Reviewing Student Templates.

Searle's website template I

Searle's website template II

I decided to review Ms. Sarah Winifred Searle’s work first. I love & admire her artistic style; I think she is a very talented illustrator & designer.

According to her blog, template I is going to evolve into template II.  Both templates keep the same visual properties.  I think the look defines her interests and skills very well; they play off of illustration, in which, Sarah is involved with immensely. For example, the pencil shading in the header and footer really add to that feel.  Also, the sketched self-portrait in template II contributes to that as well.

Both templates are clean looking and well-organized.  I really like how the links are divided into two layers.  In template II, Sarah has the links that take you to other places inside the site
(relative links) on the first layer and the links that take you outside the site (absolute links) on the second layer.  I imagine that once the template is established into a site, she will make the absolute links open in a new page.  Overall, the links are balanced well.

In template II, I prefer the look of the extra links (on the left hand side) as opposed to them in template I.  In particular, the news column looks more in unison in template II.  This could be a personal opinion thing but it seems less congested than in template I. Also, I think that I would play around with adding a right and left border to the relative link layer.  Again, it could be a personal taste thing but containing that information in some way appeals to me.

Johnson's website template I

Johnson's website template II

For the second round I decided to review Benjamin Johnson’s work. I found both templates to be basic and straightforward.  Like Ben, I really like the first of the two designs.  It could be the layout or color choices (or a combination of the two) but I find it more aesthetically pleasing.  I am definitely a fan of the rounded edge look too!

I am curious about the body of the website; it is broken down into two boxes.  One is labeled text and the other is labeled image (it appears that the image will be a link to another page within the site). If the viewer clicks on one of the links on the left hand side, will the link take you to that page…and on that page, will it affirm where you are in both text and image boxes? For me, that is the general sense of this template. I would like to hear more on Ben’s vision.

I feel that Ben’s template I will be a good foundation to a portfolio site.  I think that once the visual additions come, it will possess less of a generic feel. I am looking forward to checking it out in its progress.

Portfolio Templates

We were asked to attach two template designs for our portfolio project this week.  Attached you will find my two creations.

Template I

Template II

I find the layout of both templates to be quite simple.  Template I has a linear/direct/orderly layout (for lack of better wording) and the color choices are bright & open; the colors provide a clean, inviting approach. Template II has more of circular layout (the eyes tend to move in a circular direction) and the color choices are dark and warm; both templates use the American Typewriter font – a look that I love.

I have decided to work with template I.  The header will not include the colorful circles (this was an attempt @ coming up with a logo).  Also, there will be no actual buttons; the links will change color on the rollover to indicate that they are active. Although I want an image of myself on the index page, I don’t think that I want to use that particular photograph. I am considering creating a collage of some sort.

My biggest challenge with the portfolio site will be to incorporate the CSS we have been learning thus far.  In the past, I have integrated photoshop designs/layout into dreamweaver.  It’s been an easy way to create a site but the code is much more helpful for when search engines look for meta tags and keywords…as well as, organization purposes.

Thank you to those who are taking the time to review and comment on my templates!

Taking up a step beyond.

What did I take away from Matt Franklin?

CMS – Content Managing Systems, such as, JOOMLA and WordPress.  They are computer applications that manage work flow.

…and Flash…playing with moving images.

Two things I need to get a better grasp on.

I think I want to start with the CMS (WordPress). The way I am going to approach this is in list form.

Turning WordPress into a CMS

• CMS is software that is customized by others to suit their needs
• CMS is a web application that is often used to manage web sites and content
• It is used to change WordPress’s theme by coding and WordPress plug-ins

• Plug-ins are tools to extend the function of WordPress

What Happens Now & Beyond.

Matt Franklin, a graphic designer and web developer, visited our CNMS-265 class last week.  He talked about his life experiences after graduating from the two year, Communications and New Media Studies, program at SMCC.  Having defined himself as a self-employed artist, he has set his focus on digital imaging and website production (primarily out of personal interested) and not limiting himself to the instruction obtained at the college.  Franklin has branched out by utilizing computer managing systems, such as, Joomla and WordPress and working amongst (not for) others.

Franklin’s presentation was super useful and insightful.  At first, I felt overwhelmed because it seemed that I had not scratched the surface on the subject matter; I felt like I had so much to learn…and I do.  However, after class ended, I had the opportunity to talk with a couple of my classmates and they helped me realize that learning is progressive.  Our education is a stepping stone to another stage.  Franklin didn’t stop after SMCC; he further blossomed in digital imaging and website production by surrounding himself with it and putting himself out into the world as a creative designer.

Having graduated from a four year university already, the one thing I found super important is to involve yourself with the subject matter you are studying outside the classroom.  This is done through attending conferences or events, volunteering your skills, interning, etc.  It helps you network with people in the field and builds experience. I hadn’t done any of that; I was too eager to finish school and move on. When I decided to return to school for website production, I made this promise to myself: I needed to immerse myself deeper than just attending classes day-to-day.  I made the decision to find three clients (either friends, family or acquaintances) that needed a website and built them for free. What this did was provide me with examples of work.  I have been able to share these examples with others and promote myself as a website designer.  As a result, this task has created a domino affect; people ask me about my work and the possibility of helping them built a site.

My plan for the year is to continue working on the sites I have built thus far and improve them. After I finish school, I would really like to, officially, start up my own small business in digital imaging and website production.  I like the idea of working for myself; it’s one reason I was attracted to the subject matter. I am also attracted to the idea of venturing into such projects with friends or pupils who hold the skills and interest in the discipline. One thing that Franklin mentioned (that stood out) was to work with others – you can’t do it all by yourself. I feel having other people’s perspectives and knowledge would only enhance what I know or don’t know.  Perhaps, researching and looking into setting up a business plan during the remaining months at SMCC would be the next step for me.

I, also, wouldn’t mind working for somebody else as a way to continue the learning but I do see myself continuing the education by taking classes from time to time since technology and design are ever evolving.