VR for the Weekend

 CHAPS Museum

http://bit.ly/2OAyBpj

You Tube 360 VR Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnO5ygba3vsJG9IeZLndaTQ

Design Review: CRAP and Gestalt!

 We will use the examples below as we review design principles:

¢Maggi Soup

¢GarbageWorkers

¢GuitarExchange

¢Mistique Tissues  

 

 Students will read the articles on Gestalt Principles and Conversion-Centered Design and post a blog that summarizes the content and answers the question, "What 5 things can I do to improve my website/social media in light of these articles?"

 

Digital Aggregating and Curating

 

One things that makes "New Media" new is that these media have not yet formed all their rules, grammars, best practices, etc. That is to say, that even though students explore these media without dear, they are, indeed, pioneers - blazing trails and discovering paths of literacy. 

In this digital curation project, students learn to design meaning in, and through, digital media. The goal of the project is to help students develop, not a specific grammar or a taxonomy, but rather a workable approach for forming grammars, methodologies, heuristics, etc. where none exist as standards. A set of methodologies that handles the flood of information in the digital age will be in much demand. 

 
Students in the Digital Literacies class will use Flipboard and Pocket as a tool of aggregating (gathering) information on a specific topic of their choosing. They will use Pinterest as a tool of curating (organizing and displaying) their findings from the research in Flipboard.

Students will share their Flipboard findings (Magazine) - as well as their Pinterest collections (Board) in their blogs. These examples will serve as example for them on how to use such tools for research on other topics in contemporary digital publications.

**** Students will embed their initial Flipboard Magazines and Pinterest Boards in their blog with a description of their chose topics.

 (Pinterest embed instructions can be found here: https://www.theedublogger.com/how-to-embed-pinterest-boards-and-pins-on-your-blog-2/)

Here is an example of my own VR Research Magazine in Flipboard.

Here is an embed of my new magazine:

 

 

Here is an embed of my Pinterest Board:

Refining and Visually Expressing Personal Brands

1) Students will REVISIT and REFINE their Personal Brand Guidelines and Style Sheets, making whatever changes are appropriate with their experiences of their work in social media on their digital presence. 

2) Students will continue to develop and populate their websites, giving special attention to filling their portfolios.

3) Students will reflect on their Updated Personal Brand - and will apply their design skills to creating a composite image in the tradition of Robert Weingarten's "Portrait Unbound" (see videos below) - using original photos and other images to create a collage/montage that reflects their own "brand." They will post these images on their blogs with reflections on the process.

Students may use design programs like PhotoShop, Illustrator, Indesign, etc. to create their "Portraits unbound" or web-based collage makers from Adobe Spark or Canva to make a representative collage.

Social Dilemma, Social Presence

In the next blog entries, students will tackle the two "flip sides" of the social media coin.

First, they will reflect on the "The Social Dilemma" by responding to questions like these:

1. What was the most surprising thing you learned in the documentary?
2. What information affected you most personally?
3. Name at least one social media practice you considered changing after watching the film?
4. What other thoughts would you like to discuss with your colleagues?

Second, they will revisit the BrandYourself account they set up and run through the check list under the "Build Your Personal Brand" link in the left nav bar. Each item has an estimated time required to complete. Students will be prepared to SHOW their BrandYourself checklist in the next class meeting. (***You need ONLY do the items that DON'T require upgrading to a paid package - so skip the "premium" features.)

Review: Wireframes, SiteMaps, Style Sheets, and Fresh Eyes

Students will review their Brand Guide/Style Sheets, and revise as needed, giving attention to these questions:

1. Does my style sheet reflect my voice and tone?
2. Does my style sheet control and direct my personal web presence design?
   If not, Why?
3. Have I revised my style sheet to make it presentable to the public? Language, information, etc.

Personal Brands: Touchy-feely and Technical!

 Students have completed their Personal Brand Style Sheets, and will use these to launch two projects:

1. A complete revamping of all social media - beginning with banners (and reviewing profile info, of course.) 
2. A "Crazy 8" Wire Frame for your website design that addresses the most necessary elements: contact info, resume, portfolio(s), social media, navigation, about/bio/profile, etc. 
   
3. A reflective look at their aspirational internet personas, done by imitating the "Portrait Unbound" by Robert Weingarten.