The Life of an HND Interactive Media Student

Reflection, Self Learning Did It Work?

2007-05-21T00:45:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

It seems my previous post was not my last 1 as a student, nor will it be my last as an ex student!

In this post I would like to show how,why where and when my 6 month learning plan was successful and was not successful. This is the plan I intended to follow but not knowing what the next project entailed, e.g. flash prevented realistic planning, though on the other hand, when do you get realistic time to plan in industry?

This was the plan:
Where I Am Now (at time of writing)

I currently have a basic knowledge of Dreamweaver, Photoshop and Freehand, I also have some Flash skills, but I believe that is one of my weaknesses.
I do not have any experience of Illustrator and would like to gain some knowledge of that. I am of the opinion that the more ‘strings to your bow’ the more employable you are.
I think I have strong research and sketchbook skills and do not have any problems generating ideas, my weakness, as I see it, is implementing them technically with the software at my disposal.

Aims
In my 6 month learning plan I would like to achieve the following:

· To be able to use Photoshop to a professional level.
· Learn how to use Freehand to an intermediate level.
· Learn how to use Flash, beyond the basics.

I have based these aims on research into what employers are currently looking for, in the positions that interest me. Those being web designer and 2D creative artist.

Hopefully CSS will be learned to a sufficient level while doing the CiSSy project. This leaves the remaining software applications.

I will have to do tutorials on a regular basis to get to the standard I would like, this could be 1-2 a week.

To demonstrate that I am learning via the tutorials I will set myself small projects after each one. This will be saved and recorded as evidence.

Progress Measurability
My progress will be measured by using the Adobe partners that give tutorials, I will utilise their learning outcomes as a guide as to what I should be achieving.
A document will be produced to monitor and check my progress, with timescale and skills achieved and not achieved.

Flash Links

Action Script Tutorial:
www.adobe.com/support/flash/action_scripts/actionscript_tutorial/
This tutorial is expected to take 1 hour (adobe.com)
Date for tutorial. Friday 15th December 2006

How to Animate Text in Flash:
www.adobe.com/tips/aft65presetanim/
I expect this tutorial to take approximately 2 ½ hours.
Date for tutorial Saturday 23rd December 2006

Flash Sound:
www.adobe.com/support/flash/sound/sound_player/
Date(s) for Tutorials. Friday 20th, 27th January, Friday 2nd February and Friday 9th February 2006.

Freehand Links
Deconstructing Freehand Graphics:
www.adobe.com/support/freehand/basics/deconstructing_fh_1/
This tutorial is divided into 4, I will allow ½ hour for each part.
Date for tutorial Friday 16th February.

Deconstructing Freehand Graphics 2:
www.adobe.com/support/freehand/basics/deconstructing_fh_2/
This tutorial is the more advanced version of the previous one. It is divided into 5 parts and I would like to allow 45 minutes for each part. This project may have to be done over 2 dates.
Date(s) for tutorial Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th February 2007

Apply Special Effects:
www.adobe.com/support/freehand/learning/fhmx_tutorial02/fhmx_tutorial0206.html
I would like to allow 2 hours for this tutorial.
Date for tutorial Friday 2nd March 2007

FreeHand MX lesson 2: Using vector and raster effects:
www.adobe.com/support/freehand/learning/2_effects/
2 hours for this tutorial.
Date for tutorial Friday 9th March 2007

Photoshop Links
Use Sketches to Produce Artwork:
www.adobe.com/uk/designcenter/illustrator/articles/createcomp.html
I feel this could possibly be one of the most important tutorials for me. It will allow me to use my illustrations as a bases for print work or web images.
I will dedicated 6 hours to this , I would like to create a small brief designed to produce some professional work for my portfolio. Probably to be mainly used for print but also applicable to web pages.
I would like to do 2, 3 hour sessions with this.
Dates for project Friday 16th and Friday 23rd March 2007

Dreamweaver and CSS
I would like to use some of my remaining college months making sites, I will try to produce ‘real’ sites, which will hopefully give me valuable commercial experience.
I believe the more I use Dreamweaver and CSS the more skilled I will become, a case of practice.
Dates dedicated to using Dreamweaver and CSS skills will be: Friday 30th March, Friday 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th April 2007

Universities
I am currently leaning towards gaining employment after the course has ended but if I were to do a degree the links to possible courses are below.
University of Leeds:
http://tldynamic.leeds.ac.uk/ugcoursefinder/2007/prospectus3SQL.asp?prog_id=1020

University of Huddersfield:
Interactive Arts BA(Hons)
http://www.hud.ac.uk/courses/undergrad/ipp_pages00000438.htm

Multimedia Computing
http://www.hud.ac.uk/courses/undergrad/ipp_pages00000069.htm

Interactive Media BA (Hons)
http://www.hud.ac.uk/courses/undergrad/ipp_pages00000146.htm

Multimedia Design BA (Hons)
http://www.hud.ac.uk/courses/undergrad/ipp_pages00000217.htm

These were the tutorials that I did, but nowhere near in the order that I set out to do them in. Nearly as soon as the ink had dried on the print out of my researched list of what i wanted to learn, the new project came in, nothing to do with what I planned to learn! 1st years beware! Look at subjects in advance is a good bit of advice!

Of course when asked to plan 6 months in advance, it is a little difficult when you are still at college and you do not know what is coming next, in the workplace at least you are employed as a 'whatever you do best' sort of person and so you are in your comfort zone.

This is where the 6 month learning plan fell down in my eyes, it seemed to distract from the work we were doing rather than help. I am sure if done correctly it could help but I felt that it was a 'have to do it' kind of task rather than something we could clearly see the benefit of.

I do think it would have had a greater value if it had been discussed earlier too, I think as a student, you can get caught up in the design, 'exciting' stuff rather than the written planning work.

Discussing it earlier may have put more value on the task. Maybe 2nd years from last year could have been introduced to tell us of their experiences, just a thought.

As it is, as 2nd years, I think the few remaining (3) have felt a little isolated, and so planning beyond the next week proves difficult. This is especially true when you also see that you are not rewarded like the other 'years' on the course for doing well.

My '6 month learning plan' will continue, and at the moment it will mainly be based around flash and CSS, as my weaknesses. But having seen the job search results that have come back to me via email, I think I have a lot more to learn!

Thanks for reading

Mark

Plan B

2007-05-14T03:08:00.000+01:00

Hi, for probably the last time as a student.

Well so much for the plan! It is now a case of get it done any way possible. The stress is quite unbearable as I heaped the pressure on myself by deciding to a portfolio re-design so close to the end of the course, now I am behind with the 'A Day in Your Life' project, whether I will get it done I do not know, at least for the 15th May.

But enough of that, its presentation day on Tuesday and the nerves are creeping in, though the practices seem to have gone okay, if a little short of the half hour mark.

I have been thinking what I will say, the things I have learned, my experiences and where I want to go next.

Well the things I have learned, theres so much, I did not know how to use pagemaker when I walked through the door on the 1st day. Now I feel that I am employable, I have knowledge of Flash, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Freehand, CSS, HTML and Javascript. It is a considerable amount to learn in 2 years I think.

So my experiences, well they have been rewarding, infuriating, disastrous and joyous! Late nights trying to figure out CSS or action scripts in Flash have been some of the most painful events, but also the most joyous when I managed to master something.

I have made mistakes along the way, usually involving me doing everything twice, which has not been good for producing the quality of work I have wanted to.

Looking at my portfolio though, I seem to have done more work than I realised, though I know how hard I have had to work to get projects done and the sacrifices I have had to make, including my family.

I would like to say it has all been worth it and on a professionl level that is true, as now I feel as though I have some career prospects. On a personal level though, the support from my family wavered and dissapeared and I believe contributed to our break up. This has made the final few weeks incredibly difficult as ther reasons for me doing the course dissapeared.

I certainly thing I have done it the hard way, but I do think I will benefit greatly from completing the course.

So where do I go from here? I am hoping to gain employment in the web deesign industry asap, though I will be taking any job that comes up after I finish to start with. I will also be looking to get up and running as a freelance web designer / print designer and indeed I already have some possible clients which bodes well.

I'd just like to say thanks for reading my ramblings over the last year or so, but do not fear i intend to continue using this blog, maybe it will shed some light for future students of what to expect when they 'get out'.

Bye for now

Mark

And Now The End is Near....

2007-04-24T13:26:00.000+01:00

Hi,

And sorry for the lack of entries in the last few weeks. It has been a hectic time for one reason and another.

This is just a quickie to update you on my progress.

The 'On the Job2' project was a success and well done to Adam for doing his 'team leader' bit well. The client loved the site and Merits were achieved for us. Good stuff, and very rewarding!

The 'CiSSy' project came to a close and although I handed my work in I was not entirely happy with it as I had originally intended on 3 separate home pages rather than 3 pages from the same site. Time constraints and a blundering error on my part, by losing files, meant I had to start again. But taking the positive from that, I still managed to submit my work.

The slight downside is that I have some remedial written work to do regarding the impact CSS 3 will have on the end user.

iMe has come to a stand still at the moment, but that needs to change since we are so close to the finish line. I have been pondering the idea of a quick re-design, is this wise? I ask myself!

Well on the one hand I think my original layout needs improvement, to allow me to include more work in the future, and to have it better laid out.

On the other hand is it sensible to start again when the deadline is approaching, but.... if I am not going to be happy with that end result....would you call this procrastination?? arghhh its back!

So decision to be made, re-design a simple header with 3 column layout, preferably in CSS! Brave move eh?

A Day in Your Life has only just begun really for me. I am struggling with a few issues, if i take a typical day of my life or part of it. And as my life is a little upside down at the moment I do not know how personal, or separate to make it.

So anyway, I need a plan of action! here it is:

Tuesday 24th April - Finish web plan for 'A Day in Your Life'

Wednesday 25th April - Do remedial work for 'CiSSy', add references and add written work on the impact of CSS 3 on the 'end user'

Thursday 26th April - Sketches for 'iMe' re-design, final decision on layout and get CSS template done.

Friday 27th April - Content gathering for 'iMe', all images cropped to size, all written content. Also sort out password protection for the 'all work' section of the site.

Saturday 28th April - Use as a catch up day for anything not done. New 'iMe' digital page designs.

Monday 3oth April - Idea generation for 'A Day in Your Life', have sketchbook work done, upload to blog for feedback, get feedback from tutors and peers.

Tuesday 1st May - Based on feedback look at the technologies I will be using, and how they can be implemented e.g. audio, video and images. Research! Multiple sources!

Wednesday 2nd May - Remake 'iMe' site.

Thursday 3rd May - Browser test 'iMe' site. Print screen shots. Make any alterations.

Friday 4th May - Digital screen designs and build basic template for 'A Day in Your Life' site. maybe look at CSS version and HTML.

Saturday 5th May - Catch up day for anything not done.

Tuesday 8th May - Content gathering for 'A Day in Your Life', edit any images and audio ready for build.

Wednesday 9th May - Content selection for final site 'A Day in Your Life'

Thursday 10th May - Build 'A Day in Your Life' site.

Friday 11th May - Upload 'A Day in Your Life' to portfolio site. Tout for feedback. User test.

Saturday 12th May - Make any changes based on feedback. Get submissions together for hand in.

Sunday 13th May - catch up day

Monday 14th May - Work on presentation. What going to talk about, the order in which going to talk about projects.

Tuesday 15th May - Deadline day

Well a lot to do! Best get crackin!

Bye for now and thanks for reading.

Mark (highly stressed HND Interactive Media Student)

A Leap of Faith, Cos You Gotta Have Faith!

2007-03-13T17:36:00.000Z

Hello readers,

This week has been a strange one, I felt as though it had not been that productive, but it seems to actually have been quite the opposite. I feel as though I have a renewed optimism too, but how long that will last we'll see!

A progress report is due I feel, so here you are:

CiSSy - A little progress has been made but things beyond my control have hampered me this week. I feel a lot better about using and implementing CSS now too. I find using tutorials less mind boggling than before but I do wish that the penny had dropped a lot sooner. Its my own fault though, as you who have read previous entries will know, I have had a fear of CSS (and Flash) and generally anything I have not come across before.

So its the last week of the CiSSy project and for once it seems everything will not be left to the last minute.

The things I have to do for Tuesday 20th March are:

Write a 1000 word essay on CSS level3.
Fnish my 3 CSS layouts of the BBC pages.
An evaluation of the project.

Very do-able I feel.

KISS - The KISS project was brought to completion this week with the submission of my remedial work, I really did not enjoy doing work for something I knew I could only get a 'pass' for, so I will be trying my hardest to avoid a repeat. But it was a good feeling to get it out of the way, one less worry!

On The Job 2 - is coming along and we have a brief extension to the project, this means the deadlines for the CiSSy project and this one do not coincide with each other anymore which I feel more comfortable about.

I feel though that this project has not gone as smoothly as I had hoped, similar issues have arisen from the previous 'team' project, and I am not sure a lot of lessons have been learned from previous mistakes.

I would also have appreciated a chance to do more on the building side of the site to hone my skills a bit, but that is a problem for the project manager, because as such he has gone with peoples strengths, so yet again idea generation was my task. Not that I mind I just feel I need to do more technical stuff, and now the fear has gone, I want to jump in!

The new (and last) project 'A Day in Your Life' starts on the 26th March, it looks an interesting brief with a lot of scope for creativity.

I am hoping to utilise some of my idea generating skills to come up with something quite original. But also I would like to prove my worth with the use of CSS and other technologies, I feel as though others may still see it as a weakness of mine, but I believe I am starting to making good progress. I feel too that with so little time left on the course that, this will be encouragement for me too learn more off my own back, I think learning (or starting to) things like the implementation of CSS level 3 will give me an advantage later on.

The other things i have not necessarily enjoyed in the past because of my lack of expertise, such as flash and java scripts are now something I do not mind facing. This bodes well as i think the more rounded my skills, rather than being too specialised, the better chances of employment.

This brings me to my next fear / problem, I have asked for time off from my job to make sure I get my course work done, my asking resulted in my contract being terminated as of the 20th of April.

This is of obvious concern as I still have to pay bills and keep a roof over my family's head, but I do feel, strangely, a sense of excitement - that this could be the start of my new career. I am just really hoping that I gain employment relatively quickly after leaving college. I feel as though I have made a leap of faith in risking so much, especially when the result is not guaranteed.

Fingers crossed!!

Well thats all for this entry, any feedback, as always is welcome from anyone who feels like chipping in.

Thanks for reading

Mark

Not So CS-Stressed

2007-02-27T16:13:00.000Z

Hi again,

It has been a few weeks since my last entry. This is partly down to being busy and also because of the half term holidays. So let me fill you in on the events of the last few weeks.

After the Flash project and the subsequent nightmares, I decided that once I get some spare time (if there is such a thing) I am going to attempt some more flash based work.

I have done some tutorials now online and I feel better equipped to use the software, I also think it would be foolish to fall into the same trap as last time- that being not using it again until really necessary, I am going to try and work with the 'practise makes perfect' theory in mind.

We have started a new project 'On the Job 2' which is a kind of follow on from from the 'On the Job1' project. We are re-designing a website for a fabric company. This I think will give us some scope to use some nice imagery and should make for a nice site.

Looking at our ideas already I am quite happy with the professional feel to them. I can also see the progress that has been made from the earlier days of the course, I think I maybe becoming a little nostalgic with the end of the course in site!

I do think the HND students that are left are starting to work well together, and my only disappointment is that it did not happen sooner. I think each of us has strengths and we all could have benefited from each others knowledge a lot more than we have.

On the subject of CSS my evil nemesis, along with Flash, I have had a breakthrough!

It has been quite a painful process but I bit the bullet, and I wish I had done it earlier. I now feel quite at ease using CSS and even enjoy trying to figure out solutions to layout problems. This is something I certainly did not expect to hear myself saying, in fact it has been such a thorn in my side it has given me stress levels that I really weren't happy with.

That along with some other stresses - the old employment after college chestnut, deadlines, referral work and wondering if I can 'cut it' in the industry have given me a pretty crappy time in the last few weeks.

I am hoping that me getting to grips with CSS, even in a basic way will push me on. After all there isn't long to go, May 15th folks!

My 6 month learning plan has changed in content really, I think I have done tutorials as I have needed to rather than in the order I first laid them out. This has been through necessity though, Flash tutorials and a nice site I found that allows you to edit CSS text, and see the effects on certain elements , have become an important part of my learning.

I plan to list my 'done' tutorials on here as evidence, maybe stating usefulness and content, then if any of you readers would like to, you can just click the links and do them yourselves.

Aims

1. As mentioned above, list my tutorials for next week.

2. Have my 3 CSS layouts for the CiSSy project in place.

3. Have my referral work, 1-2 essays done for next week.

4. I would like to re-design my portfolio site, or find a solution to navigating projects in sections, e.g CiSSy, Mikron and On the Job projects in the web section.

Thanks for reading, any suggestions on portfolio layout would be welcomed greatly.

Mark

FLASH, AHHH ARGHHHHHH! - Painful to All of Us

2007-02-06T14:17:00.000Z

Hi All,

It has been a very tiring week, the route of all my problems, and I'm beginning to think all evil, is Flash (ahhh ARGHHH!!, I know that's twice, but I can't emphasise it enough!) But from all the pain that 'lovely' piece of software caused me this week, it has also taught me a thing or 2. It has made me realise that I need to put an end time on when I am going to stop trying to figure the software out and go to plan 'B'.

Luckily I had a plan 'B' on this occasion, a good job really as I left it until 12.30 a.m to start to do something different. I was done by 2.30 but not entirely happy with the results. Judge for yourself at http://www.feathermark.co.uk/websites/kiss2/final_web_pages/kiss_start.htm

The original idea was to link all my scenes within Flash, this though was where I had my crisis, it just would not work! I tried and tried and nearly blew the house down with my huffing and puffing. I was so frustrated that at one point I was ready to pack the thing up and walk away from it. But even in the early hours, I had a niggling voice telling me to get my self going again, and it proved wise to listen to the voice, because at least I had a submission.

I genuinely feel as though my work has suffered with this project because of a lack of understanding and maybe a bit of stubbornness on my part, in not wanting to be beaten by Flash.

"You may have won the battle, but this is war!". Needless to say I will be tackling Flash again in the form of tutorials (if there are any left that I did not do on Monday / Tuesday) I will be trying to remain calm and not let myself be wound up.

Anyway I handed something in, hopefully a 'pass' but I think maybe some remedial work will have to be done. Not because I am not capable but because I lost time fiddling. My research was not as thorough as usual, and my written work was not as good as either.

Anyway, that is the 'KISS' project out of the way (for now at least) and on to the next one.

My next priority has to be the CiSSy project, again I am experiencing the resistance to it because I do not know how to do it.

Even after all this time on the course I can't seem to overcome that feeling that crops up when faced with something I have no idea about. I only tend to deal with the issue when confronted like a cornered rat!

But I have dealt with the nasty Flash issue this week, not that comfortably but dealt with nevertheless, and so that seems to have given me a bit of confidence to tackle some CSS this week.

So my aims for this week are:

1. To read my CSS pocket handbook, get the gist of CSS. Maybe start to understand it better.

2. To cement my understanding of the 'box model', I have a basic idea, but I need to try and use it firsthand.

3. To get my portfolio nearer to completion, I want to have some more work up by next week.

4. To make sure my layout of the portfolio site is consistent for next week, as I want to apply for a job I have seen, and showing portfolio work is a must.

5. To refresh myself on ongoing projects, and try give them the attention they should be getting.

The list is a bit bigger than usual, but while the bit is between the teeth, and I am learning to deal with sleep deprivation.......

Anyway no 'Peak of the Week' this time, I haven't had one. It been too stressful!!

Any comments as usual, are welcome, as is feedback on my blog or my portfolio site www.feathermark.co.uk

Thanks for reading.

Mark

Feedback Folly

2007-02-02T21:29:00.000Z

Hi Folks,

I am looking for some feedback on our latest project. That being 'KISS', the task basically is to come up with an e-card for valentines day.

My ideas are attached.

1. A dog holding balloons, the object being to distract him to release them, and so revealing a romantic message.

2. A 'love me' love me not' type scenario with a flower.

3. A virtual bunch of flowers.

4. A bear that you have to tickle to get the message from.

5. A valentine advent card. Different door, different message.

I would appreciate any comments, feedback or suggestions.

Thanks Mark

Industrial Liaisons - Not so Much Dangerous

2007-01-28T13:15:00.000Z

Hi again,

I just wanted to say how well I thought the visit to the Design Mechanics ( http://www.thedesignmechanics.com/ ) went on Thursday.

I don't know about any of the other students that attended, but I thought it was both an interesting and valuable experience. It was good to see how 'real' industry can work, and this was not entirely what I expected.

The turn around from design to build was very quick, and the planning we do at college seemed to be skipped,meaning productivity/profit could be at a maximum.

The atmosphere was quite informal, which was nice as I maybe expected a more serious, sombre environment, but I think there is a lot to be said for workers being happy in what they do, but that's another issue.

It was also good to see the standard of work that was being produced, and while my confidence in my own work is not always at its highest, I do not think there was anything that was beyond me.

I also noted that the 1st years had a good standard of work already, and I think there are some bright futures ahead for them, I was very impressed and it may well serve as kick in the pants for me to up my game.

I do think the people that did not attend the visit have missed a great opportunity, it was one afternoon, but one that has really opened my eyes.

Thanks for reading and if you would like to see the work The Design Mechanics are producing visit the link above.

Mark

Blog Hawk Down....

2007-01-23T17:27:00.000Z

Hi all,

Its been a bit of a busy week as predicted in my last entry.

I feel as though the pressure is mounting and the tension too!

Its a case of head down and run at the moment, but I am going to try and correct that this week and give my assignments some serious planning. It feels as though it is frittering time away, but I am going to take John's word for it, and see if it does help in the long run.

Anything that will save me time at the moment will be of benefit.

The project I am going to talk about this week is the 'KISS' project.

I feel it has started quite badly, it is of my own doing however, and some bad planning. My idea was to get all my written work done in the 1st week. This was not realistic though, as the research alone was time consuming and I could not do the written until research was complete.

This has put me behind I feel, but I do think I made good progress with the sketchbook work. I have generated a couple of ideas. I will be uploading images shortly, so that you can all leave me some lovely feedback.

My main worry regarding this project is the actual production, I have realised that had I been more advanced with my 6 month learning plan, in terms of tutorials, it may not have been such a worry.

Peak of the Week

My peak this week was probably me mastering the rotating banner! I have had a few issues with this little javascript in the past, but in the early hours of Friday morning the penny dropped and I had a eureka moment, wonderful.

Aims

1. My first aim of the week is to get a full project management sheet together. That includes all tasks and when they have to be done by.

2. I want to do a flash tutorial, one on sound.(http://www.adobe.com/support/flash/sound/sound_player/
This is to help me in regards the 'KISS' project.

3. I must get my portfolio progressed for possible employers / clients.

Well that's all folks! Thanks for reading.

Mark

The Year Ahead

2007-01-15T09:24:00.000Z

Hi All,

Well Christmas has been and gone, and what should have been a restful period was quite a tiring one. But anyway, the new year is here and with it the knowledge that this is our final few months on the course-scary!

It seems to have flown by since the day I sat down and started trying to use pagemaker for the first time. To think it was a struggle seems strange now, which kind of demonstrates how much we have all learned.

After my first mini meeting with Steve it has been impressed on me how much harder it is going to be this year. I am bracing myself for what is coming and hoping I can cope.

I am already planning how much time I am going to have to book off work, at the end of the course, to make sure I am not working through the night as in previous projects, though I can foresee me still doing that, no matter how much I plan against it, it does seem to be a good time to get work done though.

I am hoping that I can put my CSS and script demons behind me and hopefully thrive and flourish this year.

My main concern is the same as Steve and Johns, that being, based on the progress meeting that my technical ability needs to improve, but I do feel it will with practise.

Thats all for now folks any feedback, as per usual, welcome.

Mark

Dreamweaver Doldrums

2006-12-12T17:47:00.000Z

Hello again,

We are at that part of the week again, it has been as busy one again. A few late nights have been had but it feels as though I am treading water at the moment.

As project manager for the 'On the Job' project I have had a lot of written work to do, which is not the most interesting thing in the world, but it has to be done.

iMe Project

Some nicer work, I was hoping, would be the iMe project, I have started to build my site and the Dreamweaver problems have already started.

It is an infuriating piece of software at times, I am starting to see the value of doing layouts in CSS even more,though my confidence with CSS is not up to task at the moment, maybe I just need to 'jump in' but then again, is now the right time, with just a week to have our portfolio online? It may be an idea for me to create my 'table and cells' version, and see if I have time to do a CSS version later.

I have not received any feedback yet on my blog sketches, so I have made my own decision on which layout to go with. Though time is sparse, I am tempted to do 2 or 3 layouts, then I can pick brains for which to go with, though it probably would not be a final decision anyway, as the site can be altered at a later date.

I was hoping to come up with a really good design for the iMe project, and I still do not seem to be getting there, it is not that I am not creative enough, but something seems to hold me back. Maybe the 'fear' of technology?

I wanted to prove that I can come up with something half decent as there are doubts over my technical ability from tutors and I wanted to prove that I can do it. So we will see!

Any advice from the more fluent CSS / Dreamweaver users out there will be more than welcome.

Peak of the Week

It should have been the awards ceremony, but I was a little disappointed to be honest, don't get me wrong, I was glad to have won. I got all psyched up for going up on stage to find my introduction was something I had written myself! That was the disappointing part for me.

So my peak would have to be the progress the 'team' made on the 'On the Job' project, especially as 1 member was absent on Monday, I think we managed to re-shuffle quite well and a good attitude was demonstrated. That being 'just get on and deal with the situation'.

I do not know if the motivation was because of good team management or a self driven need to do well or a bit of both, but whatever the reason, I was proud of the way the 'team' worked this week.

Aims

1. To get my portfolio online.

2. To get evidence ready for the team so that hand in is a pain free experience.

3. To make sure I evidence all my own individual work for the 'On the Job' project.

These are all my aims really for this week. Keep it simple stupid!

Thanks for reading

Mark

Feedback Forum

2006-12-10T16:47:00.000Z

Hi Folks,

I would like some feedback on my ideas for my online portfolio designs, they are at the rough sketchbook stage at the moment, and no colour scheme has been decided upon.

If students or tutors (or anyone else for that matter) could take 2 minutes to give feedback or comments / suggestions then it would be gratefully received.

Don't hold back say what you think and any questions just ask.

Thanks Mark

Da Management

2006-12-05T17:16:00.000Z

Hello again,

'On the Job'

It has been another reasonably productive week in regards to the 'on the job' project.
I am happy (ish) with the progress that has been made, that being us deciding on a design and actually starting to build it.

Both my 'Daves' have worked well this week and it has been good to be involved in what they were doing. Dave S has had some glorious moments with scripts, coming up with a lovely image enlarging device which we will implement as soon as we have some images.

Dave W has done a good job too, producing the digital designs when asked and they look pretty good too, I just hope the final site looks as good as the design.

There has been one slight problem this week and that has been the images. It would seem as though there has been a misunderstanding on who was responsible for getting them. Anyway The kind Mr Yoxall has provided us with them now.

Having looked at the images they do not seem to be exactly what we need, though a few may be usable for the 'home' page. It has taught me a lesson though, that being where possible, get your own images.

So come Monday we will be taking some shots ourselves of student work, hopefully that will provide us with a less 'clinical' feel to the site.

Luckily this problem has been picked up early enough to rectify without affecting the deadline, but it may have done had we waited longer. So another lesson is to get content sorted as soon as you can.

The management side of things has got better this week, I have felt a little less stressed this week. Though saying that the stress has reared its very ugly head elsewhere.

6 Month Learning Contract

Speak of the devil, the source of my stress. It seems just as I thought I knew what I was doing, I don't!

I had previously looked at job descriptions as my source of skills to learn. This gave me a good insight into what I wanted to learn and I proceeded to make a list of tutorials that fit the bill. But then, and this is the stressful it, we have to show how what we learn is measurable.

My original idea was to do a tutorial and then sat a task relating to it, a mini project if you like. Now I find myself looking at tutorial providers and trying come up with what I am meant to for the lesson. I did like my way of doing it but I don't think it is the right way. Arghhhh!

Peak of the Week

I would have to say that this week my peak has being the progress made by 'the team' they have done me proud, I hope it continues.

Aims

1. To get on top of the organisation for 'On the Job'

2. To prepare well for next weeks 'On the Job'

3. To catch up with as much as possible that I feel behind with. (there is a fair amount!)

Thanks for reading

Mark

How I love My Peaks!

2006-11-28T17:14:00.000Z

From this week we are going to be commenting on the ongoing projects, which I think is a good idea. It may open people up to talking about their thoughts and feelings about how things are going.

The 1 challenge maybe not to drone on and keep it interesting, after all there are other things, some of us, would like to say!

The CiSSy Project

The CiSSy project is not going as well as I would have liked at the moment. I need to generate some more layout ideas, and quickly. I part of the reason I have become side tracked is because of the responsibility of being a project manager, though as a manager, I will have to learn to 'juggle' tasks.

There is a little re-writing of the web plan to do also, I feel the base is okay but there needs to be some substance to it. The 'delivery requirements' is a particular concern. I think currently the plan lacks defined information, regarding the technologies involved in the production of the CiSSy site.

I intend to put this right by Sunday 3rd December though.

The iMe Project

The web plan is again my main concern with this project, and also the delivery requirements again. Similar reasons to the 'CiSSy' project really.

But enough web plan misery, I am actually quite happy at where I am at with regards to layout and site design. I feel I have come up with some decent ideas but I need to get some feedback on them, this of course is 'EVIDENCE', I emphasise this because it helped me to get a 'merit' in the 'culture vulture' project.

I want to get into the production of the 'iMe' site as soon as possible really, I think with the other projects we have on going it would be a good idea to get a site up and running before the 19th Dec deadline. It may ease the pain later!

The 'On the Job' Project

Well as I stated in the previous blog, I am actually quite enjoying the responsibility, in a weird way, of being Project Manager. It has its challenges such as making sure the team produces what they should, when they should, but I think they are doing me proud at the moment. Keep it up 'me Daves'!

It has been interesting to meet a client and have to take down all the information, then relay it to the team. There have been a few meetings already and I do not mind them, but it does mean I have to sacrifice some of the other more creative tasks.

I hope by next week our team will have in place a full web plan, rough designs and digital designs. My Gantt chart says we start production on Monday the 4th Dec, so if the Gantt chart says so, it shall be!!

Peak of the Week!

Yes it's back!!

Well I would say my peak has been getting the 'merit' (though technically that should have been last weeks peak) but I also got a nice letter from the college this week, it informs me that I have been received an award for 'best interactive media' student.

I will have to attend a ceremony to receive my prize, which makes me nervous, but it made me very proud to be nominated. It made my day! So two peaks then, just how I like it! Hopefully lots more to come.

Aims

1. To have our team where I want us to be, i.e web plan, rough designs, digital designs done, ready for production on Monday.

2. To have CiSSy web plan finished for Sunday this week.

3. To have iMe web plan finished for Sunday this week.

Just the 2 aims, but big ones. If I can get these aims done, I will be a happy student next week.

Thanks for reading, and as usual, FEEDBACK PLEASE, talk to me people!!

Mark

Team Leader, Good or Bad?

2006-11-21T17:44:00.000Z

My 1st week as Team Leader / Project Manager, and what a week!
It feels as though we have a lot to do work wise at the moment, not just with the 'On the Job' project but with the 'CiSSy' and 'iME' projects too, the problem being the juggling of work.

I do not want to get my team doing too much so that they fall behind with other projects, but I also want us to do a good job. I think we can achieve better than a 'pass'.

I feel it is going okay, this team leader business, though a little stressful, I think there may be a need for a bit 'quiet time' to collect my thoughts and organise myself. I am trying to be fair with tasks delegated but I feel as though I am bogging myself down a little. Maybe more delegation is required!

I do not seem to mind the responsibility of managing a team, even if I did have initial reservations about it. These may sound odd but I kind of like the pain!! It does stress you out a little, but I also think it is good for character. Taking charge of something, involving team members in decisions and creating something together is quite a good feeling.

If anyone has any advice on team management, please chip in with it, my ears are open to anything that may help. I think this is a good attitude to have actually, being open minded to advice from team members, peers, tutors or any outside bodies can only help in the long run. If 2 heads are better than 1 then surely the more heads the better!

Well thanks for reading, and remember to leave feedback on any posts.

Mark

Yet More Joy....I'm on a Roll

2006-11-19T13:31:00.000Z

Hello all,

It has been another decent week regarding the CSS stuff we are doing with John, I feel like I am making some progress with the understanding of it all. This will be helped by reading my CSS books when I can squeeze it in. It is a nice feeling though to have the penny drop, from being fearful of it I am now a bit more excited about it.

That can be said of the new project also, 'On the Job' will start Monday, and I have been nominated as team leader. At first I did not really want it, but I think it will be okay, I think I may actually enjoy it, but 'Daves' let me know if I get power crazy!!

We do not know yet what the project entails but I think it is going to throw up some 'interesting' problems, for me definitely. I am not sure yet how I am going to be a 'leader' (again team, let me know if I do anything you don't agree with), I do not want to come across as 'bossy' but also I want to do the best I can, and hope my team feels the same way.

I think the next blog regarding the 'On the Job' project will be a good read!

I am dropping my 'peak of the week' because I feel pretty much, on an even keel, and it would probably be a repetition of the last one regarding CSS.

Aims

To get off to a good start with the new project. I want to ask the right questions, be presentable and involve my team as much as possible. I do not want 'distance' between team members. If we communicate I think we can do a good job. RARRRR well that's my rallying cry!

Thanks for reading

Mark

CSS Joy...........At Last!

2006-11-14T11:43:00.000Z

Its been a good week if, for nothing else, that some CSS pennies have started to drop. It seems my fear of CSS is lifting a little. After Tuesdays tutorial with John, when the miracle occurred, I felt a lot better about using CSS, the 'box model' makes sense to me and I can see how using CSS can be beneficial for designers and the user. Not bad for 1 lesson!

I am yet to do CSS tutorials online but that is going to be my intention as part of my self learning and my 6 month action plan regarding that. At least now I do not have the scary feeling of not knowing what I am doing completely, I feel I have a little knowledge!

The other thing I have been giving thought to is my future as in the last post. I am getting the impression from talking to people in 'the know' that if an employment opportunity should arise it should be grasped.

I am actually coming around to this way of thinking as the sooner I get on the web design 'ladder' the sooner I can start to move up it. I have also started to play down working for myself in my own head. I think it would be wise for me to gain employment and get some experience, use the employer as a way of finding my feet, then gradually start to do my own work and if it takes off then consider my best option.

The downside to this theory is that I may not gain employment immediately and so I may have to do my own work straight after leaving college, with no business experience. But that bridge will be crossed when I come to it.

Peak of the Week

CSS! it has to be, it has been bothering me for so long and now I feel good about it, hopefully it will continue!

Thanks for reading and don't be shy with feedback and comments.

Mark

It's a Plan, But is it Fullproof?

2006-11-06T20:11:00.000Z

Hello again,

As a student and future designer you need to look at software and skills you need to learn. I have done a little bit of research into this, I signed up to a job website that emails me with details of current vacancies and what the employer requires. It is quite an eye opener because there are software applications I have not even heard of.

It was interesting to see what some employers also expect for their money. In one instance the vacancy required you to have 2 years experience with PHP/MySQL, HTML, CSS, CMS and then a list of 'like you to have' skills all for £20,000-£24,000 a year.

Then I found a vacancy that required experience in Photoshop, Illustrator and Flash that paid £30,000-£45,000. Bit of a difference eh?

I don't know if this means that some employers take you for what they can, or just that there are more and more web designers out there and so we are not such a valuable commodity.

Of course looking at employment is all well and good but it isn't the only option. I have also been looking at universities, local ones in particular. Huddersfield, Leeds and Bradford all seem okay but it is going to be a question of how many more years to get the degree.

I have to admit that another 2 years does not sound great at the moment, partly because I want to get earning and partly because it means only been nearly half way through my education.

If I had no other commitments and was 10 years younger, I probably wouldn't have any issues with 2 more years (so some of you should realise how lucky you are) but I feel as though I should be further along a career path than I am.

It may be possible to achieve the degree with just 1 more year but there are a lot of 'ifs' and 'buts', so we will see!

Ideally I would like to get a degree, partly to prove something to myself and also I think it puts you in a stronger bargaining position with prospective employers.

So, what will I do? I think the best plan of action for me is to keep trying to do as well as possible on the course, learn as many software applications as possible to make myself saleable, talk to universities and maybe apply now.

If I do find employment I can always try and fit the degree in, if an employer will not allow that, then I will have to make a decision on which is the most important, the degree or the money.

For now then its a case of keeping a look out for possibilities.

Bye for now, Mark

Half Term Blog

2006-10-27T20:02:00.000+01:00

Hi all,

Well it has been a mixed week, I haven't managed to get all my aims done from last week but I feel as though I have done a decent job of the work I have done.

The reason I have not got all the tasks done is because on my time planning sheet I have under estimated the amount of time it will take to do individual tasks. This is something I will look to remedy next week. Though I have not yet implemented it, my plan is to record time taken to do tasks. Start and finish times and any time out, such as breaks, will be noted.

If I can start to get a better feel for time and what I can get done in it, then I think I will work a lot more efficiently.

I am disappointed that I have not yet achieved all last weeks aims, but on the other hand I have had a lot of other things going on. I have juggled my work and my personal life reasonably well I feel, and in a way I have got a bit of an insight on what things may be like if I become self employed. I am going to have to learn to separate 'home life' from 'work life'. Time management skills will have to be seriously improved upon.

Peak of the Week

My peak of the week this week is getting the cultural essay finished, well at least until feedback. I am finding it easier to write and express myself through written work. I hope I do manage to keep a good balance between personal opinion and analysis though. I do not want to over personalise.

Aims

1. To get CiSSy web plan done.

2. To do some CSS tutorials.

3. To plan my time better (again)

Though some of my aims haven't been achieved they still remain targets!

Thanks for reading, comments, as usual are welcome.

Mark

Day 10 in the Big Brother House

2006-10-17T17:36:00.000+01:00

Hi again,

After handing 'the Biz' project in I am now looking forward to getting stuck into the other assignments. I think I will enjoy doing the 'Culture Vulture' project because I have got an interesting research topic.

My choice was the Adidas brand and there are already a number of cultures that Adidas have influenced coming to the surface, such as their involvement with hip hop and the 'retro' fashion scene.

I feel a little more positive about the 'CiSSy' project this week, it has helped that we have had a brief tutorial on CSS. I did not get anywhere near finishing the tasks but there is a flicker of knowledge that I intend to expand on. I am going to do this by finishing the tutorial and also looking for different lessons too.

The CiSSy essay had to be handed in today and in general my feedback was okay, there are aspects that need changing such as repetition in the content and not enough detail in places.

In the past It has been said that I go to in depth with subjects, so it would seem I have gone too far the other way! I think that with the subject being quite a large one I have, in trying to keep within the word limit, over condensed my content.

In other places however I have over done it, I think a little restructure will put the essay right, or nearer to it at least.

The 'iME' project partly involves this blog. There are some issues with my previous entries such as, over personal / friendly comments. I will be aiming to make this blog more professional in the coming weeks by cutting out the throw away comments and concentrating on presenting myself in the best light.

Peak of the Week

I would say this week it has been quite an even keel for me, my peak would probably be getting the 'CiSSy' essay out of the way. Also something to look forward to after half term is the creative stuff, we are going in! and i can't wait

My aims for the week are here as usual, maybe a few more than normal though.

Aims

1. To get the 'iME' web plan completed

2. To get the 'CiSSy' web plan completed

3. To complete the CSS tutorial

4. To make a detailed learning plan

5. To do some reading, CSS books preferably, get a feel for the basics.

6. To organise my sketchbook, I am becoming cluttered

7. To re-write my essay on CSS

Well time to go, I have a busy week, thanks for reading and please feedback to me with any useful tips or comments.

Mark

Deadline Day Dizzyness

2006-10-10T16:29:00.000+01:00

Hi folks,

Well its been a week since my last entry, though it really doesn't feel like it.

And what a week, where do I start? Well its been hectic because of deadline day looming ominously over us.

I really had a panic because it didn't look like I would meet the deadline. I did however, but only just, it took several late nights, running into early mornings to get the job done.

Analysing what went wrong I have come to the conclusion that I still have not got a grip of my time management, this is starting to bug me now. It is not entirely down to that though, I have found myself sat in front of the computer for 4 days ,pretty much solid, and suffering mental blocks.

You know when your brain just says "NO"? But here's a tip! I took time out and went to the gym, did something completely different and hey presto! A clear mind again. It works, honest.

I have started to list my tasks again for the forthcoming week, I am going to try and stick to times, if the task is not done within that time then it gets left, I am then building in extra time to catch up on the things that didn't get done. This way at least I will get some part of all the sections of projects done.

This will benefit me I think because I seem to find starting a new task the most difficult bit of getting on with my work.

Peak of the Week!

Well here it is, my 1st official peak of the week. There was only really one winner this week and that was getting the project handed in, though being told in feedback, that my work was acceptable for marking comes in a close 2nd.

Aims

1. To get stuck into the CiSSy and iME projects, get back on track.

2. To organise my time better. (again)

3. To divide my time up more evenly, similar to above but relevant. No more doing all my work in big solid blocks, its too painful!

Thanks for reading and goodnight.

P.S Anymore suggestions for clearing the mind or relaxation techniques are very welcome. Keep it clean!

Ups and Downs

2006-10-03T17:10:00.000+01:00

Ups and downs, peaks and troughs, whatever you call them, this week I have had them.

Its been a difficult week in some senses, I have found myself struggling to get to grips with 'The Biz' project and I feel I am behind with the 'CiSSy' and 'iME' projects also.

After my first one to one chat with John it was suggested that I have an inefficient / too in depth approach to my research, this is down to me trying to cover all points on the assignment sheets. I agree with what was said but again, as in previous blog, it is a matter of changing the way my mind works. A case of re-training if you like.

If I can get myself taking notes rater than recording whole passages of text I will hopefully save a lot of time. A valuable commodity!

I feel as though this is where I am getting behind, too much time spent digging for information that, probably I don't need. This has been the case when writing my essays, I have more information researched than I can fit into a 1000 word essay.

My peak this week, (theres an idea for a sub-title, My Peak of the Week!) came about as a result of my being behind, I felt I had to re-assess what needed to be done and when.

It took me half an hour to arrange my time on my time plan sheet, dividing tasks into hour blocks.

I was determined to stick to the plan, and for most of the day it worked. It was a nice feeling checking off a few tasks one after the other. It went a bit wayward towards the end of the afternoon but that was down to me underestimating how long things would take me.

Aims

So to my aims for next week:

1 I am going to try and scan research material rather than read the whole book!

2 Notes need to be more bullet point rather than 'bullet to my head please' when reading them.

3 Time plan, try to replicate what I achieved on Monday more often.

Next week my new feature 'Peak of the Week'

Thanks for reading and bye for now

Mark

In Sickness and in Health

2006-09-26T16:45:00.000+01:00

Hi to everyone,

And thanks to those who commented. Johns suggestion makes perfect sense, though I do feel like I am going through a period of re-training my brain, it seems to get stuck in gear sometimes, it can be a very stubborn brain! A bit like an old Citroen 2cv I used to have.

This week has been a trial to say the least, largely down to illness in the family. It has prevented me achieving my aims from my last post but....... I would like to put a positive spin on things, I am proud of how I still managed to get 2 essays done, even though my time plan went out of the window completely. I think I showed a good level of commitment and determination, a very late night was involved when I really needed sleep, ahh sleep hmmm, I digress!

I think the college week as gone quite well, I feel Asked the right questions for what I need to know, but I do think group discussions could be more active. Come on folks SPEAK UP!

There has been a lot of written work again this week, and I don't mind admitting that I can't wait for the practical stuff to start. Let the creative juices flow!

Aims

As for my aims this week, simple ones I think, they are:

1. To get my time planning back on track. I need organisation in my life!

2. To do as much research as possible this week, I would like to experience the sensation of being in front of my work, if that kind of thing really does happen.

3. To clear my head before starting work. This may sound a little bit daft, but I seem to experience a block before I start working. Like I can make no sense of things. It causes me to lose time and panic a little. Less panic next week hopefully!

Again thanks for reading and feedback is always welcome.

Mark.

FREE BEER!

2006-09-19T15:59:00.000+01:00

And now I have your attention viewers……

I am now in my 2nd week back at college and things are becoming slightly more settled. Projects are becoming clearer in regards to what is required, and that has made me feel generally happier.

I am seeing already that some serious juggling of time, and tasks is going to be required, but so far I have not quite got to grips with this.

I think this is down to the fact that we have a lot of work to do, and I have not yet prioritised what needs doing 1st. I am continuing to fill in weekly planning, though I don't believe my planning is efficient enough yet.

I need to become more efficient as soon as possible, there is a lot to learn, and my impression is that the quicker that learning is done, the better the chances are of making a good job of the projects, particular the CiSSy project.

The Biz project as shed light on another weakness I have, that is my ability to get to deeply involved in one research subject. This is a drain on my time and I need to be investing time in a more evenly spread way.

Aims

My aims for this week are

1. To organise my work load efficiently, hopefully this will bear fruit in the form of more time left for other work.

2. To stop myself frittering time away on research, making my research cover what it needs to and not 'go in too deep'

I only have the 2 aims for this week but I think they are the big 2!

I would also be grateful for any feedback, so feel free to chip in with any suggestions or comments.

Thanks for reading

Mark

Losing My Blog Virginity

2006-09-12T16:57:00.000+01:00

My first week back at college and my first ever blog!

It was a nervous start to the week, the anticipation of coming back after 4 months off and the excitement was getting to me. I knew that the work was going to be more intense than the first year, and so it is proving even this early on.

The tempo feels as though it has been upped and at the moment I feel okay with it, though it is early days and I am sure there are stressful times to come.

I have started as I mean to go on, my time planner is filled in and I will be trying to stick to it, though no doubt the plan will change along the way.

I feel I must be far more strict with my self organisation this year to make a good job of my work. If I don't stick to mini deadlines and my time plan I know I will struggle.

I have started dating my sketchbook pages to help me record when I have done tasks and think this will be valuable to illustrate my new found time management skills.

In general, I feel this has been a good first week, exciting but slightly scary.