Blog Posts

Fall 23 Classwork

Id 1 HW - 11/29

Link 1: https://youtu.be/wF_fu1wcT0Y?si=d6xJIwN8DSGdZmrl

Learning about the master page feature within InDesign was helpful because I foresee myself needing this tool once I create my portfolio booklet. It essentially copies a symbol or layout on specific pages, that way you don’t have to recreate an image every time. This will be useful for our booklet because then I can easily create a concise and similar look to all my pages. I also liked learning about the guides tool, I think that will help keep everything nice and organized.

Link 2: https://youtu.be/xFN4Hho4RNM?si=NT08HdcxG3uuzN1q

I really liked watching this video because the creator had an end project, and it was helpful to be able to see his process and how one uses the program. This was helpful because the video highlights some tools that have minimal meaning but could be useful, like the page number option. He also makes InDesign look super easy to use, which makes the whole program feel less daunting. However, I am surprised he didn’t use any of the text shortcuts that we used in class, I thought those were very helpful. And so he kind of wasted time trying to remember what fonts he was using for certain types of texts, or wasted time copying and pasting.

Link 3: https://youtu.be/eEWRbpDu6CU?si=J_GStdGXJdxl1PEP

While this video isn’t directly focused on how to use InDesign, it was helpful because it provides good notes as to how to use InDesign to be able to effectively communicate a message. I really like how they explained what sort of designs/layouts look best when trying to communicate a specific message. My personal favorite point he discussed was how to effectively create ‘pace’ within a page. This is where there is a lot of visual engagement within the page, and the viewer is reading/processing the most important information first, based on the design. I’ll definitely be sure to keep these tricks in mind when I’m creating my own layout for my portfolio.

Ps 3 HW - 11/06

I think this image would be difficult because of the grain and exposure of the image. I don’t know how I would be able to seamlessly layer an image of my own that can match the aesthetic.

This image inspired me because I like the idea of having an object at center focus in the image and then I can edit myself somewhere in the background for fun. This is what I plan to accomplish in my “Wolf of Wall Street” image.

I’ve actually always wondered how these sorts of photos were taken. And maybe there is a more logical explanation than climbing on someone's back, but I don’t care I want to try this now.

I’ve seen this guy online before, I remember he was really popular back in 2016/2018. To be honest, I think the Photoshop job is really impressive. The fact that he erased her arm, drew on a new one, drew a new background where her arm originally was, and then placed a mirror in the image seems like a lot of work. Plus, it's a good joke.

Ps 2 HW - 10/26

Link 1:https://youtu.be/IZACwQzj7TQ?si=BeRt-sXwtWjNaoD9

I really like how this video gave a general overview of all the different tools in Photoshop. I feel as though Photoshop hold a lot more tools and fixings that can be used on an image versus Illustrater. I’m excited to use the layer mask, so I can composite images together. However, their examples they used to illustrate how to use the tools looked very simple, and I don’t believe we will be using images as easy.

Link 2: https://youtu.be/xFN4Hho4RNM?si=NT08HdcxG3uuzN1q

I still do not completely understand why each single edit needs it’s own layer, is it easier to follow along with your work this way? Regardless, I liked how this video also discussed how to incorporate your keyboard into using photoshop. This will make working much more efficient. Futhermore, I’m very excited to use the adjustment tools that can adjust the highlights, lowlights, or smuge tools to edit photos. I feel like these are the tools you see used most often on Instagram to edit pictures.

Link 3: https://youtu.be/-M0LLrJVbQU?si=JH3AsW4E35BM_90-

While this video is a bit dated, I really liked how throughout she was with her overview of Photoshop. Furthermore, I appreciated how she described layers. Different than Illustrator, Photoshop heavily relies on the usage of layers, and there is a new layer for just about everything you edit. I’m expecting we will have to heavily rely on layers once we start creating our projects in class. It was very easy to follow along with her work because she started from the very beginning with a blank page.

Logo Tag- 10/24

I didn’t know a single thing about Photoshop before this class. Besides the fact that Kim Kardashian is notorious for using it in her Instagram photos of course. On the left, you see the original logo we created in Illustrator, and then on the left is my print from the logo. Firstly, we created a brush stroke out of the logo through Photoshop. I learned how to use the basic tools of Photoshop; like playing around with the different pens, layers, and colors. I added layers of scratches and brush strokes to give it a grunge look. Finally, we used our new brush stroke to create a print of our new logo tag.

So far, I don't think I will be as good at Photoshop as I am at Illustrator. It is much more intimidating because I believe it is more about editing or perfecting images, rather than creating them. There were plenty of examples of edited photos within the video we watched in class, and I'm dumbfounded at how people were able to create images like examples on the computer. There are many more technical aspects to Photoshop compared to Illustrator, along with more things one can do to the images, and that's quite intimidating.

PS 1 HW - 10/24

I love how the bright colors of the clothes pop off the screen due to the white background, and it frames the women's hands perfectly. Plus, I love how graceful the women's hands look within each other. The hands look comfortable and natural, so they embody a sense of familiarity. It can be assumed that these women know each other and are holding each other’s hands in support of each other and unity.

To me, this image embodies unity, support, and closeness, especially in the female community. It reminds me of the power of female support, and how as a unit, we are powerful. Especially after knowing the background of these women’s experiences in the Congo, I know that these women have each other's back, and I find that very impactful.

I took this selfie one afternoon while I was simply lying in Plant Park reading and enjoying the scenery. I love appreciating the beauty of the Hillsborough River and downtown Tampa in Plant Park. Whenever I’m stressed, anxious, or even just bored, I’ll go to Plant Park and lie in the grass. Sometimes I just lie there and watch the clouds go by, or I’ll read, or journal. Furthermore, I feel like in this picture, I look very peaceful and natural. The sunny scenery matches my facial expression and I look unconditionally happy.

Beginner Illustrator Tools -9/14

Link 1: https://youtu.be/3GzumUieDPY?si=gAvaEyzL7x0WWtdk

This video reviews a lot of keyboard actions that we didn’t cover in class on Tuesday. I think it will be difficult to use these actions, just because right now it’s much easier to use my mouse. Yet with time, I think I will get the hang of using these keyboard actions to do things like, select my black arrow, use text, or select objects on my layer. It is just something I have to get used to doing.

Link 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cik1Ed9gzLE

I think the Pen tool is probably the most useful tool the server has to offer. This video showed me exactly how much can be done with it, other than making shapes. I think it will be super useful to be able to trace out shapes or silhouettes on different layers so I can make my own. That is a skill that I will definitely be utilizing when I need to create my own logo or design.

Link 3: https://youtu.be/TE9INcmRCdA?si=9xo2tyHSsUC2C7vF

I like how this video has a specific image in mind. I haven’t yet made any specific images or designs, so I like how this video planned out making this design. Yet, something that I will find difficult is using the cut/scissors tool. I got a bit confused when the video was talking about using the scissors tool to make cuts of a design. I think this will be a challenge to use because I feel like it would be easy for me to delete too much of an object, or too little.

I:W:W:B - 9/12

The Internet & World Wide Web

1. What is the internet, who founded/created it, when and why, how was it used originally and how is it used today

In 1980 computer scientists Vinton Cerf and Bob Kahn invented the computer communication protocols we use today called the Internet. The two created the system with a set of guidelines called TCP/IP, for Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol. The TCP packages the data before it moves across the network to another network. Whereas the IP portion maps out the data’s trip from network to network. This system is the backbone for a larger web of interconnected networks

2. What is the World Wide Web, who founded/created it, when and why, how was it used originally and how is it used today

In 1989 the British scientist Tim Berners-Lee created the World Wide Web to meet the demand for an automated information-sharing service so that universities and scientists could communicate from around the world. It wasn’t until 1993 that CERN went public with the WWW software.

3. Are they the same, or different, do they work together, separately, or side by side

The Internet and the World Wide Web are two services that work together. Essentially, the WWW is a key service that is offered by the Internet. The Web itself is a collection of web pages that use the internet. Whereas the internet has much more to offer like email, video games, chatting, etc.

4. When was the first website created, who created it, and is it still up, if yes, post the URL

The first website was created and uploaded in 1991. It was created by the inventor of the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee and it contains information on how to create a web page and use the service. It is still up today. http://info.cern.ch/hypertext/WWW/TheProject.html

WiFi, Bluetooth, & Lamarr

1. What is the connection of Hedy Lamarr to WiFi and Bluetooth, who was she, and is there a song about her, if so - why?

Hedy Lamarr was an actress and inventor who created the basis of today’s form of WiFi and Bluetooth. She invented a concept of “frequency hopping” with radio waves, where both the transmitter and receiver hop onto the frequency together. In 2022, Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck wrote a song together titled This is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr. In the song they discuss Lamarr’s beauty and disregarded smarts.

2. Who and when developed Bluetooth, who named it, why does the logo look the way it does?

Jaap Haartsen invented the connection between devices known as Bluetooth in 1994. Bluetooth is named after King Harald “Bluetooth” Gormsson, who was famously known for his dead dark blue tooth. The phrase was created in 1996 when industry leaders Intel, Ericsson, and Nokia met to plan the public release of this technology. The initial is a merging of King Harald’s initials, the Younger Futhark Runes (Hagall) (ᚼ) and Bjarkan (ᛒ).

3. Who and when developed WiFi, original name of WiFi, and when and how was it named

Works Cited

“The birth of the Web.” CERN, https://www.home.cern/science/computing/birth-web. Accessed 11 September 2023.

Cheslak, Colleen. “Hedy Lamarr.” National Women's History Museum, https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/hedy-lamarr. Accessed 11 September 2023.

“Difference Between Internet and WWW (World Wide Web).” Scaler, https://www.scaler.com/topics/difference-between-internet-and-www/. Accessed 11 September 2023.

Fischels, Josie. “The World's First Website Launched 30 Years Ago.” NPR, 6 August 2021, https://www.npr.org/2021/08/06/1025554426/a-look-back-at-the-very-first-website-ever-launched-30-years-later. Accessed 11 September 2023.

Hogeback, Jonathan, and Melissa Petruzzello. “Who Invented the Internet?” Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/story/who-invented-the-internet. Accessed 11 September 2023.

“Origin of the Name | Bluetooth® Technology Website.” Bluetooth SIG, https://www.bluetooth.com/about-us/bluetooth-origin/. Accessed 11 September 2023.

Vanstone, Emma. “Who invented Wi-Fi?” Science Sparks, 11 May 2022, https://www.science-sparks.com/who-invented-wi-fi/. Accessed 11 September 2023.

Intro Blog -9/6

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Hi! My name is Olivia Sheridan, I'm currently a sophomore at the University of Tampa. I'm studying for a degree in Communications with a minor in Sports Management as a part of the honors college program. I'm originally from Annapolis, Maryland yet, my family has recently moved to Greenville, South Carolina. My whole childhood my family mainly vacationed to South Carolina for holiday breaks, so when my brother and I graduated from high school, we weren't very surprised to find that my family moved. I have a twin brother, Nicholas, who is thirty minutes older than me, but definitely doesn't act older than me. I also have a nine-year-old mini-labor doodle named Bailey.
The two things in my life that I care about more than my family and friends have to be swimming and music. I've been a competitive swimmer for fourteen years, and I currently compete on the UT Club Swim Team. I love being a part of a club team because it allows me to enjoy the sport for exactly what it is. The club team eliminates any sort of stress or pressure put on by coaches or the NCAA. I also love music and making playlists on Spotify. I curate my playlists to evoke certain emotions and memories when I listen to them. For example, my playlist titled "Straight Serotonin" is all the songs in the world that make me feel like my best, happiest, self. An accomplishment I hold dear to my heart is whenever my friends or family thank me for showing them a song they didn't previously know.
I'm very excited about this semester of FXM because digital design is something that I have never done before. Growing up, my mom always told me to "be comfortable with being uncomfortable". What she meant is that every day, I should challenge myself to do something that is a bit out of my comfort range, and I'm going to do exactly that with this class. I have no idea if I'll be any good at it, nonetheless, I'm looking forward to learning learning how to use these servers and being able to create cool art projects with them.