GRDE328: Site Re-design
So I took this class… Interactive Design Studio and I learned so much. It was a lot of work but I really learned to push myself and teach myself new things. I love that it was set up like a real design studio, kind of gave me a feel for what it will be like in real life, and I liked it! So thats good, right? I learned a lot about time management. I took 18 credits this semester, 6 classes… and some days I just felt like I was going to explode because I had so much to do on top of my part time job. I learned a lot about time management and how to stay even more organized that I used to. I realized some strengths of mine throughout this class… technology, I love learning new things and have an open mind for anything. Im excited to work on a possible database for the Gallery next fall. I also love to be the project manager, keep everyone on track and organized. I like to dabble in a little bit of everything which I did throughout this process. If I saw something not working I liked to jump on the bandwagon and see what I could come up with. So I made it through and it ended up being a great semester for me! You should all check out the site we worked our butts off on… http://grdedev.ferris.edu and let me know what you think!
Constructive criticism is good. I like it. Let’s me know what to improve upon.
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FUEL: Design Conference
So I went to the FUEL Design Conference held at Eastern Michigan University hosted by AIGA Detroit. Loved it! I learned so much. GO TO AIGA CHAPTER MEETINGS. They would love you.
Six “Can’t Fail” Job Search Tips:
1. Start looking early (now)
2. Research!
3. Expand your capabilities
4. Dwell on what is real (internships, freelance, summer jobs)
5. Show, don’t tell
6. Check arrogance at the door
Networking:
Alumni – Alumni Center on campus, facebook, myspace, teachers
Anyone – Dentist, Doctor, Friends, Family…
Instructors – Current, Future, Past
*Be nice to everyone in school! You never know who you will run into later in life.
*Never talk bad about anyone… it will get back to them.
*Build relationships with people you trust and with good quality people.
Job Interviews:
Cover letter [show personality, introduce yourself, address the job you are applying for]. Resume [simple, information, no design]. Research the company. Prepare for questions. Have an “interview” outfit [closed shoes, skirt or tailored pants, blouse and jacket] Bring [lint brush, breath mints, and at least 5 resumes]. TIP: [deodorant on hands so they dont sweat]. No perfume or cologne. DONT be late. Only 15 minutes early. Find the office the day before. Small portfolio case. Turn OFF cell phone. No vibrate. Be nice to receptionist (she is the spy!), introduce yourself, who you are there for, chit chat, make small talk. Be his or her friend. If they offer a drink, NO. Wait patiently, they are watching you. Stand up when employeer walks into the room. Shake hands. Web to web, 4 pumps. Introduce yourself. Let them go through the portfolio so they can set the pace. KNOW EVERYTHING about your pieces! What was the problem? How did you solve it? Present 10 to 12 pieces. (CD with projects on it just in case). Only show your best. Thank them. Thank receptionist. Send thank you letter within 24 hours (especially to receptionist, he/she will love you!).
93% of jobs are not advertised.
75% of jobs come from informal contacts.
15% of new hires get fired in two months.
Seven Design Laws (According to Armin Vit)
1. You’re not that good.
There will always be someone better
2. Two asses are better than one.
Dont be an ass and work your ass off
3. 75% of your files are trash.
There will be only one winner
4. Do the evolution.
File name: Final. File name: Final_2 File Name: FinalFinal_2
5. Leave no trace.
When you do work for a client, it’s their property. You’ll lose it. They’ll change it.
6. When in doubt – repeat.
Get inspired from old unused projects.
7. Happy is as happy does.
Be confident and proud of your good work.
Things to Check Out:
Design Encyclopedia
Speak Up
Brand New
Quipsologies
The Word It Book
Critique Magazine
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Web Resources
A lot of helpful resources updated on my delicious. Great resource on how to create curvy corners in your code (dont need to go to Photoshop).Here are some great resources for typography used on the web. Definitely want to keep thinking about this as we develop our new GRDE site that we are working on. There could be some helpful things such as this table of what each platform (Mac, PC, etc) comes with for font selections. Want to keep this in mind as we think about user experience of our site. A great javascript library to use if we create our portfolio out of javascript! Oh, and here is a great resource of well designed pages using typography for some inspiration. I think we (GRDE328) need to keep this in mind when we create our site because we want it to have great aesthetics.
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Khoi Vinh
So I watched this podcast by AIGA with Khoi Vinh who talked about web design and found it quite interesting. He defined design in general as good story telling which I have never heard before. He said it must have a coherent world view which brings up a good point that good design must be able to communicate the message to everyone and with that you must take into consideration that everyone is different. He mentioned that design is a one way communication between an author and an audience which I think is true but then he went into discussing the difference between print design and web design. Digital media is as different from print as a speech is different from a conversation“ An awesome metaphor or simile that really makes sense to me. A document is more like a speech because it has that one way communication where as the internet is all about conversation, but they do go hand in hand because like he said, good narrative gives rise to good conversation. A good point was brought up about how there isn’t as much design on the web as there is in print, that designing for the web has a lot more technology to it which is true from when the internet started until now. That line I think is becoming more invisible, I agreed with Vinh’s statement that one day that will change and the web will be a lot more about design. USER EXPERIENCE: I liked the comment that users do not learn how to use a site over time. I think for the most part this is true. I think its so important that when creating a site, you must make it user-friendly for those that are not computer geniuses and those that can’t figure out things as well as others. I’ll end with a quote I really liked that I have already experienced a little bit… “if we give people what they say they want, they’ll never get what we know they need”
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