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)
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
A Leap of Faith, Cos You Gotta Have Faith!
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:
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
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Not So CS-Stressed
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
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
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
FLASH, AHHH ARGHHHHHH! - Painful to All of Us
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
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
Friday, February 02, 2007
Feedback Folly
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
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
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Industrial Liaisons - Not so Much Dangerous
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
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
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Blog Hawk Down....
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
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
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