01Design project shows what famous historical figures would have looked like today
A graphic designer has illustrated what she believes famous historical figures would have looked like if they were alive today in a remarkable series of images.
Becca Saladin, 29, from Dallas, Texas, started working on the project back in February 2019, and has seen it quickly grow in popularity.
Sharing the original portraits along with the modern interpretations to her Instagram account, @royalty_now_, Becca now has more than 31,000 followers.
Each post is inundated with thousands of likes, with modern depictions of Mona Lisa, Julius Caesar and Cleopatra all proving to be fan favourites.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Becca, who creates the images through photo editing and digital painting techniques, said: 'The reaction happened very quickly and it's been very exciting!
Graphic designer Becca Saladin, 29, from Dallas, Texas, creates modern interpretations of historical figures. Pictured: Anne Boleyn in the 16th century, seen left, and the former Queen of England in an adapted portrait, right
Mona Lisa's iconic portrait, pictured left, and right, the young woman captured as how she would look like today, according to Becca
A portrait of Henry VIII in the 16th century, compared to his modern day portrait, which was created by the Dallas-based graphic designer
'The most rewarding part is when someone reaches out to me and says they've used a piece in the classroom to make history come alive for students.
'A lot of people reach out just to say how interesting they find it and how it makes history feel closer to them, which is exactly my goal.
She explained: 'My purpose really is to keep people's passion for history alive and show them that humans from the past faced the same struggles and triumphs we do today.'
A bust by 16th century artist Andrea Ferrucci depicting Roman dictator Julius Caesar, pictured left, and Becca's modern-day interpretation of the military general, right
A picture of Abraham Lincoln capturing the American President in the 19th century, seen left, and Becca's depiction of what the former lawyer would look like today, right
Becca admitted that her design of Cleopatra (pictured right) was the most difficult as there were many differing descriptions. Pictured left: A bust of Cleopatra
Becca uses photo manipulation and digital painting techniques to create her modern-day portraits - first finding similar-looking stock images before adding the face of the historical figure.
She said: 'It's easy when I have a realistic portrait to work from, such as Henry VIII or others that clearly show the original hair and eye colour. Contemporary descriptions also help.
'The challenge is in the portrait busts that I create - specifically Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, for example.
A bust of Alexander the Great (pictured left), who carved out a vast empire when king of Macedonia from 336 to 323 BC. From her research, Becca imagines he would appear as a blond, curly-haired adult (right) in today's society
Another European royal which features in Becca's project is King Louis XV of France (pictured left in a portrait from the 18th century, and right, in the graphic designer's series)
'We just don't have a lot of information on hair, eye and skin colours on many of them, or the reports are conflicting.
'I do a lot of online research before I create - and some of that involves making an artistic decision at the end of the day if we don't have enough information.'
Becca added: 'I just created Cleopatra because she is one of my most requested subjects, but we don't have much information on her looks.
A bust of Nefertiti, one of ancient Egypt's most influential Queens, pictured left, and right, in a modern-day interpretation
A statue of Agrippina the Younger (seen left), a Roman empress in the Julio-Claudian dynasty, and Becca's illustration of the young woman (pictured right)
'Even the information we do have, scholars still bitterly debate. Some of them involve making an artistic call, but at the end of the day I try to remain as historically accurate as possible.'
Becca said her skills have improved 'immensely' since she started her account and revealed how she is looking forward to adding new content to her page.
She said: 'I'm working on more diversity for the page in terms of rulers from all around the world - not just Europe and Egypt - to make sure my work remains exciting and accessible to my followers around the world.
'I have improved my own skills immensely since the inception of the account, which is fun for me.'
02
12 Apple TV tricks and tips you need to start using now
Apple TV has undergone plenty of revisions since its release in 2007. The never-ending improvements have led to today, where it can hold its head high among other streaming devices like Google, Amazon and Roku.
Competition aside, Apple has made impressive strides with its latest 4K and HD models. You can enjoy TV shows, movies, live sports, games and apps. And now, with Apple TV+, there’s even more to love. Tap or click to check out some tips and tricks for getting the most out of Apple TV+.
So what could possibly improve the Apple TV user experience? How about a few lesser-known tips and tricks? Take your binge sessions up a notch or two with these helpful tips, starting with checking the batteries — yes, you read that correctly. Even battery tricks can make a huge difference.
1. To charge, or not to charge
Besides the obvious sign of not working, typical remotes require you to guesstimate whether its batteries are dead or running out. But Apple’s got you covered.
You can check your Apple TV’s remote battery level, making the guessing game a thing of the past. To view how much charge is left, go to Settings and choose Remote and Devices. You can click Remote to display the percentage of remaining juice.
2. Home sweet home
If you have HomeKit-enabled devices, Apple TV (3rd and 4th gen) can function as your smart hub.
Note: the same iCloud account is required for Apple TV and all iOS devices connected to HomeKit. While this should occur automatically, you can complete this task via your Apple TV. Go to Settings and click on Accounts. Tap iCloud. Search for HomeKit and ensure it is connected.
In addition, to help safeguard your devices, you will need to set up two-factor authentication and iCloud Keychain.
To set up two-factor authentication, open Settings and select iCloud. Tap Passwords and Security, then choose Set Up Two-Factor Authentication. Follow the on-screen steps and when you receive the verification code, enter it into the appropriate field.
For iCloud Keychain, go into Settings, tap iCloud and choose Keychain.
3. Hey, Siri
Apple TV HD and 4K both come with a Siri remote, allowing you to operate the device with your voice.
To use this feature, simply press the Siri button to search apps based on title, genre and more. The smart assistant can also provide recommendations with a quick press and release of the Siri button. Tap or click to reveal hidden Siri tips to do even more with your iPhone or iPad.
4. Switch it up
Similar to other iOS devices, Apple TV now has an app switcher, which allows you to switch between and force close apps.
To activate it, double-click on the Home button on your Apple TV remote. Once launched, use the trackpad to swipe between apps. To force close an app, center application selector on the app and swipe up.
5. Clean up
With a world of apps available, it’s easy to clutter up your Apple TV home screen. No problem, you can move or hide apps and even organize them into folders. To move an app, click and hold its icon until it jiggles. Press the Play/Pause button to hide selected apps.
Want to place an app into a folder? Select the app and press down until it jiggles. Drag and drop it on top of another app you want in the same folder.
To create a folder, highlight an app and hold it down. Press the Play/Pause button and select an option. And if you want to rename a folder, tap on it and type the new name.
6. Swipe and scrub
Have you ever scrubbed video? If not, here’s your chance. Scrubbing a video is a quick way to skip forward or backward.
With Apple TV, you simply click on the left or right side of the trackpad to skip 10 seconds forward or backward. Hit Pause before you scrub faster by swiping either direction on the trackpad. You can also ask Siri to jump back or skip ahead a specific amount of time.
7. Take control
In addition to parental restrictions, Apple TV allows you to block or limit others from making purchases or accessing graphic content.
You can filter programming based on age, language or ratings. Newer Apple TV models further provide the option to disable screen recording, multi-player gaming and more.
RELATED: Tap or click to learn about three apps to monitor your children’s online safety.
8. What did they say?
When you’re watching a show or movie, it can be annoying when the action is super loud and the dialogue is anything but. If you can’t hear what people are saying, or if they have a thick accent and you’re having trouble understanding, Apple TV can help.
Simply press down on the Siri button and ask, “What did (s)he say?” The video will rewind and enable closed captioning so you can read and hear what you missed the first time.
9. Share and share alike
Sharing purchased movies, TV shows and apps with family is made simple with the Family Sharing feature.
To access shared content, open Movies, TV Shows or the App Store and choose Purchased. Select Family Sharing and choose a family member to view their content.
10. No need to be so loud
To keep you from disturbing others with a loud television, Apple TV offers a few options. You can pair a set of headphones or reduce loud sounds. If you don’t mind subtitles, you can also change the settings and mute the TV altogether.
If you want to pair a set of headphones, put your device in pairing mode and on your Apple TV, go to Settings, then choose Remotes and Devices and click Bluetooth. The TV will search for your headset and once it detects it, simply choose it on the TV and, if asked, enter the PIN.
To soften sound effects and music, open Settings and select Video and Audio then tap Reduce Loud Sounds.
For subtitles, go to Settings and open General, then tap Accessibility and choose Subtitles and Captioning. After you turn the feature on, in this same menu, choose Style to customize the font, size and color, background color and opacity, text opacity, edge style and highlight.
11. One and done
Thanks to the Apple TV’s single sign-on feature, you no longer need to bother with logging into individual streaming apps. Provided you sign in to a supported TV provider via your Apple TV settings, you will automatically be logged into any streaming apps like ESPN and FXNow that support single sign-on.
To sign in on your Apple TV, go to Settings and open Users and Accounts. Select TV Provider and choose Sign in. Find your provider and select it, then choose the email you use for your provider’s account. If it’s not listed, choose New and enter the information.
12. Cancel, please
Who hasn’t lost track of a subscription or two (or more)? With Apple TV, you can check and cancel any subscriptions you signed up for through Apple.
Simply open Settings and select Accounts. Tap Manage Subscriptions and select the subscription(s) you wish to stop, then click Cancel. Tap or click to discover seven apps and subscriptions you’ll want to use this year.
Although Apple TV faces some serious competition, the streaming device offers a host of features worth checking out. So the next time you’re watching something on your Apple TV, try these tricks and tips to get the most from your set.
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03
Graphic Design Student Turned to MCC to Help Find Her Path
As a teenager, Michelle Shipka was doubtful that college would be in her future.
Her hands tremble from an undiagnosed condition and she suffers from episodes of depression and anxiety. As someone on the autism spectrum, she has difficulty reading social cues and suffers from sensory issues.
Shipka says her outlook as a student at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School was "gloomy," but coming to Middlesex Community College and challenging herself "made me a better leader and makes me reevaluate how I handle stress. I am a lot better off than I thought I would be."
The 20-year-old Burlington native studied graphic communications at Shawsheen Tech, where she learned the technology of printing. In an effort to expand upon her skills, Shipka is studying graphic design at MCC, which she said felt to her like "a nice pairing of fields and trades."
In Shipka's first graphic design class at MCC, Professor Mary Hart encouraged Shipka to loosen up, enjoy the process of the work and not be afraid to try new techniques.
"That lesson in flexibility is something that I have carried with me to all my classes and it has made me brave enough to try new opportunities," she said. "I tend to learn a little lesson from each faculty and staff member I encounter. They have guided me to be better than I was when I started the semester."
Shipka said her experience at MCC has been enriched by opportunities presented by the staff at the Office of Student Engagement, including taking part in the Navigators Leadership Program, a six-week course combining leadership curriculum with community service work. That experience gave her the confidence to get involved with other opportunities throughout campus.
Academically, she particularly enjoyed a trip with other graphic design students to Boston to see the portfolios of graphic design students at Suffolk University and exploring the art and design sites that can be found everywhere in the city.
"Spending time with other graphic design students outside of the computer labs was a nice change of pace and inspiring," she said.
While she is thriving at MCC, Shipka says she does still struggle with managing her disabilities. Due to her autism, if she is over-stimulated she runs the risk of just shutting down and not being able to do anything for a period. The over-stimulation can be exhausting.
"To combat this I try to remain in control of my scheduling and consciously ensure I am hydrated, fed and feeling good about the next steps in the day," she said.
Shipka is not looking for sympathy and dislikes the term "differently-abled" rather than "disabled," saying she feels it sugar coats the problems she faces.
"The most important step to my success was my honest conversation with myself about needing support," she said. "I am never going to be normal, but I'm not hopeless. No one is."
Disabilities Support Services at Middlesex has been a great resource for her academic classes, but she has to self-advocate for modifications in her studio art classes because her hand tremors do not have an official diagnosis. She has learned to speak up for herself and always try her best.
"At MCC, while there is the academic focus, it also seems like we are holistically cared about," she said. "The professors want to know what impedes my progress. There are spaces for meditation and reflection. It creates a sense that we are not just here for academics, but to become overall better people.
"We really are part of a brilliant community at this community college. From the instant I stepped into my first class, there was encouragement to not only surpass personal limits, but to help others go beyond theirs."
Over the summer, Shipka worked as an MCC Orientation Leader and this past fall was a Supplemental Instruction Leader for an English Composition II class, leading study groups and sitting in on the class.
Shipka plans to earn her bachelor's degree in graphic design following graduation from MCC in the spring, while also pursuing internships and other opportunities to gain experience in the field. She is keeping an open mind with the hope of someday launching a non-profit organization to bring art and design to talented people who may not see it as a viable career or possibly working as a layout artist for a publisher.
"We'll see where my path takes me," she said.
Registration is now open for Spring Mini-mester II – MCC's accelerated, eight-week session – running March 23 to May 15. For more information – and to see the full list of Spring Mini-mester II course offerings – visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/minimesters/ or call 1-800-818-3434.
Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, we educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners. MCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – on our campuses in Bedford and Lowell, and online. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!
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