Redesigned Index Page

For our semester 1 final, we redesigned our index pages. I created this site using a template found online.
I added the background image to create a sense of depth. The fonts are created with Google fonts. The color scheme is based on the photo.

Check it out here!

TV25 Website Project

We started the process of building this website by first creating a wireframe mockup on illustrator.



We then showed these mockups to the client and got feedback on our initial ideas.

With these ideas in mind, we created a site on dreamweaver. 

This is the site that I created.

This has been a great learning experience of  how to work with clients and give them a product that they want, with some of my ideas.

I am happy with the overall outcome of my site. I think that it reflects the company well and would look good online.

Lori's Lumens Logo Mockups

I created these mockups with my final logo to show how this could be used in real life.

Lori's Lumens Logo Revised

Here is the revised version of the logo. I listened to the feedback and chose a different font to give it a better look.

Lori's Lumens Logo Design

In web design, we are creating a website for an imaginary business. The website will include this a logo which I am in the process of designing.  Here is my work so far on the logo for Lori's Lumens.

On this page, I have a light bulb tilted on an angle.
I like the box with the text on the side of it the best.

This page continues experimenting with more ideas. I tried to imagine a light bulb hanging from a string on the ceiling.

On this one I added more detail in the bulb and on the screw part.

I tried to explore other ideas that isn't just a light bulb. I couldn't figure out how to make it look right, so I probably won't be using this. 

Here I was testing out different fonts to go with the logo.

WordPress.com vs WordPress.org

Wordpress.com and Wordpress.org, although they may sound like the same thing, they have many major differences.

Wordpress.com had a guided set up process that is easy to understand for beginners with different themes other customizable features. Once your site is set up, you can use the portal to see your site, a feed of other wordpress sites, and stats about your blog.

Pros

• Easy to set up
• Easy to customize. 
• Free

Cons

• Paid upgrade needed for more features and customization   
• No plugins
• Limited number of themes

Wordpress.org is a website dedicated to wordpress community. on this site, you can download the wordpress software. Although it is much less restricted, you have to have experience and knowledge
in web design.

Pros

• Free software
• Plugins
• You can use any theme
• Unlimited customization 

Cons

• You have to pay for hosting 
• Install it yourself
• You are responsible for managing and maintenance of your server

Although not one os objectively better than the other, it is up to you to pick which features you value the most.

Source - WordPress.com vs WordPress.org

Embedded Maps

In class we have been researching maps embedded into websites with custom pins that show personalized information for a potential client. We looked at three different sites and how they worked to understand how we can make our own version. 

Zillow-

Zillow is a real-estate website. The map makes it easy to find houses in an area and all of the information that may be needed.  I couldn't find exactly how they made the custom pins, but they embedded Bing Maps into their site to create the map.

Century 21

Century 21 is also real-estate website. This map has highlighted red areas to show what area is selected and also has similar pins to Zillow.  I couldn't find exactly how they made the custom pins, but they embedded Bing Maps into their site to create the map.

T-Mobile

This site shows all of the T-Mobile stores on the map. This one is created with Google Maps and also has custom pins providing information about each store.

I will use Google Maps to embed a custom map onto my site with custom pins.

Video Reflection - Sophomore Final

Music Video

This project was to create a music video using a pre-existing song. It took my group approximately three weeks to complete. Challenges that we faced included image stabilization, scheduling, and editing choices. I learned how to work with a filming team and actors. I also learned the value of a team where everyone contributes. I received feedback about using different shots and on editing choices. If I were to change anything, I would use a tripod on more of the shots and I would pick a try to change the song. I was very pleased with the final product.

High School Trailer

This project was to recreate a trailer for a high school movie. It would have taken about four weeks to complete. The biggest challenge was my group. I had to lead the group of three, which included one member who refused to help in any way. I also didn't have a lot of experience in video and I am not the most interested in video. We did not fully complete the project because we didn't get to film all of the shots that we needed. I learned that I need to take action and to motivate myself to keep going and finish what little I can. If I could change anything I would find another group and choose a different trailer to remake that could be done out of school hours. I am not at all happy with how this project turned out and I regret what happened.

Short Film

This project was to create a short film with an original script. My group selected my script to be turned into this short film. From writing the script to the final edit, this project took about six weeks. The biggest challenge that we faced was finding an actor. We had an actor for the main character, but he couldn't make any of the filming days. So, already behind schedule, I had to step in and play the part of Sam. This was a great challenge because I have never acted before. Along the way, I learned a little about how to act and also how to write a treatment, script, and how to storyboard. The feed back we were given included tips on camera angles and lighting. If I could change anything, I would find another actor (who could actually act) to play Sam instead of me. I am mostly proud of this film, although I am not proud of my acting performance.

Time in Class

I have used my time in class very well. If I finished early I would help classmates on their work or I would work on other school work. Outside of class, when I watch TV, I notice the camera shots and other techniques that are used.

My Strengths

My strengths as an employee are leadership and project management. I work to lead my group, even if I'm not the main leader, I help by keeping others on task.

Improvement

If I were continuing on in video, I would need improvement on Premiere Pro and on script writing.

Summary

This semester, I most loved getting to know all of the different people in the class who all share a common interest. Something that I would change is that I would take more charge and be more of a leader in my groups. My take away from this year is that video isn't for me, but I'm more interested in the photography aspect. My goal for next year is to improve my skills in web design. I'm glad that I had this year to explore and discover what I want to do with my life.

Web Design Reflection - Sophomore Final

My Sophomore year in web design has taught me a lot.

For technology, I have learned a lot about HTML, CSS, and how to efficiently use Dreamweaver after all of the projects we've done this year. Although I faced many challenges like Dreamweaver crashing every time I tried to save, I learned a lot.  These skills will help me to succeed in my next two years in web design, and possibly beyond then.

In collaboration, I have collaborated with others to improve our projects. In leadership, I have helped my classmates to solve problems or just to suggest an improvement.

For communication, I have learned how to present myself online and I have improved in my writing skills. This will help me in these upcoming years in school and it will also help me to get a job.

For project management, I learned how to use my time efficiently and effectively to complete all of my projects on time. I will be able to use this skill for the rest of my life wherever I am.

My greatest strength is project management and my greatest weakness is communication. Project management is a strength because I am able to work on and complete my projects in a timely manner. Communication is my greatest weakness because I don't enjoy writing blog posts or long papers. I have improving in my writing this year and I will continue to improve the more that I write.

I will use the skills that I have learned to improve my work in school and to also improve myself for life and my future employer. If I were to change anything, I would go back to my earlier projects and improve them with the skills and knowledge that I have gained this year.

I am happy with what I have accomplished year and I am excited for the next two years that I have in web design to improve myself and my work.

ONW Rebranding Project

In web design, we are redesigning the Olathe Northwest logo and mascot. I chose to design a logo for the Olathe Northwest Aviators. I chose this color scheme to reflect the red baron. 

This is still a work in progress.

New Home Page

I created a new home page using a dreamweaver template. Using a template instead of starting from scratch is easier, but it does have it's challenges. I had some problems with the formatting of the projects list. The css was already in place so I only had to modify it to fit my needs. 

This experience helps me to understand how professional web designers work. Most of the time, they probably use a pre made template instead of starting from scratch every time.

Check out my web site here: 

  

Past, Present, Future

For this project, I created a website about my past, present, and future. The buttons are rollover images created with photoshop. I created the overall site with Dreamweaver. When you hover your curser over the buttons, it displays the years that are being covered, and when you click on my name in the header, it takes you back to the homepage.

Check it out here!

Responsive Design Project

What is Responsive Design?

Responsive design is the process of creating websites that work on desktops and mobile devices. It is now more important than ever because of the rise of mobile device use. 

My responsive website

The css in my sight uses media queries to change the format of the site to fit whatever screen it is being displayed on.

Check it Out!

Without Responsive Design

Desktop

iPad Mi

With Responsive Design

What is responsive web design?

Responsive Web design is the approach that suggests that design and development should respond to the user's behavior and environment based on screen size, platform and orientation. It is becoming more important because the use of mobile devices with smaller screens is on the rise and has already passed desktop use. Media queries are a major tool in responsive web design. They are simple filters that can be applied to CSS styles. They make it easy to change styles based on the characteristics of the device rendering the content, including the display type, width, height, orientation, and even resolution. One of the most useful media queries is breakpoints. Breakpoints create different versions of a site depending on the size of a devices screen.

St-Jerome Harley-davidson-

This is an award wining responsive designed website.

In it's smallest form, it has a drop
down menu, smaller text and resized
pictures. It also has a vertical layout
as opposed to the larger ones.

The medium version has a menu across the top, larger text, and larger pictures. The layout has a vertical and horizontal layout.

The largest version has the menu across the top right of the screen, slightly smaller text, and it shows more of the same sized picture. It also has a vertical and horizontal layout.

"Taylor Swift - Everything Has Changed" Music Video Project Review

For our first entertainment video project, we were tasked to create a music video for a preexisting song. My group chose "Everything Has Changed" by Taylor Swift. To create the video, we started by creating a story board and beat sheet. We also made a schedule of the filming and editing days. We used two actors and two actresses to tell the story. We filmed on three different days and took three days to edit.  When we filmed, I had one of two cameras in order to get a variety of shots. I learned the process of creating entertainment videos, how to use the Cannon camera, teamwork, and I gained good experience with making creative shots. Next time, I would use a different song and I would try to work better with my team. Next time, I will use similar shots to make the video interesting. I will use my new camera experience in my next project as well.

Music Video Review

I watched Lecrae's "All I Need is You" music video. It told a story of him trying to get back to his wife and the roadblocks he faced. I like how he used a lot of different locations and people to create interesting shots. He used many shots that we have already learned and used in our work. He told a great story of love over time that people can sympathize with. I don't see any major things that he could improve on. I really enjoyed both the video and the song because Lecrae is my favorite artist.

Flash Player article review

In the Beginning 

Adobe Flash made the internet more interesting with web-based video and animation. It's a visual tool with no coding required. It also guaranteed, with its plugin, that everyone could see the same thing no matter what browser or computer they were using.

The Fall

In 2007, Apple decided not to support flash in their new iPhone. Steve Jobs said that he believed that HTML5 would be the new standard. Although the iPhone wouldn't have it, Android devices still supported it. Both Facebook and Youtube still used flash heavily, with Youtube still using a video player made from flash.

Adobe finally acknowledged the change and ceased production of the Flash Player. To replace it, they released a product called Edge to create HTML5 content. It didn't last long and in 2015 Adobe discontinued Edge in favor of their newly branded Animate CC "for developing HTML5 content while continuing to support the creation of Flash content".

Flash still has a hold on one last major company. Facebook still uses Flash heavily for it's Flash-based games. Although Flash isn't totally dead, Google won't be helping it survive any longer.

Google announced that in its next update of Google Chrome, Flash will be blocked by default. You will still be able to unblock it in the settings, but this is just a small foreshadow of what is to come. The Internet Archive and Archive team see the direction that Flash is going. They are making efforts to save the creations of Flash by using emulators of vintage browsers that support Flash.