THURSDAY 5TH MARCH 2009
Lewis and I went on a bookbinding course near Petersfield today. We got to the ladies house just before 9am and didn't finish until 5.30 - it was such a good day! We started by talking to her about what we wanted to get out of the day and things we wanted to learn. She then advised what she thought would be best and then we started. I made a book using link stitching and kettle stitches. My aim for the day was to work out a way of binding a book so that it looked professional and opened flat on each page. Perfect binding doesn't allow this to happen and because the book I am making will contain images, I don't want them to be lost down gutters if I chose to have a full page image at some point. We were shown everything from start to finish. I decided that instead of making the book fully, I would complete the top half but leave the bottom half unfinished so the stitching can be seen and the covering methods can be seen. I will upload some pictures later.
Meeting with Robert Violette
TUESDAY 3RD MARCH 2009
I went to London today to meet with Robert Violette of Violette Editions. We spent some time talking about publishing and about the reason I got in contact with him [Sophie Calle: Double Game]. He had some really good and inspiring advice for me. We chatted about my future plans, and what he thought I needed to do to break into the industry once I have graduated.
He had to go to a meeting at The Barbican and he said I could go with him. We got a taxi and he showed me a lecture he did at Nottingham Trent on his laptop on the way. The meeting was for a new project he is working on.
Robert said that if I am ever up in London then make sure I email him as he will be able to give me a list of things that are going on that I should be going to see.
I went to London today to meet with Robert Violette of Violette Editions. We spent some time talking about publishing and about the reason I got in contact with him [Sophie Calle: Double Game]. He had some really good and inspiring advice for me. We chatted about my future plans, and what he thought I needed to do to break into the industry once I have graduated.
He had to go to a meeting at The Barbican and he said I could go with him. We got a taxi and he showed me a lecture he did at Nottingham Trent on his laptop on the way. The meeting was for a new project he is working on.
Robert said that if I am ever up in London then make sure I email him as he will be able to give me a list of things that are going on that I should be going to see.
Kessels Kramer Exhibition
FRIDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2009
I went to the Kessels Kramer Exhibition at Farnham art college today. It was really interesting to see their work. I have been researching them for my FMP so I wanted to drive up there to see in more detail as their website is mainly focused around publishing. They had quite a large collection of their work on display.
I went to the Kessels Kramer Exhibition at Farnham art college today. It was really interesting to see their work. I have been researching them for my FMP so I wanted to drive up there to see in more detail as their website is mainly focused around publishing. They had quite a large collection of their work on display.
Excited!
WEDNESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2009
I have just spoken to Violette Editions and I am going next Tuesday to London! Can't wait! I am so excited. It will be really really useful to me for my FMP, so I need to get some questions together as I don't have much time with him and want to make the most of it!
I have just spoken to Violette Editions and I am going next Tuesday to London! Can't wait! I am so excited. It will be really really useful to me for my FMP, so I need to get some questions together as I don't have much time with him and want to make the most of it!
Portfolio Clinic
WEDNESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2009
Gellan and Emma from Thinking Juice in Bournemouth came in this afternoon to speak to us about Portfolios. It was really useful - I think I have a clear idea now of what I will and won't put in mine. I asked a few questions that I needed answers to, its nice to feel reassured about a few things that I was worried about. Its so hard to decide how to tackle your portfolio, when on this course, we do a little bit of everything, and naturally you are better at some things than others, and so don't want to put everything in your portfolio. This can create a problem of it feeling a bit bare and like there isn't much in there to show. But the things Gellan and Emma said were really useful and gave me a better understanding of what people in industry will expect to see, and what they will think of certain things. Asking our lecturers is useful as well, but its invaluable to get an honest and 'real world' opinion from industry professionals.
Gellan and Emma from Thinking Juice in Bournemouth came in this afternoon to speak to us about Portfolios. It was really useful - I think I have a clear idea now of what I will and won't put in mine. I asked a few questions that I needed answers to, its nice to feel reassured about a few things that I was worried about. Its so hard to decide how to tackle your portfolio, when on this course, we do a little bit of everything, and naturally you are better at some things than others, and so don't want to put everything in your portfolio. This can create a problem of it feeling a bit bare and like there isn't much in there to show. But the things Gellan and Emma said were really useful and gave me a better understanding of what people in industry will expect to see, and what they will think of certain things. Asking our lecturers is useful as well, but its invaluable to get an honest and 'real world' opinion from industry professionals.
FMP Initial Idea Presentation
THURSDAY 12TH FEBRUARY 2009
We had to give a 1 minute presentation to the class today on our idea for our FMP. It was supposed to last a couple of hours but ended up lasting all day, so I missed out on loads of research time which is a shame. I will need to do todays tasks tomorrow. The presentation went okay. I think my idea is set now. I just need to get on and research and plan.
We had to give a 1 minute presentation to the class today on our idea for our FMP. It was supposed to last a couple of hours but ended up lasting all day, so I missed out on loads of research time which is a shame. I will need to do todays tasks tomorrow. The presentation went okay. I think my idea is set now. I just need to get on and research and plan.
Fonts
MONDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2009
Jenny blogged this on the Vis Com Blog - Thanks Jenny! I will have a look through the site later and sign up, free fonts.
http://www.josbuivenga.demon.nl/index.html
Jenny blogged this on the Vis Com Blog - Thanks Jenny! I will have a look through the site later and sign up, free fonts.
http://www.josbuivenga.demon.nl/index.html
Grid Design Tool
MONDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2009
Creative Review had an article called 'The Grid on Screen' this month. It mentioned thegridsystem.org which is dedicated to all things graphic-grid related. This months article focused on an online tool that designers can used to design simple grids onscreen and then export to CSS stylesheets and HTML templates. This tool is the work of New York based web developer Rasmus Schultz.
Rasmus Schultz's Grid Designer
Creative Review had an article called 'The Grid on Screen' this month. It mentioned thegridsystem.org which is dedicated to all things graphic-grid related. This months article focused on an online tool that designers can used to design simple grids onscreen and then export to CSS stylesheets and HTML templates. This tool is the work of New York based web developer Rasmus Schultz.
Rasmus Schultz's Grid Designer
Research Trip
SATURDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 2009
I went to Kent today to interview my Nan about some pictures I am using for my FMP. I spent all day Thursday and Friday researching as well so I had an idea what information I needed to gain while I was in Kent. It was a successful trip overall really which is good. I am just looking forward to getting back into uni on Monday and working on everything!
I went to Kent today to interview my Nan about some pictures I am using for my FMP. I spent all day Thursday and Friday researching as well so I had an idea what information I needed to gain while I was in Kent. It was a successful trip overall really which is good. I am just looking forward to getting back into uni on Monday and working on everything!
Theory Unit
WEDNESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2009
We had to email Anna today with our chosen essay title/subject and research ideas. I am basing mine on Book Design. She is going to email us back with some advice, so hopefully once she has agreed my topic and title, I can get on and research.
We had to email Anna today with our chosen essay title/subject and research ideas. I am basing mine on Book Design. She is going to email us back with some advice, so hopefully once she has agreed my topic and title, I can get on and research.
London
MONDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 2009
We went to London today. I got to go to the bookbinding shop - they had some really cool stuff, I bought a few things, but really you need to know exactly what you want, and at the moment, as I am only in the research stages of my project, I am not clear on that yet, that comes with time. BUT, they do have a website and I can order online so thats no problem. I have an idea of what they do so thats good. Milla and I tried to go to Notting Hill and Portobello Road, we got there too late though really as there were a few problems on the tubes and lots of delays, so we didn't have much time to hang around.
I am going to go back again soon, I am trying to organise a meeting with Robert Violette of Violette Editions, we are in contact, I just need to sort a date out. I can't wait - they are the publishers of a lovely book I have - Sophie Calle - Double Game. I will also try when I am up there, to combine it with some other things I could do.
We went to London today. I got to go to the bookbinding shop - they had some really cool stuff, I bought a few things, but really you need to know exactly what you want, and at the moment, as I am only in the research stages of my project, I am not clear on that yet, that comes with time. BUT, they do have a website and I can order online so thats no problem. I have an idea of what they do so thats good. Milla and I tried to go to Notting Hill and Portobello Road, we got there too late though really as there were a few problems on the tubes and lots of delays, so we didn't have much time to hang around.
I am going to go back again soon, I am trying to organise a meeting with Robert Violette of Violette Editions, we are in contact, I just need to sort a date out. I can't wait - they are the publishers of a lovely book I have - Sophie Calle - Double Game. I will also try when I am up there, to combine it with some other things I could do.
Research, research, research!
FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2009
Now I have my idea sorted, I just need to finish my Learning Agreement which needs to be handed in next week, and get started. I spent today adding to the Learning Agreement and doing loads of research, all if which is going in my workbook, so I started that too. I am struggling a little bit to get into it - but I know once I do I will get on a roll and be fine. I emailed a few places for some paper samples last week - and one turned up today - it is amazing! They sent me a complete folder of samples. Made my week! They are really nice!
We are going to London on Monday now, since the last trip was cancelled due to snow. I need to go to Faulkners (the bookbinding shop) and The Graphic Centre. We are also going to the Tate Britain. I would like to go to Portobello Road and do some research too.
Now I have my idea sorted, I just need to finish my Learning Agreement which needs to be handed in next week, and get started. I spent today adding to the Learning Agreement and doing loads of research, all if which is going in my workbook, so I started that too. I am struggling a little bit to get into it - but I know once I do I will get on a roll and be fine. I emailed a few places for some paper samples last week - and one turned up today - it is amazing! They sent me a complete folder of samples. Made my week! They are really nice!
We are going to London on Monday now, since the last trip was cancelled due to snow. I need to go to Faulkners (the bookbinding shop) and The Graphic Centre. We are also going to the Tate Britain. I would like to go to Portobello Road and do some research too.
Studio on Fire
FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2009
I came across some of the work of Studio on Fire while I was looking on www.graphic-exchange.com. Studio on Fire is a design and letterpress workspace and their work is stunning. Here are some images:
I came across some of the work of Studio on Fire while I was looking on www.graphic-exchange.com. Studio on Fire is a design and letterpress workspace and their work is stunning. Here are some images:
everything...
MONDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2009
We had our first seminar with Anna this afternoon for our essay. She has given me a few ideas on what I can base it on, trying to tie it into my Final Major Project. I need to do a little bit of research and come up with a solid title ready for the next seminar next Monday. Due to the nature of my FMP, I think I am going to focus my essay on the form of the book and the effect of technology on this.
I thought my idea for my FMP was all set and comprehensive. But, I had a strange feeling about it and so I had a tutorial with Kit and Sally. So far I have spoken to Mike Ryan quite a few times, and also Neil. I think the reason I was feeling unsure was that I needed to get a solid theory or purpose to my book to underpin the project. It seemed a bit aimless and I just needed to talk it through again and get some more opinions. Kit and Sally had quite an in depth chat with me and I think I know where I am heading now. I am a very indecisive person when it comes to decisions affecting me personally, and this will affect me personally. Once I have chosen it, and written the Learning Agreement I have to stick to it, and that scares me.
I have been working on ISTD and can see in my head what my final piece will look like. It is just getting it down on my design sheets that is the hurdle I am facing at the moment. I found the website project a real challenge, and due to that, and the hours I spent on it, it was my priority over ISTD at the time, which has resulted in me having ISTD to deal with at the same time as my FMP and essay. I have been doing a lot of research for all these projects and feel like I am getting no where for some reason. I was all geared up and ready to go to London last week, but due to the weather we didn't get to go, and we were sent home from uni on Friday which was the day I had planned out to do everything. I find it very hard to work at home, it just isn't the right environment for me, which is why I am always in uni apart from when I have to work.
We had our first seminar with Anna this afternoon for our essay. She has given me a few ideas on what I can base it on, trying to tie it into my Final Major Project. I need to do a little bit of research and come up with a solid title ready for the next seminar next Monday. Due to the nature of my FMP, I think I am going to focus my essay on the form of the book and the effect of technology on this.
I thought my idea for my FMP was all set and comprehensive. But, I had a strange feeling about it and so I had a tutorial with Kit and Sally. So far I have spoken to Mike Ryan quite a few times, and also Neil. I think the reason I was feeling unsure was that I needed to get a solid theory or purpose to my book to underpin the project. It seemed a bit aimless and I just needed to talk it through again and get some more opinions. Kit and Sally had quite an in depth chat with me and I think I know where I am heading now. I am a very indecisive person when it comes to decisions affecting me personally, and this will affect me personally. Once I have chosen it, and written the Learning Agreement I have to stick to it, and that scares me.
I have been working on ISTD and can see in my head what my final piece will look like. It is just getting it down on my design sheets that is the hurdle I am facing at the moment. I found the website project a real challenge, and due to that, and the hours I spent on it, it was my priority over ISTD at the time, which has resulted in me having ISTD to deal with at the same time as my FMP and essay. I have been doing a lot of research for all these projects and feel like I am getting no where for some reason. I was all geared up and ready to go to London last week, but due to the weather we didn't get to go, and we were sent home from uni on Friday which was the day I had planned out to do everything. I find it very hard to work at home, it just isn't the right environment for me, which is why I am always in uni apart from when I have to work.
Dorset Design Forum
THURSDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2009
I was working late at uni and Matt Desmier came in to tell me that he has decided to go with the logo Luke and I did for Dorset Design Forum. So obviously we were really happy! I sent him it over in all the necessary formats. Can't wait to see where and how it gets used!
I was working late at uni and Matt Desmier came in to tell me that he has decided to go with the logo Luke and I did for Dorset Design Forum. So obviously we were really happy! I sent him it over in all the necessary formats. Can't wait to see where and how it gets used!
binding
TUESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2009
I did some coptic binding this morning which I was really pleased with. There were a few mistakes I made which I have noted, but other than that it looks really neat. I spent the rest of today researching for my FMP and working on ISTD.
I am really excited to start my FMP, I just need to get ISTD finished so I can really focus on it as I know I am going to get really into it and would love to just focus on that.
I did some coptic binding this morning which I was really pleased with. There were a few mistakes I made which I have noted, but other than that it looks really neat. I spent the rest of today researching for my FMP and working on ISTD.
I am really excited to start my FMP, I just need to get ISTD finished so I can really focus on it as I know I am going to get really into it and would love to just focus on that.
Snow snow snow...
MONDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2009
We were supposed to be going to London today on the coach ... but it was cancelled because of the snow! Very disappointed but at the same time very excited about the snow! It hasn't snowed like this for YEARS! We can't get to London because the M25 is closed, and they have stopped all red buses in London and the underground isn't working apparently!
So, instead, a group of us went to Lyndhurst to take some photographs seeing as it is a rare opportunity with the snow! I found a relatively new polaroid camera in a charity shop for a fiver which is good, apart from the films being really expensive.
Tomorrow I am going to do some bookbinding, there are a few things I want to try out. I am going to mainly focus on ISTD work and then for a break I will look at my FMP for a bit.
I have also found somewhere to have bookbinding lessons, I am in the process of sorting it and speaking with them at the moment.
We were supposed to be going to London today on the coach ... but it was cancelled because of the snow! Very disappointed but at the same time very excited about the snow! It hasn't snowed like this for YEARS! We can't get to London because the M25 is closed, and they have stopped all red buses in London and the underground isn't working apparently!
So, instead, a group of us went to Lyndhurst to take some photographs seeing as it is a rare opportunity with the snow! I found a relatively new polaroid camera in a charity shop for a fiver which is good, apart from the films being really expensive.
Tomorrow I am going to do some bookbinding, there are a few things I want to try out. I am going to mainly focus on ISTD work and then for a break I will look at my FMP for a bit.
I have also found somewhere to have bookbinding lessons, I am in the process of sorting it and speaking with them at the moment.
Learning Agreement
FRIDAY 30TH JANUARY 2009
We spent today working on our learning agreement research for our FMP. I have been thinking about what I want to do and have come up with an idea that just needs to be developed now into something strong to work on.
I spent the rest of the afternoon working on ISTD. I have an interesting article from eyemagazine.com that is about 'designer as author' and how more and more frequently the designer is becoming the author as well. I have been doing more research and trying to sketch out ideas and plan how I want my book to look.
We are going to London on Monday. I have a list of things I want to do while I am there, including visiting some markets to find things for my FMP and paying a visit to Faulkners for some book binding supplies! I am very excited!!
We spent today working on our learning agreement research for our FMP. I have been thinking about what I want to do and have come up with an idea that just needs to be developed now into something strong to work on.
I spent the rest of the afternoon working on ISTD. I have an interesting article from eyemagazine.com that is about 'designer as author' and how more and more frequently the designer is becoming the author as well. I have been doing more research and trying to sketch out ideas and plan how I want my book to look.
We are going to London on Monday. I have a list of things I want to do while I am there, including visiting some markets to find things for my FMP and paying a visit to Faulkners for some book binding supplies! I am very excited!!
Oded Ezer Typography
FRIDAY 30TH JANUARY 2009
Just spotted this blog update on here by 'Isobella', Thanks Lewis!
http://www.odedezer.com/
He is a typographic artist, logo and type designer. His studio is based in Israel. There is a link to his flickr blog as well.
and so it begins ... my FMP
THURSDAY 29TH JANUARY 2009
Our final major project is our next brief! Scary! We had a session this morning with Dan Cadell - he designed some worksheets for us to use to try and get us thinking about what we want to do for our FMP. We need to write a learning agreement so we also had to think about this. We need to back up what we say. I found his session really helpful - the topics covered in the worksheet really got me thinking and exploring my past work and what I want to do in the future - its really important to me to do something related to what I was to do in the future!
We spent the morning filling the worksheets in and discussing our ideas. We then had group tutorials in the afternoon with Dan. It was really useful. We each took it in turns to explain our ideas. From the tutorial I have a few ideas now of what I need to research and routes I think I need to go down. I am also looking into doing a bookbinding course, probably a day or two. I would love it and it will benefit both my ISTD and my FMP if I can do it in time. I have emailed the lady and am waiting to hear back.
Mike Ryan is also coming in to work with us on Thursdays and Fridays. I had a chat with him today about what I would like to do for my FMP. I explained my initial ideas and he seemed very positive. He said he has been working on some books as a personal project. I got quite a lot of information out of the tutorial. I have a few things that I need to research based on what we discussed. I think my idea has the scope to be a meaty project - there will be lots to research and lots to learn on top of the skills I already have.
Tomorrow we have a guest lecturer in to talk to us, Hayley Potter. She is an illustrator. Sally is then going over the brief with us in the afternoon for our FMP. We need to be really clear on the learning outcomes. We are writing our own brief for this project, so if the brief doesn't give us the scope to fulfill all the learning outcomes then we won't do very well. Our learning agreement needs to be precise and rich in explanation and proposal. It needs to be to the point and clear. Sally is also going over this with us in tomorrow.
Our final major project is our next brief! Scary! We had a session this morning with Dan Cadell - he designed some worksheets for us to use to try and get us thinking about what we want to do for our FMP. We need to write a learning agreement so we also had to think about this. We need to back up what we say. I found his session really helpful - the topics covered in the worksheet really got me thinking and exploring my past work and what I want to do in the future - its really important to me to do something related to what I was to do in the future!
We spent the morning filling the worksheets in and discussing our ideas. We then had group tutorials in the afternoon with Dan. It was really useful. We each took it in turns to explain our ideas. From the tutorial I have a few ideas now of what I need to research and routes I think I need to go down. I am also looking into doing a bookbinding course, probably a day or two. I would love it and it will benefit both my ISTD and my FMP if I can do it in time. I have emailed the lady and am waiting to hear back.
Mike Ryan is also coming in to work with us on Thursdays and Fridays. I had a chat with him today about what I would like to do for my FMP. I explained my initial ideas and he seemed very positive. He said he has been working on some books as a personal project. I got quite a lot of information out of the tutorial. I have a few things that I need to research based on what we discussed. I think my idea has the scope to be a meaty project - there will be lots to research and lots to learn on top of the skills I already have.
Tomorrow we have a guest lecturer in to talk to us, Hayley Potter. She is an illustrator. Sally is then going over the brief with us in the afternoon for our FMP. We need to be really clear on the learning outcomes. We are writing our own brief for this project, so if the brief doesn't give us the scope to fulfill all the learning outcomes then we won't do very well. Our learning agreement needs to be precise and rich in explanation and proposal. It needs to be to the point and clear. Sally is also going over this with us in tomorrow.
ISTD
TUESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2009
I came into uni today to work on my ISTD project. I have been collating lots of research over the past few weeks and because I was focusing a lot on my screen based project (website) it needed organising. I have lots of ideas and thoughts about what I am going to do with my people watching findings. I need to start experimenting. I find it very challenging to get started when it comes to typography - I don't know why this is. I feel I have an eye for it, but its the daunting feeling of a blank page - and trying to get the type and shapes to mean something relating to what I want to say.
I am very set on doing a small book that contains my findings, I think this fits well and makes the findings and things I have written about people contained and secure. I thought about doing a poster design, that folds down. But something doesn't quite feel right about that. I think its because I am studying people, and watching them, writing down things about them and they don't know I am doing it! Its almost a little rude or disrespectful to then create a poster - I think it sends the wrong message. A book is much more appropriate. These secrets notes I have taken, and my personal thoughts about the people will be securely and safely, privately contained within the pages of a book.
The brief says that the only production parameters are that I can only use one A1 sheet of paper, which can then be folded, cut etc as desired. There are no limits on binding/finishing either. Does this mean that I can use thread etc to bind the book? And does this include the cover? Can I make a cover from a separate piece of paper not included within the A1 sheet? I need to clarify these points because they aren't clear.
I emailed ISTD asking them these questions. This was their reply:
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:08:57 +0000
Hello Vicky
Yes, you may fold it and use any form of binding. On the cover question I can only ask you to examine the brief. We do not have any preconceived ideas of what form the submissions will take. Your strategy should be used to express/justify your design decisions.
I hope you are enjoying the project.
Good Luck
John
John McMillan FISTD
Education Officer
International Society of Typographic Designers
The issue of the cover still seemed unclear to me, so I had a quick chat with Sally and she said to go ahead and make a cover from another stock if I want to. I think she is right, as long as I can justify my design decision (as John said in his email) then it should be okay. I will make sure I show that my inside pages amount to no more than one sheet of A1.
I came into uni today to work on my ISTD project. I have been collating lots of research over the past few weeks and because I was focusing a lot on my screen based project (website) it needed organising. I have lots of ideas and thoughts about what I am going to do with my people watching findings. I need to start experimenting. I find it very challenging to get started when it comes to typography - I don't know why this is. I feel I have an eye for it, but its the daunting feeling of a blank page - and trying to get the type and shapes to mean something relating to what I want to say.
I am very set on doing a small book that contains my findings, I think this fits well and makes the findings and things I have written about people contained and secure. I thought about doing a poster design, that folds down. But something doesn't quite feel right about that. I think its because I am studying people, and watching them, writing down things about them and they don't know I am doing it! Its almost a little rude or disrespectful to then create a poster - I think it sends the wrong message. A book is much more appropriate. These secrets notes I have taken, and my personal thoughts about the people will be securely and safely, privately contained within the pages of a book.
The brief says that the only production parameters are that I can only use one A1 sheet of paper, which can then be folded, cut etc as desired. There are no limits on binding/finishing either. Does this mean that I can use thread etc to bind the book? And does this include the cover? Can I make a cover from a separate piece of paper not included within the A1 sheet? I need to clarify these points because they aren't clear.
I emailed ISTD asking them these questions. This was their reply:
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:08:57 +0000
Hello Vicky
Yes, you may fold it and use any form of binding. On the cover question I can only ask you to examine the brief. We do not have any preconceived ideas of what form the submissions will take. Your strategy should be used to express/justify your design decisions.
I hope you are enjoying the project.
Good Luck
John
John McMillan FISTD
Education Officer
International Society of Typographic Designers
The issue of the cover still seemed unclear to me, so I had a quick chat with Sally and she said to go ahead and make a cover from another stock if I want to. I think she is right, as long as I can justify my design decision (as John said in his email) then it should be okay. I will make sure I show that my inside pages amount to no more than one sheet of A1.
PAL 26th January 2009
TUESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2009
We had PAL this morning. The plan was to talk to them about their Flash projects and answer any questions they had to ask us, as this is the new brief they are starting. But there was a change of plan last minute and we were asked to go over their 'British' posters they did before Christmas and leave Flash for another week. One of the other PAL groups was only left with one PAL leader so we combined 2 groups and did a crit of the British posters and a of students posters from other countries.
Personally I don't feel that this session went that well which is a real shame. I think our PAL group was expecting to do Flash, which is current and relevant to what they are doing now and what most of them are probably worrying about, which is what PAL is for. Instead we had to go over the posters, which were from last term and getting them interested and involved was quite difficult, especially as there were about 30 students in the room.
We also had a very successful first PAL session back after Christmas when we did a group crit of their Amnesty projects. It was just our group. We all sat round a table and did a crit of each persons work, everyone got involved and had the confidence to speak about their work and other peoples. It was really good. The feedback from the first years on this session was really positive and they said they much preferred having sessions like that, otherwise there doesnt seem much point in turning up if the sessions are pointless. We took this feedback on board, but then the next session had to do something that they didn't want to do. We are only having PAL sessions every 2 weeks now, so we need to make the most of the1 hour we have and I feel we didn't give them what they needed this session.
We are sticking to the plan for the next session and going over Flash with them. By then they will/should have lots of questions and things to talk about as they will be 2 weeks into their project.
We had PAL this morning. The plan was to talk to them about their Flash projects and answer any questions they had to ask us, as this is the new brief they are starting. But there was a change of plan last minute and we were asked to go over their 'British' posters they did before Christmas and leave Flash for another week. One of the other PAL groups was only left with one PAL leader so we combined 2 groups and did a crit of the British posters and a of students posters from other countries.
Personally I don't feel that this session went that well which is a real shame. I think our PAL group was expecting to do Flash, which is current and relevant to what they are doing now and what most of them are probably worrying about, which is what PAL is for. Instead we had to go over the posters, which were from last term and getting them interested and involved was quite difficult, especially as there were about 30 students in the room.
We also had a very successful first PAL session back after Christmas when we did a group crit of their Amnesty projects. It was just our group. We all sat round a table and did a crit of each persons work, everyone got involved and had the confidence to speak about their work and other peoples. It was really good. The feedback from the first years on this session was really positive and they said they much preferred having sessions like that, otherwise there doesnt seem much point in turning up if the sessions are pointless. We took this feedback on board, but then the next session had to do something that they didn't want to do. We are only having PAL sessions every 2 weeks now, so we need to make the most of the1 hour we have and I feel we didn't give them what they needed this session.
We are sticking to the plan for the next session and going over Flash with them. By then they will/should have lots of questions and things to talk about as they will be 2 weeks into their project.
http://www.etsy.com/category_top.php?top_tag=books_and_zines
I just found this site - it is based in America, but there are some really beautiful handmade leather journals. It is a site dedicated to buying and selling all things hand made!
Online Portfolio Project Evaluation
FRIDAY 23RD JANUARY 2009
This project was a big challenge for me. I was expecting it to be, I knew I would be okay, but I was expecting a challenge, mainly based on my Flash Statistics project last year. There is so much to learn, but once you have put the time in to learn it and understand it, it starts to become easier. I put a lot of work into it, and succeeded in the end. Flash and Dreamweaver are different in terms of the type of project, without stating the obvious. The time spent on the computer is longer and the things you actually have to do take longer too. You can also spend such a long time trying to fix something and it turns out to be a tiny thing - such as my border not working in Safari because Safari only recognises whole numbers (i.e. 1px instead of 0.5px) - this is something that you just have to know, which is why forums are really helpful. By the end of this project I was really up to speed with what I was doing and really started to understand things.
Because I used a non websafe font, I had to make images for all my buttons and text instead of creating the text in Dreamweaver. This worked fine, but, it did mean spending a lot more time creating the images, and their hover states. It also limited me in terms of my gallery - the navigation buttons worked as images, but it had some glitches, so I decided to use websafe font Geneva for those because you couldn't really tell the difference in Dreamweaver, however, once previewed in safari the font didn't look the same as in Dreamweaver. It was the nearest one so I had to make use it.
For my menu buttons I used Existence Unicase in Upper Case size 13.5pt (the unicase upper caps version made the font smaller and more solid in colour). For the brief descriptions and the text on my about me and contact me pages, I used Existence Light 12pt Lower case. I asked a few people what they thought, as I felt that I should use the upper case unicase version. I know that CAPS aren't a good idea in blocks of text, but I felt it was clearer, but the general response was that the lower case worked better, which I could see. Now, in hindsight and after looking at it more, I feel that it doesn't work so well and doesn't look right. I think this is something I will re-visit at a later date and amend, or try something else.
I borrowed the kit from Photography to take some photos of my packaging, bookbinding and greetings cards - I thought they would come out well as there was a lighting kit, but they didn't come out that well really. The lighting kit and white background didn't provide enough light. When I looked at them on the computer, they had a dark tinge to them. If I am honest, the photos I took a couple of weeks ago using natural light worked so much better, but they weren't against a white background so I didn't want to put them on my site. I edited the pictures in Photoshop, but there is still a rose coloured glow to a couple of them. I will re-take these images using natural light against a white background.
Overall I am happy with my website - especially as it is my first attempt at building one! I feel I have learnt so many things and can take what I have learnt and the mistakes I have made and go on to make other websites. I will be much quicker now I know what I am doing and I really feel I have learnt a lot. I think when you don't know a piece of software, you work hard and put a lot into it. There is so much pressure to learn it, and to build the site by the deadline.
The Dreamweaver course we did last year taught us the basics. I revisited the work I did and the notes I made. I also did some tutorials (www.willgoldstone.com) which were really helpful. You can learn Dreamweaver, but the only real way to learn it properly is to build a site and learn from your mistakes and the problems you come up against and have to solve. These are things you can't really be taught and so are very valuable!
This project was a big challenge for me. I was expecting it to be, I knew I would be okay, but I was expecting a challenge, mainly based on my Flash Statistics project last year. There is so much to learn, but once you have put the time in to learn it and understand it, it starts to become easier. I put a lot of work into it, and succeeded in the end. Flash and Dreamweaver are different in terms of the type of project, without stating the obvious. The time spent on the computer is longer and the things you actually have to do take longer too. You can also spend such a long time trying to fix something and it turns out to be a tiny thing - such as my border not working in Safari because Safari only recognises whole numbers (i.e. 1px instead of 0.5px) - this is something that you just have to know, which is why forums are really helpful. By the end of this project I was really up to speed with what I was doing and really started to understand things.
Because I used a non websafe font, I had to make images for all my buttons and text instead of creating the text in Dreamweaver. This worked fine, but, it did mean spending a lot more time creating the images, and their hover states. It also limited me in terms of my gallery - the navigation buttons worked as images, but it had some glitches, so I decided to use websafe font Geneva for those because you couldn't really tell the difference in Dreamweaver, however, once previewed in safari the font didn't look the same as in Dreamweaver. It was the nearest one so I had to make use it.
For my menu buttons I used Existence Unicase in Upper Case size 13.5pt (the unicase upper caps version made the font smaller and more solid in colour). For the brief descriptions and the text on my about me and contact me pages, I used Existence Light 12pt Lower case. I asked a few people what they thought, as I felt that I should use the upper case unicase version. I know that CAPS aren't a good idea in blocks of text, but I felt it was clearer, but the general response was that the lower case worked better, which I could see. Now, in hindsight and after looking at it more, I feel that it doesn't work so well and doesn't look right. I think this is something I will re-visit at a later date and amend, or try something else.
I borrowed the kit from Photography to take some photos of my packaging, bookbinding and greetings cards - I thought they would come out well as there was a lighting kit, but they didn't come out that well really. The lighting kit and white background didn't provide enough light. When I looked at them on the computer, they had a dark tinge to them. If I am honest, the photos I took a couple of weeks ago using natural light worked so much better, but they weren't against a white background so I didn't want to put them on my site. I edited the pictures in Photoshop, but there is still a rose coloured glow to a couple of them. I will re-take these images using natural light against a white background.
Overall I am happy with my website - especially as it is my first attempt at building one! I feel I have learnt so many things and can take what I have learnt and the mistakes I have made and go on to make other websites. I will be much quicker now I know what I am doing and I really feel I have learnt a lot. I think when you don't know a piece of software, you work hard and put a lot into it. There is so much pressure to learn it, and to build the site by the deadline.
The Dreamweaver course we did last year taught us the basics. I revisited the work I did and the notes I made. I also did some tutorials (www.willgoldstone.com) which were really helpful. You can learn Dreamweaver, but the only real way to learn it properly is to build a site and learn from your mistakes and the problems you come up against and have to solve. These are things you can't really be taught and so are very valuable!
all handed in!!!
FRIDAY 23RD JANUARY 2009
I have just handed in my project!!
Neil uploaded my site again this morning and it is all working fine!
I have just handed in my project!!
Neil uploaded my site again this morning and it is all working fine!
i would like to be a pony dot com
I would like to be a pony is the online portfolio of Benjamin Lambinet.
21-19
FRIDAY 23RD JANUARY 2009
www.21-19.com
FormFiftyFive blogged this design company who have some really cool work ... their branding and identity work is high end, well executed, lovely use of typography and colour.
www.21-19.com
FormFiftyFive blogged this design company who have some really cool work ... their branding and identity work is high end, well executed, lovely use of typography and colour.
another update [online portfolio]
THURSDAY 22ND JANUARY 2009
In my CSS for my site I had applied a background colour to my body div so that it filled the whole browser window - I greyed this out a couple of weeks ago (put /* and */ before and after) in order to allow me to still see the edges of my site to line things up neatly. I made the background active again and then felt that the site was kind of lost. It is centred to the browser window, but you can't tell where the edges are. Its okay when you are in a gallery because that gives a clear indication of the edges of the website, but if you are on a menu page, or the my work page then it looks lost. I decided to put a border at the bottom of my left and right columns just to contact my site in. Initially I applied a 0.5px white border, this was fine when previewed in Firefox, but it didn't show up in Safari. So, I changed it to 1px instead which worked. Neil said Safari probably only reads round numbers.
It is looking like a site now, all the brief descriptions are on too. For my menu bar and menus I used Existence Unicase in CAPS - my briefs are in Existence Light but in lower case. I asked a few people what they thought and they preferred it in lower case as it is. But the more I look at it the more I want to change it to the same font as the menu bars. I know that blocks of CAPS can be hard to read, but I would still like to try it because something doesn't feel right about it.
Jo uploaded my site towards the end of the day:
www.visualcommunication.org/victoria_martin/
I checked it and the gallery for my Summer Photographs wasnt working. Neil came and had a look at my images and my code and said that it was simply because the filepath for the images was images/Flowers01.jpg but in my code I had written it as images/flowers01.jpg - I had written flowers with a lower case 'f' but the actual image was saved with an upper case 'F'.
I have amended everything, and also checked that my statcounter script is in there. It is now ready for uploading again ... phew!
In my CSS for my site I had applied a background colour to my body div so that it filled the whole browser window - I greyed this out a couple of weeks ago (put /* and */ before and after) in order to allow me to still see the edges of my site to line things up neatly. I made the background active again and then felt that the site was kind of lost. It is centred to the browser window, but you can't tell where the edges are. Its okay when you are in a gallery because that gives a clear indication of the edges of the website, but if you are on a menu page, or the my work page then it looks lost. I decided to put a border at the bottom of my left and right columns just to contact my site in. Initially I applied a 0.5px white border, this was fine when previewed in Firefox, but it didn't show up in Safari. So, I changed it to 1px instead which worked. Neil said Safari probably only reads round numbers.
It is looking like a site now, all the brief descriptions are on too. For my menu bar and menus I used Existence Unicase in CAPS - my briefs are in Existence Light but in lower case. I asked a few people what they thought and they preferred it in lower case as it is. But the more I look at it the more I want to change it to the same font as the menu bars. I know that blocks of CAPS can be hard to read, but I would still like to try it because something doesn't feel right about it.
Jo uploaded my site towards the end of the day:
www.visualcommunication.org/victoria_martin/
I checked it and the gallery for my Summer Photographs wasnt working. Neil came and had a look at my images and my code and said that it was simply because the filepath for the images was images/Flowers01.jpg but in my code I had written it as images/flowers01.jpg - I had written flowers with a lower case 'f' but the actual image was saved with an upper case 'F'.
I have amended everything, and also checked that my statcounter script is in there. It is now ready for uploading again ... phew!
update ...
WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY 2009
I had to work today so wasn't in uni but I came in after work to do some more on my website. I have been on a roll lately with it so felt the urge to come in and carry on with it. I have spent a long time editing photos etc of my work to put in my galleries. I used the kit from photography to photograph my greetings cards, packaging and some book binding. Once I got them on the computer they were quite dark. I think its because it was set up in the downstairs room in the corner, rather than the upstairs room which was near a window. Even though there was a light, I think it still needs natural light. To be honest, my photos I took on the table with no lighting kit or backdrop etc came out much better - I am going to re-take them when I get a chance, just on a table near a window with some white card as the backdrop - I think this will work much better, strangely.
I played around with the images in Photoshop to try and brighten them up and remove some of the rose/red tint that seems to be in some of them and try and restore the white background. The backdrop kit was so tiny that in the photos I nearly always cos some edging of the backdrop in them, so I used the clone tool to remove this as best I could.
All my images are nearly done, I have been uploading them to my galleries as I go along, only a couple left!
I had to work today so wasn't in uni but I came in after work to do some more on my website. I have been on a roll lately with it so felt the urge to come in and carry on with it. I have spent a long time editing photos etc of my work to put in my galleries. I used the kit from photography to photograph my greetings cards, packaging and some book binding. Once I got them on the computer they were quite dark. I think its because it was set up in the downstairs room in the corner, rather than the upstairs room which was near a window. Even though there was a light, I think it still needs natural light. To be honest, my photos I took on the table with no lighting kit or backdrop etc came out much better - I am going to re-take them when I get a chance, just on a table near a window with some white card as the backdrop - I think this will work much better, strangely.
I played around with the images in Photoshop to try and brighten them up and remove some of the rose/red tint that seems to be in some of them and try and restore the white background. The backdrop kit was so tiny that in the photos I nearly always cos some edging of the backdrop in them, so I used the clone tool to remove this as best I could.
All my images are nearly done, I have been uploading them to my galleries as I go along, only a couple left!
The Guardian - G2 - The Obama Speeches - A Collectors Edition
Inside todays Guardian G2 was a special issue on The Obama Speeches. Typographic takes on various speeches by designers formed the illustrations for the article ...
David Carson
Alan Kitching
Sean Freeman
Mario Hugo
Barnbrook Design
Peter Horridge
Paula Scher / Pentagram
How today went...
MONDAY 19TH JANUARY 2009
Well today I had a really good day! I have finally got my site on track - the gallery is working just fine (simple but what I wanted). I spent today loading galleries and their images onto each project page. I have a couple left to do. Apart from that it is just a case of creating the 'project description' images and loading them on, then I am done!
The further my site gets, the more I think I should have gone with my gut instinct and done it with a white background. I love sites with a white background - they look really nice and I feel it suits my work.
I think that once this site is finished, which won't be long now, I am going to re-create the same thing with a white background - it will just be a case of changing the image buttons and re-loading, and then changing the background.
Tomorrow I have a good idea of what I need to do and should be finished by the end of the day and then I can tidy up my sketchbook ready for the deadline. I have been working in it as I go along, there are just a few bits of paper and things that need sticking in.
It is the Course Board meeting tomorrow at 2pm. Me, Luke and Nick are doing it. Luke and I handed out some questionnaires to everyone in our year. We got loads of feedback so we will have lots to discuss at the meeting!
I will update tomorrow!
Well today I had a really good day! I have finally got my site on track - the gallery is working just fine (simple but what I wanted). I spent today loading galleries and their images onto each project page. I have a couple left to do. Apart from that it is just a case of creating the 'project description' images and loading them on, then I am done!
The further my site gets, the more I think I should have gone with my gut instinct and done it with a white background. I love sites with a white background - they look really nice and I feel it suits my work.
I think that once this site is finished, which won't be long now, I am going to re-create the same thing with a white background - it will just be a case of changing the image buttons and re-loading, and then changing the background.
Tomorrow I have a good idea of what I need to do and should be finished by the end of the day and then I can tidy up my sketchbook ready for the deadline. I have been working in it as I go along, there are just a few bits of paper and things that need sticking in.
It is the Course Board meeting tomorrow at 2pm. Me, Luke and Nick are doing it. Luke and I handed out some questionnaires to everyone in our year. We got loads of feedback so we will have lots to discuss at the meeting!
I will update tomorrow!
We Shall See + nice image gallery
SUNDAY 18TH JANUARY 2009
Here is a link to We Shall See. This is a really nice site with a really nice and simple image gallery - just the kind of thing I want on mine!!
Here is a link to We Shall See. This is a really nice site with a really nice and simple image gallery - just the kind of thing I want on mine!!
Really nice site...
SUNDAY 18TH JANUARY 2009
I came across this site on the internet ... www.weshallsee.co.uk. Its really nice. It is basic, but I love sites like this. I think they have character!
I came across this site on the internet ... www.weshallsee.co.uk. Its really nice. It is basic, but I love sites like this. I think they have character!
Web Space
SUNDAY 18TH JANUARY 2009
James Ramsay posted a link on the Vis Com Blog for free/cheap webspace!! I will definatly need this at some point so am blogging it too for reference ... thanks James!!
www.one.com
James Ramsay posted a link on the Vis Com Blog for free/cheap webspace!! I will definatly need this at some point so am blogging it too for reference ... thanks James!!
www.one.com
ISTD update
FRIDAY 16TH JANUARY 2009
I have to be honest and say that ISTD has taken a bit of a back seat whilst I have been working on my website. We have had a dreamweaver course, but it only showed us the real basics, I have spent a lot of time teaching myself things and learning things off other people on my course - because I have found this project a challenge (building the site) I have focused a lot of time on it, especially as its our last project before our Final Major Project. We are being graded on this so I really need to spend a lot of time on it. Its a shame really, it would have been great if we did a website project last year because our marks don't carry over. It has been a struggle for a lot of people. It would have been nice to have done this last year as a practice, like we did with our flash animation, and then been able to do it this year with more knowledge. I was starting to wish I had build my site in Flash because I got quite comfortable using it last year, but it has its downsides for websites so I chose Dreamweaver.
I really need to start working more on ISTD, this will be the first thing on my list once I have handed my website in.
I have to be honest and say that ISTD has taken a bit of a back seat whilst I have been working on my website. We have had a dreamweaver course, but it only showed us the real basics, I have spent a lot of time teaching myself things and learning things off other people on my course - because I have found this project a challenge (building the site) I have focused a lot of time on it, especially as its our last project before our Final Major Project. We are being graded on this so I really need to spend a lot of time on it. Its a shame really, it would have been great if we did a website project last year because our marks don't carry over. It has been a struggle for a lot of people. It would have been nice to have done this last year as a practice, like we did with our flash animation, and then been able to do it this year with more knowledge. I was starting to wish I had build my site in Flash because I got quite comfortable using it last year, but it has its downsides for websites so I chose Dreamweaver.
I really need to start working more on ISTD, this will be the first thing on my list once I have handed my website in.
Final Website Critique
FRIDAY 16TH JANUARY 2009
We had our final crit today for our online portfolios. It went well I think, we literally just had to show on screen where we had got to. There were no changes I needed to make, the gallery isn't working at this point, its what I am focusing on at the moment, it has been causing me quite a few problems today!
I want a really simple gallery, but the ones on the internet all seem to be so complicated or flashy. I don't want to have thumbnails of my work - the main reason being I find them hard to navigate when I use them, the thumbnails are so small they don't really show much of the work. After spending all day today trying to sort my gallery out, I have decided to leave the one I wanted to use and try and build mine using image swap ... fingers crossed it will work!
I really enjoy the building of the site, once I know what I am doing, but when I get stuck it is very stressful - I just hope that I don't forget everything I have learnt, because like with anything I guess, its easy when you know how!!
We had our final crit today for our online portfolios. It went well I think, we literally just had to show on screen where we had got to. There were no changes I needed to make, the gallery isn't working at this point, its what I am focusing on at the moment, it has been causing me quite a few problems today!
I want a really simple gallery, but the ones on the internet all seem to be so complicated or flashy. I don't want to have thumbnails of my work - the main reason being I find them hard to navigate when I use them, the thumbnails are so small they don't really show much of the work. After spending all day today trying to sort my gallery out, I have decided to leave the one I wanted to use and try and build mine using image swap ... fingers crossed it will work!
I really enjoy the building of the site, once I know what I am doing, but when I get stuck it is very stressful - I just hope that I don't forget everything I have learnt, because like with anything I guess, its easy when you know how!!
Useful CSS/HTML code
THURSDAY 15TH JANUARY 2009
George showed me Stu Nicholls' site. It has some useful CSS and HTML code for websites (menu's, galleries etc).
George showed me Stu Nicholls' site. It has some useful CSS and HTML code for websites (menu's, galleries etc).
Jeremy Beckman
THURSDAY 15TH JANUARY 2009
Rice Candy commented on my blog today. I have had a quick look at his blog as well. There is some nice stuff on there. Including this black and white image (of a window - which you know I love, along with doors) by Jeremy Beckman:
Rice Candy commented on my blog today. I have had a quick look at his blog as well. There is some nice stuff on there. Including this black and white image (of a window - which you know I love, along with doors) by Jeremy Beckman:
CSS info and code
TUESDAY 13TH JANUARY 2009
www.w3schools.com/css
This site gives you the code for general things in CSS, such as borders, tables etc etc
www.w3schools.com/css
This site gives you the code for general things in CSS, such as borders, tables etc etc
13 Awesome Javascript Menu's
TUESDAY 13TH JANUARY 2009
James showed me the link to this site which has 13 'awesome javascript menu's' on it.
I am worrying a little bit because I was a sliding menu, but due to the non websafe font I am using, each menu item is going to be an image - I need to research into this to try and find out whether I can replace the text for a menu item with an image!!
13 Awesome Javascript Menu's
This is the expanding and collapsing menu I am going to use.
Looking at the code, I hope to be able to replace the text with images.
James showed me the link to this site which has 13 'awesome javascript menu's' on it.
I am worrying a little bit because I was a sliding menu, but due to the non websafe font I am using, each menu item is going to be an image - I need to research into this to try and find out whether I can replace the text for a menu item with an image!!
13 Awesome Javascript Menu's
This is the expanding and collapsing menu I am going to use.
Looking at the code, I hope to be able to replace the text with images.
Photoshop Tutorials ... saving images to use as buttons on website
TUESDAY 13TH JANUARY 2009
I just queried with Neil how to go about saving text for my links etc on my website, as images to use as buttons on my website. He has confirmed I will need to save them as transparent gifs and this will be fine. He also sent me 2 tutorials that I am going to have a look at now ...
http://www.photoshopforce.com/tutorials/create-transparent-images/index.php
http://www.mediacollege.com/adobe/photoshop/transparent/gif.html
I just queried with Neil how to go about saving text for my links etc on my website, as images to use as buttons on my website. He has confirmed I will need to save them as transparent gifs and this will be fine. He also sent me 2 tutorials that I am going to have a look at now ...
http://www.photoshopforce.com/tutorials/create-transparent-images/index.php
http://www.mediacollege.com/adobe/photoshop/transparent/gif.html
PAL
MONDAY 12TH JANUARY 2009
We had the first PAL session of the year this morning. It was decided that the groups would remain as they are for the timebeing and anyone who desparately wants to change groups has to let Kit know.
We organised a crit of the first years Amnesty projects today. Mainly focusing on concept and copy. The session went really well, everyone was involved and contributing which was great! I think they really got some useful feedback and opinions. It was their last session before their hand in so we wanted to make sure they made good use of the session. I think the fact that it was a small group of 14 meant that everyone was comfortable speaking and voicing their thoughts. Personally I think our PAL group has gelled really well and everyone seems to be putting a lot in, which means they get a lot out of it.
After PAL we were given our feedback from last term. The feedback sheets are anonymous. I was really chuffed (I couldn't think of a better word) to see that our feedback was really positive and everyone seemed to be happy with the sessions and us as PAL leaders. I think the fact that we now know they are getting something out of the sessions is good. We also know a few things now that they prefer doing and also what their favourite sessions have been so far and what they find most beneficial. We are going to be going over Flash next session (2 weeks time as they are now fortnightly) - their next brief is screen based and it is the same as ours was last year, Statistics. From the feedback they all found it useful to see our work, so we will bring in our sketchbooks for this projects and our animations.
We had the first PAL session of the year this morning. It was decided that the groups would remain as they are for the timebeing and anyone who desparately wants to change groups has to let Kit know.
We organised a crit of the first years Amnesty projects today. Mainly focusing on concept and copy. The session went really well, everyone was involved and contributing which was great! I think they really got some useful feedback and opinions. It was their last session before their hand in so we wanted to make sure they made good use of the session. I think the fact that it was a small group of 14 meant that everyone was comfortable speaking and voicing their thoughts. Personally I think our PAL group has gelled really well and everyone seems to be putting a lot in, which means they get a lot out of it.
After PAL we were given our feedback from last term. The feedback sheets are anonymous. I was really chuffed (I couldn't think of a better word) to see that our feedback was really positive and everyone seemed to be happy with the sessions and us as PAL leaders. I think the fact that we now know they are getting something out of the sessions is good. We also know a few things now that they prefer doing and also what their favourite sessions have been so far and what they find most beneficial. We are going to be going over Flash next session (2 weeks time as they are now fortnightly) - their next brief is screen based and it is the same as ours was last year, Statistics. From the feedback they all found it useful to see our work, so we will bring in our sketchbooks for this projects and our animations.
Matthew Thompson Photography
MONDAY 12TH JANUARY 2009
Rob Farrelly emailed me the link to Matthew Thompson Photography. He met him on his internship. His work is amazing!!
I have a particular LOVE of photographs of doors and windows ... I don't know why but I always have, he has some beautiful pictures. Here are a couple of examples ...
Rob Farrelly emailed me the link to Matthew Thompson Photography. He met him on his internship. His work is amazing!!
I have a particular LOVE of photographs of doors and windows ... I don't know why but I always have, he has some beautiful pictures. Here are a couple of examples ...
Online Portfolio Update & ISTD
MONDAY 12TH JANUARY 2009
I spent today tidying up the design of my website, and the navigation. I know how I want the site to work, I was just struggling to settle on names for categorising my menu sections. With this all now settled, I can start building my site!
As mentioned in a previous blog, James McMorrow posted a link to some Dreamweaver tutorials by Will Goldstone. I went through these this evening as I thought they would be a useful reminder for me! Especially for the random little do's and don'ts, such as certain coding rules that you need to learn and things that you just have to do for your website to work. The tutorials were brilliant!! They helped so much. Its the basics and a little bit more. The rest of it is down to design and general rejigging. A lot of it was to do with having editable body text for each page, which isn't relevant for my site as I am going to load my buttons and small amounts of text as images in order to allow me to use my chosen font which isn't websafe. I have experimented with using a websafe font such as Helvetica, but it takes away from my design and so I am going about it in this way. I had a chat with Neil and he confirmed for me that the 'images' I load up for my buttons won't cause any problems such as slow loading of my site. So, with all this is mind, and those reminder tutorials under my belt, its all systems go!
Tomorrow afternoon I am photographing some of my work, as there are certain pieces that I would prefer to be on the site as photos, rather than the actual document. I also need to photograph my greetings cards and my hand made book.
I am also in contact with Rob Farrelly. Since the email he sent me after I blogged his site we have exchanged a few emails. It is interesting to hear about the course he did and how he found it, also what he is doing now he has graduated!
This weekend I am going to dedicate some time to ISTD. This has taken a bit of a back seat while I sorted out my website, but now this is ready to be built, I can do that, and then take breaks and concentrate on ISTD. I have been regularly researching and recording information since the last blog post about it. It is nearly in the stages of design now. I got some interested data at the weekend as I went to London with George, Luke, Lauren and Lewis. I did some people watching on the train and got a few interesting chunks of info that I can use! I am now getting more excited about his as the data I have collected grows!
I spent today tidying up the design of my website, and the navigation. I know how I want the site to work, I was just struggling to settle on names for categorising my menu sections. With this all now settled, I can start building my site!
As mentioned in a previous blog, James McMorrow posted a link to some Dreamweaver tutorials by Will Goldstone. I went through these this evening as I thought they would be a useful reminder for me! Especially for the random little do's and don'ts, such as certain coding rules that you need to learn and things that you just have to do for your website to work. The tutorials were brilliant!! They helped so much. Its the basics and a little bit more. The rest of it is down to design and general rejigging. A lot of it was to do with having editable body text for each page, which isn't relevant for my site as I am going to load my buttons and small amounts of text as images in order to allow me to use my chosen font which isn't websafe. I have experimented with using a websafe font such as Helvetica, but it takes away from my design and so I am going about it in this way. I had a chat with Neil and he confirmed for me that the 'images' I load up for my buttons won't cause any problems such as slow loading of my site. So, with all this is mind, and those reminder tutorials under my belt, its all systems go!
Tomorrow afternoon I am photographing some of my work, as there are certain pieces that I would prefer to be on the site as photos, rather than the actual document. I also need to photograph my greetings cards and my hand made book.
I am also in contact with Rob Farrelly. Since the email he sent me after I blogged his site we have exchanged a few emails. It is interesting to hear about the course he did and how he found it, also what he is doing now he has graduated!
This weekend I am going to dedicate some time to ISTD. This has taken a bit of a back seat while I sorted out my website, but now this is ready to be built, I can do that, and then take breaks and concentrate on ISTD. I have been regularly researching and recording information since the last blog post about it. It is nearly in the stages of design now. I got some interested data at the weekend as I went to London with George, Luke, Lauren and Lewis. I did some people watching on the train and got a few interesting chunks of info that I can use! I am now getting more excited about his as the data I have collected grows!
**Beautifully Bound Book**
THURSDAY 8TH JANUARY 2009
I just had a check of Nikki Farquharson's site to see if she has added anything new and I saw her '65 Modern Proverbs' book. It is so beautiful, I love it.
Nikki created a coptic bound book. She has split 65 modern proverbs into 7 categories.
I just had a check of Nikki Farquharson's site to see if she has added anything new and I saw her '65 Modern Proverbs' book. It is so beautiful, I love it.
Nikki created a coptic bound book. She has split 65 modern proverbs into 7 categories.
Hype Type Studio for Tracy A. Franklin
THURSDAY 8TH JANUARY 2009
I was just looking on Hype Type for some inspiration for my ISTD project, mainly looking for nice type examples and book design. I came across these that they are working on for Tracy A. Franklin, I think they are really nice ...
I was just looking on Hype Type for some inspiration for my ISTD project, mainly looking for nice type examples and book design. I came across these that they are working on for Tracy A. Franklin, I think they are really nice ...
Hand Made Notebook
THURSDAY 8TH JANUARY 2009
I had a lot of scrap paper lying around that had writing on one side, and nothing on the other. It seemed a shame to throw it away so I have been saving it up to make a notebook out of ... which I have now done. I used scrap bits of graph paper, plain paper, lined paper, tracing paper [i folded the tracing paper and put bits of magazine in between so that you could no longer see through it so it can be written on], old letters and fliers etc.
I folded the paper so that the writing was on the inside, and then bound them in signatures, which I then stitched together and made into a book.
Here are some pictures:
I had a lot of scrap paper lying around that had writing on one side, and nothing on the other. It seemed a shame to throw it away so I have been saving it up to make a notebook out of ... which I have now done. I used scrap bits of graph paper, plain paper, lined paper, tracing paper [i folded the tracing paper and put bits of magazine in between so that you could no longer see through it so it can be written on], old letters and fliers etc.
I folded the paper so that the writing was on the inside, and then bound them in signatures, which I then stitched together and made into a book.
Here are some pictures:
CSS Tutorials
THURSDAY 8TH JANUARY 2009
James McMorrow kindly posted this link on the vis com blog for CSS Tutorials
Thanks James!
I will look at these over the next few days as they seem very useful!
James McMorrow kindly posted this link on the vis com blog for CSS Tutorials
Thanks James!
I will look at these over the next few days as they seem very useful!
Amazing letterpress poster ...
THURSDAY 8TH JANUARY 2009
I came across this letterpress poster by Cameron Moll on ilovetypography.com
I came across this letterpress poster by Cameron Moll on ilovetypography.com
Note to self...
THURSDAY 8TH JANUARY 2009
I had an email today from Robert Farrelly thanking me for linking to him on my blog! I spoke to Neil and he explained that with the webspace Rob has he will be able to see where external links are coming from and who is 'blogging' and visiting his site. I want to make sure I have this facility when I am hosting my portfolio site. It is a really good to monitor who is visiting your site and where in the world they are, and, as Robs email has proved, it is a useful way of networking too!
I had an email today from Robert Farrelly thanking me for linking to him on my blog! I spoke to Neil and he explained that with the webspace Rob has he will be able to see where external links are coming from and who is 'blogging' and visiting his site. I want to make sure I have this facility when I am hosting my portfolio site. It is a really good to monitor who is visiting your site and where in the world they are, and, as Robs email has proved, it is a useful way of networking too!
Robert Farrelly and colleagues
WEDNESDAY 7TH JANUARY 2009
I came across this link on the formfiftyfive.com blog. They linked to his page...he is a graduate from a Vis Com course in Dublin. His work is really good, but also, he has linked under his About Me section to his colleagues sites as well. Thought it might be of interest as their work is of a really high standard!
http://www.robertfarrelly.com/
I came across this link on the formfiftyfive.com blog. They linked to his page...he is a graduate from a Vis Com course in Dublin. His work is really good, but also, he has linked under his About Me section to his colleagues sites as well. Thought it might be of interest as their work is of a really high standard!
http://www.robertfarrelly.com/
Found Type Website
WEDNESDAY 7TH JANUARY 2009
Neil posted this link to the vis com blog.
Wanted to put it on my blog as a reference site!
Found Type website
Neil posted this link to the vis com blog.
Wanted to put it on my blog as a reference site!
Found Type website
Make your own moleskin-like-notebook
WEDNESDAY 7TH JANUARY 2009
I found this site this evening showing you how to make your own moleskin-like-notebook - it shows clearly how to stitch the individual signatures and then how to stitch the signatures together ...
http://michaelshannon.us/makeabook/index.html
I found this site this evening showing you how to make your own moleskin-like-notebook - it shows clearly how to stitch the individual signatures and then how to stitch the signatures together ...
http://michaelshannon.us/makeabook/index.html
Experimental Jetset
SATURDAY 3RD JANUARY 2009
I just found this site on FormFiftyFives blog ...
http://www.jetset.nl/about
They are a graphic design company based in Amsterdam. The site has examples of their work, PDF downloads and thought processes behind their designs.
I just found this site on FormFiftyFives blog ...
http://www.jetset.nl/about
They are a graphic design company based in Amsterdam. The site has examples of their work, PDF downloads and thought processes behind their designs.
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