FINAL POST

FINAL POST!

The end of the semester means it is time for my last blog post! I have learned so much this semester and this can be seen through all of my posts that I have created during my time in this class. For my final post, I have chosen to reflect on Shelby Spruiell's and Katie Kassler's IW8.

SHELBY SPRUIELL IW8

Design:

Shelby's blog has an awesome design. I really like the background and choice of font for the blog title. The design is simple and professional which appeals to ethos and her credibility. I also like how she chose to make the boarder and the post title red. It is subtle enough (because of how thin it is) that it looks nice how it is matching the red in the background.
If I could add a few things to the design, I would edit the gifs so they go inside of the writing. The big white spaces are distracting and makes the format look a little bit funky.

Content:

One of the reasons I chose Shelby's post to reflect on was because she added so many gifs (I love gifs and always incorporate them into my posts)!
This use of these funny gifs appeals to the audience pathos. I like her tone in her writing as well because it is casual and fun.
In the third paragraph, Shelby talks about how she was worried that her unit 3 project's point would not be understood easily because she wasn't allowed to use words. She says that she has to use the images to describe her point but she doesn't say how. I would add more to this!

My Additions:

Although I do love the gifs, I would add more images and links that can be related back to the points she has made in her post.
For example, she could have found an image online that has a very powerful argument and pointed out how she tried to incorporate similar content in her own images.
Here is an example of an image I found online that could have helped brainstorm ideas for her "Eat Local" project:

Shelbys blog is great and I really enjoyed reading it. She has a lot of great points!





KATIE KASSLER IW8

Design: 

I was drawn to Katie's blog because of the blog's design.
I really like her background. It is simple but it is also colorful. It is not distracting but it also is not boring. I think that this appeals to the audiences ethos. The background is professional and it helps her credibility. If the background was distracting and messy, I would not trust the blog as much.
I also like how the post is organized. The photos and gifs she added are professional and all have a purpose. They also all are placed well. I think that is is great that she put a photo on each opposite side, this helps with the flow of the post.
One thing I would change about her design would be the color of the post title. I understand why she would make it purple, because one half of the background is purple. I am not a fan of the way this looks only because the blog title is in black. If I were her, I would change both titles to the same color.

Content:

The first paragraph of Katie's post is very powerful and a great example. This example is important to me as a journalism major. Images are powerful and it is important that we use this power to express the truth. I really like how she added the image to the post as well, this helps her audience understand her point further. Her point about snapchat is relates to her audience. As young people, most of us use snapchat all the time. We all are guilty of distorting images of ourselves with the use of filters.

My Additions:

I would expand more on the first paragraph and talk about social media and images.
People can use social media to portray themselves a certain way. For example people can distort and edit photos to change their appearance or post only photos of them doing a certain things to come off a false way on social media. They use images to tell a story but usually these stories are fake
In this photo on the right, this woman's Instagram looks like she is on a gorgeous rooftop but in reality she is not.

Overall I really enjoyed reading Katie's blog post. Her points were smart and to the point. She added a good amount of links and images that were relevant to the topics.

IW8

Class Reflection

Rhetorical Power of Image:

During this semester I feel like I have broadened my knowledge of how to use an image as a tool to persuade. An image can be more powerful than words or an explanation because it can evoke feelings so quickly. 

As a journalism major and creative writing minor, all I do is write. I do not have a lot of experience with creating my own images to persuade because if I want to explain something, I just use words.

At first, I struggled a lot with how to execute the ideas I had because of my lack of experience with computer programs.





This was me....







Through seeing the work of other students in the class I have discovered many different and creative ways to create these images.


Shout out to my awesome PEERS!

Rhetorical Power of Hypertext:

With images, interaction, and design, websites can have a more powerful effect than traditional types of media. In my opinion this lesson was one of the most important things we have learned.
The most eyeopening project for me was when we had to find the different types of websites and point out what generation they were. This showed me why and how the more advanced websites were more persuading.

Here is my unit one project:

https://tcu-reform-steckbeck.000webhostapp.com

Unit 3:

Because the unit three project required that we could not use any text, I wanted to make my images simple but powerful. I feel that images that are more simple but work with other images can evoke powerful feelings.

For example, in my project I photoshopped a photo of a flame onto a photo of a dollar bill. By having this image with the rest of my images, I was able to show how we are wasting money by not taking care of our environment.

Here is my unit two project:

https://choose2recycle.000webhostapp.com

Adobe Skills: 

Before this class I had zero experience in Dreamweaver or Photoshop. I struggled tremendously with these programs at first but now I feel much better about using them. 

With both of these programs I feel like I still have a lot to learn and my work may have seemed sloppy even though I spent hours trying to figure out how to do something as simple as changing a text color. 

I was incredibly frustrated with Dreamweaver after the unit two project and was scared to even use the program for unit three.

But after I started using it again I realized how much I learned and now I am much more comfortable with the program.

I am grateful for my time in this class because I am definitely going to be using these programs in the future.

The Final Project

I am really excited to be working on the final project. I am also in a photography class this semester so I am excited to use those new skills in another class.

My project is on taking care of the environment and my target audience is going to be TCU students.

I want my images to show TCU students how not taking care of the environment affects them personally.

When I first moved to Texas I was shocked by the vast amount of people who do not recycle. It is honestly a struggle to find a recycling bin on campus which is pretty sad.

Today in class, the image drafts are due. I have learned SO much this semester about photoshop, before this class I never used the program. I was excited to show off my new skills (even though they are not perfect.)

A few of my photos I just edited the colors and accentuated certain parts of the photo that I wanted to stand out. With the remaining photos, I tried to think out of the box and try new things.

Here are the photo drafts:

TRASH ON CAMPUS

With this photo, I wanted to show TCU students that if we don't recycle and if we litter it affects us all and our campus. No one wants to be in a place where there is trash everywhere. We also need to recycle for all of us and the future generation. These pieces of trash can both be recycled. I edited this photo by brightening it and adding saturation. Then, I selected the pieces of trash and brought up the contrast and exposure so they would really stand out.

GOODBYE ENVIORNMENT 

With this photo, I wanted to show how if we don't recycle it affects nature. I turned everything green to gray to show that one day it will all be gone if we don't protect it. I used the selection tool and turned the selected to black and white.

TRASH AFFECTS ANIMALS

I took this picture of my puppy chewing on plastic (he did not eat it) to show that if we don't recycle and if we litter it can affect innocent animals in our world. My main inspiration was images of sea animals caught in plastic. Since the assignment was original images, this is the best I could do. But I do think it is powerful because obviously if this puppy ate the plastic it would harm him, but he doesn't know any better. We have to protect animals and recycle. 

I changed the coloring of the photo and also used the selection tool to highlight the plastic.

WASTE OF MONEY

I think that this image is the most powerful of the four. I wanted to show that not using re-usable products is like burning money. For example: instead of buying plastic water bottles and throwing them away, use a re-useable bottle. For this image, I took a picture of a burning match then a picture of a dollar bill. I edited the match photo by deleting everything except the flame. Then I zoomed in on the dollar bill. I put the match on as a layer and made it more transparent so you could still see the money. 

Photographer: Harry Benson

Harry Benson 📷

http://www.loeildelaphotographie.com/en/photographers/harry-benson/

About

Scottish born photojournalist, Benson arrived in America with the Beatles in 1964. He is one of the most beloved culture photographers of the century, photographing people such as Donald Trump and Michael Jackson.

Photographs 📷

Benson is not phased by his famous subjects. His photos are candid and memorable. They are also very surprising and humanizing. Benson wants his subjects to be themselves and to look as though they are in their natural habitat. He wants each image to be real which can be extremely hard to do with celebrities. He uses each image he takes of his subjects to explain to the world who this person is and to argue that even though this person is famous, they are normal. He followed his subjects around and would catch them in a real and vulnerable state to get his desired image.

Benson told Rolling Stone Magazine:

"I hate studio pictures! I like everything out of control! Like myself!"

http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/pictures/revered-photographer-harry-benson-talks-iconic-shots-w454843

Examples

Photograph @HarryBenson

http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/pictures/revered-photographer-harry-benson-talks-iconic-shots-w454843/the-beatles-w454860

The Beatles 

1964, Paris, France

This photograph was taken the night that the Beatles heard they were number one in America and the night that they had broken through. It shows a real reaction that the band had. Even though they were a world famous band they still got crazy excited about things and flipped out! Benson uses this image to show us the real side of the Beatles. They were a young group of friends with a giant dream and they had just made the big time. 

Photograph @HarryBenson

http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/pictures/revered-photographer-harry-benson-talks-iconic-shots-w454843/the-beatles-w454860

Yoko and Sean Lennon

1985, Central Park, New York City

I think this photograph is particularly powerful. It shows Yoko and Sean in a real state. Mother and son missing a father and husband. The imagine on the ground represents their loss of John. Although this picture seems as if it could be more staged, I still think that it shows both subjects in the realest state. It is a glimpse of their life and their feelings, and Benson captured it very well. This subject choice is powerful as well as location. John had died and they were still living in the city where he had passed, missing him. 

Photograph @HarryBenson

http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/pictures/revered-photographer-harry-benson-talks-iconic-shots-w454843/the-beatles-w454860

Dolly Parton 

1976, Nashville, Tennessee 

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Benson said he had been following Parton around all day trying to get a photograph that was real and captured her. He said she knew why he was there and it was difficult, but then he caught this real moment. I think this photograph captures the real Dolly Parton with her southern charm and girliness. She is a performer but still proper and elegant. She is in her home, getting ready to perform. You also can tell right away who it is, it is very self-explanatory. The big hair, dress and curves give it away. Benson uses contrast and black and white to add this self-explanatory feeling to this image. 

Visual Arguments

Our class reading "On Visual Argument," explained how visual arguments are used and how they are effective. 

After I read, I began thinking of visual arguments that I have seen before that were powerful. I immediately remembered this ad for the Salvation Army and Care Haven.

This ad came out right after there was worldwide circulation of this photo: 

Some people saw the dress as gold and white and others saw black and blue. Social media had a frenzy over this dress and what the true color really was! 

I think that the strongest part about this visual argument is that the focus is clear and direct. It is to the point with the only image being the woman in the dress. 

Advertisements

Our Mini Project #5 was to find an advertisement and dissect it, pointing out who and what the ad appeals to.
I chose an add that popped up while I was reading the New York Times.



CIEE is a website that I have visited often. I have thought about studying abroad in the past but decided not to.
Because I know this ad is directed towards people like me, I thought it would be easier to analyze.

Here is what I came up with:



This project got me thinking about advertisements and how they appeal to people.
Here are a few articles I found that I thought were interesting:

• https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/10/thinking-vs-feeling-the-psychology-of-advertising/247466/
• http://www.neurosciencemarketing.com/blog/articles/emotional-ads-work-best.htm#

According to smallbuissness.chron.com there are 5 top appeals that advertisers use to sell a product. 

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/top-five-appeals-advertisers-use-sell-product-31373.html

• Fear
• Humor 
• Rational
• Sex
• Bandwagon

I think that the bandwagon appeal is the most interesting and the most embarrassing to fall for. The ad makes the consumer believe that they need the product to belong.
"You need this because everyone has it."

Here is an example:

Most people simply enjoy Apple products. But if we all are honest with ourselves, most of us want iPhones because it sucks to be that one person with a droid. 

Awareness Course

Issues the course will address:

• Sexual Assault and Harassment
• Stalking
• Victim Blaming
• Domestic Violence
• Binge Drinking
• Drug Use
• Mental Health

Course Goal:

• To educated the student body about issues they may face on campus and to increase sensitivity regarding these subjects on campus.

Course Details:

• This class will be a requirement for freshman students. 
• Exceptions can be made for students that have a doctors note or PTSD in result of these issues. 
• This class is about educating; there will be grades, tests and projects. 
• Students will learn definitions, warning signs, what to do, et. 

My Reform

Throughout my college career I have learned that college kids really do not know a lot about the issues most students face during their time as a student.
I want to suggest a new class that would be a requirement for every freshman. This class would take on and dissect issues such as victim blaming, sexual assault and harassment, stalking, domestic violence, binge drinking and drug use.
TCU requires students take online courses before they start at TCU but those online "classes" are not effective. If they were effective we would see less of these issues on campus.
As a journalism student I once interviewed Detective Robert Rangel from TCU PD he said, "Binge drinking is involved in 95% of our crimes."
Students go through these online classes without paying attention. A one time online course is not going to change something that has become so normal in society.
Students need to be educated in depth about signs, definitions, and testimonies from people who have been through these issues.
Students will also receive a grade for the course and their will be tests.
I believe these changes need to be more drastic. Hosting a awareness weeks do not make a difference because not everyone pays attention. This needs to be a mandatory semester long class for all freshman.

I truly believe that with a class like this, campus life would be a much safer place for all of us.

Here is an article that explains what other schools in the US have been doing to make changes on campus:
https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/08/28/how-colleges-are-battling-sexual-violence

Rice University has made changes, requiring freshman to take a mandatory course called "Critical Thinking in Sexuality."
This class has taken a lot of heat from the Rice community. My class suggestion would also be very different because it will take on more issues and will be a semester long class.

Here are some links to articles about the course:
http://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/rice-university-implement-mandatory-sexual-education-course/
http://www.ricethresher.org/article/2016/11/proposed-ctis-class-not-a-win-but-a-disappointment

Super Sites

With Mini Project 3 being due soon, I started browsing the internet for websites I could include in my project.

Then I started thinking, I want to feature the coolest of cool website for my 4th generation site.
So obviously I googled, "Really cool website designs."
But instead of the websites themselves popping up- the creators themselves did.
The coolest design firm I found was Harbr, of course they dropped the "o" because they are just way to cool for "o's."
Of course Harbr's website design was very cool because that is obviously what they do. As you scroll down their website tells a story with great images and few words.




"Meet the team" page











Click on "view all" to see examples of their work













One of their clients is SoundCloud



I really like how their site is mostly images and has few words. Everything is large and as you scroll the images and words tell a story.

Here are some more examples of their work:

https://www.thebestdesigns.com/designers/keithburnson

Website Design

I found an article that lists 10 crucial elements for a website. I found this article very interesting and helpful.
The ten elements the article lists are:

• Space
• Simple Navigation
• About Us
• Contact Information
• Call to Action
• Search
• Informational Footer
• Style for Buttons
• Great Images
• Web Fonts

The most important ones that I took away from the article that will be helpful for me as I am working on my next project are space, great images, about us and call to action. 

Here is the link to the article: 

https://codemyviews.com/blog/10-crucial-elements-for-any-website-design

Importance of color palette:
https://skillcrush.com/2013/10/03/5-killer-web-design-tips-that-will-make-your-websites-awesome/

Examples of color palettes:
https://designschool.canva.com/blog/website-color-schemes/

Hey, that works!

I recently completed my unit one project! WOOHOO!🙌

My organization that I chose is Safe Haven Tarrant County and the event is Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.

The process of making my poster board was pretty fun. I knew going into it that I didn't want to have to spend alot of money on supplies so when I began brainstorning I started to think about what I had around the house.

Here are some of the things I found that I thought might be useful:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

My first thought was... I'm screwed.

But then I began thinking about how I could make it work.






I would use the bed sheets as the background and spray paint it. Use the swiffer refills as the road and spray paint those. Then I would create heels and feet with the bubble wrap, folders and sticky notes. Cut out pictures from the magazine and paste them together to make an image of a man wearing heels and I would take polaroids of shoes!

And VOLA!

Photoshop Man...

Photoshop and I have a love hate relationship.



Every time I use it, I mess up, press the wrong button, or press so many buttons that my computer crashes.

But listen up photoshop, I am not giving up!

So far in our relationship, Photoshop wears the pants.
But that is all about to change as I get further into the semester in Multimedia Authoring.
Recently I seem to have mastered "filters." My favorite filter so far is the paint filter. The paint filter turns every boring picture into a work of art.

 ⬅⬅⬅⬅⬅⬅⬅⬅⬅⬅⬅⬅⬅⬅

This is an image I created for one of my mini-project in class. I used the paint filter, sharpening, pixilate, a little bit of blur and I even added text.

Take that Photoshop!

Chinese New Year Collage

For our first mini project we were assigned to create a collage of images that are all related in some way. While searching for images, I came across a picture that related to the upcoming Chinese New Year. Growing up in South East Asia, dozens of memories celebrating this holiday flooded my mind. I knew I wanted to create my collage centered around this subject. The holiday is filled with beautiful celebrations and bright colors which would help my collage stand out.

Chinese New Year is on January 28, 2017, and this year will be the year of the fire rooster.



Each image was taken at a different country in South East Asia and most of the images consist of preparations for the holiday. One of the images I used is of PETA protesters protesting against the mistreatment and killing of roosters, which is located at the bottom right of the collage.

This was my first time creating a collage on Photoshop. It took me a little while to get the hang of it, but now I see how simple it is to create something like this.

I am excited for our next project!

Abstract Images

Our first in class assignment was to find an abstract image that spoke to us.

Here is the image that I could not stop staring at:

The first thing that drew my eyes to this image were its bright colors. They reminded me of watching Fourth of July fireworks at Lake Tahoe as a little kid. The blue in the background reminded me of the night sky on the top half and the lakes water on the bottom half. The fireworks from the other side of the lake shoot up into the sky and reflect onto the water just as the light in this picture reflects itself on the top and bottom of the image.

Here is an photo that is similar to what the image above first reminded me of:

Abstract images can mean something different to every viewer who stumbles upon them. The image can be interpreted and seen in any different ways.