Blog #6: Mini Art School

Here is my "Concept in 60" video!  Enjoy!

 

 

And here is my storyboard that I created using "My Simple Show", a free presentation software.  This was a lot of fun to make and I think it really showcases the feel of the training I plan to offer.  I will be supported by PowerPoint slides in the back, and will screencast the training to be able to send it to instructors who are not local.

 

 

 

Blog #5

Hello!

For Assignment #1, I chose two photographs to crop:  a landscape and a cityscape.

 

Original Photograph

Cropped just the tree...



 

 

Here I cropped out the bottom of the picture....

I did a quick mock-up to show what this image might be used for.

 

Here I cropped out the tree and the left side of the picture.

 

Another mock-up to show what the generic scenery may be used for.

This is the original cityscape photograph.

Here I cropped out all greenery.

I created a mock-up using the gray/lifeless photograph, then...

 Using a different section of the same photograph and slightly altering the color saturation, I create a much friendlier looking picture of city life.

For this selection, I cropped out the center section of the road.

And created a mock-up using this picture.  

 Last picture - I cropped just the window.

 

PART 2

 

This was without a doubt the most enjoyable project for me so far.  I chose to design two book covers.  The assignment asked me to create two book covers using the title, "Flirting with the Bully". 

 

 

First - I went with a horror theme.  I used a flirty, delicate font to juxtapose the harsh background and unsettling image.  I positioned my fonts to act as a sort of frame for the image. 

 

 

 

 

Here's the second cover (and I added a back cover!)  For this cover, I was going for Fantasy/Dark Fairy Tale theme.  I used two different woods pictures to highlight the image against the background.  I tried to choose a whimsical font that wasn't too princess-y.  Enjoy!

 

MMP Project Proposal

  The goal of my Multimedia project is to provide instruction and hands-on interaction with Apple iPad AirDrop.  I will cover the basic use of this tool, and especially focus on the ways that AirDrop can and should be used in our classrooms using our curriculum.  AirDrop is extremely helpful for accepting and returning homework assignments.  It is important for our school because of the time and complication involved with emailing documents or trying to send them through alternate means.  Many of our assignments contain Arab or Persian scripts which can be distorted by programs not built for those scripts.  By using a combination of audio and visual tools to present the materials, the instructors will have several avenues to view and understand the material being presented to them. 

      This project will be designed specifically for the instructors at my school.  Many of them are foreign born and have limited technical skills.  They tend to be older (45+) and have some aversion to learning new technologies.  When presenting this material, I will expect a basic level of knowledge on the iPad and PDF Expert. 

 

My learning objectives for this training are:

Understand how to set-up AirDrop on the iPad.

Understand how to AirDrop a file to another iPad.

Understand basic troubleshooting for AirDrop.

Apply your knowledge by using AirDrop to send a file.

 

      Multimedia will reinforce the objectives for this training.  At the end of the training, instructors will be asked to set-up their AirDrop and use AirDrop to send files to each other.  I will also set-up common road blocks to AirDrop and evaluate the instructor's ability to troubleshoot the problem. 

      I plan to use Screen-omatic and PowerPoint to create the project.  This is a fairly simple task (though it remains elusive in our faculty departments), and simple tools will be best for the presentation. 

      The training session will follow the "I do, we do, you do" principles.  I will demonstrate the tool and how to use it.  I will ask the class to participate in several guided exercises with me.  Finally, I will ask individuals to demonstrate their knowledge without guidance.  I have found that this simple technique works well in our environment.  The skills that I will be teaching are all 21st century skills; we will use mobile devices, wireless networks and mobile applications to perform the AirDrop tasks.   

Timeline:

Develop a training roadmap.  (1 week)

Outline training plan based on roadmap and objectives.  (2 days)

Develop the PowerPoint slides and any handouts. (1 week)

Create Screencast of the training. (1 day)

 

MDMC: Still

Here is my post on Cacoo.  The most business-oriented tool, the was my least favorite of the bunch. 
Check it out and let me know what you think. 

MDMC: Audio

This is my review of Voki.  Voki was both fun and could be very useful in the classroom!

MDMC: Moving

 

Check out my MDMC screencasts! 

 

 

Here's my review of Photodex Proshow (Mac).  

Definitely the simplest, one-trick-pony of this group.

Blog #4/ Mini Art School 2: Part 2

I love this image for its use of COLOR and CONTRAST.  The colors, the layout, and the subject matter all make it a fun, interesting image that makes the viewer’s eye want to explore the page and pull out hidden elements throughout the page. 
This image also demonstrates UNITY in its subject matter and BALANCE in the size and colors of the images.

This image invokes a fun FOCAL POINT.  By keeping the colors simple – shades of grey – the black umbrella and lone figure draw the eye to the middle of the page.  The MOVEMENT of the ripples also draw the eye out from the center to the edges of the page. 

 

The CCC’s advertisement works well because of the CONTRASTING colors, the BALANCED TEXT and image, and the TEXTURE of the image.  The uneven lines at the end of the man’s legs look like unfinished paint strokes, giving the image a little whimsy and complementing the man’s smiling face.  Though the advertisement is for work (and generally hard, back-breaking work!), the viewer is made to feel that the CCC is an enjoyable and desirable place to work. 

 

This image is haunting in its quiet beauty.  The image shows a woman and baby sinking in the sea.  Viewers at the time would have understood that these were passages on the ill-fated Lusitania.  The eerie color palette, simple text, and romanticized image draw the viewer in to the sad scene.  VALUE and CONTRAST work well to highlight the subjects.  The SIZE of the image makes it hard to look away. 

 

I chose this image for its obvious use of MOVEMENT.  The simplicity of the lines, the background and the colors allow the focus to remain on the graceful movement of the subject.  The viewer can easily imagine the woman continuing to fall through space, as the image forces the viewer’s eyes to follow the lines of the woman’s body.

 

This image is a fantastic display of simple LINE WORK.  The basic lines create a delicate image that evokes feelings of ease and familiarity with the viewer.  The scene is both comforting and humble, allowing the viewer’s eyes to slowly scan the image without forcing them in any specific direction. 

 

Blog 4 / Mini Art School 2: Part 1

Because I love to play with fonts, I chose the Word Portraits for my first project. 

Word Portraits Exercise

Times New Roman:

Works well:  Official, Normal                        

Contradicts:  Zany

 

Algerian: 

Works Well:  Exotic, Strong                          
Contradicts:  Business Ethics Course

 

Impact:

Works Well:  Bold, Impactful                                
Contradicts:  Delicate Tea Cup

 

Castellar:

Works well: Big, Headline              Contradicts:  Miniscule

 

Harrington:

Works Well:  Formal, Proper                             
Contradicts:  Dirty Rapscallion

 

Edwardian Script:

Works Well: Elegant, Flowing                                            
Contradicts:  Construction Worker

Magneto:

Works well:  Retro, Fun                       Contradicts:  Ancient Egypt

 

Vivaldi:

Works Well:  European, Artsy                          
Contradicts: Technical Writing

 

Old English Text:

Works Well:  Antiquated, Olde world            
Contradicts:  Modern

 

Playbill:

Works Well:  Old West, Rustic, Cowboy
Contardicts: Macbook, Computer

 

Ravie:

Works Well:  Fun, Silly, Party               Contradicts:  Serious, Professional

 

Bradley Hand:

Works Well:  Casual, Unplanned                  

Contradicts:  Official Correspondence

 

Showcard Gothic:

Works Well:  Bold, Intense                                      
Contradicts:  Small and Dainty

Discussion #2