Friday, September 19, 2008

What's cooking at YUVA Studio? - Part Deux

Integration with Google:

If you have a Google account, you can simply use it to login on YUVA Studio. No need to fill out sign up forms or remember yet another password. YUVA Studio does not store your password if you have a Google account. If you click "Submit", you will be taken to Google's page to enter your Google password.

In the coming months, we plan to bring you complete integration of your Google calendars so it will be easier than ever to send e-cards of your favorite drawings right from your Google calendar events.

What's cooking at YUVA Studio?

No, this is not a gimmick, we really mean it. We have now opened up YUVA Studio completely to all users. All features and swatches previously available only to paid, premium members have been opened up. Enjoy!

Take a peek at this demo before you sign up!

Friday, September 12, 2008

To computer or not to computer

How do we respond to this debate? Simple really – YUVA Studio sees the computer as a medium that is gaining in popularity of use with children. While it doesn’t replace getting your fingers dipped in paint, or modeling plaster or cutting and gluing tinsel, it offers compelling ways of creative expression. Clean-up is also easier though that should hardly be the primary motivator!

Hands-on media is important in developing technique and augmenting motor skills. As a creative medium, computers are better suited to enrich cognitive skills, which are important means of expanding imagination and concentration.

Above all, when children are freed of the challenge of drawing perfect lines or coloring neatly within them, they can experiment with other aspects of their art – composition, color relationships, proportion and the play of positive and negative space, expressing their thoughts. By gradually accessing and experimenting with given shapes, and making a series of choices to unfold ideas, the young learn to evolve a visual language.

Having selected the digital medium, YUVA Studio is committed to taking digital drawing “beyond the paint bucket”. A lot of web-based tools for children are entertainment oriented. Our focus is to promote active thinking and to fuel imagination in children, and to explore the rich possibilities of the digital medium while doing so.

For instance, YUVA Artists can see drawings created by others in Ideabooks and the online Gallery; Artists’ drawings are available as part of the merchandise store as greeting cards and t-shirts; they can participate in contests and have their art displayed in the YUVA gallery – Through YUVA they can share their creations and become part of an online community of YUVA Artists.