The first idea that came to mind was to make a website for a new college that is free. My second idea is a website to keep imagination alive. The third idea is a site to get rid of electricity.
Chapter 10: Bolgs
Posted in Artd 302 on January 22, 2008 by dbobicI decided to read chapter 10 in Becoming A Digital Designer by Steven Heller and David Womack because I don’t know much about blogs and I just started on for class. So why not read a chapter about blogs to find out more about what they are and how they work. The chapter consists of an introduction about what a blog is a small section on designing podcasts and then goes into four interviews with designers and others who uses blogs.
The introduction gives some good advice on how and why starting a blog can have it’s benefits, but be warned that starting a blog will take a lot of time to pull if off. I can relate to the sound of that because to pick something just for the header of my blog I was thinking of that I could use to represent me well. I even looked up how to make a header online. I ended up settling on something that I had drawn with a maker a while back because ever since I was young all I’ve done is draw. But there’s more to a blog then a header such as having the space to capture my thoughts flex my design muscle and forces me to articulate clearly. I do need to brush up on my writing and having a blog will probably help me do so. Some benefits are that a blog can help get clients and gives potential employers and client’s insight into your personality and interests. Blogs are public documents which the whole world can view it. Some good advice given to someone wanting to start a blog is to contribute to other blogs by writing comments because do so is an easy way to start.
Next is a little section on designing podcasts which is interesting to find out that the range of podcasts themes are vast and that many are about design. Now I’ve heard of podcasts before because of the ipod but have yet to see or hear one. But since reading about podcasts in this chapter is will definitely check it out and it’s also interesting to find out that business, cultural institutions and media establishments are using podcasts to put out information to the public.
The first interview is with Kate Bingamun-Burt who is an assistant professor of graphic design at Mississippi State University. Kate Bingmun-Burt started out wanting to be a journalist, was hired to do a packaging project because someone liked her hand lettering, finished her English major and then picked up a graphic design major too. She compares journalism to graphic design in the way of communicating and investigating many topics with a variety of ways to do so besides just using a word program. I like that fact that she does a lot of things for and on her site by hand, for example drawing credit card statements and daily purchases with ink pen. Maybe it’s because I too like to draw. For me drawing and making things by hand gives me a sense of accomplishment because the possibilities are endless and when done on the computer it doesn’t have the same feel.
Kate Bingmun-Burt uses a blog for her classes where they can find all of their assignments, due dates and links to specific assignments. Using blogs in teaching I find is more personal then sending an email. So you can go to check out an assignment and check out what’s new in the world through others blogs. For introductory courses for graphic design I agree with the importance of hand skills and critical thinking skills over technical skills because it all starts with an concept that leads to a rough that is planned out before moving forward. Also by having these skills it shows future employers that you know what you’re doing and that your ideas are original because you’ll have proof. Meaning the versions and revisions made to the original idea that leads up to the final product. When working with a client coming up with many concepts is key so they can choose one or that elements from each concept to make the final design. Critical thing skills are a must to be able to clearly articulate your concepts. The last question asked in the interview was “Would you recommend that students jump right into the digital world, or build out from traditional media?” The way I see it is to start out with traditional skills by working on paper to flush out concepts by making a rough or thumbnails at first then once settling on one make a refined sketch of it and then move onto the computer. Click on crapdetector.com to check it out her site.
So it seems that a blog is a lot like a notebook but on the web. You get to put up anything on the spot whether to state an opinion or ask a question about anything and get feed back from people you don’t know. If it’s good or bad feed back it’s still feed back and like the saying goes two heads are better then one. What I’m trying to get at is that it’s another form a communication which is what design is about. It’s communication at your fingertips and spread all over the entire world. Having a blog also shows who you are in a way by the content of it.
All in all blogging is a really big thing these days and is yet another way of communicating.
