BDC 192 Digital Media had a lot of pleasant surprises. Although the course requires a lot of patience and time management, the countless hours spent towards projects were all fun and worth it. I felt the labs always provided great basics for any user new to a particular program. Adobe Flash and Dreamweaver were not as complicated as they originally appeared, after attending the weekly tutorials. A vocal introduction, followed by a short and efficient run-through booklet, was the perfect combination that allowed me to succeed in the course.
However, I do have a complaint. Although I understand there's only a certain amount of time given in the curriculum, I often felt sometimes the "basics" weren't always enough. If you didn't have prior background to the program, your success was limited. Spending time in the lab, on your own time, practicing the techniques you learned in labs are beneficial. However, perhaps an optional lab class could be held every two weeks that teaches advanced tips with the particular programs.
Lectures, on the other hand, were great. Not only was the content incisive, but I truly admired the effort put into the Powerpoint presentations. Instead of writing simple text on a slide, pictures and words were always artistically displayed. This helped me be engaged with whatever Laurie Petrou had to say.
This course changed me in a number of ways. As I mentioned in my first blog, I had no clue what digital media was about. Now I look at designs and am able to analyze them better than ever. Also, although I was always a fan of Adobe Suite, learning Flash and Dreamweaver made me appreciate the software even more. It's satisfying having the ability to be able to animate movies and create personal websites. I will continue to use these skills throughout the rest of my life.
The most important thing I was able to take away from this Digital Media course was learning that it's alright to try something new. I have always been intimidated in programs I'm not familiar with, and this course allowed me to conquer the things that I normally wouldn't attempt. It has brought a new sense of confidence in myself that none of my other courses have pushed me enough to do. This semester was hard work, but it was worth every second. I will definitely take a digital media course in the years to come.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. "Digital Media in RTA". Lecture. Ryerson University, Toronto. 24 Nov. 2009.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Week 11 - Innovations In Digital Media
Back in elementary school I always thought having your own website would be awesome. I was aware you could find free layouts on the internet, but the sites that actually involved programming and personalization impressed me a lot. Sadly I never took the time or had the patience to learn when interested.
Which brings us to this week's lab. Like Adobe Flash, Dreamweaver scared me. I'm the type of guy, however, who orders the same thing off the McDonalds menu for the past 15 years in fear of trying something new; maybe that's just the way I am. Until someone pushes me enough, I like striving on things I'm comfortable with. And once again, like Flash, Lori Beckstead pushed me to feel comfortable with this web design program.
Having an assignment that includes images, texts, and HTML codes may look difficult at the beginning, but with time you grasp the concept quite quickly. I found Dreamweaver to be a lot like Turing (an ancient animation program you learn about in grade 10 Communication Tech). Putting in codes seem simple and are usually easy to locate mistakes, unlike cascading style sheets and CSS files from the previous tutorial.
Dreamweaver also allows the creator to have easy transitions between different pages within your site. This is what impressed me the most. With a simple command written in code, and the help from my tutorial booklet, I was able to connect pages with ease. I was no longer scared of this new program, and actually quite excited for next week's in-class assignment.
For my personal website I figured the most easiest and efficient way of gathering my content would be to simply create a web design consisting of information of myself. Similar to a Myspace, content will cover my hobbies and interests and display pictures I gathered from Facebook. Other pages may cover my heritage or family, depending on how much progress is completed with the time given.
I have to hand it to my Digital Media class though. I have never wanted the Adobe Creative Suit as much as I do right now. Photoshop, Flash, and Dreamweaver are simply amazing. Without even having projects to complete, I can see myself wasting hours upon hours on these programs. Maybe if I'm lucky and Santa Tomaszewski has a big enough wallet, digital media lab can live on through second semester in the comfort of my own home.
Additional Sources
Beckstead, Lori. "Working in Dreamweaver: Tutorial #1". Lab. Ryerson University, Toronto. 19 Nov. 2009.
Which brings us to this week's lab. Like Adobe Flash, Dreamweaver scared me. I'm the type of guy, however, who orders the same thing off the McDonalds menu for the past 15 years in fear of trying something new; maybe that's just the way I am. Until someone pushes me enough, I like striving on things I'm comfortable with. And once again, like Flash, Lori Beckstead pushed me to feel comfortable with this web design program.
Having an assignment that includes images, texts, and HTML codes may look difficult at the beginning, but with time you grasp the concept quite quickly. I found Dreamweaver to be a lot like Turing (an ancient animation program you learn about in grade 10 Communication Tech). Putting in codes seem simple and are usually easy to locate mistakes, unlike cascading style sheets and CSS files from the previous tutorial.
Dreamweaver also allows the creator to have easy transitions between different pages within your site. This is what impressed me the most. With a simple command written in code, and the help from my tutorial booklet, I was able to connect pages with ease. I was no longer scared of this new program, and actually quite excited for next week's in-class assignment.
For my personal website I figured the most easiest and efficient way of gathering my content would be to simply create a web design consisting of information of myself. Similar to a Myspace, content will cover my hobbies and interests and display pictures I gathered from Facebook. Other pages may cover my heritage or family, depending on how much progress is completed with the time given.
I have to hand it to my Digital Media class though. I have never wanted the Adobe Creative Suit as much as I do right now. Photoshop, Flash, and Dreamweaver are simply amazing. Without even having projects to complete, I can see myself wasting hours upon hours on these programs. Maybe if I'm lucky and Santa Tomaszewski has a big enough wallet, digital media lab can live on through second semester in the comfort of my own home.
Additional Sources
Beckstead, Lori. "Working in Dreamweaver: Tutorial #1". Lab. Ryerson University, Toronto. 19 Nov. 2009.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Week 10 - Web 2.0 And Beyond
Before this semester, I never really took the time to notice the advancements of the Internet. After taking some time to think about my past, however, the World Wide Web has definitely improved tremendously. The lecture this week clearly showcased the changes made by introducing the five characteristics of Web 2.0, proving just how far technology and communication has come.
1 - Dynamic Content
This occurs when the site's information is constantly being changed, edited, and updated frequently for the user. A great example of this is http://digg.com/. Just like the heading of the website suggests, Digg.com finds you the latest in news headlines, videos and images from the interactivity of its viewers. When articles are well received, they get a "digg" from the user. The more "diggs" an article gets, the more popular it becomes, allowing the site to find you the latest in whatever topic you feel like reading.
2 - User Contribution
This is created when a site strives from connecting, socializing, and sharing information with others. This information can take many forms, such as blogs, music, video, and pictures. Purevolume.com is just one of the many websites that urges its users to share, in this case, through music. Signed and unsigned artists can upload their work for everyone to listen to, share their opinion, and create exposure that they were never able to before!
3 - Social Media
This is basically media on the web that is highly accessible and created through social interaction. Youtube.com is probably the most popular site that allows users to do this. Not only can you watch vlogs and random family videos, but you also have the access to movies, short films, tutorials and music videos. No matter what the genre or age range, Youtube.com is a place for everyone to enjoy and connect.
4 - Online Applications
These applications are hosted in a "browser-supported environment", where they can update and do necessary tasks without having to install or download software to do so. E-mail and online auctions are popular among others. Ebay.com is a great online application that allows people to bid on products posted by users, with the highest bidder receiving the item. Without having to download anything, shopping can be done without even leaving the house.
5 - Harnessing Collective Intelligence
This characteristic is created when shared information is formed from a collection of many other users. There is no site that does this duty better than Twitter.com. With people always "tweeting" their thoughts and actions as the day progresses, similar thoughts is compiled into a "tag cloud". This setup allows users to read these "tag clouds" as a way to find out information on a certain subject and how it copes with society.
Although I was always aware of the features of these websites, having actually thought about the characteristics in relation to the progress of the internet is truly mind-blowing. Web 2.0 has already had a huge impact on society and how we live our lives. The internet will only continue to grow, so we might as well enjoy the ride.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. "Web 2.0". Lecture. Ryerson University, Toronto. 10 Nov. 2009.
1 - Dynamic Content
This occurs when the site's information is constantly being changed, edited, and updated frequently for the user. A great example of this is http://digg.com/. Just like the heading of the website suggests, Digg.com finds you the latest in news headlines, videos and images from the interactivity of its viewers. When articles are well received, they get a "digg" from the user. The more "diggs" an article gets, the more popular it becomes, allowing the site to find you the latest in whatever topic you feel like reading.
2 - User Contribution
This is created when a site strives from connecting, socializing, and sharing information with others. This information can take many forms, such as blogs, music, video, and pictures. Purevolume.com is just one of the many websites that urges its users to share, in this case, through music. Signed and unsigned artists can upload their work for everyone to listen to, share their opinion, and create exposure that they were never able to before!
3 - Social Media
This is basically media on the web that is highly accessible and created through social interaction. Youtube.com is probably the most popular site that allows users to do this. Not only can you watch vlogs and random family videos, but you also have the access to movies, short films, tutorials and music videos. No matter what the genre or age range, Youtube.com is a place for everyone to enjoy and connect.
4 - Online Applications
These applications are hosted in a "browser-supported environment", where they can update and do necessary tasks without having to install or download software to do so. E-mail and online auctions are popular among others. Ebay.com is a great online application that allows people to bid on products posted by users, with the highest bidder receiving the item. Without having to download anything, shopping can be done without even leaving the house.
5 - Harnessing Collective Intelligence
This characteristic is created when shared information is formed from a collection of many other users. There is no site that does this duty better than Twitter.com. With people always "tweeting" their thoughts and actions as the day progresses, similar thoughts is compiled into a "tag cloud". This setup allows users to read these "tag clouds" as a way to find out information on a certain subject and how it copes with society.
Although I was always aware of the features of these websites, having actually thought about the characteristics in relation to the progress of the internet is truly mind-blowing. Web 2.0 has already had a huge impact on society and how we live our lives. The internet will only continue to grow, so we might as well enjoy the ride.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. "Web 2.0". Lecture. Ryerson University, Toronto. 10 Nov. 2009.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Week 9 - Flash Animaton Assignment
Flash was one frustrating program. Maybe it was due to my lack of experience, or maybe it was my lack of patience. My original familiarity with Flash had me skeptical of the quality of video I would be able to produce. With effort though, I feel I was able to create a good product, much to my surprise.
My final layout was actually not that far off from the original. Similar to what was mentioned in my blog, my vision consisted of two kittens watching the moon, and falling in love. The two cats begin to embrace each other, while the rest of the forest animals awkwardly watch. Just as the two cats are about to kiss, it is shown that the whole video was actually a dream sequence, from a sleeping man who is getting licked by a cat as he naps.
In my final version, when the cats are rolling over in the field in lust, I was worried the drawing was too graphic. I solved this issue by creating an animated dust cloud, to avoid any profanity. This actually worked out great. The change allowed my animation to appear more cartoonish and match my overall theme.
My initial goal was a video that was random and had shock value. From the beginning I chose I did not want to deal with a full text animation, or a video involving real-life pictures. I simply wanted cartoon animation. This was my second time using Flash, so I wanted a challenging concept that would not be impossible to finish. This was a great goal, as I was able to expand my knowledge of the techniques I had at my disposal.
The borderline offensive aspects of the film could have left me pursuing a more mature target audience. Teens and young adults are the least likely to be offended by this material. However by making the scene less offensive than it could have been, the scene now appeals to a wider audience, including older adults. Therefore, ages 13-45 feels like an appropriate age group for my project.
The biggest challenge I came across during this project, however, was input of music and sound. I am still not aware of how to edit lengths and volume in Flash. Therefore, I relied on Pro Tools to make original edits that ended exactly when they should in the video, and sounds with particular volume sets. I also had to convert all Pro Tools wav. files to mp3, because Flash would not read them properly. Although tedious, I spent my time with this issue simply because this semester was geared towards audio. A lackluster effort was not an option.
Overall, I learned a lot from completing this project. Although my original vision was not completely matched, I did succeed in greatly expanding my knowledge with this program and created a Flash document to the best of my abilities. The final version is entertaining to watch and successfully addresses my target audience. This project was a great learning experience and I was able to acquire skills, which will help me in future projects.
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/517511
After attending my lab class, it felt great to have showcased my hard work. Seeing the animation on the big screen, in front of my peers, made all the problems I had in Flash feel worth it. I was proud of myself! What was also exciting, however, was the other animations my class came up with. Some projects were REALLY well made. You could swear they were professionally done. Even the low quality productions were entertaining to watch. This is why I love these show-and-tell labs, because they're always enjoyable.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. "Motion Graphics". Lecture. Ryerson University, Toronto. 13 Oct. 2009.
"YouTube - Two Cats In Love." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7VMwsAsUI&feature=PlayList&p=6C233A0FC4F7A95A&index=9
My final layout was actually not that far off from the original. Similar to what was mentioned in my blog, my vision consisted of two kittens watching the moon, and falling in love. The two cats begin to embrace each other, while the rest of the forest animals awkwardly watch. Just as the two cats are about to kiss, it is shown that the whole video was actually a dream sequence, from a sleeping man who is getting licked by a cat as he naps.
In my final version, when the cats are rolling over in the field in lust, I was worried the drawing was too graphic. I solved this issue by creating an animated dust cloud, to avoid any profanity. This actually worked out great. The change allowed my animation to appear more cartoonish and match my overall theme.
My initial goal was a video that was random and had shock value. From the beginning I chose I did not want to deal with a full text animation, or a video involving real-life pictures. I simply wanted cartoon animation. This was my second time using Flash, so I wanted a challenging concept that would not be impossible to finish. This was a great goal, as I was able to expand my knowledge of the techniques I had at my disposal.
The borderline offensive aspects of the film could have left me pursuing a more mature target audience. Teens and young adults are the least likely to be offended by this material. However by making the scene less offensive than it could have been, the scene now appeals to a wider audience, including older adults. Therefore, ages 13-45 feels like an appropriate age group for my project.
The biggest challenge I came across during this project, however, was input of music and sound. I am still not aware of how to edit lengths and volume in Flash. Therefore, I relied on Pro Tools to make original edits that ended exactly when they should in the video, and sounds with particular volume sets. I also had to convert all Pro Tools wav. files to mp3, because Flash would not read them properly. Although tedious, I spent my time with this issue simply because this semester was geared towards audio. A lackluster effort was not an option.
Overall, I learned a lot from completing this project. Although my original vision was not completely matched, I did succeed in greatly expanding my knowledge with this program and created a Flash document to the best of my abilities. The final version is entertaining to watch and successfully addresses my target audience. This project was a great learning experience and I was able to acquire skills, which will help me in future projects.
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/517511
After attending my lab class, it felt great to have showcased my hard work. Seeing the animation on the big screen, in front of my peers, made all the problems I had in Flash feel worth it. I was proud of myself! What was also exciting, however, was the other animations my class came up with. Some projects were REALLY well made. You could swear they were professionally done. Even the low quality productions were entertaining to watch. This is why I love these show-and-tell labs, because they're always enjoyable.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. "Motion Graphics". Lecture. Ryerson University, Toronto. 13 Oct. 2009.
"YouTube - Two Cats In Love." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7VMwsAsUI&feature=PlayList&p=6C233A0FC4F7A95A&index=9
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Week 8 - Augmented Reality Games
Do not get me wrong. I have yet to attend a boring Digital Media lecture, and this week was no different. However as I sat there listening to what Laurie Petrou had to say, I was really confused as to how any of the discussions in-class related to the RTA program.
Perhaps the topic related to advertising and how it can be used when we need to promote an idea... Maybe it was to show us different ways of connecting with our audiences... Or maybe it was to simply show us how both industries are somewhat similar... Either way I'm completely guessing, and still not entirely certain on how it relates to me. What was the main argument for the lesson? What was it suppose to prove?
Nevertheless, the lecture was mesmerizing. Learning about ARGs for the first time seemed really intriguing and got me interested. The examples Laurie showed us (i.e. for Dark Knight and Halo 2), had really fascinating ad campaigns. The whole time I had this urge to research the competitions that the companies created, in hopes of finding a list of all the clues and details that were needed to organize an event like this.
Being a avid gamer myself also made the slideshow presentation more enjoyable than other lectures I've been to. Having played many genres of games, it was enjoying to have these discussed in university. Oddly enough however, this would not be the last time that video games would be the main topic in one of my classes.
After recently attending a lecture for my elective, Information to Technology and Society (ITM 277), games have never been so enjoyable to explore with other students. Kathleen Greenaway, my professor, created a whole topic on the virtual world "Second Life". Being awfully similar to ARGs, this on-line "game" felt very realistic. The whole time, while sitting in-class, I kept hearing descriptions which reminded me of Digital Media.
It is true that I have yet to make a complete connection between this particular lecture and radio and television. I'll keep an open-minded though, and still continue to enjoy the topics that are covered in our class.
Additional Sources
Greenaway, Kathleen. "Manpower and Second Life." Lecture. Ryerson University, Toronto. 05 Nov. 2009.
Petrou, Laurie. "Augmented Reality Games." Lecture. Ryerson University, Toronto. 27 Oct. 2009.
Perhaps the topic related to advertising and how it can be used when we need to promote an idea... Maybe it was to show us different ways of connecting with our audiences... Or maybe it was to simply show us how both industries are somewhat similar... Either way I'm completely guessing, and still not entirely certain on how it relates to me. What was the main argument for the lesson? What was it suppose to prove?
Nevertheless, the lecture was mesmerizing. Learning about ARGs for the first time seemed really intriguing and got me interested. The examples Laurie showed us (i.e. for Dark Knight and Halo 2), had really fascinating ad campaigns. The whole time I had this urge to research the competitions that the companies created, in hopes of finding a list of all the clues and details that were needed to organize an event like this.
Being a avid gamer myself also made the slideshow presentation more enjoyable than other lectures I've been to. Having played many genres of games, it was enjoying to have these discussed in university. Oddly enough however, this would not be the last time that video games would be the main topic in one of my classes.
After recently attending a lecture for my elective, Information to Technology and Society (ITM 277), games have never been so enjoyable to explore with other students. Kathleen Greenaway, my professor, created a whole topic on the virtual world "Second Life". Being awfully similar to ARGs, this on-line "game" felt very realistic. The whole time, while sitting in-class, I kept hearing descriptions which reminded me of Digital Media.
It is true that I have yet to make a complete connection between this particular lecture and radio and television. I'll keep an open-minded though, and still continue to enjoy the topics that are covered in our class.
Additional Sources
Greenaway, Kathleen. "Manpower and Second Life." Lecture. Ryerson University, Toronto. 05 Nov. 2009.
Petrou, Laurie. "Augmented Reality Games." Lecture. Ryerson University, Toronto. 27 Oct. 2009.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Week 7 - Music And Graphics
I went to alexsteinweiss.com and searched through covers, in hopes of finding one that reminded me of a contemporary album. The second I came across this Rudolf Serkin record, I immediately compared the design to Kanye West's 2008 CD design.
Artist: Rudolf Serkin
Alex Steinweiss invented the album cover in 1938. His covers are icons of the genre because of the use of great graphics, colours and typography that were never seen before on packaging for music. His style can be seen during the golden age of jazz, classical, and popular music.
Artist: Kanye West
KAWS originally was a graffiti artist from New Jersey, who worked on ads and animated Disney movies. Besides commercial-related pieces, the artist is also well respected in the fine art communities. His work is currently traveling around in USA art galleries, and being sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Besides both having hearts as the main attraction of the piece, there are many other reasons why I thought these albums appeared similar. Looking at the typography, both are simply done without too much colour or difficulty. The colour choice of the entire album seems to appear simplistic as well. Lastly, the lines presented on the album (the background of Serkin's and the left-side of West's) seem to add depth to the cover, without appearing to have used effort in doing so.
Artist: Rudolf SerkinAlbum: Beethoven: Sonata No.8 in C Minor (Pathetique)
Genre: Classical
Year: 1945
Cover Designer: Alex SteinweissAlex Steinweiss invented the album cover in 1938. His covers are icons of the genre because of the use of great graphics, colours and typography that were never seen before on packaging for music. His style can be seen during the golden age of jazz, classical, and popular music.
Artist: Kanye WestAlbum: 808s & Heartbreak
Genre: Pop/Hip-Hop
Year: 2008
Cover Designer: Brian Donnelly (KAWS)KAWS originally was a graffiti artist from New Jersey, who worked on ads and animated Disney movies. Besides commercial-related pieces, the artist is also well respected in the fine art communities. His work is currently traveling around in USA art galleries, and being sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Besides both having hearts as the main attraction of the piece, there are many other reasons why I thought these albums appeared similar. Looking at the typography, both are simply done without too much colour or difficulty. The colour choice of the entire album seems to appear simplistic as well. Lastly, the lines presented on the album (the background of Serkin's and the left-side of West's) seem to add depth to the cover, without appearing to have used effort in doing so.
Additional Sources
Alex Steinweiss. Fri. 2 Nov. 2009.
http://alexsteinweiss.com/as_index.html
http://alexsteinweiss.com/as_index.html
"KAWS (artist)". Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Fri. 2 Nov. 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KAWS_(artist).
Petrou, Laurie. "Music and Graphics." Lecture. Ryerson University, Toronto. 20 Oct. 2009.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Week 6 - Animation And Interactivity
Flash scares me. When I watch examples in labs and lectures I wonder how I will ever successfully pull this assignment off. I enjoyed Photoshop, simply because I’m used to it; Flash on the other hand, is new grounds for me. Hopefully I do a decent job before week 9!
I did come up with a concept, thankfully. After I watched “Are You Emo?” by Quinn Danielis and “Thief” by Andrew Miguel on blackboard, I decided I wanted to create an animation that was funny, with a simple vibe. I’m keeping it simple for I don’t want my expectations to become too high. If I become a master however, perhaps I will work backwards and add any touch-ups and new ideas to the finished product.
My vision consists of two kittens watching the moon, slowly falling in love. They begin to kiss, and roll over the field in lust (nothing sexually hinted here, simply rolling). This action goes on for an awkward length, when suddenly you hear a voice of a third cat. It happens to be the male cat’s girlfriend, scolding him for cheating on her. The video ends with the cat’s girlfriend ranting about the situation to the two awkward cats caught in the act.
It is random, I’m aware. Yet I believe the randomness is what will make the Flash movie enjoyable. I actually came up with this concept when watching cat videos on Youtube (i.e. “Two Cats In Love”). I chose cats simply because I think two cats rolling around in grass embracing each other is funny. I will have to research the details on what a cat looks like, and their movements for the video. Having realistic characters in a non-realistic setting adds to the comedy. Although if the vision doesn’t work out, I may change the cats to a different type of animal.
My idea is going to take many hours in the lab. Because I’m a rookie, I will have to master these tutorial handouts quickly before the due date. The techniques used in Flash (i.e. quality buttons, tweens, animation, sound) depend on how quickly I develop these skills and what works and doesn’t work with my layout.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. "Motion Graphics". Lecture. Ryerson University, Toronto. 13 Oct. 2009.
"YouTube - Two Cats In Love." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7VMwsAsUI&feature=PlayList&p=6C233A0FC4F7A95A&index=9
I did come up with a concept, thankfully. After I watched “Are You Emo?” by Quinn Danielis and “Thief” by Andrew Miguel on blackboard, I decided I wanted to create an animation that was funny, with a simple vibe. I’m keeping it simple for I don’t want my expectations to become too high. If I become a master however, perhaps I will work backwards and add any touch-ups and new ideas to the finished product.
My vision consists of two kittens watching the moon, slowly falling in love. They begin to kiss, and roll over the field in lust (nothing sexually hinted here, simply rolling). This action goes on for an awkward length, when suddenly you hear a voice of a third cat. It happens to be the male cat’s girlfriend, scolding him for cheating on her. The video ends with the cat’s girlfriend ranting about the situation to the two awkward cats caught in the act.
It is random, I’m aware. Yet I believe the randomness is what will make the Flash movie enjoyable. I actually came up with this concept when watching cat videos on Youtube (i.e. “Two Cats In Love”). I chose cats simply because I think two cats rolling around in grass embracing each other is funny. I will have to research the details on what a cat looks like, and their movements for the video. Having realistic characters in a non-realistic setting adds to the comedy. Although if the vision doesn’t work out, I may change the cats to a different type of animal.
My idea is going to take many hours in the lab. Because I’m a rookie, I will have to master these tutorial handouts quickly before the due date. The techniques used in Flash (i.e. quality buttons, tweens, animation, sound) depend on how quickly I develop these skills and what works and doesn’t work with my layout.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. "Motion Graphics". Lecture. Ryerson University, Toronto. 13 Oct. 2009.
"YouTube - Two Cats In Love." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7VMwsAsUI&feature=PlayList&p=6C233A0FC4F7A95A&index=9
Monday, October 12, 2009
Week 5 - Photoshop Poster Assignment
I had already decided I was going to make a poster for a fictional movie. I love imagining random movie concepts, so applying that interest to this assignment made time spent on my poster very enjoyable.
Ironically, I began by brainstorming what qualities would make for a hilarious photograph, not by what a good movie should be. I wanted to create something edgy, without crossing lines; and most importantly, make people laugh. Only once the picture was taken, I would begin to mold the idea into a movie concept. Eventually I envisioned myself using a toilet in a woman’s public washroom, offending nearby bystanders.
With help from females on campus, and an Image Arts photographer, I was able to capture my vision. I could not settle with an average quality camera, and used my residence’s resources to get the perfect picture. Finding the perfect washroom was a challenge however, for I specifically wanted a shot of an open stall for the girls to crowd around. As well, finding the right angle, turned out to be a feat in itself. We eventually settled with a photograph of the washroom’s mirror, which coincidently left me with a beautiful sink reflection in the right hand corner of my finished product.
I chose my favourite take, and began working with Adobe Photoshop. This led to another problem, which again, worked out in my favor. I originally believed the image would take the full 8 x 10 size, however I soon realized that would be impossible without stretching the photo. This left a border on the sides that I completely hated, although did display great alignment.
While venting, I toggled with the photo’s colour. The image needed blue, to match water one would find in a washroom. This led to borders becoming a lighter shade of blue, contrasting the photo. Although still not satisfied, I eventually began to make the image appear as if the viewer is looking in a mirror, rather than simply an image with a dull border.
With the brush tool, I drew white lines on the corner of the photo to give a glossy, mirror-like appearance. It was simple, yet very effective. As well was the movie title, “The Ladies Room”. Although blunt, I really wanted to use the woman’s washroom logo as a text in the font. Once creating my own replica, I found a font similar to the drawing.
The tagline, like the movie concept itself, was due to brainstorming. Using “this guy has balls”, as a branding slogan, worked perfectly for my edgy theme. A male had the courage to use the woman’s washroom - the problem being, he was a male. I completed the design by researching professional movie posters, viewing what criteria was found on all of them (i.e. the credentials, movie website, release date, etc.)
A problem then occurred. Due to my placement of the tagline on my character’s back, if I correctly centered all the text, the poster would appear awkward - and oddly enough, not appear centered at all. Therefore I purposely left text not quite in the middle of the design.
After viewing my completed project, teens (13-19) are the target audience, due to borderline offensive humor in the concept and design. Using teens in the photo itself, I believe, also successfully addresses the target audience with ease. I was worried a movie poster wouldn’t showcase advance Adobe Photoshop techniques, however the assignment took a lot more effort and time than expected.
I worked with this program before, however never have I focused so much on key design principles. From doing this assignment, I am now familiar with what makes a great design. This will stick with me forever. As well, having an in-class critique of my work also was beneficial. This was able to tell me that I did use the CRAP principles correctly. Overall, the piece exceeded my initial goal, and I am happy with what I created.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. Ryerson University, Toronto. Lab. 08 Oct. 2009.
Ironically, I began by brainstorming what qualities would make for a hilarious photograph, not by what a good movie should be. I wanted to create something edgy, without crossing lines; and most importantly, make people laugh. Only once the picture was taken, I would begin to mold the idea into a movie concept. Eventually I envisioned myself using a toilet in a woman’s public washroom, offending nearby bystanders.
With help from females on campus, and an Image Arts photographer, I was able to capture my vision. I could not settle with an average quality camera, and used my residence’s resources to get the perfect picture. Finding the perfect washroom was a challenge however, for I specifically wanted a shot of an open stall for the girls to crowd around. As well, finding the right angle, turned out to be a feat in itself. We eventually settled with a photograph of the washroom’s mirror, which coincidently left me with a beautiful sink reflection in the right hand corner of my finished product.
I chose my favourite take, and began working with Adobe Photoshop. This led to another problem, which again, worked out in my favor. I originally believed the image would take the full 8 x 10 size, however I soon realized that would be impossible without stretching the photo. This left a border on the sides that I completely hated, although did display great alignment.
While venting, I toggled with the photo’s colour. The image needed blue, to match water one would find in a washroom. This led to borders becoming a lighter shade of blue, contrasting the photo. Although still not satisfied, I eventually began to make the image appear as if the viewer is looking in a mirror, rather than simply an image with a dull border.
With the brush tool, I drew white lines on the corner of the photo to give a glossy, mirror-like appearance. It was simple, yet very effective. As well was the movie title, “The Ladies Room”. Although blunt, I really wanted to use the woman’s washroom logo as a text in the font. Once creating my own replica, I found a font similar to the drawing.
The tagline, like the movie concept itself, was due to brainstorming. Using “this guy has balls”, as a branding slogan, worked perfectly for my edgy theme. A male had the courage to use the woman’s washroom - the problem being, he was a male. I completed the design by researching professional movie posters, viewing what criteria was found on all of them (i.e. the credentials, movie website, release date, etc.)
A problem then occurred. Due to my placement of the tagline on my character’s back, if I correctly centered all the text, the poster would appear awkward - and oddly enough, not appear centered at all. Therefore I purposely left text not quite in the middle of the design.
After viewing my completed project, teens (13-19) are the target audience, due to borderline offensive humor in the concept and design. Using teens in the photo itself, I believe, also successfully addresses the target audience with ease. I was worried a movie poster wouldn’t showcase advance Adobe Photoshop techniques, however the assignment took a lot more effort and time than expected.
I worked with this program before, however never have I focused so much on key design principles. From doing this assignment, I am now familiar with what makes a great design. This will stick with me forever. As well, having an in-class critique of my work also was beneficial. This was able to tell me that I did use the CRAP principles correctly. Overall, the piece exceeded my initial goal, and I am happy with what I created.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. Ryerson University, Toronto. Lab. 08 Oct. 2009.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Week 4 - Typography
Once again, I was excited for this Digital Media lecture. With a continuation on Adobe Photoshop, I didn’t mind waking up for 9 a.m. this week. Although the previous class focused on colour schemes and design principals; typography would be the main topic of interest this go-around.
While I’m creating a design, I believe the font is just as important as the image. I have seen many examples where the artist has a strong image – just to be ruined by a poor choice in font. Finding a typography that correctly conveys the message/theme makes all the difference. This not only allows the image to connect with text, but also make overall visual very appealing.
Typography is everywhere. Even the simplest of fonts have been used over and again. However, in some cases, the designer creates their own fonts to best suit the piece. I have comes across many different typographies on the Internet - each with a unique theme; that is easily displayed through the use of font.
Although not much text is present, the typography for Kid Cudi’s debut album, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, is very effective. The font, which looks similar to ‘BlairMdITC TT’, has a very futuristic outer space appearance. This theme goes hand in hand with Kid Cudi’s sci-fi lyrics and rhythms found in his music. The font also creates a connection with the image of the moon and stars on the right-hand side. Yet while kept relatively simple, the typography leaves the viewer with a sense of curiosity – much like what the audience gets while listening to this rising artist.
My next graphic is located on a Jag “Skinny Jeans” billboard. This typography is very popular, yet works outstandingly well with the product’s concept. Using a font similar to ‘Arial Narrow’ makes the advertisement clear that Jag’s jeans are skinny in size. With such simple font and red colour, the typography is easy to read. This is very important, for everyone is going to see this billboard. By choosing this font, the overall appearance also creates, a clean and classy look. With a beautiful model as the image, having a tidy appearance makes for a great display.
My last design is for Kraft’s ‘Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Crème’. With using a mixture of ‘Cooper Std Black’ and ‘Comic Sans’, this designer was able to create a typography that completely matches the appearance of a real marshmallow. The bubbly letters also works very well with the rainbow pattern seen in the background, allowing the product to appear fun and enjoyable. This design is probably my favourite.
Typography is very important to any design an artist creates. In Digital Media, the correct choice of font creates tone, themes, and connections that may of not existed before. Having the perfect typography strengthens everything about your design, and makes it better than ever before.
Look around. You’ll be amazed by the impact typography creates.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. Typography. Ryerson University, Toronto. Lecture. 29 Sept. 2009.
Images
Kid Cudi, Man on the Moon: The End of Day. 2009. (CD cover)
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00026388.html
Jag, Skinny Jeans. 2006. (Billboard)
http://my_sarisari_store.typepad.com/my_sarisari_store/billboards/
Kraft, Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Crème. 2009. (Product label)
http://www.candypirate.com/kraft-jet-puffed-marshmallow-creme---196g---short-dated-22nd-sept-665-p.asp
While I’m creating a design, I believe the font is just as important as the image. I have seen many examples where the artist has a strong image – just to be ruined by a poor choice in font. Finding a typography that correctly conveys the message/theme makes all the difference. This not only allows the image to connect with text, but also make overall visual very appealing.
Typography is everywhere. Even the simplest of fonts have been used over and again. However, in some cases, the designer creates their own fonts to best suit the piece. I have comes across many different typographies on the Internet - each with a unique theme; that is easily displayed through the use of font.
Although not much text is present, the typography for Kid Cudi’s debut album, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, is very effective. The font, which looks similar to ‘BlairMdITC TT’, has a very futuristic outer space appearance. This theme goes hand in hand with Kid Cudi’s sci-fi lyrics and rhythms found in his music. The font also creates a connection with the image of the moon and stars on the right-hand side. Yet while kept relatively simple, the typography leaves the viewer with a sense of curiosity – much like what the audience gets while listening to this rising artist.
My next graphic is located on a Jag “Skinny Jeans” billboard. This typography is very popular, yet works outstandingly well with the product’s concept. Using a font similar to ‘Arial Narrow’ makes the advertisement clear that Jag’s jeans are skinny in size. With such simple font and red colour, the typography is easy to read. This is very important, for everyone is going to see this billboard. By choosing this font, the overall appearance also creates, a clean and classy look. With a beautiful model as the image, having a tidy appearance makes for a great display.
My last design is for Kraft’s ‘Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Crème’. With using a mixture of ‘Cooper Std Black’ and ‘Comic Sans’, this designer was able to create a typography that completely matches the appearance of a real marshmallow. The bubbly letters also works very well with the rainbow pattern seen in the background, allowing the product to appear fun and enjoyable. This design is probably my favourite.
Typography is very important to any design an artist creates. In Digital Media, the correct choice of font creates tone, themes, and connections that may of not existed before. Having the perfect typography strengthens everything about your design, and makes it better than ever before.
Look around. You’ll be amazed by the impact typography creates.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. Typography. Ryerson University, Toronto. Lecture. 29 Sept. 2009.
Images
Kid Cudi, Man on the Moon: The End of Day. 2009. (CD cover)
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00026388.html
Jag, Skinny Jeans. 2006. (Billboard)
http://my_sarisari_store.typepad.com/my_sarisari_store/billboards/
Kraft, Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Crème. 2009. (Product label)
http://www.candypirate.com/kraft-jet-puffed-marshmallow-creme---196g---short-dated-22nd-sept-665-p.asp
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Week 3 - Digital Imaging
The third week in my Digital Media class was probably the most anticipated week for me. Before attending Ryerson University, I would spend a lot of my spare time on Adobe Photoshop. When I found out on the course syllabus that we’d be learning it, I was ecstatic. Thankfully, the lecture and lab did not disappoint.
Laurie Petrou’s slideshow was a great way to introduce this artistic program, because it started with a presentation on colours in elaborate detail. Of course, I know my yellows from my blues. However, learning about analog and complementary colours was quite an eye-opener. I’ve never quite taken the time to realize the importance of dominant colour schemes and models, along with their advantages. With many examples shown, the class got me very excited to begin Photoshop.
Despite having previous knowledge of the different filters, overlays, tools, and effects Photoshop has to offer; finally being shown by an instructor was a definite help. I taught myself the basics at home on my PC, but this was the first time I learned on a Mac, and it was quite different. Apart from learning a new layout of the program, the lab also went into how to format images correctly.
I was aware there were three types of image formats: bitmap, .jpeg, and .gif. What I didn’t know was the differences and their uses. The bitmap format (usually images taken from a digital camera or scanner) depends on the quality of the original image. The file is made up of pixels on a grid, so when you expand or extrapolate the image, quality is likely to change due to the computer having to create more pixels. JPEG files are basically lower-quality bitmap files. Eliminating details that aren’t easily recognizable reduces the size of the image, lending its usefulness to digital photography. Lastly, GIF files are simple images that are compressed to reduce the size. Web designers prefer this format for their websites due to the excellence in line drawings and text-based images.
Recently I have purchased my own copy of Adobe Photoshop for my Mac, based on my interest of the third week’s material. Although the poster/CD cover assignment is completed with this program, the main purpose of having my own copy was simply due to my enjoyment of creating digital media. That enjoyment will certainly continue to grow in the upcoming weeks.
Here are a few examples of past Photoshop creations I crafted on my PC:
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. Digital Imaging. Ryerson University, Toronto. Lecture. 22 Sept. 2009.
Laurie Petrou’s slideshow was a great way to introduce this artistic program, because it started with a presentation on colours in elaborate detail. Of course, I know my yellows from my blues. However, learning about analog and complementary colours was quite an eye-opener. I’ve never quite taken the time to realize the importance of dominant colour schemes and models, along with their advantages. With many examples shown, the class got me very excited to begin Photoshop.
Despite having previous knowledge of the different filters, overlays, tools, and effects Photoshop has to offer; finally being shown by an instructor was a definite help. I taught myself the basics at home on my PC, but this was the first time I learned on a Mac, and it was quite different. Apart from learning a new layout of the program, the lab also went into how to format images correctly.
I was aware there were three types of image formats: bitmap, .jpeg, and .gif. What I didn’t know was the differences and their uses. The bitmap format (usually images taken from a digital camera or scanner) depends on the quality of the original image. The file is made up of pixels on a grid, so when you expand or extrapolate the image, quality is likely to change due to the computer having to create more pixels. JPEG files are basically lower-quality bitmap files. Eliminating details that aren’t easily recognizable reduces the size of the image, lending its usefulness to digital photography. Lastly, GIF files are simple images that are compressed to reduce the size. Web designers prefer this format for their websites due to the excellence in line drawings and text-based images.
Recently I have purchased my own copy of Adobe Photoshop for my Mac, based on my interest of the third week’s material. Although the poster/CD cover assignment is completed with this program, the main purpose of having my own copy was simply due to my enjoyment of creating digital media. That enjoyment will certainly continue to grow in the upcoming weeks.
Here are a few examples of past Photoshop creations I crafted on my PC:
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. Digital Imaging. Ryerson University, Toronto. Lecture. 22 Sept. 2009.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Week 2 - Design Principles
Who knew that my second lecture in Digital Media would be about crap? Thankfully, however, it was interesting crap as I learned about the principles of design for formats such as magazines, the Internet, posters and billboards. This lesson will surely come in handy for the upcoming assignment when I create my own poster in Photoshop.
The principals of C.R.A.P. are quite clear. Contrast is used when two or more items aren’t the same, creating variety for the viewer due to objects appearing different from each other. Repetition occurs when you repeat a design throughout the final image. Having text or pictures centered or neatly lined is called alignment. Lastly, having related items organized together on a page, with less related items farther apart; is labeled as proximity.
I’ve been trying to decide lately if I should create a poster based on a fictionist movie, so I browsed the Internet and found some great examples that use Robin William’s C.R.A.P. Principles for Design. Here’s what I came up with:
The first poster I came across was for the movie ‘Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull’. I think the designer did a pretty effective job showcasing what this movie entailed. Having Indiana on the left of the image, as apposed to the centre, allows the background to appear less aligned and more entertaining for the viewer. With that being said, centering the bottom text makes the title of the film and release date very easy to navigate on the page. Having the main title slightly slanted on an angle allows the focus to become even easier. The designer also uses proximity with the font style used in the subtitle and the release date, creating a connection between the two, allowing the fonts to be two different colours yet still be able to match with the finished product.
‘Gran Torino’ was the second movie poster I discovered on the Internet. This design is the simplest out of the four I chose. The main focus here is the alignment that was made with the text. With the words all being displayed to the right, Clint Eastwood’s character can be easily seen covering up the left side of the page. Although using repetitive font does make the letters seem great together, I personally believe choosing something less dull could have made this poster more pleasing to the eye.
The next poster is a classic among movies. ‘Casablanca’ seems to have a pretty appealing poster by following the principles of design. Using contrast for the title text from everything else in the poster allows the red in Casablanca stand out perfectly among the rest. You can also witness repetition on the right side of the design, with all the characters faces in the same blue colour; create a simplistic border from complex profiles. Aligning the actors’ names at the top and the bottom of the poster allows the text to be easily read and organized from all the rest. To wrap it up, the designer then uses proximity by placing certain aspects into groups (ie. the main actors’ names at the top and the blue faces on the right).
My final poster, ‘300’, is my favourite design I managed to find. Using the bright red of the font on top of the dark brown of the cliff allows the colours to contrast effortlessly for everyone to read. The repetition of the soldiers on the left not only creates a nice border for the poster, but allows the alignment to seem effortless as well. Having text on angles and in capitals also helps the overall look to this amazing poster design. Keeping the font all on the right side of the cliff shows great proximity with the soldiers as well, making the poster not appear too cluttered.
Having these C.R.A.P. principles, as a design aid will benefit anyone who wants a powerful display, whether it’s on a poster, CD cover, magazine, or billboard. Simply by referring back to these four rules will definitely make anyone’s designs better. Knowing these principles in advance to my first project will help quite a bit!
Oh, and by the way, I made this.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. Design Principles: Colour Theory And Composition. Ryerson University, Toronto. Lecture. 15 Sept. 2009.
Williams, Robin. The Non-Designer's Type Book. Peachpit Press, 1998.
Images
Indiana Jones And The Crystal Skull. 2008. (Movie Poster)
hhttp://www.iwatchstuff.com/2007/12/am_poster_post_indiana_jones_a.php
Gran Torino. 2008. (Movie Poster)
http://uncinema.wordpress.com/2009/03/
Casablanca. 1942. (Movie Poster)
http://welovetypography.com/3/tag/connected/
300. 2007. (Movie Poster)
http://www.reviewstl.com/300/
The principals of C.R.A.P. are quite clear. Contrast is used when two or more items aren’t the same, creating variety for the viewer due to objects appearing different from each other. Repetition occurs when you repeat a design throughout the final image. Having text or pictures centered or neatly lined is called alignment. Lastly, having related items organized together on a page, with less related items farther apart; is labeled as proximity.
I’ve been trying to decide lately if I should create a poster based on a fictionist movie, so I browsed the Internet and found some great examples that use Robin William’s C.R.A.P. Principles for Design. Here’s what I came up with:
The first poster I came across was for the movie ‘Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull’. I think the designer did a pretty effective job showcasing what this movie entailed. Having Indiana on the left of the image, as apposed to the centre, allows the background to appear less aligned and more entertaining for the viewer. With that being said, centering the bottom text makes the title of the film and release date very easy to navigate on the page. Having the main title slightly slanted on an angle allows the focus to become even easier. The designer also uses proximity with the font style used in the subtitle and the release date, creating a connection between the two, allowing the fonts to be two different colours yet still be able to match with the finished product.
‘Gran Torino’ was the second movie poster I discovered on the Internet. This design is the simplest out of the four I chose. The main focus here is the alignment that was made with the text. With the words all being displayed to the right, Clint Eastwood’s character can be easily seen covering up the left side of the page. Although using repetitive font does make the letters seem great together, I personally believe choosing something less dull could have made this poster more pleasing to the eye.
The next poster is a classic among movies. ‘Casablanca’ seems to have a pretty appealing poster by following the principles of design. Using contrast for the title text from everything else in the poster allows the red in Casablanca stand out perfectly among the rest. You can also witness repetition on the right side of the design, with all the characters faces in the same blue colour; create a simplistic border from complex profiles. Aligning the actors’ names at the top and the bottom of the poster allows the text to be easily read and organized from all the rest. To wrap it up, the designer then uses proximity by placing certain aspects into groups (ie. the main actors’ names at the top and the blue faces on the right).
My final poster, ‘300’, is my favourite design I managed to find. Using the bright red of the font on top of the dark brown of the cliff allows the colours to contrast effortlessly for everyone to read. The repetition of the soldiers on the left not only creates a nice border for the poster, but allows the alignment to seem effortless as well. Having text on angles and in capitals also helps the overall look to this amazing poster design. Keeping the font all on the right side of the cliff shows great proximity with the soldiers as well, making the poster not appear too cluttered.
Having these C.R.A.P. principles, as a design aid will benefit anyone who wants a powerful display, whether it’s on a poster, CD cover, magazine, or billboard. Simply by referring back to these four rules will definitely make anyone’s designs better. Knowing these principles in advance to my first project will help quite a bit!
Oh, and by the way, I made this.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. Design Principles: Colour Theory And Composition. Ryerson University, Toronto. Lecture. 15 Sept. 2009.
Williams, Robin. The Non-Designer's Type Book. Peachpit Press, 1998.
Images
Indiana Jones And The Crystal Skull. 2008. (Movie Poster)
hhttp://www.iwatchstuff.com/2007/12/am_poster_post_indiana_jones_a.php
Gran Torino. 2008. (Movie Poster)
http://uncinema.wordpress.com/2009/03/
Casablanca. 1942. (Movie Poster)
http://welovetypography.com/3/tag/connected/
300. 2007. (Movie Poster)
http://www.reviewstl.com/300/
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Week 1 - What Is Digital Media?
Honestly, I had no idea what this Digital Media course entailed as I walked into the lecture hall early Tuesday morning. Of course I read the class description many times as I waited patiently during the summer for university to start, however, actually experiencing BDC 192 in person was like nothing I could of imagined. Being in a room full of hundreds of students was a lot different than my usual 20-30 to a class. Laptops everywhere, huge projector screens and speakers- what was I getting myself into?
As I sat there watching Laurie Petrou's entertaining and informative slideshow, I began to feel like university wouldn't nearly be as frightening or as stressful as I made it out to be. My first impression of the term "digital media" seemed challenging and intimidating as I envisioned very technical programs and instructions to create graphic design, animation, interactivity, and web media. Thankfully my impression changed after the first lecture, for although the course still seemed challenging, the programs we would be using were familiar to me. Thank God for that.
It is no surprise as to why an RTA student should take this course. Although not all of BDC 192 is needed to acquire a job in the radio and television field, there are many aspects that can surely assist. There are many programs to be learned during the semester, however I feel the "assessing and giving constructive feedback for others" as well as "understanding the importance of the target audience" are the two most important skills that can be taken from this course. Knowing what your listeners/viewers want to see or hear means everything in this competitive industry.
The medium is definitely the message and Marshall McLuhan could not of been more right. The medium does affect society through the content and the characteristics of it. So by creating a medium that people want to actually be engaged by and choose to listen helps carry your message across. Being enrolled in the Digital Media course will surely help me develop those skills, and although the course may be intimidating and challenging at times; I feel I have nothing to worry about. It's going to be a fun year.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. Introduction: BDC 192 Digital Media. Ryerson University, Toronto. Lecture. 8 Sept. 2009.
As I sat there watching Laurie Petrou's entertaining and informative slideshow, I began to feel like university wouldn't nearly be as frightening or as stressful as I made it out to be. My first impression of the term "digital media" seemed challenging and intimidating as I envisioned very technical programs and instructions to create graphic design, animation, interactivity, and web media. Thankfully my impression changed after the first lecture, for although the course still seemed challenging, the programs we would be using were familiar to me. Thank God for that.
It is no surprise as to why an RTA student should take this course. Although not all of BDC 192 is needed to acquire a job in the radio and television field, there are many aspects that can surely assist. There are many programs to be learned during the semester, however I feel the "assessing and giving constructive feedback for others" as well as "understanding the importance of the target audience" are the two most important skills that can be taken from this course. Knowing what your listeners/viewers want to see or hear means everything in this competitive industry.
The medium is definitely the message and Marshall McLuhan could not of been more right. The medium does affect society through the content and the characteristics of it. So by creating a medium that people want to actually be engaged by and choose to listen helps carry your message across. Being enrolled in the Digital Media course will surely help me develop those skills, and although the course may be intimidating and challenging at times; I feel I have nothing to worry about. It's going to be a fun year.
Additional Sources
Petrou, Laurie. Introduction: BDC 192 Digital Media. Ryerson University, Toronto. Lecture. 8 Sept. 2009.
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