4th Quarter Reflection

Final Exam

4th Quarter Project

Our final project in e9 was to create a product by using all of our skills from graphic design, animation, and video. This project took the whole quarter, with us rotating every 2 weeks to go to the next section. Some challenges I faced included redoing a large portion of our items and having a steady team. Along the way, I learned how to do more within Photoshop when animating and was able to do things more quickly towards the end. Some feedback given to us included making everything set for school, providing more information the product, and talking louder without it being stilted when moving around the team. We changed the cost and vines used for our product to make it more appealing for all and appropriate. Overall, I like to think that I did my best work on the ads and their animations, but less so on video.

Below is what out team decided to create, virtual reality Vine glasses by Totally Not Vine Co. called Vinels. I have included the two animations and coupon I created and then there are screenshots to the side of what the website looks like along with it's layout and items included. We created Vinels as Generation Z and often Millennials miss the famous video app, and have watched every compilation. With it, you can watch everything new and create your own on the go. Our color scheme was monotone green to add CARP (Contrast and Repetition). Katie worked mainly one the website and top banner, Blake on the 3d animation and was the cameraman, and Audrey was the actress and creator of one of the ads and the final logo. For the project overall, we had 4 style of ads, a web banner, a slogan and logo, website (with various pages of information), commercial, and 2 animations showing the product itself. A lot of work and time went into this project and I know we have all grown as students and people by doing it.

 

Class Time Used

During class time, we did what had to be done at these computers, like building the website, using Photoshop and Sketchup, and at the beginning of the quarter, filming and editing the commercial. I stayed productive by either improving on what I had done before, like editing with newfound skills, or by looking ahead on what we would need for the product. I also made sure that my team was working on what was needed and that they were also caught up. Once outside of class, I worked with another e-Comm group in their commercial as they needed help, and I helped myself and others with critiquing and edits to better the design. Also, most of our team agreed on what was needed to complete the website and have all the necessary components for a good grade, and wrote a script then. Throughout this project, I made sure to constantly check in at times so we had decent time management.

Strength and Improvement 

My areas of strength include graphic design and animation. In these two, which I plan to focus on next year, I have spent most of my so far e-Comm career. I have gotten used to the basic functions of Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, and can maximize my strength by going beyond what school teaches us and watch more tutorials on subjects I wish to learn. With the animations, I used both frame and video to utilize both of these skills, and next time can go even further in how I create a product. We can all expand our strengths by also looking at our weaknesses to use more ideas on what makes us good and targeting what is difficult for us.

My areas that need improvement include video and website design. With video, I think my editing skills are good, but I haven't had much experience in filming and creating the story to shoot, so to support this I plan to work on a short film with my friend and I helped others when filming in a way to familiarize myself with video. On website design, I didn't have much work to do for creating one, so I checked in with Katie to make sure it looked correct, had CARP, and edit what was needed. To continue improving these areas, I can work outside of my comfort zone and take on more responsibilities with projects.

Summary of Quarter

What I loved the most about this quarter was having more freedom on what we can do. It wasn't just a strict guideline, but had one thing to follow while the rest was up to us. By learning from doing in this project, next time I would have a stronger idea on what we would be presenting before hand, and would spend more time outside of class with my team so that we would be better prepared and connected. This quarter has taught me how to have all of your skills intertwine to create one item, and how to manage everything when having an on-going and constantly changing project. One goal I would like to set for myself next year would be to do even better on graphic design and animation by learning more of what goes into them. My final thoughts are that this quarter was a good way to see all of the various branches of e-Comm in work, and that I now know what goes into a good creative team, along with what type of people go into them.

CSS and CARP Design

Web Design Project

The Project Overview

This project was to use CARP and CSS to improve how a page looked. The beginning of a page is just HTML, the code and basic format of some sites. With the CSS style, the designs come and bring the page to life. By using specific styles, you can add principles of design. With it, we could add CARP: Contrast, Alignment, Repetition, and Proximity. 

Contrast

With just HTML, you get simple black text on a white background with little variation. While this is a form of contrast, it's not pleasing to the eye or effective. However, once the style was added, there were multiple colors, with the brighter ones jumping out of a black background, having an extreme contrast. Also, the notice text and link are now more prominent. With the image, the dark face pops out of the background onto the body section. CSS styles allowed a more interesting distinction between the various text with the size, font styles and color usage, thus removing the bland look. 

Alignment

In the first photo, all text and the photo are aligned right. With it, though, there are various alignments and a floating image on the right. The notice, body, and author are aligned right while the title is centered. This way, you can better use Proximity by changing where on a page something falls. CSS styles allow us to manipulate positions, which draw attention to various sections of a page and guarantees that not all of it will be similar in location and provides items to be in the correct place.

Repetition

In the first photo, the only factors that may count as repetition are the black color, some bolded text, and how the poem is separated. In the second photo, you have more varied repetition, like getting the website's colors from the dog itself, having the titles have the same Alignment and color and the body text is like this too. This also allows greater attention to the important areas and draws relations between the page's ideas. CSS styles allowed more input on how repetition is used and broadens the HTML limits of it.

Proximity

With just HTML, the grouping is altogether except the text the comes out of the photo. However, with the style added, the text is divided into the notice, title. body, and author at the bottom. This allows related ideas to be near one another, making it easier to understand. One way this works is by changing Contrast and Alignment. CSS styles allowed to have grouping on pages, a layout, and develops relationships to distinguish between the ideas.

CSS and Conclusion

Overall, I learned how to use CSS styles to manipulate a page's design and to make it more appealing. One thing I now know is how to use colors from a photo to form Contrast. I wouldn't have though to use photos already in the page to make up the text color, but it just brings everything together. This, now that I actually have a better understanding of Dreamweaver, went quicker than last time since I knew the general locations for editing the style. For the little Web design we'll do, this was a nice experience for how to set up a page and how to utilize CARP.

My Personality Type

The Myers-Briggs Test

INTJ

When taking the personality tests, I got INTJ. This means that I prefer to have alone time rather than a lot of social activity (I), live in the future, have great memory, and am creative (N), am critical and for facts rather than emotions (T), and plan everything to have an organized life (J). So it's pretty much those who like to stay inside and think of the future while analyzing what the plan for the day will be. Susan B. Anthony and Jane Austen also shared this type.

Though this type does represent me well, I have gone between this one and being an INTP over the years. One thing that is me full on is that I have high standards and a great drive for reaching goals. However, being able to recognize patterns quickly isn't something I'm the best. Also, while I'm able to organize jobs, on some cases, depending on the importance or other factors, I might not finish it for a while. Overall, it hits the mark mostly, but people are fluid so some things apply, some at different times, and some not at all.

By looking at these results and their explanations, I can see why I like to spend a lot of time alone and thinking. It's reassuring to know that I am caught up on the future and how to get where I want to because of my personality. I always knew I was a creative introvert, and that planning is something I enjoyed. However, with the critical analysis, it's nice to know where my blunt honesty comes from; it's not meant to be mean, but to help further others along! In addition to others, I like working with other introverts because then we don't have to talk, but then being with extroverts if I want something on the outside done.

With the above, I like taking on the background, but equally important, roles because those are where I truly shine. I prefer to do the writing or drawing, while hopefully a extrovert presents all of it. This way I feel the most comfortable and am able to utilize all of my potential. While I understand that sometimes you have to go outside your comfort zone, being the one in the spotlight has never been me and I can explore as much as I want when not in focus! If I am put into one of these roles, I'll do my best to fulfill it, no matter what, because I am here to get a job done.

Though, despite all of this and the knowledge of knowing what I am like, some people want me to engage more. I'll often ask questions, but not when the teachers tell students too, and I'll only be truly happy in some group settings, and otherwise, I'm just doing things that fit my needs. Some don't approve on how little I talk, or how sometimes I'll just be caught in my own mind, but these are a part of me and only with certain people will I actually show some extroverted characteristics. Even with this, I would say I have an even mix of introvert and extrovert friends because we just make it work and have a good balance.

By doing this assignment I have a better understanding of the different personality types and how we're all different and similar, you just have to find what works and how you work to get by in life. I am kinda surprised I'm an INTJ again after a few years being an INTP, but that just goes to show how people grow and develop, and I'll look forward to where my beloved future takes me next. I've always focused on the introvert part, but now I'll be sure to look more into the other types because my friends are diverse in their types, even I didn't know what I truly was. Now, with this information, we can all work to relate and, well, just to work with one other and utilize what separates us to bring one another together with a common goal.

Lion/Otter/Golden Retriever/Beaver Test

Lion

From the second test, I got the highest score for Lion, and then Beaver second. The Lion personality is similar to INTJ in the way that they take challenges, are always looking to improve (for the future), and are focused on a goal. Beaver's are also focused, and very creative. I think I'm a mix of both, and I do share their strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. However, unlike the Lion, I don't believe I'm too dictatorial, but can be too direct, and unlike the Beaver I do see the optimistic side, but do have high expectations and standards. From this test, we can see more of the traits that are like us, and of others around us, to also use with the test above to get a good idea on who we are and what makes up our lives. 

AB Sequence Video

Going From Point A to B

The Video Brainstorming 

For this project, along the previous one, we needed to use the 6-shot system to get the clips we needed. To decide the main ones, for this was a longer and more complex video, we used a storyboard, at the end it being 2 pages. My group decided that this video was going to have a more suspenseful theme, as one person tries to find another. We didn't have a true establishing shot, but the beginning fit the give a general location and the subjects. We had to sequence the film as a journey with obstacles, so we were sure to add in a few missteps in it and notes to drive them along the correct way. Once we got done the basic movement, location, and shot style, we moved on to filming.

The Creative Process

The filming took place over multiple days, seen by the changing lighting, but we tried to get them to look as similar as possible to meet the deadline given. The story is seen from the entrance of the auditorium, to the orchestra hall, going down the way to the band hall, stop at the gym doors, then back to the auditorium. As mentioned above with the obstacles, we wanted her to go down the wrong way before the notes direct her back, efficiently starting and ending her journey. Once done with shooting, we had over 30 clips to chose from when editing. On Premiere, first you have to input the shots, and then begin going through all of them to best convey the story. At one put, the shots jump due to a missing one, but we made it work the best we could. Once it was laid out, we locked the clips to trim the sound. The song I chose for this did come off strong, but I liked how at some points it aligns with the movement, so I decided to keep it. Finally. we uploaded it to YouTube, and then embedded it within this post.

Thoughts and Conclusions

The collaborative process of this project, with 4 people in a group rather than the 2 for the printing video, meant more opinions and while it did make the story more interesting finally decided upon a storyboard took more time. Though the work went well in the end, you had to put in effort into this to be an efficient group. Next time, I will be sure to more involved with the storyboard instead of going with the flow to make sure I leave a mark in the video, even though I did get a lot of say in this. Also, I will be sure to make it clear which job I want, and guarantee that everyone has a say and doesn't just do something to please the rest. Along with this, we all need to play with our strengths and find our weaknesses. This project was more informative than the last, which was just to get us comfortable with video, and now I know what to work on and how to better provide a video and what challenges you'll meet along the way.

How To Print Video

How to Print A Document Video

The Creative Process

After learning the basics of video and photography, which included the rule of thirds and the various shots necessary for the project, we began storyboarding. This was to get a general idea of the video and to ensure that we had all the items needed in a blueprint of sorts. My group decided to have the video consist of the library's entrance, a shot of walking to the computer, one of logging on, then pulling up a document to print, walking over the to printer, stapling the documents, and at last holding up the finished item. To tell the story, we wanted to make sure the viewer understood how we got to each step and to keep the video moving. In this process, I was the one being filmed, while my teammate filmed; we both decided upon matters together, however. learned how to work as an even more efficient team, and then edited the clips together separately. 

The Skills Used

To take the video, we checked out an iPad and a tripod to have the shots leveled. When shooting, we often had to manipulate the height of it with the legs, but mostly had it steady. Once done with filming, we downloaded them onto the computers and opened Adobe Premiere Pro. The clips were imported, clipped to a time limit, and then the audio was removed to add our own. If there was time, you got to add some opening text. During all of this, many other teams often collaborated to help each other with editing, and as I was done earlier, I helped a few and then my teammate when she came back to school. To be successful in this project, one had to be willing to ask for and give help, understand the basics on how to work computers and Premiere Pro, and watch your time to stay on top of everything.

Thoughts and Conclusions

Throughout this project, there was a lot of mistakes to handle and reshoot, however this would help you out in the end when editing the final piece. Though, from these errors, I have learned what to do next time, including have a clearer storyboard, watching the spacing of the subject, and being mindful of the lighting. Next time, I would make the shots have a better transition, but I would keep the chosen topic of each shot as they portrayed what we needed. Overall, the filming itself wasn't difficult, instead the setting up of the video was. I will be sure to remember the difficulties of some filming and beginning aspects to better focus my attention on what was truly needed, but this first time project went smoothly in the end.

Website Project

Designing A Website

Process And Overview

This project was to make a website using Dreamweaver. The website was our final assignment for first semester. We had to use our previous elevator pitch and former projects to make up our portfolio. For e9. this is to give us a look into web design as it isn't a section for Freshman.

To begin with, we had to get the home and style files and copy them to be used first. Then we took a photo to be added to the main page. Then we started setting the default website page by adding our name the header, our elevator pitch below the "Hello!" and our photo to float in the text. The date was added by going to Insert, HTML, then Date, so that it would update each time we worked on it. Then we focused on the sidebar by setting up the two sections and the designated links below.

 To have a link, we went into properties and put in the text needed to go to that page. For the Projects link, we had to make another copy of the home page by using Save As. On the projects page, we deleted the body text/photo, and added in some projects from both quarters and text from our blogposts to explain it. To add a video in, we first had to upload it to Youtube, then embed a html text into the code so that it may work.

Once the pages and their text was set up, we went on to design the page itself. We changed the colors used by going into CSS Designer and using the Selectors for different areas. You then had to go into Properties and change the background colors. For the text, we did the same process, but went into the text option itself in Properties, and also edited the text styles to be what we wanted. Finally, we changed the links colors for when they were active, hovered over, and already visited, seen in the Projects photo.

What Was Learned

For this project, we had to learn how to use Adobe Dreamweaver and a few basic aspects of code. Along the way, we learned how to make new pages, links, and how to give color to the web design. Also, we were now able to insert various objects, like pictures to float, embedded videos, and code to make different colors of the links depending on what happened to them. Now, we're able to make a simple site with a menu going to other pages in the sites and going out to other websites. Overall, we learned how to use Dreamweaver Files, CSS Designer, the ways of viewing them, and everything in between.

Experiences And Thoughts

From designing my site, I will remember the multitude of actions that go into making one thing for the whole. I thought that I did pretty well for it, and did it in a timely matter. If I didn't have what I needed done, I would come in after class to finish it, something we'll surely have to do as the years go on. The = experience that I'll be sure to remember is that if you're having trouble, watch a tutorial if needed, but always keep trying and editing to get what you want.

My General Response

This was nice to get a look at Web Design and what goes into it, as it's an option next year and we don't get a quarter in it as freshman. It was interesting to learn how the code looked and behaved behind the design side we always see. I enjoyed going through each section and completing it so that it actually looked and functioned like an every day site. Though it isn't what I would consider doing in life, it's a good skill to have in this technology based world.

Sketchup House

Sketchup House and Animation

The Project's Overview

For this project we had to create a house in the program Sketchup. The goal was to make it as realistic as possible using a model. Before this we had steps to make a chair, but for this we had to experiment and keep making errors to get the final project. We had to find our own textures to use then make a video to show it off.

The Project Process

First, we had to go to this website and find one that was over 500 feet and specific rooms and height. Then, we had to begin making it in Sketchup. I began with rectangles and the general shape of the building. Then I pushed them up to be 3D, and began to add the extras that came off of my base. Next was the doors and stairs, and thee roof, which had to be moved upwards in a point for the later, and changed planes to give a natural feel in both. For the final building process were the windows, which were rectangles, pulled out, then made into components so that they could be repeated and copied objects. The last design step was to find our own textures and color the home completely with seamless textures. Finally, we set up the scenes and made the animation.

What Was Learned

We learned how to better use Sketchup and to make complex shapes. We especially learned the importance of measurements and how to make the objects the correct length. Also learned and used was the push/pull tool, move tool, offset, components, measurement, and general movements. The main thing to learn in this project was how to use shapes and make them into a realistic house, with shadows, design, and how it presented itself.

Next Time: Different 

What I would do different next time would be to better follow the house I chose as a reference. Especially in the roof because I could never get it down correctly, and in the end decided just to make my own. Also, the porch was never separated as I made it a component too soon and couldn't edit it after that. I would also work the make the lines more precise and the figures more connected. There were little additions I wasn't able to do this time, so next time I would spend more time on the small things.

Next Time: Same

What I would do the same next time would be the textures I used. Keeping a set amount of colors and textures, then spreading them out with alteration, was something I enjoyed doing. I would also continue to have the windows differ on various rooms, and make the doors different. Also, I would start from the ground up because that made it easier to then add on in most parts.

Experiences To Remember

I will make sure to remember the complexity of creating objects within Sketchup. The time it took and the constant errors will never leave me. I was frustrated at times, but by persevering, I was able to make my project the best I could. Like with my previous projects, one of the most important things to remember that things will not end up as planned, and that's okay, giving you an opportunity to make something even greater.

My General Response

The idea seemed so simple and straightforward, but Sketchup had proven itself not to be in the slightest. Though some of the mistakes were funny to see, they were not welcome at all. The process was draining to a degree, but I still learned something from it, and to a degree, enjoyed it. I liked having an actual, complex product come out of all my time and errors, and making the animation was the most satisfactory part to it. It was difficult, but worth it, and I would do it again.

House Information

This is the house I based my project on.

These are the textures I used on some of my home.