Project 2a Troubles

I did the assignment. Thoroughly. I have been through EVERY font I have. Unfortunately this blog will not put those fonts on here. I tried uploading the document, but it wouldn't take the word document. Then I scanned and managed to save it as a .bmp image, which would actually upload, except the letters are too small to see in the image in the blog.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Project 1 and thoughts on class.

Here is my Project 1-1 exercise. I gave up on scanning and uploading and finally just took a picture of it with my camera (which is why it is slightly lopsided).

I enjoyed this exercise. It was a bit of a challenge for me to do the lines by hand, since with my vision issues I have trouble seeing what I'm doing, and my hand control and strength makes it difficult to do any type of writing or drawing for too long. But I took a few days to get the designs done - not great, but okay - and then just used scissors to cut out the squares from a template I held on the paper. I do have a cutting tool, but again, since it is difficult to put it on my reader and all I can't line up for precise measurements. Since this was for us to try out the lines and all, I figured this was close enough for now.

If I were to do this again I would do the lines and designs in Gimp and print out each one, rather than draw by hand. It would get more universal lines. And maybe if I had time I would just cut a section of each separate line design and paste it into a new document and align them to mke the square. I may play with that, though maybe not just using lines.

I have been trying out Gimp and am finding lots of neat effects. My problem is not necessarily editing, but knowing what the icons mean and how to implement them. I'm very glad we have two weeks between assignments to figure things out before we turn them in. : )

I also really like that it is focused on creativity rather than skill level. I am creative, but not quite there as to being fluent with the software yet. I may end up drawing much by hand or taking pictures and then playing with them in Gimp.

Hope you all are doing well too. I'm off to work on my programming homework.

Project 1 upload difficulty

I have done project 1-1, and scanned it into my computer. Problem is, it won't upload into Blogger. Grr.

Maybe I can upload it to my other blog and use the URL to poat it. I'll try some more later. I've already tried changing the type several times, and that hasn't worked. *sigh*

Chapter 1

Finished going through chapter 1. It was very interesting. Much what an art class probably is about, I expect. I've never taken one so I don't know for sure but it has lots of artsy type speech in it.

Problem is, I am a sciency type. To paraphrase, "It was all Greek to me."

See, I like to draw, sketch, doodle, and generally dink around. As far as terminology in art, well, it doesn't really stick.

But i think I got some of the basics, even if the definitions aren't totally straightforward. I got the feel of them. Now to answer the questions.

I think I'll try the first project, too, at least. It looks fun. i don't have the specific materials they ask for, but I think I can get the gist of it going. If I can get it done tomorrow I'll post a scan of my efforts on here.

Orientation Quiz and answers

CIOS 108 Orientation Quiz

A. What is something that is going well in your life?
I am taking classes through DVR and they are getting me the technology to get around my blindness. I should be getting my own CCTV and an Amigo portable CCTV very soon.

B. What are your specific goals for this class?
I want to learn how to tweak and play with drawings and pictures, learn to use graphics software for designing and art and modifying photos if I choose. I would like to be able to apply this knowledge to website design and other uses.

C. What was your first experience with design, computers, and imaging technology?
I enjoy art and drawing, and have done it for many years on my own. I use a digital camera and have fixed redeye in pictures, cropped and resized them, etc. Other than basic drawing in the Office e Paint and Drawing features, I have not done a whole lot of technology based artwork or design. I did take some drafting classes several years ago, however.

D. Do you usually work on a Mac or a PC and why?
I use a PC because that is what I have.

E. What is your experience level with any of the other image editing programs available?
I have no experience with any image editing programs.

F. What is something you liked about your day today?
Teaching my younger children about fire safety.

G. How do you plan to use what you learn in this class?
I plan to use this knowledge in my future computer classes and in web site design for myself and others as I gain more experience. I also plan to teach my other children what I learn so they can try it out and play with the concepts and software themselves.

H. What would make this class go very well for you?
Communication and good explanation and step by step instructions for performing tasks, at least initially, so that I can see what works. Trial and error methods forcing me to try many unsuccessful techniques before finding the one that works is not a good method for my learning.

I. How do you plan to make this class go very well for you?
Work on projects and assignments as early as possible so that I do not have a time crunch and can accomplish goals with minimal pressure. Communicating any difficulties and getting help when needed.

J. What do you do for creativity on an on-going basis?
I like to draw and sketch, write, play music, and take pictures (mostly of my kids).

K. Who is Milton Glaser? Paul Bass?
No idea. Artists or designers, I think. I know there was a Saul Bass that designed logos and posters and such commercially.

L. Do you own or have access to a color image scanner?
Yes. I have an all-in-one color printer/scanner.

M. What software application will you be using for this course?
I have downloaded Gimp for this course. I cannot use the VPN client because there are issues with it and my Vista-based computer. I am considering downloading and installing the GimpShop software that makes it appear more like PhotoShop is set up, but since I have never used either, this doesn’t seem to me to make a huge difference.

Opening Post

New blog. I set this up for my CIOS 108 course, but I intend to actually continue it after the class is over, so I set it up with my usual pseudonym and a related title.

For history, Darillian is the name of one of my old D&D characters that I love. Yes, I am a long-time gamer. Not doing much RPG's anymore, but I AM addicted to WoW. I reward myself with it when I have finished important tasks, like homework.

I hope to learn lots of neat artistic things to do with pictures and such on the computer in this class. I also hope it won't be so complicated or have difficult software to obtain and use. I'll post more (and I think I'm supposed to answer the intro quiz questions here) later.