Animated Logo Class -- 10.15.09

I thought I would be able to complete the tutorial for today but I only go half way through. I'm pretty proud of this tutorial because I made it up all by myself using only source material that I created.

Character Animation Class 10.13.09 -- Note to Self

Today I attempted to use the generic man model from the "Flash Cartoon Animation" book by Tim Jones, et al to teach animating a character. I anticipated that the lesson would take the entire class period and it did. We could have used another 15 minutes or so.

It appeared that most of the class was losing interest, but I did get some constructive yet positive feedback from a small group of dedicated students. The consensus was that I should have broken the tutorial into two classes worth.

I am pleased with the outcome of the class. I am proud that I was able to teach this subject matter as it was the part of the class that I feared the most. Now I am more concerned about interactivity issues, i.e. actionscript.

I would like to followup with animating a character with a backround. I also think a walk cycle would be an important next step. Teaching about the use of scenes could be valuable. The "Nestor" character is still something I would like to pursue although I think it might be fair to my business track students to give them something on their logo project like how to create a button using actionscript.

The Vocabulary of Design according to Paul Rand

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=paul+rand&search_type=&aq=f


The Keywords and Key phrases of Design:

1. The synthesis of form and content

ORDER
UNITY
VARIETY
CONTRAST
SYMMETRY
ASYMMETRY
RHYTHM
HARMONY
DISSONANCE
RHYME
INTERVAL
REGULARITY
COHERENCE
TENSION
BALANCE
PROPORTION
SCALE
WEIGHT
TEXTURE
LINE
MASS
SPACE
STATE
LIGHT
SHADE
COLOR

Don't try to be original, just try to be good. -- Paul Rand

Current Projects

1. Coupow.com Website

2. 2D Animation Class Website using tutflix.com

3. A simple yet elegant webiste for download my father's family history books with a 3D book cover.

Web Design Process Design

I am contemplating the design of a systematic way of approaching web design that suits me personally--something that would keep my interest and make it exciting and interesting.

Something like this:

1. Research existing sites for inspiration
2. Wireframe the inspirational site
3. Save specific images into a folder that I plan to imitate.
4. Create a comp in photoshop
5. Consider user experience and create extra pages accordingly
6. How could flash and after effects fit into the plan?

Note to Self

This is my first blog. I intend to use this blog as a log for things to remember about the things in my life and profession that I want to improve upon.

I want to focus on pursuing web design and development as a foundation for my design, business, teaching and writing endeavors. I suspect that starting with wireframing exercises and designing comps in photoshop will be a good place to start. With quality designs in hand, I can then figure out the coding necessary to bring the idea to life.

I give LaDawn credit for getting me to start using some kind of log for improving my performance.

Thanks hon, I love you.