#Spheriks

[skettchyartendevours]

Have y'all heard of a show called "Spheriks"

I had no idea it existed, until about two weeks ago when I found this guy at a thrift store

Soon as I saw him, I thought he looked like he could be a character from some early 2000's kids show. Upon looking it up, I was very much correct!

Main point is, I developed a fixation on this show practically that same day which now has me in a chokehold (I have decided to illustrate my brain's current state)

The Gobots and Transformers haven't fully left my brain space yet, but I would very much like to yap about these new guys for a bit

[which I will do under the cut, because this is going to get a bit long-winded]

So! A bit of background for the show itself: Spheriks was a show commissioned by FIFA to promote their new mascots for the 2002 World Cup, which took place in South Korea and Japan. It was the only show its' animation studio (Slave Studios, based in the UK) ever produced due to how badly it flopped, likely suffering from a short run time in both broadcasting and home video releases.

The overarching plot of the show consists of two alien races, the Atmospheriks and the Nulmospheriks, competing against each other in a football-like sport known as "Spherikball" in order to see who gets to control the atmosphere at the FIFA World Cup. The Atmospheriks represent positive energy, The Nulmospheriks represent negative energy, we have a very clear theme of "Good vs Evil."

In terms of characters, the show mainly focuses on four main characters from each team: The Atmospheriks have Ato, Kaz (the guy I found at the thrift store), Nik and Rhea. The Nulmospheriks have Roth, Viro, Null and Void. There are also a handful of non-Atmo/Nulmo side characters that regularly appear, such as the two announcers. I guess the rest of the teams as well, but they don't really seem to have dialogue or much of a stake in the plot.

Finally, here are a handful off messy sketches I did while trying to figure out how to draw a few of the characters!

So far I've really only tried drawing the Nulmos (villain fixation bias goes brrrr) but I'll probably attempt some of the Atmos soon

Their head shapes are proving to be very tricky to to translate from 3D models to 2D drawings, especially after a decent period of almost exclusively drawing blocky robots from the 80's

Well Uhhh..

Thank you if you made it this far! I don't usually do big rambling posts like this very often, so hopefully it wasn't too unbearable ^^"

[omgnyanko]

Valentine x Ato(crackshipping)

[sheillyfan2018-25]

My best bro friends.

☀️💛Ato x Light & Riley Deep Dark Secret x Dark 🌑🖤

[thecuriousbrain]

Spherikal

[easybalkans]

Sovvenzioni statali e sostegno alle startup in Romania

La Romania è emersa come una destinazione attraente per investitori e imprenditori stranieri, offrendo numerose opportunità a coloro che desiderano espandere le proprie attività. Uno degli incentivi chiave per aprire Società in Romania è la disponibilità di sovvenzioni pubbliche e programmi di sostegno specificatamente progettati per incoraggiare le startup e l’innovazione. Sia che tu stia pianificando apertura di una società all'estero o considerando la Romania come base per la tua prossima impresa, questo blog ti guiderà attraverso le sovvenzioni e il supporto disponibili per aiutarti ad avviare la tua attività in Romania.

Perché la Romania?

L'economia in crescita della Romania, la posizione strategica in Europa e il mercato del lavoro competitivo la rendono una scelta eccellente per le startup. Negli ultimi anni, il governo rumeno ha promosso attivamente l’imprenditorialità attraverso vari programmi volti a ridurre gli oneri finanziari e a promuovere l’innovazione. Attingendo a queste risorse, gli imprenditori stranieri possono ridurre significativamente i costi di avvio, ottenendo allo stesso tempo l’accesso a reti e strumenti aziendali essenziali.

Sovvenzioni statali e programmi per le startup

1. Nazione start-up Romania

Uno dei programmi più popolari tra gli imprenditori che guardano aprire Società in Romania è il programma Start-Up Nation. Progettata per sostenere le piccole e medie imprese (PMI), questa iniziativa fornisce sovvenzioni a fondo perduto fino a 40.000 euro per le imprese ammissibili. L’obiettivo principale è stimolare l’economia rumena sostenendo startup innovative in vari settori, tra cui IT, produzione ed energia verde.

Il programma è aperto sia agli imprenditori rumeni che a quelli stranieri, il che lo rende ideale per loro apertura di una società all'estero e cercando di stabilire una base in Romania. Per qualificarsi, le aziende devono dimostrare un piano aziendale fattibile, un potenziale di creazione di posti di lavoro e innovazione nei rispettivi settori.

2. Sovvenzioni per l'innovazione in Norvegia

La Romania beneficia degli aiuti finanziari di partner europei, come la Norvegia, che sostengono l’innovazione e lo sviluppo aziendale. Gli Innovation Norvegia Grants offrono finanziamenti alle startup rumene che si concentrano su settori come l’energia verde, l’economia circolare e lo sviluppo sostenibile. Queste sovvenzioni forniscono fino a 1,5 milioni di euro per le imprese ammissibili e sono ideali per le startup che desiderano avere un impatto positivo sull’ambiente.

Questa iniziativa incoraggia la cooperazione tra startup rumene e aziende norvegesi, offrendo opportunità agli imprenditori stranieri di collaborare a livello internazionale espandendo al contempo le loro attività in Romania.

3. Programma di avvio della diaspora

La Romania desidera anche attrarre gli imprenditori rumeni che vivono all'estero affinché ritornino e investano nel loro paese d'origine. Il programma Diaspora Start-Up offre sovvenzioni fino a 40.000 euro per i rumeni che desiderano aprire un'impresa dopo il ritorno in Romania. Pur essendo rivolto principalmente alla diaspora rumena, questo programma può avvantaggiare anche gli imprenditori stranieri che formano partenariati con i rumeni di ritorno.

Il programma promuove la collaborazione tra imprenditori locali e quelli con esperienza internazionale, facilitando il trasferimento di conoscenze e la crescita aziendale. È particolarmente vantaggioso per le startup in settori quali tecnologia, istruzione e assistenza sanitaria.

4. Incubatori e acceleratori d'impresa

Oltre alle sovvenzioni finanziarie, la Romania ha una rete crescente di incubatori e acceleratori di imprese che offrono un supporto inestimabile alle startup. Programmi come Techcelerator, Spherik Accelerator e Risky Business forniscono finanziamenti iniziali, tutoraggio e spazi per uffici alle giovani aziende. Questi programmi aiutano anche gli imprenditori stranieri a orientarsi nel processo di apertura di una società all'estero, offrire indicazioni sulle normative aziendali locali e sulle opportunità di networking.

Gli incubatori e gli acceleratori sono particolarmente utili per le startup tecnologiche, aiutandole a perfezionare i propri modelli di business, a connettersi con gli investitori e ad ampliare le operazioni.

Settori chiave per il sostegno del governo

Numerose industrie sono particolarmente ben posizionate per beneficiare delle sovvenzioni statali e dei programmi di sostegno della Romania. Questi settori sono in linea con gli obiettivi economici strategici della Romania e includono:

IT e tecnologia: il settore tecnologico in forte espansione della Romania offre una gamma di opportunità per le startup. Che tu sia coinvolto nello sviluppo di software, nell'intelligenza artificiale o nella blockchain, le sovvenzioni pubbliche sono prontamente disponibili per le aziende focalizzate sulla tecnologia.

Energia verde e sostenibilità: La Romania è impegnata nello sviluppo sostenibile e le imprese che lavorano nel campo delle energie rinnovabili, della gestione dei rifiuti o della conservazione ambientale possono accedere a finanziamenti generosi.

Manifatturiero e Agricoltura: Essendo una delle industrie chiave della Romania, l’agricoltura riceve un sostanziale sostegno da parte del governo. Anche le aziende manifatturiere che si concentrano sull’automazione, sulla produzione ecocompatibile o sulla trasformazione alimentare sono ben posizionate per ottenere sovvenzioni.

Ricerca e sviluppo (R&S): Le aziende coinvolte nella ricerca d’avanguardia, sia nel campo della scienza, della medicina o della tecnologia, possono beneficiare sia del sostegno del governo rumeno che dei finanziamenti dell’UE.

Sfide nell'accesso alle sovvenzioni

Sebbene la Romania offra numerose sovvenzioni e sostegno finanziario, gestire il processo di richiesta può essere difficile. Gli imprenditori stranieri devono soddisfare specifici requisiti di ammissibilità, preparare piani aziendali dettagliati e comprendere le normative locali. Lavorare con consulenti locali o esperti legali può aiutare a semplificare questo processo e aumentare le possibilità di successo.

Inoltre, alcuni programmi, come Start-Up Nation, operano su base competitiva, il che significa che non tutti i candidati riceveranno finanziamenti. Gli imprenditori dovrebbero essere pronti a esplorare molteplici fonti di finanziamento e ad adattare i propri modelli di business, se necessario.

Conclusion

Le sovvenzioni statali e i programmi di sostegno della Romania la rendono una destinazione attraente per gli imprenditori stranieri che desiderano avviare startup in Europa. Dall'assistenza finanziaria alle risorse per lo sviluppo aziendale, queste iniziative riducono significativamente i costi e i rischi aprire Società in Romania. Attingendo a queste risorse, gli imprenditori possono ottenere un vantaggio competitivo, accedere a un mercato fiorente e sbloccare opportunità di crescita internazionale.

Se stai considerando apertura di una società all'estero, Il dinamico ecosistema di startup della Romania e il sostegno sostenuto dal governo offrono un’opportunità unica per costruire un business innovativo e di successo.

[coronana]

If nulmospheriks were in novum terram #nulmospheriks#spheriks

[kikkofindaeas]

GAAANZO

Spherik Simulator ??

[eztr3llxh0sh1mx]

☆━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━☆

⚽♡ 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐩 𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐥𝐳♡⚽ parte 2

Espero que lo disfruten y no malos comentarios

[skettchyartendevours]

I finally feel like I'm getting the hang of drawing these guys!! :D

Although so far it's really only these specific guys (Null, Void and Viro)

Spheriks my not be the most relevant cartoon in this current year, but y'all are likely going to see more of them from me for the next little while

[omgnyanko]

🩷 Maikachan x Ato forever 💛

[sheillyfan2018-25]

Squidward watching The Spheriks.

[drjimmyandbob]

[fanapparelsouvenirs]

Rare 2002 FIFA Japan Korea World Cup Soccer ATO NIK KAZ Spheriks Mascots Poster BUY IT NOW – Rare 2002 FIFA Japan Korea World Cup Soccer ATO NIK KAZ Spheriks Mascots Poster

[askthefifamascots]

The Mascots

These are the Mascots, they're races, and they're nacionalities ( you can ask me questions too, my name is Ozzy ):

World Cup Willie - Lion - English

Juanito Maravilha - Human Boy - Mexican

Tip & Tap - Two Human Boys - West Germans

Gauchito Mundalito - Human Boy -Argentine

Naranjito  - Orange - Spanish

Pique - Jalapeño Pepper - Mexican

Ciao - A stick figureplayer with a football head and an Italian tricolorebody - Italiano

Striker, The World Cup Pup - Dog - American

Footix - Rooster ( Gallus gallus domesticus ) - French

Ato, Kaz & Nik - 3 Aliens from the “Spheriks” race - Japanese and South Corean

Goleo VI & Pille - A lion and a talking football - Germans

Zakumi - Leopard - South African

Fuleco - Armadillo ( Brazilian Three-Banded Armadillo ) - Brazilian

Zabivaka - Wolf ( Siberian Wolf/Husky ) - Russian

Bambuco El Guacamayo - Red Macaw - Colombian

BKanki - Dog ( Kangal ) - Turkish

Wooliam - Black Sheep - New Zealander

Karla Kick - Cat - German

Shueme - Owl - Canadian

Ettie - Chick -French

Canarinho Pistola - Canary - Brazilian

Paule - Eagle - German

Tangolero/Suri - Rhea - Argentine

Batú - Dog - Uruguaian

[dearcherub]

Workshop #7: Exploring Geometry

After our three weeks of software tutorials with Alex, our group moved onto workshops with Sara, learning motion graphics. Our first workshop was about shapes and geometry in animation, which eased us back in to the habit of using After Effects as it had been months since I had touched the software.

Starting off, we were given some example works from Vimeo to give us some ideas and inspiration of what kinds of animations we can create for our 10 second video from this workshop.

Video #1:

30 motion tests in 30 seconds - Steffen Knøsgaard

This video was perfect in showing us lots of quickfire animations. As explained in the title, Steffen created 30, 1 second animations which varied greatly. About 17 seconds in, there is an animation which used like a blinds transition effect, which we were then taught about in our workshop using the venetian blinds transition in After Effects. I'd like to experiment with this some more in my own video, perhaps see if I can replicate some of his animation in my own way.

I like his use of only black, whites and this orange-red colour. Using only 3 colours makes it easier for the video to link together better and I'd like to use this in my own video.

Video #2:

Kreise (excerpt) - Oskar Fischinger

This animation, created in 1933-34, was one of the first colour films in Europe. It's simple, and yet it is also charming in ways. The animation starts off with glowing orbs, which look like they are focussing in and out. It reminded me of Christmas with all of the bright lights up. My favourite part is at about 14 seconds in, when the video features a collection of red circles growing and inverting in colour. I would love to try to recreate this part in my own video if I can teach myself how to do it.

Video #3:

Spherikal - Ion Lucin

In contrast to the other videos, this animation was a lot longer. It features a lot of more complex and 3D animation styles, which look so visually pleasing.

Though it was pretty, I didn't take much inspiration from this video as I felt it was a bit too complex for my level.

After these videos, we were tasked with creating some shapes in illustrator that we could then use in After Effects. I ended up creating a simple video, but then sadly lost it due to technical issues, so I redid it, with some extra research done.

I found a video named "GEOMETRY" by a man named Henning M. Lederer who explored a whole range of different animations exploring the concept of geometry, and felt that some of these were simple enough for me to try to replicate in my own work. He uses simple , block coloured shapes on a textured background, which works really well together and I hope to be able to take inspiration from this, find some interesting textiles on sites such as Pexels, and use them in my own work as they do not have any licensing issues.

The two images above were captured from his video and were the first things I wanted to recreate, with the use of layer blending options with shapes, I could easily recreate the image on the right. For the left image, I wanted to do something a little different than expanding circles inside of a shape, and so I decided to learn how to create linear spirals in illustrator, which involved creating circles and using the blending options to create steps, etc. The video used was short and simple, which taught me quickly. I then used a mask to put the spiral into a triangular shape and used keyframes to rotate it. I thought a spiral looks best when spinning as it draws the viewer's eye in.

I experimented with different stroke sizes and different amount of paths until I found something I liked.

I used a lot of lighter colours in my work compared to Henning, as I much prefer the look and feel. I used light greens and pinks because they fit together well, and are also my favourite colours.

I enjoyed creating this animation as I could try so many different things in a short space of time. Using simple shapes was fun as it meant I could try many different techniques of animation and transitions without the worry of creating complex images.

My video:

https://youtu.be/_-OalHnW1r0

[electronicstudentwerewolfstuff]

Blockchain has the power to reshape the activities of governments and the public sector

On August 10th, Alin Iftemi, Modex Co-founder, was one of the speakers at an online event organized by Spherik Accelerator, start-up.ro and B-hub for Europe titled “Can blockchain make governance more transparent?” Here’s what Modex’s Co-founder had to say on this topic.

Any democracy and governance relies significantly on trust – in parties involved, processes, decisions. Can blockchain add the layer of transparency and accountability in governance, or there aren’t enough use cases to prove the technology might do the job? Should the public sector and corporations take an interest in blockchain to ensure stronger accountability towards management, citizens, consumers, and other stakeholders? These were some of the event’s main talking points, as well as “trust” as one of the key principles and benefits of blockchain technology.

Can blockchain be a transparency tool for the public and private sectors?

“I think that transparency is like a piece of the puzzle which make the blockchain benefits complete. Let’s think about Bitcoin. It was the designer’s choice to make publicly available what is the actual address from where to whom someone sends money. But we have to understand that in the same context the designer could have chosen not to show that particular info. So when designing or implementing blockchain technology, it depends a lot on how much transparent one would like it to be to the other parties involved. When you implement blockchain, you have to think about trust and transparency which is considered to close the trust circle provided by this revolutionary technology.”

What are the friction points and challenges that stand in the face of transparency?

“Transparency can be the major benefit of your business, but at the same time it might be the thing which puts you in prison. If you do your job properly and you are honest, transparency works in your benefit. But if you’re not like this, you do not want to show things, you will want to avoid transparency at some point in time. So through transparency – as a company or government – you can gain customers and the citizens’ support, but if your things are not in order in your inside circle you won’t be interested in being transparent. So it’s up the whoever implements or adopts this technology.”

“Modex took blockchain technology from its purest form and adapted and improved it in such a way that it’s relevant for any enterprise. Thus, the traditional blockchain benefits are enriched with additional features. For instance, if we are talking about data immutability, Modex has come up with another feature: real-time data reconstruction. What does it mean? If someone deletes information from a database, our technology is able to reconstruct the information in its original form. This is already a benefit which can help one single entity. If we are looking at the conceptual model, blockchain is designed for parties.”

“From the legal point of view, compliance is always something we have to be careful about. But there are also lots of benefits – in our case, data immutability. By design, blockchain technology allows us to easily prove that some information was not modified during a particular timeframe. When it comes to security, until blockchain, many companies were guaranteeing this immutability by providing a service. At some point in time, a judge would likely still favour a big company which has been doing some services for some time compared to a small company which has adopted blockchain technology and can prove in court that a certain information wasn’t changed.”

Can blockchain technology be implemented by governments and in the public sector in the absence of previous digitalization services?

“If these entities only have papers, it can’t. If they have one database or even an Excel file, our flagship product – Modex BCDB (Blockchain Database) – can secure that information as well. I think that blockchain benefits can be applied in a minimum technology environment (some servers, data, etc).”

Can the blockchain revolution replace governments?

“I don’t think so. I don’t believe that any current or future administration will ever allow any technology to take their place. However, there are many daily tasks and activities which can be automated with the help of blockchain technology, Artificial Intelligence, software products and so on. Thus, a government’s activity could be optimized and made more efficient so instead of 2000 employees there are only 100 or even less. This can be done.”

Should technology be invisible to the citizens?

“By default, blockchain technology is a back-end technology, so it’s not directly accessible by citizens. Anyone who is using a software product – mobile application, a website – in the background the software accesses a database or other back-end technologies, so these processes are not visibile to the user. The results of these activities can be exposed to people, as well. At the end of the day, individuals could use blockchain technology without really knowing that. They will only see the end result. So for them it’s important to understand how the technology works and to trust more someone who is actually using blockchain technology.”

“Before the blockchain era gained traction, people didn’t care too much what’s behind certain processes from their daily lives. They only cared about the usability and the actual software look of the product. With the arrival of blockchain, these things have changed a bit. At the end of the day, blockchain technology should protect their interests as well. If you have medical records, and those are protected by this technology, it’s important for you, as a citizen, to know that nobody will steal that info without your approval, not even the owner of the software product.”

How immune can a blockchain system be to human intervention and how can it avoid corruption (technical, but also the human one)?

“Like any technology, blockchain can solve a particular problem. So if we speak about data immutability, integrity, transparency and others – these problems are surely solved. But software security is not just about that. For example, you could end up in a really bad situation even if you use blockchain technology. It’s like when you learn to build stronger doors, but the thieves learn how to build stronger hammers or learn ways to break in. You might have software systems which are compromised due to bad design, so in order to have a secure system, besides blockchain you should also implement other security-related systems and technologies.”