Great Designs from Young Minds

Recent lessons and study of basic design principals led to the creation of "FINN" a concept company that specializes in creating and selling swimming gear (toys and accessories) that is ONLY for children: fins/flippers that fit little feet comfortably, "real" masks and snorkels for kids that aren't toys, swim goggles that fit little faces, air mattresses and toys that can withstand some abuse, etc.

The logo was created with very little guidance (only minimal technical assistance) by a just-turned six year old.  We are looking for investors...and an agent for the little guy who is bursting with ideas.

Anopheles vector graphic

A small contribution to the public health community from InHouse Design Studio:  new vector graphics for the female Anopheles mosquito, a.k.a the malaria mosquito.  This image has been vetted by entomologists and given their (conditional) stamp of approval - it is a drawing, after all.

Anopheles spp.  Please click on the appropriate link below for the vector graphics version

The most notable characteristic of the Anopheles mosquito is the way it holds its body at an extreme angle and how it holds its back two legs up in the air.  Other distinctive characteristics are the light stripes or bands on its legs and it’s spotted wings (not seen in this image, which does not show wing detail).  With a really close look you’d also see that the female has slightly ‘feathered’ antennae and that the palps on either side if the probiscus (what it sticks in you to ‘bite’ you) are almost the same length as the probiscus. (the male has ridiculous looking antennae-the mosquito equivalent of huge feathery moustaches!)

Anophelines are brown (dark or light brown, depending on the species and the individual) with light markings (legs and wings).  I’m including several versions here so that you can ‘grab’ the one that suits your printing/design needs:

Anopheles mosquito (brown with red abdomen)

Anopheles mosquito (black with red abdomen)

Anopheles mosquito (black and white)

all images subject to copyright Anne Jennings 2011

In addition to these distinctive markings, Anopheles mosquitoes are identifiable by their habits/behavior, i.e. the tendancy to rest on an indoor wall after feeding (which makes indoor residual spraying, IRS, a reasonable intervention) and their habit of feeding in the late evening hours and early morning (a good argument for sleeping under a mosquito net and screening-in sleeping areas).  When we are in the US we are always surprised at the mosquito activity during the day - unthinkable in Zambia.  There are plenty of strange bugs here in the daytime but hardly ever biting mosquitoes.

Here is some background on malaria and the Anopheles from the World Health Organisation:
"Malaria Entomology and Vector Control" (WHO/CDS/CPE/SMT/2002.18REV.1)


Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite which spends its life in both humans and certain species of mosquitoes.  Four species of Plasmodium cause malaria in humans:  Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. Malariae and P. ovale.  Of these, Plasmodium falciparum is the most important in parts of the tropics and is responsible for the most severe illnesses and deaths.

Malaria parasites are transmitted by female mosquitoes belonging to the genus Anopheles.  Male Anopheles mosquitoes only feed on plant juices and nectar and cannot transmit malaria.

There are 400 species of Anopheles mosquitoes.  Approximately forty species worldwide can transmit malaria and of these only 15 are vectors of major importance.  Some anophelines prefer to bite animals and transmit malaria parasites to humans rarely.  Other do not live long enough for the parasite to develop in the mosquito or the parasite does not seem to be able to develop.

Malaria control involves the diagnosis and treatment of malaria cases, preventing mosquito bites, eliminating breeding sites, and killing mosquitoes.

European Design in Zambia

Making your house a home just got a bit easier in Lusaka with the opening of the new home finishing and design center, Euro-Luxe Living.  With plans for a spacious design centre and showroom Euro-Luxe Living clients will be able to shop for high quality fittings (taps, sinks, faucets, appliances and eventually home decor) imported direct from Europe.  Gone is the hassle of flying to Jo'burg or shipping from overseas.

ToonTown

Some fun additions to the InHouse Design Studio repertoire: cartoons! Keep and eye out for them around town....ToonTown, that is.

Pen & Paper 2011 - Young Authors book release

InHouse Design is proud to announce the release of "Pen & Paper: The collected works of the LICS Young Authors."  This small printing was a big deal and represents the culmination of a 6-week after-school writing workshop completed by a talented group of 8 and 9 year olds. We hope it will be the first of many books that these Young Authors publish.  Congratulations.  

The Young Authors, hard at work.

Custom Portrait Photography

There is a time and place for everything.   


At InHouse Design Studio we believe childhood is a time for fun and friendship.   For our part, we are pleased to offer an alternative to “Sit-Still-and-Say-Cheese” studio portraits and school pictures.  We love our school photos, by the way, but those go straight into the scrap book, it's the snapshots we treasure, the ones we send off to the grandparents, the ones we proudly post on the 'fridge and frame for everyone to see. 


Shot “on location” at your child’s favorite backyard play escape, we offer a custom photography package catered to your needs -- prints to hang in your home (or office), small digital files to post and email, and large format digital files on a CD for “takeaway” that you can print at your leisure and at your favorite photographic print workshop. 

Our aim is to capture the magical moments of childhood before your tots turn to teens and suddenly .....those sweet, innocent moments are lost forever.

Contact InHouse Design Studio for more information and to view our full Portrait Portfolio.  

Don’t let these precious moments pass you by! 

ImagiNation Afrika

Aiming to be the first of many children's museum on the continent, ImagiNation Afrika is laying the groundwork for it's flagship center in Dakar, Senegal.  Their "wired" logo captures the spirit of play and ingenuity on the continent.  Wire cars are ubiquitous in Africa.....they are made from recycled material, carefully engineered and most importantly, made by kids for kids.  (It's actually quite unusual to find one for sale).

This short film from Dutch designer Rob Van Acker, who lived for some years with his family in Mongu, Zambia, brings this point home. The film features a 15 year old wire car 'manufacturer.'



 Stay tuned for more exciting news from ImagiNation Afrika as they carry on with their inspiring work on westernmost tip of Africa.

Blue Moon announcement

Open just 9 months, it’s an appropriate time that the Blue Moon Cafe owners announce the "birth" of a new project....Blue Moon Catering!   

For Sunday brunch or office lunch, the Blue Moon is bringing the cafe to you.  Check in with the staff at the Cafe (Woodlands Shopping Complex, Lusaka) for more information about ordering custom lunch boxes, pastry trays, bagel baskets, ice cream sandwiches, gourmet coffee stations and more.  Pick up a catering menu to two to have on hand for your next meeting or event. 

Game On: Alive and Kicking reveals new product

A recent InHouse visit to the Alive and Kicking stitching workshop (on the grounds of the ZamLeather) in Lusaka had us privy to a new project underway.  Here is a sneak peek at the prototype:

It's a bird? It's a plane?  It's the fastest land animal in the world! 

Alive and Kicking celebrates the beautiful game and African wildlife

As with all A&K balls, their new Cheetah Footballs are leather, hand-stitched (right here in Lusaka), hand-screened, fair trade, fair labour and....they are exceedingly cool.  For a closer look at how the balls are made check out this exclusive photo essay.

Communicating Science to the Public

Frogs as Indicator Species - Communications Strategy for 5-10 year olds

Recently I had the pleasure of spending some time with a favorite pastime and profession: Communicating Science to the Public.  It's a specialty that allows me to combine my training and experience in science, art, and communications in one fell swoop.  The challenge of getting complex scientific principals to a wide audience whether that audience is 5 or 50 is one that InHouse Design welcomes.