Reflection

As this quarter comes to an end I have been thinking about how this course (comm 350) has been an extremely rewarding class. Not only did I learn skills that will be helpful in the future, but I had a fun time doing it. I have learned InDesign, Photoshop, how to make a Podcast, how to create a website, how to keep a blog and how each of these tools are important to learn.

In my previous blog, I mentioned starting a Tumblr account and so far it has been a success. Other than learning form websites how to navigate Tumblr, I have had friends help me when I don't know what to do or if they know any tricks themselves.

This was not my first blog, but it has been a different experience compared to blogs in the past. I learned the importance of having a dead line when blogging. My blogs in the past would get stuck and forgotten because I was too busy with other things in my life. I would like to continue blogging but have yet to think of what I want to blog about. This blog has show me that it is not easy to keep a blog, but with some effort and a schedule keeping a blog can be fun.

I have really enjoyed taking this class and I can't wait to use the skills I have learned in the future!

Thanks J-Lind!

Basic Layout and Design Principles

The first source is a chapter form a graphic communications text book focusing on design and layout. This is a great source for beginner who want to have a basic understanding of different design and layout principals. The main topics covered in this chapter include element design, principal of design, layout element, developing a layout, layout methods, specifications, copyfitting, processing illustrations, and layout material.

 

Prust, Z. A. (2009). Graphic communications. (5th ed., pp. 83-106). Goodheart-Wilcox Co. Retrieved from http://www.g-w.com/pdf/sampchap/9781566379847_ch05.pdf

 

The second website article is much shorter and talks about eight main components of layout and design. They discuss the four second rule, grouping information in to small sections, color, proximity, whitespace, break up test, font size and alignment.

 

Web.admin. (2010, July 27). 8 key layout and design principles to keep your users

engaged Retrieved from: http://www.businessol.com/blog_posts/8-key-layout-and

design-principles-to-keep-your-users-engaged/

 

The last website is a very fun interactive website that allows you to not only learn the basic design and layout principals but shows you what it would look like. The four main points they cover include color theory, composition and layout, perspective, and typography.

 

Mundi, A. Principles of graphic design. Retrieved from http://nm.unca.edu/~ccloning/121/design/index2.html

Tumblr and Weebly

I have wanted to start a Tumblr account for years but I had no idea how to use it. I decided to do some research on Tumblr to see what it is all about. From what I have found, Tumnblr is a blogging social media that allows a used to create or re-post pictures, text, videos, audio and more. It seems to be extremely easy to post with several different ways of posting. Apparently some cool features of posting include the email post and the bookmark post. One can post anything on to their Tumblr through their email address if they wish to set it up and do so. In addition, by placing Tumblr as a bookmark, one may drag a link they want to post to the Tumblr bookmark and it will automatically post on your feed. I have always thought Tumblr was extremely complicated and I think I would like to try to do a picture blog where I only post pictures of my own as well as re-posting others. Tumblr also allows one to follow other peoples site such as friends but also strangers. There are a variety of things to look at on tumbler with millions of different topic. 

Erickson, C. (2012, June 3). The beginner's guide to tumblr. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2012/06/03/the-beginners-guide-to-tumblr/

Tumblr. (2013). Tips. Retrieved from http://www.tumblr.com/tips


I also had the chance to mess around with Weebly in class last week. I really liked using Weebly, it was simple, fun and visually pleasing. It was extremely easy to use and I figured out most of the functions with in a half an hour. In the class, we are asked to form groups and create a website of our choice on something that relates to Western/Bellingham. We have decided to write about date places in Bellingham for Western students. I think as a group we have decided to go with Weebly because it is user friendly and we can all work off of it. I have posted some videos below that helped me understand Weebly more and what you can do with it. All in all, Weebly is an extreamly helpful tool in creating your website. Not only could Weebly be your website, but it can be a great template for your own website.