Today I experimented with Illustrator as part of my flash module. I learnt how to trace scanned images to edit them line by line. It is the first time I have used this software, I am going to use this software again within this module to create a character for my flash animation as although I used a sketch today to animate I want it to look more professional and cleaner, this will enable me to expand my knowledge of Illustrator.
I want to gain knowledge of more advanced skills in Photoshop. I am going to ensure I push myself to learn new skills in future modules. This will help me develop skills I already have as well as learn new ones. I will be able to do this from watching tutorials. I might also use the library in college to find books on Photoshop tips. I use Photoshop a lot in modules however, I have given myself until September as I want to learn a vast amount which I beleive will require a longer duration of time. I still haven’t had time to use Illustrator at college due to the amount of work I have got on recently.
At the end of each project I have completed so far I have recieved feedback from Libby. From this feedback I have learnt that I have several strengths and weaknesses. I am going to state my strengths and weakness for each project I have completed then conclude on what strengths and weaknesses are consistent throughout the modules so far.
Strengths:
-Research: My research has been well organised and clearly showed links to my ideas within my portfolio of work.
Weaknesses:
- Research: Some re-writing of information I found on the internet
-Reflection: At the beginning of this course I described too much in my reflection and didn’t give myself concrete goals to aim towards.
-Portfolio: Includes unnecessary things, I need to be more ambicious with ideas although my knowledge was limited I didn’t have to implement all the ideas included. I lacked annotation on why I decided on the wireframes and sitemap designs.
Improvements I have made since feedback:
Overall, my strengths are: research files, HTML and CSS coding, annotation of code, writing reflections. From feedback on AD105 and AD103 my research files were quite strong as they were well organised and showed I had used this research when creating my portfolio work. I am also good at writing my reflections. I don’t simply discuss my progress in a detail I also look foward to future progression. Although this is good I have a weakness of describing too much. In the feedback for the MAABC website Libby said I showed my understanding of the code well due to my annotation. In AD103 I padded my portfolio out with unnecessary things and kept my ideas quite safe as I lacked in skills. However, I could have been ambicious with my thoughts as I didn’t necessarily have to implement them. In this task some of my images were in black and white which didn’t enable me to show the full impact of my designs. I have ensured all my design portfolios have been in colour since this module.
AD110 Feedback
Yesterday we handed in our TATTI module and visited OneBestWay to present our finished website to them. I thought it went really well.
I have searched on the internet tonight for information on Illustrator. I found a site that provided tutorials to achieve different looks/effects. This is the website I found the tutorials on http://www.ndesign-studio.com/tutorials. I found it really helpful but need to download a trial version of Illustrator before I can attempt to follow the tutorials. If I can’t download a trial of this at home I will take the time at college to try them out. I will then post my attempt on my blog. I have given myself until the end of March - April to gain the necessary skills. I have given myself this timescale to ensure I meet this goal as I have other projects to complete. I will have to stay back at college in my own time to use Illustrator.
Long Term – My long term plan is to get a job in a local design agency to build up a knowledge of the industry in a work based environment. Whilst gaining experience in an agency I would like to do a top-up year to achieve the full degree. I am going to look into this course to help me decide whether or not it is something I really want to do. After several years in the industry I would like to go freelance however, I am unsure whether this will happen as I have yet to experience working within a company and might prefer this to working as a freelancer.
By the end of this year I want to be taking on freelance projects. This will help me develop my skills and enable me to build my portfolio up. I want to attend several talks and/or networking events to broaden my knowledge and get an insight into the industry.
Medium Term- I want to gain knowledge of software such as Illustrator. I have never used this software as I have never needed it. I feel it is important I learn this software as agencies look for employees to have skills in Ilustrator as well as Photoshop.
I also want my blog to be completed to a standard I am proud of and proud to show perspective clients. I want to be adding freelance work to my blog also.
Short Term – Complete the Tatti project.
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February 24, 2010 10:16 pm | 
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