Spring Term - Part I: The Art of It

This term, my Mondays and Wednesdays were virtually consumed by sitting in front of a Mac in the college Art Center.  My mornings consisted of Computer Graphics, while my afternoons were filled with Flash Animation (in between an hour of journalism snuck in, but more about that in "Spring Term - Part III"). 

This was my second term of Computer Graphics, in the same class room, with the same teacher, using the same programs.  It was awesome.  Our first project was to create a game; every part of it, including concept, package design, and a functional final product. 

Call me crazy, but I created a drinking game.  I assure you, I didn't start out with the intention of getting people drunk, I started out with an idea for packaging and went from there.  Instantly, I found myself drawn to using one of those skinny shipping tubes that can be found at your local postal office.  Where else was I supposed to do after realizing how nicely a stack of shot glasses fit within said tube?

Pictures and more details will soon be available here.

Our second assignment in Computer Graphics was to server an actual client, who needed designs for a sustainability tour being planned on campus.  I had a lot of fun with this.  I enjoy creating logos, though the biggest struggle I had was trying to do things in Adobe Illustrator, that I had become so familiar with in Adobe Photoshop (not everything crosses over sadly).

Examples of my designs, as well as the pieces that were chosen (or at least a variation of) for use will soon be available here.

Flash Animation was a fun class, quite different than the Multimedia For the Web class I took last term in the sense that it was more about the design and animation than the straight forward functionality and scripting.

Our first assignment was to create a ten second animation, essentially a site gag.  We started out drawing out storyboards, and then brought the story to life.  Perhaps at some point I will post the links to some of the examples the instructor gave us for inspiration (entertaining, based on the audience).  My animation topped out at over 30 seconds and caused much frustration due to an over complication of elements (would you believe grass field was almost my downfall?). 

This animation will soon be available here.

Our second assignment was to create a game (yes, this was actually the same instructor as the Computer Graphics class).  The idea and design were more important than the functionality, however I was lucky enough to end up with a rather pretty finished product.  I created a brick breaker game, and gave it a tropical feel.  I hope to go back and add music to it at some point, but for now, enjoy!

Stoic - October 2010

 

This game will soon be available here.

Lastly, and not assignment based, I must mention the art show.  I submitted six pieces of work I have done over the last school year to the Lee Hutchinson Student Art Show, and five were chosen to be displayed.  Of those five, one won best digital (the photo on the right).  Yay me!  I won a $75 gift card to the art supply of my choice, so of course, I picked Best Buy.

All six of these submissions will soon be available here.

So that was the artsy side of my term.  Stay tuned for more!

Stepping Stones

Last term flew by fast. 

I learned more than I ever thought I wanted to know about Microsoft Windows in Operating Systems II.  I was introduced to the wonderful world of Adobe Flash in Multimedia for the Web.  I explored my talents for graphic design and turning those designs into a finished product in Computer Graphics I.  And I learned how to draft an argument and use better research and citation practices in my second term of English Composition.

The final result?  Another 4.0 (four in a row now).

More news?

I applied and got the position as Associate Copy Editor for the college newspaper.  It's requiring an additional five credits on top of my 12 credit, full time course load, but the rewards could quite possibly be worth it.  The sort of attention to detail the job requires is going to be a welcome addition to my resume.  It is my understanding that I am now a part of a great big dysfunctional family.  I'm looking forward to it.

Can you believe there is more?

"An Axe Design" is officially a registered business name in the state of Oregon.  Soon to follow: a business license.  Got any freelance work?  I am open for business.

And finally:

I got my first paid freelance web design job via a friend since birth.  More details to come.

Spring Break

I have never wanted to skip spring break more.  Can you believe I actually found myself reading a textbook, when the new term doesn't even begin until the 29th?  I want some assignments, I want homework!  (My mom would probably collapse hearing me say those simple words.)

One of my classes next term focuses on Fireworks and Dreamweaver.  While I have absolutely no experience with Fireworks (I don't even know where to begin after opening the program), Dreamweaver has been a little easier to understand, however I can't wait to go through the class tutorials to really see what I can do with this baby.

Adobe Creative Suite CS4 is my newest toy and I have the feeling it will be much more enjoyable once I actually know how to use it.  PhotoShop has been fun, it's been interesting to compare with GIMP (the free alternative provided by Linux).  Some things are very similar while others are quite different.  I almost feel like using both programs until I gain a better understanding of PS.  Flash is a program that I am looking forward to getting to know, however I won't be taking a class in it until a couple terms from now.  Suppose I could wing-it until then?

I made some improvements to my web site yesterday, mainly adding some attractive headers (created with PhotoShop) to replace the plain-Jane default fonts supported by most browsers.  I decided to use tables in my layout (having used frames in my initial school project) and so far it is working out well, though I haven't much content to complicate things just yet.

That's another thing, what about content?  What should be on my "portfolio website"?  Especially if I haven't done much yet to actually put on display.  How do I show what I'm capable of without inflating my site with a bunch of pointless content (beyond the obvious of getting a job in web design, the goal though currently relatively unrealistic)?  Is it better to have close to nothing displayed rather than excess baggage possibly reeking of desperation?  If anyone can offer up some advice on that one, please do.

I added Site Meter to a couple of my pages, to figure out which browser(s) and screen resolution(s) to cater to for my audience.  I figure it's a worth while effort, given the importance my HTML instructor (and pretty much every other web design teaching resource) stressed upon compatibility and accessibility.  I intend to keep up the high standard I set for myself during the first term, continuously validating through the W3C, if nothing else, because I like when it tells me my site is valid and free of errors. (Though I can't say the same for my blog: tisk, tisk blogger.)

Question:  How can someone hack into an e-mail account that was closed three months ago (the person having passed away) and send Viagra ads to the person's friends and family?  It was quite a surprise to see that e-mail in my inbox this morning.  Is there anything I can do?  Isn't there at least a code of ethics, morals, or respect that this falls under?  Bad form hacker, bad form.