Words and Images: Class Review

I must say, I was really excited, and very nervous, to start Words and Images this semester, but I wouldn't take it back for the world. I not only was able to learn more about myself as a designer, I also learned about my writing.

I found that I HATE product packaging!! That was my least favorite project. I also found that I really enjoy layout. I should have known that since I want to create a magazine, but this class really helped me figure that out. I also want to learn so much more about what the software can do. I am in awe of the quality of work that my classmates put out, and I look forward to being able to illustrate as well as them. I will spend the next few weeks illustrating in my free time, and hope that one day I will be as fluent in Adobe as I can be.

As far as my writing, I have learned to take "there are" out of every sentence if I can. I'm sorry, I MUST take "there are" out of every sentence. While it is frustrating to constantly see comments on how I need to take if out, I can only imagine how frustrating it was for Stephanie to have to read all of that!

I really enjoyed this class. To all of my classmates, I really enjoyed your comments, your input, and your ability to make 6 hours on a Saturday fly by for 15 weeks. The amount of talent in our class was rediculous, and I look forward to seeing big things from everyone.

I look forward to using the skills I learned in this class to do great things, and I must stop stunting my creativity because I think someone else won't like it. I am only hurting myself when I do that.

My only regret was not taking a picture of our beautiful fish project at mid-term.

Childhood Reminders

I know this is a bit off track, but I had to share. I wanted to search some creative concepts for Christmas advertising and I ran across this picture.

It is supposed to be a Christmas Tree created by the sharpening of a green pencil, but it reminded me of my childhood. I used to constantly try to create long pencil shreddings without breaking them. I never got any to look as good as this one, but I had to share for all the grown up kids who did the same thing that I did.

Give Wildlife a Hand

While I was surfing the web, I found some great pictures that I had to share. My mom is a nanny, so I grew up going to the zoo with the kids she cared for. That is what made me stop when I saw a picture of a zebra. I found these really cool pictures of animals created by hands urging people to give wildlife a hand.

Take a look.

My Life This Semester

Since this semester has been one of my hardest semesters to date (I considered dropping out of grad school at least three times -- last week being the third time), I have decided that I would make light of some of the things that I have been through this semester.

As you know, I worked on the Question 6 and Question 4 campaigns for work, and that was crazy. Until November, I hadn't pulled an all nighter since I was 21! I decided, with some help from Beth, to look up some vintage campaign signs. Since the internet is full of so many fallacies, I decided that I would look for funny campaign ads instead.

Wanted to share a few (even if they're not real) that made me laugh:

Photoshop Fight Humor

While I have never been a fan of boxing, I remember my father used to watch it religiously. If the fight doesn't involve Floyd Mayweather (who I want to lose, and lose badly), I don't pay any attention to it. Well, that is until Manny Pacquiao went down hard last weekend.

I have decided to share with you some of the funniest, or most creative, Photoshopped images I found.

If you missed the fight, see it here:

Re-Design Edits

I have edited my blog with the suggestions I was given in class. I chose a more browser friendly color, and have also varied the braille in the background. Please let me know if you see anything else that may need to be tackled.

Although I liked the pink, I think the blue hues look better.

Redesign

This will be the third redesign I have done. The first just changed a few colors and the layout. This one actually took some thought.

I have decided to write Blind Design out in braille (I know blind people can't feel it on a computer screen) and splash it throughout the page. I have also changed the color scheme to a purple and pink.

Please let me know what you think.

Also, I was able to add on to my blog reel, but I'm worried because I did it the same way I initially did it and it didn't fully work then.

My Inspirations

I have told myself to keep my first inspiration partially to myself because it could be seen as mean. There is a person I know who is currently doing what I plan on doing (creating a magazine online and for tablets), but their magazine lacks structure, editing, and political correctness. While I am proud of therm for doing what they love, I constantly look at their site to inspire myself not to launch my magazine until I am actually ready. It is easy to get people to stop by your site, but not as easy to get people to be interested in your content.

So, with that in mind, I will share my more public inspiration. Sweet Ventures is a wonderful company in California that provides women only travel vacations. I want to, also, create my own company that does something very similar. Since there is a large market for what they offer, but not many companies that offer it, I constantly keep up with what they do so that I can stay inspired. I know that I can one day get my businesses off the ground, but know that it will take a lot of hard work and dedication. Two things that the ladies of Sweet have, and continue to demonstrate.

Late, but Would Love Feedback

Flying Solo

Since I was born, society made sure to remind me that anything worth doing required a mans assistance.  Although I was raised by a single mother, I still thought there may be some truth to that way of thinking. It wasn’t until my teenage years that I realized that I could do anything I wanted to do, either on my own, or alone, and that men are conditioned to believe they can be a knight in shining armor for any damsel in distress. There is an upside to a mans way of thinking though. Although I know how to change my own tire, carry heavy boxes, or put together that god-awful dresser from Ikea, it is always nicer to make a man think their assistance is needed. 

I know I’m not the only one who takes advantage of our perceived feminine fragility, but there are some things that women should be more than happy to do on their own. Although women tend to want to travel in groups, even when just going to the bathroom, there is something special about traveling on your own. Still not sure if you have the confidence to travel solo? Maybe traveling by train through Europe isn’t the best idea for the timid solo woman traveler, but cruising Europe, or Alaska, or even the Caribbean is. While there are more benefits to cruising than I could ever mention in one sitting, I hope that my next few words will have you calling your travel agent today to book your solo vacation. 

Believe it or not, cruising is an affordable option for travelers, and a great option for single women. Upon arrival, you have a few hours to unpack your bag before setting sail to your destination. Us women tend to over pack anyways, so only having to unpack once, while visiting up to 6 places in a week, is so much easier than island hopping by plane, spending only a day or so on each island, while constantly packing and unpacking. Also, since you are the only one in your room, you can spread all your makeup, jewelry, and shoes wherever you want! Depending on the cruise line, and the room you chose, you will have a queen size bed, a full vanity, an in-room safe, first run movies, a private bathroom, and 24 hour room service.

Since sitting in your room all day is not the reason you decided to book your cruise, it is important to get out and meet people. If you don’t want to meet people, feel free to jump two paragraphs down, but if you do, the ships were designed for socializing. Not only should you take advantage of the party as you initially set sail (Caribbean sailings always have live music from a steel drum band and passed fruity cocktails), but you also have a number of other opportunities to meet like minded, or completely fun and crazy, passengers to fill up your free time. Dinner time is the best place to meet new people. All travelers are placed at a table, ranging from four to ten people per table, most time with people they have never met. Take this time to talk to your fellow diners because you will be spending every evening with them. That is, unless you decide to go to the buffet, but we’ll tackle that monster later. 

Each ship has a number of special events. For example, Royal Caribbean has the signature Mens Sexy Leg Contest, the Belly Flop Contest, The Love and Marriage Game Show, and their adults only game The Quest. You would be amazed at how many conversations can be started about the amount of hair on the champion floppers back. There are also casinos, rock climbing walls, water parks, carousels, bingo, and culinary classes to name a very few. 

So you don’t feel like loudly cheering on the bruiting man strutting his stuff on the pool deck to win a plastic Royal Caribbean medal for his toned calves? For those of you who don’t like to be overly social, or those who want to evenly split their time between socializing and relaxing, there are countless ways to cut loose while still maintaining your composure.  One way is to spend an hour, or a day, at the adults only pool or whirlpool that most ships tout.  If working out is your drug of choice, check out the boat’s gorgeous views from the gym that has treadmills strategically placed behind floor to ceiling windows overlooking the endless ocean. The gyms also offer classes like yoga and palates, and have saunas and showers in case you want to get cleaned up without having to go back to your room. And right next to the gym is the spa. The spa offers basic services like waxing, manicures, pedicures, and hairstyling; but it also offers massages, teeth whitening, Botox, detoxification, and an array of other services guaranteed to relax even the most uptight woman. And the best part is that most ships offer discounts on spa services if you stay on the boat while most people are off visiting the islands. If none of those relaxation options seem right for you, search the boat for the best bartender, grab a seat, and order your favorite umbrella drink. Don’t forget, you are on vacation.

One of the most intimidating issues for solo women travelers is not being on the boat, but getting off the boat in different ports. If you are an adventurous woman, grab your passport, some comfortable shoes, some spending money, and have a great time. If you have yet to find another solo woman that you want to check the islands out with, but you don’t feel safe traveling on your own, the ships offer a number of excursions at every port. Excursions cost more than discovering the island on your own, but are still very affordable. Once you purchase an excursion, you, and other guests who signed up, will be on your way to island discovery, fully backed by the cruise lines insurance policy. These adventures include beach getaways, history tours, heritage tours, culinary experiences, wine tastings, and marine life adventures to name a few. No matter what your choice is, make sure you’re back on the boat on time, or you will be left behind.

I know I mentioned some of the activities you can partake in to meet people, but not only are there signature events on every cruise for every cruise line; but there are also different forms of nightly entertainment. Each night has a different show. I have seen both Temptations and Beatles tribute bands, a Cirque du Soleil type show, ice shows that would make Ice Capades look like an amateur act, and a Broadway musical. How many people can say that? I also have ice skated in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, but I digress. You can’t imagine the entertainment you will see on cruise ships. Other than professional acting and singing, becoming a cruise ship performer is one of the most competitive careers for entertainers, so you are sure to get a good show. There are also comedians, including late night, raunchy, adults only comedy nights; and some ships even have The Blue Man Group performing. 

Theatre not your thing? There are also theme bars and nightclubs. Each bar has nightly live music, as well as drink specials. My favorite is the Latin themed bar. Not only can you sip some delicious mojitos, you may meet a man who wants to swing you around the dance floor a few times. Some ships even have a special nightclub under the stars. One of Norwegian’s largest ships, the Epic, not only has a comedy club, a circus dinner show, and a water park that is open 24 hours a day; it also has the first ice bar at sea. That’s right, for a small charge, you are given a parka for your time inside the bar and two signature Svedka Vodka drinks.

If the reasons I have given you are still not tempting enough, let me get down to the good part. Food. Did you know that every item on the dinner menu is low calorie, sugar free, and low fat? Yeah, I fell for it the first time too. While the food may not be the healthiest, it sure is tasty. The cruise lines have worked very hard to have options for certain dietary restrictions, and will do everything they can to make sure you enjoy your dining experience. If you prefer the almost endless options of a buffet, each ship has buffets with international and local favorites, as well as deserts, fruit and salad bars. Plus, while you are on vacation, no calories count…or is it that you can’t get service on your iPhone, so you can’t count calories on your app? Either way, enjoy!

When it comes to food, your options are endless. Like I mentioned before, you can get 24 hour room service free of charge, unlimited buffets, 24 hour pizza and snacks, world class salad bars, and three course meals every night. And that’s just on most standard ships. Some ships even have sushi bars, steak houses, cupcake shops, Italian restaurants, Chinese restaurants, Dim Sum, mystery dinner theatre, and many, many more. Did I mention Tempanyaki? Yes, the Japanese style (think Kobe), steakhouse where chefs cook your food right in front of you. Yes, on a cruise ship! That’s right, you can go to all of these restaurants for either a very nominal fee, or completely free of charge. Does it get any better than that?

So, I realize that I have told you how wonderful cruising is, and how many options you will have as a solo woman traveler to not feel alone, unless you want to, but I think I have left out one important factor. Men. While my primary objective was to get you on a cruise ship to relax and get away from the stresses of everyday life, many times that includes men, but some of you will want to know if you will meet any on the ship. Yes. There are always single men on the ships. Most ships even have singles events that are advertised in their daily activity guide. Don’t worry, if you don’t see a posting on the first full day at sea for singles, make your way to the front desk of the ship where smaller group events are posted by travelers themselves.  There are also nightly events, dinners, parties, bars, casinos, and excursions where you can meet men. Let me warn you, you will meet a number of men who are there with their partners, but don’t worry, there will be tons of single men looking for single women just like you.

The best part about a solo cruise is that you never have anyone making you do something you don’t want to do. Don’t fell like visiting Jamaica? Don’t! Don’t want to get dressed up for dinner? Don’t! Don’t want to brush your teeth before meeting that sexy guy for drinks at the pool bar? Err…I would suggest you brush your teeth, but I won’t be on the cruise with you, so do whatever you want. Don’t forget you deserve a break, you work hard. Cruise ship personnel are some of the most attentive service providers you will ever meet. And although they work mostly off tips, they aren’t pushy, and you would never know. Also, the service is so good you would leave them all your credit cards if you could. So if you don’t like relaxation, personalized service, island hopping, unpacking once, and doing whatever you want whenever you want for one low price, cruising is not for you. But if you are already imagining ditching your girlfriends to hit the high seas alone, I have done my job. It was once said that cruises were for the newlyweds and over fed, but as you can see, the single woman can have just as much fun.

Would This Be A Good Thing, or A Bad Thing?

I just happened to stumble upon an article today about a new policy for Norwegian Cruise Lines. They, along with Carnival and Royal Caribbean, will offer all inclusive beverage options on select cruises.

This got me to thinking about my article. Would this be a good option for a single woman traveler on a cruise. While I think the alcohol could help her get over her solo traveler jitters, I think that it would not be such a smart idea for her to be inebriated to the point of not being able to take care of herself alone...on a boat...in the middle of the OCEAN!

What do you think? Would you take advantage of this? What about if you were traveling solo?

I Would Appreciate Some Feedback

I was absent from class the day we did crit for project 4, and I have yet to receive any crit back.

It would be wonderful to get some feedback before I turn this in on Saturday.

Thanks!

Poster

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Thought I Would Share a Little Humor

I always hate the first day back to work after a holiday, so when I saw this little guy on Facebook, I had to share with fellow designers.

Storm Stories

Two different one picture stories that I found on the storm:

Redesign

Some classmates have spent time redesigning their blog, and I love them. I am thinking of ways to redesign mine as well, but was hoping for some class imput.

I was thinking of redesigning the type of the title, and putting braile letters in each letter to indicate the "blind design" aspect of it.

Thoughts?

It's Good to Figure Things Out

As I was getting dressed this morning, I was thinking about all the work we have done in class this semester. We have had a number of different assignments, but I have found that I feel more comfortable with the ones that are more straight forward.

That is why I am writing this post today, because I want to fully make myself aware of my strengths, so that I will work that much harder on what I feel are weaknesses. Although I eventually want to go into magazine design, I will need to know how to design for other audiences as well.

I know this is more of an internal thought, but I would love to hear from others if they felt that they have gone through similar "ah ha" moments.

Sometimes It Takes a While to Understand

While I was at the doctors office earlier this week, I decided to read an article in a magazine. It had to do with carbs, and since I love carbs so much,  I wanted to know how to keep away from the bad carbs while sticking with the good ones. Please take a look at the article below:

 

I was able to read the title page without a problem, but when I got to the end, I wanted to continue reading right under the green bar in the left column. I quickly realized that was wrong when the words no longer made sense, and began reading the left column above the green bar. As I approached the bar, I automatically started reading the right column above the green bar.

Not only did the bar hinder me from reading the article, I actually put the magazine down and stopped trying because the design was so poorly considered before publishing. I know that we sometimes make spreads that we just LOVE, but this is a true example of killing your babies. The chalk board idea is cute, but someone loved it a bit too much, and some editor didn't actually take the time to read through it.

Lesson learned, I will NEVER create a spread like this!

There's An App For That!

While I know very little about applications for phones and tablets, I do know that there is one that always catches my eye.

You guessed it, Temple Run!!

I don't have an iPhone, iPad, or anything i other than my 8 year old iPod, but I find myself always stealing, borrowing I should say, anyone's device that has Temple Run on it. It's addictive.

I remember being at my friends graduation from Yale and all I hear behind me is the unmistakable sound of Temple Run monkeys. Did I get mad that some little kid was ruining the graduation ceremony for me? No! I got mad that I didn't get to take a turn at the fun.

Another app that I love, which is on my phone, is Blackberry Travel.

This app takes any travel itinerary that is emailed to my phone and stores it away until I need it. It comes in handy since I travel a lot, and I don't have to write down flight confirmations, dates, times, hotel names, confirmation numbers, etc.

I will be switching to an iPhone soon, since Blackberry's will be going out of business soon, and hope that they have an app as great as my Blackberry Travel; but at least I will have Temple Run to ease the pain if they don't.

Call to Action

It's the year 2012, that means it's an election year. I receive calls to action all the time through the mail. I even got one today from a clothing company via text asking me to shop with them today. Being that it is an election year, I receive calls to action daily from the President, and many others, asking me to donate to the campaign, thus reminding me to vote.

Not only do they send these emails asking you to donate, they make it easy for those who have already donated by having a "quick donate" button. This is actually a great idea since American's have such a short attention span.

While this call to action isn't quite as appealing as the 20% off Bed, Bath and Beyond coupon I receive monthly (and leave at home each time I go. Just this week they got me for $75), it works. Please see below for an example of my daily emails.

How to Relax During a Stressful Week

While I was searching the web for pictures for another project, I stumbled across this site. It is a site full of royalty free stock photos of travel scenes. Since I love to travel, and constantly dream about the new and exciting places I will go, I always flip through the pictures of my travels when I am stressed out.

Since This week has been such a hectic one, and it is only going to go down hill from here, I enjoyed looking through these photos; and even added a few destinations to my bucket list.

Since I know that some people in our class are probably stressed out as well, I have included a site that contains pictures that are guaranteed to make you feel better. Take a look and let me know if it worked.

Live Trace is the Devil

I have been working on sprucing up my Little Black Book for this weeks class, and decided that I would try to hand write the words to give the book a more authentic feel.

After writing all my 10 pages out, I did everything I could to make live trace work for me. Unfortunately, I clearly don't know how to properly use it. While it did trace, it also did some weird things, and wouldn't let me move any of the objects I traced.

I will have to learn how to get it all done, but for now, I will stay as far away as possible!