type of communication that tries to persuade consumer to buy or act on a product, service, or concept. From billboards to television ads, it aims to influence consumer behaviour and leave a lasting impression on consumers’ minds. This blog post will look at advertising and how it may be used to persuade people.

The Power of Persuasion in Advertising

Advertisers use a range of tactics to influence consumer behaviour, including emotional appeals, endorsements, and social proof. By tapping into the emotions of consumers and presenting their products or services as the solution to a problem, advertisers can effectively persuade their target audience to act.

Emotional Appeals – Advertisers often use emotional appeals to connect with consumers on a personal level. For example, a commercial for a luxury car may showcase the car driving through scenic roads. Meanwhile, the sound of a beautiful ballad plays in the background, creating a sense of adventure and freedom.

Endorsements – Endorsements from celebrities, experts, or satisfied customers can persuade consumers to try a product or service. By showing that others have tried and enjoyed a product, advertisers can create a sense of trust and credibility.

Social Proof – Social proof is the idea that people are more likely to do something if they see others doing it. Advertisers often use social proof by showcasing how many people have used their products or services or by featuring testimonials from satisfied customers.

The Challenges of Persuasion in Advertising

While advertising is an art of persuasion and can be an effective tool, it also faces several challenges. One of the biggest challenges is consumer skepticism, as people are becoming increasingly aware of the tactics used by advertisers to influence their behaviour. Additionally, the rise of ad-blocking technology and the saturation of the advertising market can make it more challenging for advertisers to reach their target audience.

To overcome these challenges, advertisers must create engaging and truthful advertisements that resonate with their target audience. By being transparent and honest about their products or services, advertisers can build trust with their audience. This may increase the chances of successful persuasion.

In conclusion, advertising is a form of communication that aims to persuade an audience to purchase or take action on product or a service. By tapping into the emotions of consumers, advertisers can effectively influence consumer behaviour. However, to be successful, advertisers must overcome the challenges of consumer skepticism and ad-blocking technology. It could be achieved by creating engaging and truthful advertisements.

By – Ayushi Upadhyaya

MCU Phase 4: Die Hard Marvel

Marvel's Logo The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the biggest, most popular superhero franchise at the moment. Adapting comic books that have affected the lives of millions of children and making their dreams come true. To believe in sacrifice for the greater good and never giving up. And then MCU phase 4 changed everything.

It started off with the typical sequence of the heroes always win and never kill, even the bad guys. Which was okay, fun, hopeful and all that. But then, in real life, sometimes, the bad guys win, there is a lot of collateral damage always, and the heroes might start turning bad. Reality, and the fact that hard core Marvel fans are now not kids, helped them develop more mature, emotional movies and tv shows and it helped them explore multiple new ideas. MCU phase 4 first release

MCU phase 4 tackled multiple topics that people didn’t expect Marvel would. WandaVision, phase four’s first release, tackled grief, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier tackled racism, She-Hulk tackled some feminist issues, Ms. Marvel introduces a new Muslim, Pakistani- American Teenage superhero which tackles inclusivity, Moon Knight that is based in Egypt and tackles Egyptian mythology, and finally, Black Panther Wakanda Forever that tackles death and life.

As a hard-core Marvel fan, I believe Marvel has done a great job and made a great decision to dig deeper into the characters and storylines. I loved each and every release and maybe watched some stuff more than once. MCU phase 4 couldn’t have been better in my opinion. In spite all that, some people still didn’t like most of phase four. They didn’t feel comfortable with how personal and intimate some shows were, and how some movies didn’t have enough depth. Moreover, specifically with Thor Love and Thunder, I loved how they had some scenes that were very new and strange for a superhero movie and I loved the cinematography of it all, when there are a lot of people who hated specifically that.

Overall, people will always view art in their own objective point of view and according to their own personal experience. Marvel phase five is starting this year and I couldn’t be more excited for what to come. All Marvel movies and tv shows can be found on the Disney+ app and website here:

Login | Disney+

https://www.disneyplus.com › login

Do Yourself a Favour, Play Yakuza.

In light of a recent announcement of 2 brand new games, a re-make of a game that is coming to western markets for the first time, and more PC ports, this series is something you need to play if you want to round out your gaming experience. Like a Dragon, better known colloquially as Yakuza, is a adventure/beat-em-up about a single man and his relationships and experiences in his life in the yakuza. Quite honestly, there aren’t many games to compare it to- this series really is its own beast. Known for flashy fighting skills, interesting side-quests and a literal TON of weird things to do on the side, this series now has 8 main-line games, 5 spin-offs and a brand new spin-off and mainline game announced to be in development.

Let me just show you just what you’re missing out on:

These fights are unlike any other.

The fighting in this game is insane. It’s honestly way better to watch, and even more better to experience it for yourself.

Beyond the pretty colours, the game itself makes you feel good about getting into fights. punching, kicking, throwing couches, and even smacking someone with a gun after running out of bullets all makes sense within the world and feels amazing to master. Getting those Tiger Drop counters is always satisfying, especially watching that health-bar being siphoned from the enemy. Or just do what I did and button mash- either way, beating down these terrible people is insanely cathartic after watching the news.

Also, the Substories and Sidequests.

Most games these days do side-quests that take you off the beaten path to help pad out game-play and help you explore the world. In basically every Like A Dragon game, every side-quest is a new character storyline, a brand new secret path to open up, and a new way to find powerful weapons and items that you can’t find otherwise. This means all the goofy nonsense (and there is a LOT of goofy, unhinged madness) that happens in these sidequests not only is fun to experience, but it also enhances your experience playing the game. Just check this wonderful snippet out:

That’s right. That’s the main character. On a side quest. To learn English. It’s charming, funny, and silly, all things extreme

ly welcome in a story about theft, betrayal, and murder. Don’t forget- this is a game about the Yakuza!

Look at all this… STUFF

Beyond all that, there’s also SO MUCH

STUFF TO DO! I’m talking RC Car racing. I’m talking Mahjong. I’m talking casino games. I’m talking arcade games. I’m talking karaoke. I’m even talking taking pictures of CATS!

Screenshot that reads "YOU LOVE ME" as a man in a bright-coloured suit dances

Taiko Drums with a character (Kiryu) Standing to the left

These aren’t game-specific, either. All of these things can be done in basically every Yakuza game, and they’re all different in every game! The arcade games change every installment. The AI gets better for every casino, card and mahjong minigame you play. Different songs are available in each installment. Ryu Ga Gotoku doesn’t skimp out on these details, as these are some of the best parts of each game.

Did i mention food? I know you can’t actually taste anything, but these games are essentially mini-tours of different parts of Japan, and show off different cuisines and everything.

In conclusion…

If you like video games, you need to play these games. If you like unique story-lines, you need to play these games. Hell, if you like soap-operas, these games are 100% worth your time. You can pick them up for under $30 each for the first few, and honestly it’s worth every cent.

And, if you end up becoming like me, I’m sure you’ll be picking up Like A Dragon: Ishin, out February 22!

https://ishin.sega.com/home.html

Speeding up with TikTok: the Sped up song versions

I want to dedicate this note to a new trend in the musical field: the Sped up song version, which basically consists of increasing the speed of a song to 150%. This practice was generated on TikTok thanks to contributions from anonymous users. They would tune the song to the new style and make it freely available for others to upload with their own videos or choreographies. Regardless of whether Sped up song versions are considered a valuable artistic product or not, the truth is that originally, this was a community and anti-capitalist movement. This is because TikTok users who made their own versions posted them on the networks for free circulation and did not obtain financial benefit from it. To this, we should add a huge number of tutorials with tricks to make your own accelerated version that can be seen on various platforms like YouTube.

**The side effects of Sped up song**

The trend of Sped up song versions has contributed not only to generating new hits but, paradoxically, has helped turn relatively recent pop songs into unexpected super hits, even if they initially weren’t. This is the case, for example, of Sure Thing, by the American R’n’B singer Miguel (original from 2010), Die For You, by The Weeknd (from 2016), Cool For The Summer, by Demi Lovato (2015), Sway, by Michael Bublé (2003) or Say it Right, by Nelly Furtado (2006).

In all these cases, the exponential increase in clicks has been so overwhelming that the artists themselves have succumbed to the trend and started to publish these versions officially. TikTok content with the #spedup hashtag already has 10 billion views, and, according to data published by the US magazine Billboard, 80 of the 100 most listened-to songs on that social network have an altered tempo. The phenomenon has already spread in such a way that Spotify has even created an official playlist of Sped up song versions, which exceeds a million likes and includes songs by superstars such as Madonna and Rihanna.

A generation Z movement

The rise of this practice confirms that TikTok users, mostly composed of generation Z individuals, are no longer satisfied with being mere passive spectators. “Fans come to our platform not so much to enjoy the music, but to express themselves creatively and connect with each other through it, and with their favorite artists. Fans here have the chance to participate in the musical creation process”, says Soraya Castellanos, head of TikTok Content, Community, and Associations in Spain and Portugal. “Within our community of users, a movement is generated, an impressive wave of inspiration, which invites collaboration and enrichment of the content. People riff on ideas, take full advantage of our effects, and use sounds that someone has created on the other side of the world,” she adds.

Although speeding up a song by itself doesn’t have much merit, there is no creative decision beyond that tempo change, it is possible to build on that idea to introduce other new elements. Surely faster songs will also be made and heard due to this trend started by the Sped up song versions. In this sense, TikTok users are the true generators of a trend and the music market adjusts to it.

Journey Of Language Learning On Netflix

Language Learning

Coming from a country where there are more than 100 languages spoken, learning to read, write and speak more than three languages was not uncommon to me. Hence, growing up, I wasn’t surprised when I chose to learn a foreign language instead of picking a hobby class in school. I was about 12 years old when I was introduced to the French language and in a way, the French culture. After learning the language to score decent grades in high school, I completely lost touch with it for five years until I had my own Netflix account. That’s right, Netflix plays an important role in my journey of language learning and brings back the joy I first experienced in school!

French

Recently, I started the show ‘Emily in Paris’ on Netflix and as per habit, I did not change my language settings to English. Many parts are filmed in English because the protagonist of the show is an American woman that moves to Paris for work and is not familiar with the local dialect at first. They have shown her journey in the city from someone who did not know French at all, to falling in love with the language, place and people so much that she did not move back to Chicago when she had the chance to and made Paris her home permanently.

While I have an on-and-off relationship with the language myself, I have never given up on it much like Emily (the protagonist). Even though I struggle to keep up with my daily lessons on Duo Lingo, I am proud of the fact that I am on my 154th day of the streak on the App, which essentially means that I have been learning the language every day for the past 154 days.

Spanish

During the covid lockdown, like most people in the world, I consumed A LOT of content. I finished all seasons of ‘Narcos’ and ‘Money Heist‘ (both in Spanish) and this reignited the spark of joy in me again. I began my short journey of learning Spanish for a brief period of three months during the lockdown. Today, I might mix up many phrases in both French and Spanish, but I am also someone who can fluently speak, read and write four Indian languages and figure my way through two foreign languages (with Netflix and Duo Lingo’s help, of course!)

I hope I can add plenty more to this list in the coming years because the journey of language learning through Netflix has by far been extremely rewarding!

🕹️Is Steam Deck a Worthful Invention?🕹️

What is Steam Deck? The Steam Deck is a handheld gaming device developed and produced by Valve Corporation, the company behind the popular gaming platform Steam. designed to bring the gaming experience of a desktop computer to a portable, handheld form factor. The Device has a touch screen and gaming controls built into the device, allowing users to play a variety of games, including PC games available on Steam, on-the-go.

Does Gaming Industry is really in need of it? The need for the Steam Deck in the gaming industry depends on various factors and perspectives. Some gamers may appreciate the convenience of being able to play their favorite PC games on a handheld device, making gaming more accessible and portable.

From a business perspective: Ultimately, whether or not the gaming industry is in need of a Steam Deck is subjective and dependent on individual preferences and market conditions.

History Of Steam Deck: In 2013, Valve announced its first attempt at entering the console market: Machines. Steam Machines were small gaming PCs designed for TV that ran on Valve’s own SteamOS. Companies like iBuyPower, Alienware, CyberPowerPC, Origin PC, and even Gigabyte were all making Steam Machines, and each had different specs with prices ranging from $499 all the way to $5,000.

First Impression of Steam Deck: Currently the units are on pre-booking stage mostly the influencers have the review units with them.

Final Thoughts on deck: It wouldn’t be surprised if you’re thinking, “Uh, wasn’t the Steam Controller a flop?” But I’m here to tell you not only did it have an amazing cult following, the Deck makes it work. The fancy touchpads no longer get in your way if you’re not interested, and you can now get precision aiming without relying on them one bit: just rest your thumb on the thumbstick to activate a gyro so you can tilt the Deck to easily zero in on your target. And while you have the option of spending hours designing the perfect multi-layered control scheme, Valve makes it easy to add that gyro or a few extra grip buttons and go on with your day.

Rohit Kumar.M

Is the Instagram media world even real?

In a world where people only post about the happy things in their lives, others create a life for themselves thinking that others’ lives are better or more happening than theirs. But the question is, ‘Is the Instagram World even real?’

Picture Courtesy: Pixabay

FAKE VS. REALITY

The world of social media or as we call it the ‘influential world’ has a major impact on people’s lives these days. Influencers are well aware of their target audiences and they bring out the versions of themselves that people want to see. But what we actually see is the polished lives of celebrities or influencers on instagram.

They have created a fairytale world which is perfect and has an effect on young minds leading to mental health issues. The allured minds try and imitate these unattainable bodies and lifestyles which have been created by means of filters or fake editing.

But is the modification with the photos really that important? Nobody in this world is flawless or Nobody’s life is perfect. Everybody has bad days or bad photos which very few people are willing to share with the world.

HARSH TRUTH OF THE TRAVEL INFLUENCING

The point is comprehensible that people are on Instagram to show the best versions of themselves. Their lives while having a good time on a vacation with their friends. The world of travel influencers which they show on the platforms is unreal. They have struggles they deal with, while travelling, which are not portrayed to the real world. You might pick up on a restaurant by watching an influencer’s instagram story. But, after going there you realise it actually tastes like disappointment.

Picture Courtesy: Pinterest

After the rise of the pandemic, there is a relatively high explosion of people wanting to choose to be an ‘instagram influencer’ as their career path. But what they don’t realise is the harsh truths of invasion of their privacy in the world of fame.

The need to use social media to keep updated about what’s happening around the world is quite arguable. But the best way to use it positively would be not to obsess too much over these things and miss out on all the amazing things in life that are right in front of you!

– By Amisha Bhatia