Confessions of a researchaholic

September 4, 2024

Cupcake wars – motion graphics

Filed under: Imaginary,Real — liyiwei @ 5:15 pm
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This is an experiment to create motion graphics from the original poster image (in the event email), which, upon looking at it, prompted me to want to animate the cupcake topping.

I started by twirling the topping via Motionleap, selecting the candy particles via Photoshop and animating them via Fresco Motion, followed by generative stylization via a comfyUI workflow (using the MotionLeap + Fresco video as control and its first frame as style input for IP-adapter). The challenge is that the output background won’t be completely black/transparent (which hopefully will be fixed soon in standard generative video workflows), and thus for now I did some masking and keying in After Effects as a workaround for proper compositing.




https://www.behance.net/gallery/207181031/CupcakeWars

September 3, 2024

Side effect of wearing company t-shirt in public

Filed under: Real — liyiwei @ 6:27 pm
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The conductor on my evening train came to me and joked that “Adobe should lower the price”.

https://www.behance.net/gallery/186107513/PortraitsMotoGStylus/modules/1176410825

August 30, 2024

Cupcake wars – virtual decoration

Filed under: Imaginary,Real — liyiwei @ 5:36 pm
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There was an employee event for cupcake decoration competition on Thursday afternoon. I took a few bases, which seemed healthier than the toppings, and decorated them virtually via company products.



https://www.behance.net/gallery/206803773/CupcakeWars

August 27, 2024

Reporter trying to “catch” employees

Filed under: Real — liyiwei @ 5:14 pm
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I received an invitation for a “chat” from a reporter with a major media company for a story he is currently working on about my current employer.
Per company policy I forwarded the inquiry to our PR (public relation) partner, who told me that the reporter is indeed legit but tends to try to “catch” employees unawares to speak to them on the side without PR.

On one hand I am all for the freedom of press and I have enjoyed their reportings, but on the other hand trying to trip employees up is probably not the most ethical way to obtain information.

So I just ignored the reporter and let the PR handle the situation.

August 23, 2024

Fleeting moments

Filed under: Imaginary,Real — liyiwei @ 8:00 pm
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While driving back home on August 22, 2024 evening around 8:30 PM, I saw this impressive pale blue sky with dark clouds. I did a quick drawing the next evening and planned to refine it later. Then I realized that there are many fleeting moments in life that were better captured without further delays.


https://www.behance.net/gallery/206362211/ImpressionOf22Aug2024EveningAround8PM

August 22, 2024

Electric Caltrain

Filed under: Real — liyiwei @ 11:02 am
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I took the electric Caltrain for the first time today and found it much quieter and smoother than the diesel one.

https://www.behance.net/gallery/190359367/ExteriorMotoGStylus/modules/1175902253

August 16, 2024

Irregular tortillas

Filed under: Imaginary,Real — liyiwei @ 8:49 pm
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During July 23 2024 lunch time, I saw the company cafeteria staff trying to fix the tortillas machine that was doling out irregularly shaped portions which I commented to be still edible and uniquely artistic.


https://www.behance.net/gallery/205732405/IrregularTortillas

August 8, 2024

Happy father’s day

Filed under: Real — liyiwei @ 9:19 am
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To all the fathers out there – from a half father.

August 4, 2024

Dream this morning

Filed under: Imaginary — liyiwei @ 2:10 pm
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Arrived at the airport too late, with the boarding pass showing “too late” instead of the gate information.

https://www.behance.net/gallery/206373601/BoardingPassTooLate

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