FA 332-Item

For FA 332, we had to create 3 images about something we carry with us everywhere we go. One image must be positive, negative, and metaphorical. I chose to use my mouse, since everyday I bring it to school with me. First, I started with the metaphorical since I had an idea of what I wanted to do. My plan was to make an image and pretend that a cat thinks that the mouse is a real one. I then got the picture online and put the picture of my mouse that I actually took with the DSLR camera. After that, I decided to do the positive image next, I basically emphasized the wireless capabilities of one mouse and that the wired mouse loses the race because of the wires. This implies that someone can get their work done a lot faster with the wireless mouse. Then to my final image, I decided to emphasize the drawbacks of having a wireless mouse. What happens when the battery runs out, you have to put new ones, which can be extremely inconvenient when someone is at work and there are no batteries in sight. Maybe it would then be time to take out the wired mouse.

FA 332-Magazine Design

For our magazine design we are supposed to utilize the color blue. So in the design I decide to use different shades of blue. I also wanted to make the magazine interesting, so I came up with the idea of using a language like Spanish, and how to learn it fast. Even though learning a new language can be tough, it's worth it. Also, I put the image of a guy who is confused because stress also can build up when the language doesn't come easy. The magazine is supposed to be very monochromatic, but excluding the black background, I would say it's good. In reality, Spanish made easy is an exaggeration, but I like the way it would draw someones attention in a store.

FA 333-Video Abstractions

For our final project for FA 333, we are required to pick 3 truth statements (which are extremely exaggerated) and abstract the statements by making a one minute video for each. The first "truth" statement that I chose was called "ketchup makes everything taste better, except ketchup." In my video I chose to do a little stop motion work also. My plan to abstract it was by creating on a white board the word ketchup in red ink, and then on the other side creating the word ketchup, but with real ketchup. I then decided to make them connect, but then are automatically repelling against each other. It basically means that the word ketchup and the real ketchup do not taste well together. It's kind of weird, but it's supposed to be abstract. For my second abstraction, the truth that I chose was called "nothing is so simple that it can't get screwed up." The approach that I took was about tying my shoes, because even something as simple as tying your shoes can get screwed up. In the video I basically tied my shoes together and made it seem as if I was struggling. I reversed the video, which really created the effect that I wanted about the truth, and showing that something simple can get screwed up. For my third abstraction I chose the truth "The truth always hurts you most when you're trying to protect a lie." My idea also involved a little bit of stop-motion photography. The major plan for my video was to purposefully write incorrect math problems, and then smashing it with a hammer. Because the math problem is wrong, it's a lie, so it hurts because the hammer destroys it because the math problem is trying to protect a lie. Again, abstract, but that is the goal, which is something that I struggled with in the beginning, but finally got the videos to what I wanted.

DTC 355-Dreamweaver Website

I haven't used Dreamweaver since I was back in High school, so I am definitely rusty. I am the kind of person that usually looks at a bunch of tutorials to familiarize myself with the programs because that is the quickest way for me to learn. The time to learn how to use the programs is something that I feel is necessary, because how else is someone going to know what to do unless they learn from someone else who may have a ton of experience. As for my website, I first used a template that I created in my FA 332 Print and Web class that also involved Dreamweaver. I used that as a jumping off point and tweaked the template a lot, and ultimately came up with this style of colors as the reoccurring theme of my website featuring my digital artwork as the highlight of my site. I had different colors originally, but I stuck with these colors, and the fact that they are complementary colors makes it stand out. I am very pleased with how my website turned out and its different from the traditional column links that are seen in many websites, so overall, I really like the look of my links as rows.

Art of the Digital Age, Ch 7-9

On page 164, Wands discusses game art, and one person in particular I remember is artist Cory Arcangel. I am a fan of the way graphics have improved over time, and that video games have become a pop culture phenomenon. From gamers to non-gamers, I am sure that they appreciate the hard work that goes behind many games since many titiles have an artistic element to them. I think video games can be a form of interactive art where the player interacts with what an entire team created. On page 180, there is a piece by Cory Arcangel called I Shot Andy Warhol, and this piece is a bit odd since it allows the user to shoot even the Pope, and I am not sure if Arcangel has any animosity towards religion (Wands). This doesn't offend me since I am not Catholic and I don't believe in the authority of any Pope, but it mind offend a Catholic. On page 184, Wands discusses that "one characteristic of net art is its availability to a global audience." This is a very good definition because sometime we throw terms around about different art movements without giving a adequate description of what it is. On page 190, Wands discusses Ken Goldberg and his piece Telegardeni, which I think is very interisting since it allows a user to participate with the piece. It reminds me of something I saw on the movie Jurassic Park, where the personnel use a machine to flip the eggs.