Graphics for the Web Final Project Presentation

Technology has made the world an increasingly smaller place. Our communications are not geographically limited anymore. However, we still retain our separate cultures across the world. Just because we are able to communicate with people on the other side of the world doesn’t mean we are all experts at communicating with people who have their own history, language, and traditions from our own. No business is this more obvious than marketing. Sometimes messages get lost or misinterpreted in translation, not just text but even colors and pictorial symbols.

This is what we needed to keep in mind when creating our final project for Graphics for the Web at Moraine Park Technical College. Each student chose a country to research. We needed to learn what colors and symbols meant in their culture to avoid using ones that were inappropriate or illogical for our logo design. The logo was supposed to be for a product or service that would be marketed in that country.

After compiling research and using techniques we learned throughout the semester to create the logo, we each put together a PowerPoint presentation to share with the class. I presented first, and I was able to sit back, relax, and learn about other countries. Some of the countries my class chose to research were India, United Kingdom, and Brazil. I enjoyed this project, because I love learning about color and other cultures. I’ve realized it’s easy to be unaware that messages can be misinterpreted, and it should never be assumed that any colors or symbols are universal.

Week in Review: A Reflection of December 4 – December 11

What a busy, busy week it has been! There was the holiday celebration event, which included two BINGO events and a casino, a Lunch ‘n’ Learn, and final projects to work on for my classes at Moraine Park Technical College.

The cafeteria and computer labs were popular places for group projects and study groups this past week. It is definitely nearing the end of the semester. Which reminds me; book buyback starts this Thursday. I’ve got a few books l would like to sell back to the bookstore, but I highly recommend keeping books you know you’ll use in the future. I will not be selling my Photoshop or JavaScript book back. They were good books I know I might need to use for reference in the future.

Sometimes when I go down the hallway past the library at the West Bend campus, there will be something set up at the tables. This past week there was a fundraiser for Relay for Life http://www.relayforlife.org/. Students and staff could purchase tickets to enter drawings to win gift baskets filled with things like movies, iTunes gift cards, candy, and cookbooks. I was one of the first to put my raffle tickets into the bucket.

After completing my self-paced Microsoft Access class, I was able to focus on my final project for Graphics for the Web class that was due on Monday. It required a lot of research and a lot of time spent using Photoshop to create a logo.

Now, the last thing I need to focus on is the last assignments for Beginning Photoshop. That will be due on Monday, and then I’m all done for the fall semester of 2011!

Application of Knowledge Outside of Class

My instructor, who is one of the instructors of the IT-Web Designer/Developer program at Moraine Park Technical College, told us we need to do more than the homework assigned to us. We need to practice and learn things on our own if we really want to be the best at what we do. This semester I’ve realized I have been using what I’ve learned in class outside of the classroom and class assignments.

I volunteer in an office setting where I use a computer on a regular basis. While volunteering at an organization I was interested in, I was able to offer my time and skills. In return I’ve learned about office culture, and I’m able to apply what I’m learning in my classes. Frequently I use programs like Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Without realizing it, I’ve developed a good understanding of file structures. I was able to comprehend how this office file structure works. My files on my personal computer are also very organized. I never have to wonder where I’ve saved something. If you’ve ever spent time looking for a file because you don’t remember where you put it or what you named it, you know how much time that can eat up.

This blog has been an excellent resource for applying what I’ve learned in my classes. This semester I learned how to save files for the web so the file size is smaller (for faster download time) while maintaining quality. I’ve been able to create my own images and graphics and edit them. I’ve used my textbook to look something up that I had forgot how to do.

On my own time I’ve been able to create things in Photoshop for fun and share them with my friends. The more I practice, the easier it becomes, and the more fun it becomes. During winter break I’m sure I’ll be working on some kind of fun project. If I put some thought into it, it could become my next portfolio piece.

Week in Review: A Reflection of November 6 – November 12, 2011

Time went by so quickly it’s difficult to remember what even happened this past week. I suppose this could be a good thing because it means things went pretty smoothly for the week. There’s just a little more than a month left of the fall semester. It’s going to be time for winter break before we know it.

I was just short from finishing the second lesson plan for my self-paced Microsoft Access class. There are five lesson plans total, and I’m trying to finish one lesson plan per week. So, I’m a little behind schedule in that class, but I’m ahead of schedule with my Graphics for the Web class. I thought an assignment was due on Monday, but it turns out it’s due two weeks from Monday. It’s a lucky mistake, but it’s a good reminder to check and write down due dates or next time I might not be so lucky.

What I learned this past week is to focus on the positive, especially the little things from day to day. I’m pretty lucky to be able to attend college. I feel blessed to have met such nice, intelligent, and creative people in my classes and extracurricular activities. And as Friday was Veterans Day, I’m reminded how fortunate I am to live in a country full of brave men and women who ensure I get to live this life filled with opportunities and freedom. This week I’ll try to remember that.

My First Online Class

Monday was the official start of my first completely online class, Beginning Photoshop. Although I’m familiar with Photoshop CS2 version, which I learned more than five years ago, I will be taking this class as a requirement for my program. The latest version is Photoshop CS5, which is what I’ll be learning in this class. There have been a lot of updates and changes since I originally learned the program, one of them being the Content Aware Fill. We had talked about this feature in my Graphics for the Web class. It’s simply amazing. To see what I’m talking about, watch this video: http://tv.adobe.com/watch/photoshop-cs5-feature-tour/content-aware-fill-part-1/

Taking an online class is different than taking a class in-person. Luckily, I know how to use eCollege, because I’ve had blended classes that use this tool. Blended classes are ones that meet face-to-face but also have an online portion. The online portion uses eCollege, an online portal for classes.

The posting in the announcements section from my instructor explained how this class was going to work. Even though we don’t have a meeting time or place, homework still has specific due dates. I will be following along in the textbook to complete assignments. The instructor has additional comments and instructions to go along with the chapters. There are scoring guides so we can make sure we are meeting the criteria of the assignment and a schedule to follow. Other students have already posted their introduction to the discussion board. It’s pretty clear what I need to do for this class and when I need to do it.

Now, it’s time to get to work!

Week in Review: A Reflection of September 19 – 23, 2011

Each week I reflect on what I have learned, new skills I have developed, challenges I’ve overcome, and new concepts I now understand. This week I learned how to make my own Web page backgrounds in Graphics for the Web class at Moraine Park Technical College.

In class we learned how to make a small image and repeat it using CSS to cover an entire background. Background images on Web sites are important when you consider that colors and shapes have different, specific meanings. The background needs to reflect what the Web site is about.

If you’re a student studying Web design, you know how time consuming it is to look for specific images online that express the exact message you are trying to portray. It gets more difficult when you’re working on paid projects and need to be mindful of copyright laws. I think it’s actually much less time consuming to create a background than to look for one using a search engine. It’s a pretty useful technique I’m certain I will use in the future. I may take a look at my previous work and apply this technique to those Web pages as well.

First Day of the Fall Semester

Monday was the first day of classes for the fall semester at Moraine Park Technical College. My Monday night class is Graphics for the Web. We’ll be using Photoshop CS5 to optimize images so they will download quickly and correctly on a web page.

The computers we use in this classroom are Macs, but they can run both Mac OS and Windows 7 operating system. I’ve had classes in this room last year, but before that I wasn’t aware a computer was able to handle two operating systems. Windows 7 is new to me, but I’ve heard it’s much simpler to use than previous Windows versions.

I’m actually looking forward to our final project for this class. We will be creating a logo for a company that will be selling a product in a foreign country. We get to choose the country and research what colors and symbols mean. Many countries have completely different meanings for colors and symbols than the United States. This is a very important fact to know.

After class, I walked to the bulletin boards to see what kind of events are coming up on campus. On my way to the board, I noticed they have installed new bathrooms next to the cafeteria. I’m pretty certain they were not there last semester. Anyways, there are a couple of events to go to this week. There will be a performance by Mission IMPROVable on Wednesday and free pizza on Thursday. I’ve got a class on Thursday night, so I will probably partake in that since I will be here anyways. Next week Thursday there is a Student Senate meeting. I’m thinking about checking it out.

For those of you who are new to MPTC, welcome and good luck on your first semester! And for those of you who aren’t new, welcome back and here’s to a great semester! Cheers!