An afterthought

I can say with the utmost confidence that I have a newfound respect for social media, and the boons that can come with being diligent with a social media campaign. The biggest challenges one has to face is keeping up with your online appearances. It's so easy to slip and fall and lose all your hard earned momentum.

When it comes to building a loyal following, the only advice I can give is something I picked up in first term, and that is the Four Cs "Create Compelling Content Consistently", basically if you post relevant content on a regular basis, you will eventually build your audience. Will it be easy? Not at all, and it will take a very long time. A lot of the top Youtubers have said that it has taken upwards of a few years to get recognition, and even then, some of them got lucky with a viral post or a recommendation from an influential user for them to reach where they are today.

Another valuable lesson learned was knowing where your target audience are. In my case, we were doing social media for a Vancouver realtor, and we found that the audience we were looking for was mostly on Facebook. Unfortunately this is something we learned rather late in the game, so the engagement we were looking for was a lot less than we were hoping for.

Overall, I am thankful for what I've learned, and I feel as though we've learned some very valuable skills. Whether building an audience for a company or building one's own online presence, the lessons learned in this class are sure to help me in any social media projects I am to undertake in the future.

Finding the "get up and go" to get up and go

If any of you out there are anything like me, it takes almost all of my willpower and a great deal of effort to get anything important done. Completing homework is such a grind, and leaving the house for errands seem like such a bother.

So you may now be asking "Bradley, if you're this lazy, how do you possibly get anything done, you slacker?". Wow, rude. Well, to that I present you this: The Slacker's Guide to Getting S*** Done:

1. If you're going to get work done, do it in the morning.
This is a bit of a strange one, but I find if you have a task to do, get up early and do it then. You'll find there are less distractions, mainly because nothing interesting happens before 10am. This is s trick that I can attest to, mainly because I find that I have more focus and energy in the morning.

2. Don't work where you play.
This is a huge one. The idea behind this one is to get away from distractions, especially if you work on the same computer you use for gaming or other entertainment. My favourite place to work at is the local coffee shop. I feel just comfortable enough to enjoy a coffee and soak in the environment, and  just uncomfortable enough to want to get my work done and leave, and

As a bonus tip: If you're working less than 4 hours, don't bring a power adapter for your laptop. It'll discourage you from wasting precious battery life on anything other than your work.

3.  Procrastination is your greatest enemy.
Being stuck in the vicious loop of procrastination is like being stuck in a burning building and refusing to leave because it's warm. This might seem obvious, but if you catch yourself putting off your work, you need to break free of that cycle. Say you're marathoning your favourite television show on Netflix, and you know you have an important project to work on, it's a good idea to try something that breaks up your time. Grab a drink, take a shower, go for a walk, do anything that will break you from the comfortable routine you're in.

Following these three steps just might help you on your way to a less lazy you. At the very least, you can pretend to be less lazy using these tips.

Back on Solid Ground

Back on Solid Ground

Blogs are always rinsing and falling on the internet, am I right?
Thankfully mine stayed neutral. 
Success.

With this being the final post of this very short blogging segment, it's time to reflect on the overall experience:

I'll start by saying that I'm not opposed to blogging or sharing my opinions, it's just that it's not for me personally. Like I said back at the very beginning, I was raked over the coals in my previous blogging endeavour, and don't care to ever really try again. Although I enjoy reading other people's blogs and views, I'd prefer to keep mine to myself, or at the very most, within my immediate group of friends. 

My current social media presence is very indicative of this belief. As an example: I was recently and candidly, photographed and posted on the Vancouver Instagram feed known as "Man Bun Mondays" (make of that what you will), and due to this posting, my Instagram and Twitter feeds exploded with follow requests. I was averaging around 4 requests an hour for the next week or so; none of which I accepted. 

The reason I have any social media presence at all, is again, to primarily share things with my friends and family. I'm not in it for the "follows" or "likes", and I'm sure not about to accept any follows from randoms. This attitude spilled over into this blogging exercise, and clashed somewhat with the purpose, which was to share as much as possible and get engagement from the posts. Is there anything wrong with not wanting a huge internet following?

At the end of the day, even if no one read these Design Life & Struggle based posts, these blogs did help me to solidify and refresh my own personal love for graphic design and the web, so I'd say "job well done". 

Until next time (which there won't be),
All the best.



—tom

My 6th and final blog post

Over the holidays, I thought I would've been able to finish my final music video project in After Effects class but then the procrastination :).  Over the last couple of weeks, I browse more tutorials and to this day I still don't have a story.  I have many pre-compositions but putting them together is my struggle.  My music video's title is Time Machine and I originally thought of including the "doctor who tardis and vortex" clip but I couldn't find any tutorials to do this.  I came across some neat websites for tutorials and I tried to do a couple but half way through I had to stop as it needed plug ins and/or my version is newer and some effects are not on mine.  I only have a couple of days left before it is due, so hopefully I'll be able to get it done.

This is the video composition that I almost finished :)

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/spin_orbs/

A JavaScript Tutorial

A JavaScript Tutorial

This scripting assignment was to create a JavaScript tutorial that taught three different JS elements.

When I was brainstorming what to teach in this project, I decided I wanted the users to end up with something in the end, instead of just learning about parallax, lightbox, or a datepicker.  So I picked three tools that could build a simple interactive website when combined. As you go through the tutorial, you learn about each element and how it builds on the last to end up with a clickable button that returns random activities when clicked.

I broke down each element and explained how it works at the top and built in a codemirror plug-in so that the user could try editing the code and see what it returned.
Finally, the user can see the the website that was built using just these three elements. I think this last part was crucial for the user to see what simple code can create.

Take a look: http://theresafrendo.com/learn-js

Checking your final grades.

Checking your final grades.

It is easy for our teachers in the New media and Web Development program at BCIT to run through their final grade check, and make sure all spread sheet boxes are filled in, while still making a few mistakes along the way.

I recently benefited from checking through a final grade and making sure all the proper points were recorded for assignments and exams.  Even though this a bit of a mundane task, there is no way a teacher will know they are making mistakes without students finding the mistakes.

I would recommend all students should check through the breakdown of their final marks, not only to make sure they are given the grade they earned, but also to help the teachers that do make mistakes learn from their mistakes.  Both parties can benefit from this.

Who knows, maybe my omitted grade was mixed up with someone else’s and they received my marks for an assignment they didn’t complete.  Maybe that was you?  You wont know unless you check.

Continue Blogging?

The question is will I continue blogging? As of now, the answer is no. I'll stick with focusing on my own social media platforms at first. It can be difficult to think of ideas on what to write with a restrained topic area. For all these blogs on here we had to focus writing on new media, social media, or our portfolios.

 

Writer's Block

With already having writer's block, one of my first posts was about that. Definitely not a good start. It does not help when my head is swarming with a whole bunch of items in my life at once, it's just how I am.

I do not have a problem writing once I get into it and I am passionate for it. Sometimes it may take a bit to get going, but I will get it done in the end. 

 

Other Topics

If I did write blogs in the future, I'd use what I learned during my social media campaign which was write about events along what I was passionate about. Even though I'd probably write about events I do love, hockey being one of them. 

 

Views

Lately I feel like many people are obsessed with views. I admit I had an addiction when I saw the Facebook page likes going up, but I think if you focus on what you're passionate about.. people will eventually see that. The way I think about it is from a youtuber's perspective. They do what they love daily and many of them have millions of views and subscribers. Sure, some of them cared about a bit of views at the start, but they generally enjoyed what they made. Same thing should go for whatever we post online, on any platform. Yes, even if it's a cute cat video. 

Photo by fousik

 

My Future?

Who knows what the future will hold, but I may continue. We'll see. The time I had learning in Social Networking, whether be from blogging here or from other social media, it was a good experience.

Social Media Campaign

For our Social Networking class at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) we had to have a social media campaign, either be for a real client or a made up project on any topic. My group of four worked for a real client, Robert Testini. He is a realtor and does not use social media all that often.

Making Accounts

At first we had to make him a Facebook page for his realtor services. Then we made him a Twitter, Instagram, and a Google Plus/Youtube account. We made these social media accounts visible on his website, which is testinirealestate.com.

Target Audience

As mentioned in my, “A Rule to Remember: Target Audience” blog post. You really have to keep in mind who your target audience is when making up goals and which social media platform the users in that audience use the most. This way there is realistic goals to show your client.

Twitter

What I noticed with Twitter on this project was that you should tweet people in the industry. It is actually.. networking. Lame joke, I know. For Robert Testini, I tweeted about HGTV's Bryan Baemler being at the Vancouver's Home and Garden show in February and he favourited it. This is great because a favourite could be noticed by his 55.1k followers and many of those followers are part of Robert Testini's target audience. 

Bryan Baeumler Favouriting Robert Testini's Tweet

 

Schedules

Keeping a schedule is also very important for social media. You don't want to bug the audience too often, but don't want to leave them hanging. What I also noticed was the most engagement was from events that were currently happening, even if was not related to the service. For example, we mentioned about the IIHF gold hockey game. It was Russia vs. Canada. Canada did win and noticed many people supported that.

Overall it was a good learning experience and will use this knowledge in the future if I use it on one of my projects or for another client.

Whatever happened to...?

If you've read my first blog I have ever posted, you might have seen that I would keep you update on my progress in the, “New Media and Web Development” program and even show you my After Effects project.

Coding Crazy

 

Its been a crazy few weeks. Especially PHP.. I've learned how to use bits of the terminal which was cool and learned how to make a database. The rest of it is kind of a blur to be honest.

I haven't just been working away on coding, I've been working on my skills in Illustrator and Photoshop. Also helping out in group projects with project management and social networking.

With all these different varieties of work thrown at me and having to deal life outside of school, it has definitely been an experience. However, I am getting through it and will continue on. As long as I don't have to take my brother to the hospital again..don't worry, he's fine. Let's just say gamer rage and glasses do not mix.

After Effects Project?

I did finish the project I was mentioning and was going to share it, but I feel like the voice over work did ruin the overall project. In the future it could make its appearance on youtube, but has for now.. it will not.

Currently though, I am working on a new After Effects project and it will be a lyrical music video with different typography effects. I'm hoping this one will turn out better.

That's a mini update I had to share.

A Rule to Remember: Target Audience

Whether it be designing a website or doing a social media campaign, the first thing that should always be remembered is who is your target audience?

Planning for Social Media

I found this out with a social media project. We set goals for different social media platforms. To be honest, my first impression was that no one really uses Facebook to post anymore. I was starting to feel as though it was being more used as a messenger. In my group of four, I guess the others felt the same way.

Facebook

 

That's the thing, Facebook has the most used users on any social media platform. Even if it does seem relatively dead on our feeds at times.

Most users for our client's demographic was men from the ages of 22-34 that were the most common fan of the page, which makes sense considering our client is a realtor and most buyers are around that age.

For general Facebook demographics they're saying that ages 18-24 are the most active user for their site.

Graph from Testini Real Estate's Facebook

Twitter, Google Plus..

You also have to do some research if your target audience even use other platforms as a ways of finding information or communication. It can be a rough start, but if you follow people with similar interests, it could be beneficial.

Goals

Make sure your goals for the social media platform are obtainable when you think about your demographic. Find out what your target audience uses the most and focus the most on that. Eventually you'll really create a community on one network and hopefully the others will follow.

What does Facebook have planned for the virtual generation?

Although this is fairly old news I feel like its importance has been overlooked..

Facebook the social media giant bought Oculus the company that revolutionized virtual reality for just over 2 billion dollars, $2,001,985,00 to be exact.

Virtual reality use to be look at as a way of the future, Im sure some would relate it to flying cars and
time travel but now a days it is much more relevant then flying cars and time travel now that we are living in the year 2015.
A question that arose to me was, why would a social media giant like Facebook be interested in virtual reality if they have nothing to do with gaming or the military?

A theory that I feel might be relevant is that they eventually want to build a virtual reality version of Facebook or a social media platform where instead of typing out post and sharing via keyboard you would just put on your mask and voila your in a virtual world  where  you would share and interact with your online peers using your voice, by actually talking and traveling through the virtual world to interact with your friends. This also ties into augmented reality which i feel will eventually go hand in hand with each other.

Founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg said that instead of focusing on first person shooters and flying spacecrafts, Oculus could potential revolutionize online meetings, messaging, and social events.. This sounds very interesting and Im looking forward to seeing what happens with it all.
Only time will tell I guess...

COLOUR YOUR CAMPUS

To celebrate BCIT's 50th Anniversary there are six design contests running to make the Burnaby campus more colourful.

The contests are open to all current BCIT students and there are prizes to be won!

Contest #1: Lamp Post Trade Banners

Five lamp post banners representing the following trades taught at BCIT:

  Joinery
  Carpentry
  Piping
  Welding
  Auto Repair and Refinishing

Prize: $500 for the winning entrant.

Contest #2: Interior Staircase

A design for the step risers of the central staircase in the SE2 building.

Prize: $250 for the winning entrant. .

Contest #3: Library Interior Wall

A design for the internal wall of the Library entrance, containing the message "Welcome to the Library".

Prize: $250 for the winning entrant.

Contest #4: Library South Entrance Recess Wall

Design an artwork or structure for the space adjacent to the ehPod. The design must be able to build within the budget of $10,000.

Prize: $500 for the winning entrant.

Contest #5: Recreation Services Exterior Wall

A design to enhance the exterior wall of the SE16 building, containing the words "Recreation Services".

Prize: $250 for the winning entrant.

Contest #6: SE12 Exterior Wall

A design to beautify the concrete wall on the east side of the SE12 building.

Prize: $250 for the winning entrant.

The entry deadline for all contests is January 30.

Full contest details.

Good luck!

Welcome to January and... the rest of your life?

Welcome to January and... the rest of your life?

New year. New career?
It seems that with each passing year, I re-evaluate my life and second guess the career path that I'm on. Am I doing the right thing? Do I even like it? What else might I be interested in? What do I do?

All these questions usually drive me wonky and, until this year, I've always ended up completely switched my focus. On the bright side, being interested in so many subjects is never a bad thing, or at least that's what I tell myself. The realization though, is that until someone offers me a job as a professional career switcher, I have a feeling I'll have a bad time. 

This past holiday season was especially rocky with major family changes, and heaps of external stress; all perfect conditions for a "life re-think". Surprisingly though, the 2014 to 2015 career blues never came, and for once I actually felt good about where I was headed. Obviously the stress of finding work after school is still lingering...hard, but that being said, I have no plans to change my focus anytime soon. Web design and development is still the game for me.

I also realize that this post is a purely selfish one, and offers no advice what-so-ever, but I guess that's just how it is this time. If there's anything can be taken away from this, it's this: If you're trying to make it in an overly saturated career field, with heaps of tough competition, long hours, little pay, and that requires a small amount of luck; and you aren't having second thoughts, you must be crazy... but you also must be doing something that you love, so it's 100% worth sticking it out.


Happy new year.

—tom

Final Post

A travel information website mock up of the home page. The website is for traveller and people who love to travel. The name of this website is Let's Go because it motivates people.
The home page include three sections: the deal or event banner, explore gallery and about. Showing contents which are users are most interested in.
For the whole website is using bright yellow color as the main color because it makes users feel more activity.

The Holidays Are Over Now, And I'm Still Out to Lunch

With another successful Christmas season over and done with, it's time to get back to the grind. For some of you, that means back to school, and for others, it means going back to work. I happen to be lucky enough to be returning to both of those things. The only problem is, I'm not ready.

Unfortunately life doesn't wait up for us to be ready for change, it just happens, and we have to deal with it, or get left behind. For me, that means junk food and video games for one more night before I get back to it all.

In all seriousness though, it's always nice to see the extended family again and enjoy a good family dinner and catch up. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's hard to normally make time for family and friends and I'm glad I got the chance to really enjoy plenty of both this year.

After Effect 3D

This video is done in term 3 by using after effect 3D tool.
In this assignment, we have to use
Effective use of lighting
 (I make the lighting slightly follow by the camera, focus on each photo and make surrounding dark),
Animated Cameras(I make the camera angle goes by each one of it, in total I have 3 photos in triangle shape), and creative results. In the end, there is a 3D BCIT text.

I enjoy doing this assignment. I played around with the lighting and camera angle. I feel it is interesting that we can make photos and text in 3D.
There is one thing that I don't like about is when I render it in after effect, it took me almost an hour to make 10 sec video.

My portfolio website

In the end of the term 3, I created the first version of my portfolio website.

For the content, I started with gathering the work pieces, selected 12 best works that I want to show, and then summarized as short sentences of my work. It sounds easy, but it is one of the crucial things and effective way when you start organizing the portfolio works. 

Writing the description of the works helped me a lot to organize my thought as I had to go back the time when I created the specific works, and had to recollect what I was actually thinking at the moment: concept, the purpose of the design etc. And this also will help when I have to give a presentation.

Design of the site

The design is simple and organized to empathize my graphic works. Site structure is also simple, unless users go into the work links, they can simply find the short and sweet descriptions by just scrolling down within the one page. 

Basic contents are ready, I will develop this site more attractive and user-friendly since we will have another portfolio class in term 4 :)

My photo gallery

In term one, Amiee's html class. We have a final project which is design and code a small 4 page static website.
We can choose topics from:pa/Wellness, Restaurant or Café, Photography or Art Gallery, or a Bed & Breakfast/Boutique Hotel, Outdoor Sports Adventure Company website.

I choose photography because during the spare time I like to take pictures, and record every moment in my life to share with my friend and family.
In this website, you are welcome to take any photos without any copy right issues as long as you leave a comment in comment page.

In this project, we need Css Navigation List menu, including image gallery, paragraphs, different headings, tables, lists, images tags.
Apply an external CSS stylesheet to consistently style all text, links etc...
Now I'm going to show you what my site look like.

This is my home page with discretion about this site. 

Next, is my photo gallery.

                                                                   The about page.

                                                                And finally the contact page.
                                                                This is also a comment page, it is linked to my email.

This website is not alive yet, I will make it alive when I fix the part that has problem.

  I hope you enjoy browsing my gallery website.  Thank you.

 

Kitchen Surfing

This was a class project where my Partner and I decided to create a fictional cooking show where we show you how to make delicious pizza. This idea was derived from our passions for food. Since my partner was the head chef and main actor and I was the cooking show host. I was in charge of all the camera work. From shooting stationary shots, to getting different angles, and perspectives of the creation of the pizza. I also was in charge of editing a majority of the footage and making sure all the transitions were good. I chose the music from a royalty free library on the internet, and thought it was quite suitable for the purpose of the show.

This project was a lot of fun to create and really gave me an idea of the complete process of video production. From making sure all the audio levels and mics are working, to lighting, and having a shot list for different perspective was a great way to exercise my production skills.

Coffee Shop Flyer and Loyalty Card

Having to opportunity to design a flyer and loyalty card was exciting as I was able to use a variety of design skills.

For the flyer I decided that instead of just providing a simple menu I could use buildings with text on to portray the products available at the store.

The contrast from black and white to colour makes the company logo stand out.

On the flip side I used photographic images of some of the delicious food and drink you can buy with the intention of drawing in customers. The color scheme is kept constant with the previous poster and logo.

Everyone likes a loyalty card. A simple and to the point message of a free cup of coffee comes across effectively with the use of a stamp based loyalty system.

Creating a range of designs for different purposes for a particular brand was a thrill and shows my versatility and creativity whilst realizing the importance of maintaining a brand identity.