Author: Igor

8 ways to protect your legal interests as an individual?

Ever found yourself caught up in legal technicalities, scratching your head, wondering what it all means? You’re not alone. Understanding our legal rights and responsibilities isn’t just for big corporations. It’s something we all should care about, whether it’s signing a new contract, dealing with property, or just going about our daily lives. So let’s dive into this together and unravel the mystery of how to protect our legal interests.

Know Your Rights

So, you think law is just for lawyers? Think again. Getting to know your basic legal rights is like having an umbrella on a rainy day – it’s essential. Whether at work, signing a lease, or making a purchase, knowing what you can and cannot do helps you steer clear of trouble. It’s not about becoming a legal expert overnight but being aware enough to spot when something’s not quite right.

Consult with Professionals

Imagine you’re involved in a lawsuit, and legal issues are the confusing twists and turns. Now, wouldn’t it be handy to have a guide? That’s what professionals like personal injury claim attorneys are there for. Whether you’ve been in an accident or you’re dealing with a complex contract, seeking professional advice is like having a GPS for the legal world. They’ll navigate the twists and turns, help you understand your rights, and guide you through the process. It’s not just smart; it’s essential.

Keeping Proper Documentation

Let’s talk about paperwork. I know, it sounds boring, but hang on – it’s more crucial than you think. Ever heard the phrase, “If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen?” Well, that’s often how legal matters work. Receipts, contracts, emails, even text messages – act as evidence and can be your best friends when you need to prove something. Think of them as pieces of a puzzle, fitting together to tell your story. So next time you casually agree to something verbally, remember to jot it down. This evidence might just save the day.

Using Technology Wisely

Tech-savvy? Great! But when it comes to legal matters, it has two sides to the situation. Sure, technology makes things easier, from signing contracts online to keeping digital records. But beware of the dark side – oversharing, weak passwords, and scams lurk around every corner. Use technology, but be wise about it. Update those passwords, think twice before you tweet, and remember, if something online seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Protecting Personal and Intellectual Property

Your ideas, your creations, your stuff – it’s all valuable, and it’s all worth a fortune. Let’s have a chat about something that’s close to home: your privacy. You know that old saying about keeping your cards close to your chest? In the digital age, that’s more vital than ever. Your personal information is like gold, and there are plenty of pirates out there ready to plunder. So, what’s the game plan? Be mindful of what you share online, keep those passwords strong and unique, and be wary of suspicious emails and links. It’s all about being a smart navigator in the vast ocean of the internet. Your privacy is a treasure; guard it well!

Keeping Proper Documentation

Let’s shift gears a bit and talk about those piles of papers that might be gathering dust in your drawers. Yes, those contracts, agreements, receipts, and whatnot. Seems boring, right? But here’s the kicker – those papers can be your lifeline if legal trouble comes knocking. Whether it’s a rental agreement, a contract with your employer, or even a receipt for a major purchase, they’re all pieces of a puzzle that can paint a clear picture if you need to defend your legal interests. If you’ve been injured by a defective product, having proper documentation can be key in securing the help of an experienced New York product liability lawyer to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. In these cases, a lawyer can analyze your records, identify key evidence, and build a strong case to hold the responsible parties accountable. Without the right paperwork, your chances of success could be significantly reduced. So, file them neatly, and know where they are. They might just save your bacon one day!

Mind Your Social Media

Alright, now let’s take a look into something we all love and hate – social media. It’s a good place to connect and share, but it can also be a legal minefield. A tweet, a status update, or even a photo can sometimes spell trouble. Remember, the online world isn’t some lawless land; the same rules apply there as in the real world. Be mindful of what you post, especially if it concerns others. It’s all about being responsible and treating virtual space with the same respect as you would in person. It’s simple: think before you post, and you’ll be golden!

Utilize Legal Agreements and Contracts

Contracts and agreements aren’t just for big businesses; they’re essential tools for everyone. From freelancers to people hiring a nanny, written agreements provide clarity and protection. Think of it as setting ground rules in black and white. This way, everyone knows what’s expected of them. Have a lawyer review them to ensure they cover all the bases, and don’t be afraid to insist on a written contract even in seemingly informal situations. A handshake’s great, but a signed paper? That’s a safety net.

Final Word

Protecting your interests legally is perhaps one of the greatest skills to learn today. From avoiding scams and guarding private information, it is always good practice to stay in the know. We hope this article helps you, and can illuminate some aspects that you can focus on.

August 10, 2016
Olivia Fiddes

Originally from Edinburgh, Olivia Fiddes makes ceramic objects and homeware from her studio in London. What makes Olivia’s pieces unique is that they’re solely made using meticulous hand building techniques. We chatted with Olivia to find out more about her interest in ceramics, her design process and future plans.

www.oliviafiddes.com

Product photos by Ben Seeley and studio photos by Alex McLuckie.

When did you get interested in ceramics? Do you remember the first piece you ever made?

My first experience of ceramics was during A Level Art, when our very optimistic teachers asked everyone in the year to make a life-size self-portrait bust out of clay. This had very mixed results. Mine was OK but didn’t look anything like me. My mum has it looking at you right when you walk into the house and puts tinsel on ‘my’ head at Christmas. Whilst this didn’t go amazingly, I loved the process and working with clay. A few years later I started pottery evening classes because of my interest in clay and it went from there.

All of your pieces are handmade, please tell us a little bit more about this process and the different techniques you use.

Everything I make is ‘hand built’ which basically means, in pottery terms, that I don’t use a wheel, moulds, or slip cast. This is quite a traditional way of working as it requires very little equipment. I mainly use my hands and just some small tools. Some of the techniques I use are: coiling, slab building and pinching. These are techniques that you can be taught in a few evening classes but I suppose the hard bit is getting pieces how you want them, being neat, and making two pieces that look the same. It’s a slower method of working but I think it’s this that makes the pieces unique and more expressive. Everything is a one-off when it is hand built which I love.

You use reclaimed clay to create your pieces, are there other measures you take to ensure your business is as sustainable as possible?

It’s important to me that I don’t waste. Especially with clay, there is no excuse for it as you can always give it new life. That is why I use the reclaimed clay from the other ceramicists at my studio. The shared studio I’m a part of, Turning Earth, is very environmentally conscious, from the energy companies they use and the packaging we provide, so it works nicely.

5% of the profits from each piece you sell go to Survival International, could you tell us a little bit about this organisation?

It’s a charity I used to work for and have been very passionate about for years so I wanted to make it an in-built part of what I do. Survival campaigns for tribal (or indigenous) peoples’ rights which are often disrespected. I find it crazy that to this day tribal peoples are regarded as ‘primitive’ or ‘other’ when it simply isn’t the case. It’s these discriminatory attitudes that enable people, governments and companies to continuously take advantage of them and violate their human rights. Hopefully my spreading the word and contributing, even in a very small way, will mean one or two people will change their perception about tribal peoples. Please visit their website.

Do you think there has been a change in the way people consume design in the recent years?

I think being able to make your own website and online shop quite easily and cheaply has really changed the way people consume design. I think people are now much more likely to buy from independent designers or businesses because it’s much more common and trustworthy – which is great! Although, I think things like Pinterest and Instagram mean that massive waves of design and style trends sweep internationally now. You often see the same things over and over again but this is a good incentive to stay yourself and different.

What are your plans for the upcoming months?

I’ve got a lovely series of light coloured pieces coming out on Bonjour Supermarket, curated by Johanna Tagada. I’m so delighted to have been able to contribute to this beautiful shop. We’ve also got some new collaborative ideas up our sleeves.

I will be going to LA for a couple of weeks at the end of the month for some work and a bit of lazing around! When I get back I’ll be exhibiting work as part London Design Festival (19th-24th September). My studio, Turning Earth, will be holding another incredible sale to coincide with the end of this on Sunday 25th September which I’ll be taking part in too. I hope you’ll join us!

After this, I’ll be working on special ranges for some shops and also organising some hand building workshops which are due to start in October in London and Leicestershire. I’ll be posting info and dates for these on my website and Instagram soon. Come along and try your hand at ceramics yourself!

August 9, 2016
How to Enjoy Stockholm to the Max

Sweden is a country with so much to offer visitors, especially when you’re visiting the country for the first time. Near the top of the list of things Sweden has to offer is undoubtedly its capital city, Stockholm. It’s a vibrant city that’s full of life, art and culture. You’ll never be short of things to do or see, so maybe this should be your next city break destination.

If you’re going to head to Stockholm, though, you first need to know a bit about how to enjoy it to the max. Apart from knowing what to pack in your suitcase, there are lots of things that you won’t want to miss out on while you’re there, and we’re going to run through some of the most important things you’ll want to see and do during your time there. Read on to find out more.

Head to the Top of City Hall’s Tower for the Best Views

If you want the very best views over Stockholm, you should head to the top of the tower that’s connected to the City Hall, or the Stadshuset in Swedish. Although you do have to pay to get to the top of the tower, you’ll be glad you paid for it. It’s an incredible panoramic view over the city. If you take your camera with you, you’ll get some incredible pictures of the city in its full glory.

Explore the Old Town

With narrow streets and cobblestone alleyways, it’s very easy to get lost in Stockholm’s Old Town, but that’s all part of the fun. Explore it for a full day and see everything it has to offer. It’s a part of the city that’s entirely unique and brimming with character. You certainly won’t want to miss out on this incredible part of Stockholm, so don’t fall into the trap of overlooking it.

Take to Stockholm’s Hiking Trails

You might not have been planning on going hiking when you decided to head to Stockholm, but it’s actually a great way to experience this location. Stockholm actually has three major hiking trails and they each offer something fantastic. If you love to explore and walk, make sure you hike at least one of them.

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Enjoy the Art Galleries and Museums

The Moderna Museet is one of the best art galleries you’ll find anywhere in Scandinavia, and you should be sure to stop off there and have a look around while you’re in Stockholm. You should also see which art fairs are on while you’re in the city because there’s often a lot of great art to buy at these. Some people say the best art gallery in Stockholm is actually the subway system. Its long passages are adorned with incredible art and it’s free to browse them; there are even tours available.

Tour the Swedish Parliament for Free

Sweden is famed for its long-standing and tolerant social democracy and if you’re interested in all things political, you should definitely take the time to visit the Swedish parliament, known as the Riksdag. It’s also possible to take advantage of one of the free tours that are offered there. They take place each weekend and start at 1:30pm during the winter and four times each weekday in the summer. It’s a lengthy and fascinating tour led by people who really know what they’re talking about.

Workout at an Outdoor Gym

There are 38 outdoor gyms in Stockholm alone. They’re something of a revelation in Sweden and many people enjoy spending time outdoors working out. If you’re usually a regular at the gym and you don’t want to lose your gains while you’re traveling, you should visit one of Stockholm’s outdoor gyms and workout in a context that you’ve probably never worked out in before.

Spend Time on Stockholm’s Popular Beaches

Not many people realise this if they’ve never been to Stockholm before, but there are actually a range of great beaches in Stockholm and you should be sure to make the most of them when you’re there. The best include Långholmsbadet and Smedsuddsbadet, but there are many others too. There’s also a lot of very beautiful and picturesque canals that you can explore. Be sure to take the time to do that.

Stockholm has so much to offer and if you haven’t yet taken the time to visit the Swedish capital, you should think about planning your trip there. It’s a city with so much to offer in terms of culture, and the Swedish people are great too. It’s the perfect place to start when visiting Sweden for the first time.

August 2, 2016
Local Heroes – Studio Visits pt.2

Last week we talked about Local Heroes, an exhibition about Scottish design taking place at Edinburgh Airport during the Festival in August. We’ve been commissioned by Local Heroes to document the spaces and processes of all the designers involved. Here are the remaining 5 designers and the products they’ve designed exclusively for Local Heroes.

Local Heroes – 1st to 31st August at Edinburgh Airport
www.localheroes.design

Design studio Instrmnt, known for their minimalist products, have worked with RISOTTO studio to create bespoke risograph packaging for their Instrmnt 01-D watch.

Glasgow-based Trakked have designed two new backpacks for Local Heroes in bright blue waxed cotton fabric. The bags are 100% made at their workshop in the centre of the city and designed to be the perfect adventure companion.

Womenswear designer Rebecca Torres has created an exclusive swimsuit for Local Heroes with the idea of offering something unexpected that visitors to Scotland can take home and can be enjoyed by residents leaving Scotland for summer sun.

Gabriella Marcella from RISOTTO Studio is known for her colourful artwork. For Local Heroes, she has created a set of 3 beach towels featuring vibrant tropical motifs.

Design studio Warriors have designed a poster that champions Scottish inventions, discoveries, innovations and design.

July 29, 2016
The best Ways To Spend Your Downtime

When it comes to down time, there are many things that you can do, but often we don’t make it a priority. Downtime is encouraged, it is something that we should do under the umbrella of self care and taking time for ourselves., However, when it comes down to it, often we don’t really know what to do. So with that in mind, here are some of the best ways to spend your downtime.

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Learn a musical instrument

Maybe you want to learn a musical instrument and try and gain some new skills in that way. It can be an excellent way to clear your mind and focus on something else. Whether it’s the piano, where there are some great online articles with advice, the guitar, when websites like https://guitaarr.com/ have some great insight, or even a wind instrument or something more unique. You are bound to find something that suits your interests and can keep this new hobby alive.

Start a blog

Years ago blogging, was something that people just didn’t know what it was, but now it seems everyone has a blog. But it can actually be extremely therapeutic and a great way to spend your downtime. Writing can be such a great thing to think about and do, and can be a creative outlet as well as a way to relax and unwind. Some people have even moved their blogs on to monetise them so that they can turn them into their jobs. The sky’s the limit these days with the digital world.

Side hustles and earn a little extra

Maybe you feel like downtime can be wasted time, so why not use it to try out some of the online side hustles instead? You could fill out online surveys, perform mystery shops and sell unwanted items in your home on platforms like eBay. It can be a great way to boost your income.

Change your lifestyle

Maybe you want to put your downtime to good use in other ways, so why not focus on your home. It might be time to start getting rid of clutter and having a more minimalist approach.Even if you convert your old movies or vinyl collection to digital versions you will be surprised how much room you can save. Start going through your things and decide whether you want, need or love them. You might be surprised by the things that you can offload and how much tidier your home will be.

Start exercising

Maybe it is time to start thinking about exercising, and this can be a great way to help with your mindset and self care. We are all encouraged to be more active, so why not head out for a walk, start running, join a gym or take part in local sports classes. It can be a great way to clear your mind from the working day.

Your mental health

Finally, why not take a moment to think about your mental health and use your downtime for good use. Maybe you could meditate, enjoy a relaxing bath or shower, or just take some time to be alone with your thoughts.

Let’s hope these suggestions help you to utilise your downtime.

July 26, 2016