Interactive HTML5 Slider - Thematic Text Assignment 17

This assignment was to create an Interactive HTML5 Slider that involved Thematic Text.

Technical Skills for this assignment included using Photoshop to lay out the letters and masks to add the texture. In addition the interactivity was created in Adobe Edge Animate.

How do I think I did? I think I did the assignment :) It does what it is required to do (and that is a good thing.) I found that it took longer than I had anticipated because the version of Edge Animate I used was different from that of the lesson. A critical piece of the interactivity was very different and although I searched the web for answers I could not find the solution. Finally instead of continuing to search tutorials on-line I just typed in the necessary code - but I am not sure I could do any other kind of interactivity unless I already had the code - or I figure out how to work the CC 14 version.

Sliced Webpage Assignment 16

This assignment called for creating a web page design in Photoshop and then creating it in Dreamweaver.

Technical skills included creating a design in Photoshop, using the slice tool in Photoshop and then putting those slices into a layout in Dreamweaver.

How do I think I did? I did just fine. Because I did not put the header at the very top I had a little more challenge getting everything where I wanted it, it took some playing around with positions but it finally worked (and hey, I learned a little something). The slice tool in Photoshop is a little picky, maybe I sliced too much??  Anyway, it hit all the points that the assignment called for.

Interactive PDF Assignment 15

This project was to create an interactive pdf. It had two main parts, creating the graphic/illustration and then creating the interactive part.

The technical skills used were illustrations in Illustrator and then creating buttons and bookmarks in InDesign.

How did I do? I like how it turned out. I wanted to create something that I could also use for Nativity House so I took quite a lot of time on the illustration. Nativity House is a brand new building so I wanted to capture all the little details. I really enjoy doing illustrations so this project was fun for me.

Shape Animation Assignment 9

This assignment was to animate vector shapes in After Effects. The goal was to make a 30 second video with various animated shapes.

The technical skills were in Adobe After Effects. Using the shape tools and pen tool and then the various effects to animate the shapes. Technical skills included using the time line and key frames.

How do I think I did on this assignment? Well, I think I did much better than I thought I would. I have not used After Effects to a great extent so I was not sure how to even begin. However, as I started and through much trial and error I got an animation that I kind of like. Of course, as I watch it I see parts that I would change, but overall I am happy with the final result.

Zeotrope assignment 14

This assignment is a Zeotrope, or rather an optical illusion.

I was trying to create something that when the black lines passed over them they looked in motion.

Technical skills included Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro. Shape creation, work with layers and actions.

I think it is ok. I am not a big fan of this type of animation. I think it looks low tech and it is just not my favorite. However, I was trying to make it look like smoke was coming off the coffee cups - I think I did that.

Assignment 13 Content Management System (sounds fun, right?)

This is my Wordpress.com design

This week the assignment was to create pages in a Wordpress.com template.

To see the McTiser Design pages Click Here.

 I was trying to create 4 pages linked together with a menu. I ended up with 5 pages.



Technical skills included using Photoshop to size and prep pictures and navigation of the
WordPress.com template and site.

How do I think I did? Well, I think I did fine. It was not easy trying to come up with what to put on each page. Navigation of the site was not too difficult, but it did take a little time to figure out exactly how it works.


The pictures included here look much better when you actually click the link. Just in case you missed it above
to see the pages please click here.

3D Pop Up Gallery (assignment 7 DDSGN 220)

My 3D Gallery is created with pictures I took on our trip to the American SW in the summer of 2014. It is an ancient and beautiful region and I found a lot of opportunities to take photos.

The assignment was to create a 3D photo Gallery in After Effects. The camera was to scroll from side to side displaying the photos. It was to look like the photos were sitting on the ground/table/shelf.

The technical skills included using Photoshop to prep the photos and then After Effects to create the Gallery and finally Premiere Pro to finish the video.

How do I feel I did? Well, I like the finished product. I had quite a bit of trouble with the lights and shadows. I think I spent just as much time (or more) in trying to get the lights placed in a manner that did not blow out one picture and put the other in shadow. If I had unlimited time I would go back and work on all of the little details that I see when I watch it.

I liked this project and think I may use this technique to do other photo galleries.

Assignment 11 Webpage from template (DDSGN 220)

This assignment was to use a webpage template and modify to create it to look like a business page or a portfolio page. I did a business page.

Technical skills involved this week involved using Photoshop to size and prep the photos and Dreamweaver to modify the template.

How do I think I did? I think it looks ok. I think if I were to do this for a real business it would have been easier to come up with the topics. I understand how to modify the template and I understand how to sell something when you have something to sell. Since the goal was to either make a business site or a portfolio I went with the one I felt more comfortable with.  I'm not sure what a portfolio webpage looks like - I mean I get it, it is a portfolio so it should show best works or rather the works that will 'sell' your work/skills. Like I said above I am happy my final work on this assignment. I like the overall look even if all of the boxes don't make a lot of sense.

Until Later. . .

E-Cig Poster Assignment 12 (DDSGN220)

This assignment was to create a poster that raised awareness about the dangers of vaping/e-cigarettes. The instructions said to gear the poster to middle and high school students. The poster should raise awareness of the Pierce County ordinance regarding e-cigs. As I read through the ordinance there were a lot of items about where and when the e-cigarettes could be smoked. There was also a lot of information about the dangers. I tried to accomplish a middle ground. If the poster is geared toward middle and high school students it did not really lend itself to talking about where adults could smoke. For minors they cannot smoke them at all. Thus, my poster is more about telling the kids they should not smoke them, not where adults can.

Technical skills. I used Illustrator to create the artwork. I used the pen and tablet again and am starting to get a better feel of how it works. I used InDesign for the overall layout. I am very familiar with InDesign as I use it almost on a daily basis in my job.

I am happy with my poster. My goal was to keep it very simple so a student would read it. I did not want to come right out and say 'Don't smoke!" because I think they hear that enough. I wanted to present practical reasons why they should not. I like the overall look of the poster. If the information was provided I would have put more contact information on the poster.

Until later. . . don't smoke!

Font Creation Assignment 10 (DDSGN 220)

This assignment called for the creation of a font set. . . well the capital letters of a font set.  The process in and of itself was not too difficult, however, I found it a little more difficult to decide what type of font to make. There are a lot of poor capital letters that were thrown away before I finally decided to just capture a version of my own handwriting. This turned out to be a little more difficult than I thought it would be - first of all it is NOT the same as writing on a piece of paper, even using a tablet and pen instead of a mouse, it still was a totally different feel (probably because I have not been using the pen and tablet for very long). I was 'trying' to capture my capital letters, the ones I make on a daily basis when I am using pen and paper. 

The technical skills used for this project would have to be the brush tool in Illustrator and the copy and paste functions of the various programs (there was a lot of copying and pasting) (a lot!).
I also was introduced to the font creation program 'Font Creator 4'. I feel I barely touched the surface in the font creation program, but I understand the basic principles. I should also mention the pen and tablet (see above) and my attempts to use it as I would a piece of paper -- I need some more practice.

How do I feel I did? Well, I think I did ok. My handwriting is something I've always paid close attention to - I've found myself re-writing my notes because I did not like how they looked - thus I think it would take me many, many hours to duplicate my best handwriting as a font. As soon as all of my homework is done, the lawn is mowed, my house cleaned and the other projects I've promised to do for friends/family is finished I want to try again, try to create a font or fonts as I think this could be a fun way to spend my time. 

Since we are on assignment 10 I thought I would refresh your memory (for those of you who are not in the class with me); this blog is a part of each homework assignment. We are to answer 3 questions each time: What were you trying to accomplish? What technical skills did you use to create the project? How do you feel you did?

Until next time. . .