This week in class we finally hammered out exactly what everyone will be working on (well, almost exactly). Jessie wasn't able to make it to class so we left a few ?'s in our plan. We all decided to work on at least 1 print ad each. I am working on the biker and hippie both hugging a tree as my print ad. Troy and I are going to make sure that all of the designs come across as coherent since different people will be working on them. Jessie is extremely excited about working on our logo, so I know that is definitely being taken care of by her.
I am also going to do work on one of our banner ads, and in the production of our "everyone is green" commercial. Everyone is really stepping up and working on their strengths, which is great. I definitely think that we will complete all work on time.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Struggle for immortality
Talk about eccentric, Richard Garriott (known as Lord British since he was the creator of the Ultima series of games and Ultima Online), has paid a ton of money to go into space! Not only that, but he's taking a time capsule of digital data up with him, including copies of people's characters that play his newest game, Tabula Rasa, and is offering them the chance to have their actual DNA digitized and added as well. I think all of the years of D&D may have finally taken their toll on Richard. The article was a pretty interesting read though, since I did spend a large amount of time playing Ultima Online and Ultima IX Ascension when I was in high school.
Immortal Lord British
Immortal Lord British
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
What I've Done
As soon as my group was formed we started brainstorming ideas that might fit a fortune 500 company. Alex first suggested building an artificial island that uses old tires and plastics to stay afloat (interesting, good for the environment, and a "must have" for the insanely wealthy). Everyone really seemed to like the "good for the environment" feel, but wanted an idea that was a bit more realistic. I came up with the idea for a nuclear energy company that is trying to promote nuclear energy as greener than the alternatives, and show that we're safe and non-threatening.
Jessie met with Alex and finalized the problem, that he is the CEO of a regular electric/natural gas company and wants to distinguish his company from his competitors by showing his green initiative.
Jessie's blog has a write up of all of our meetings and explains what was discussed and what we decided on: http://jamspropracin.blogspot.com/
In these meetings I helped flesh out ideas, once we realized we had to move away from distribution methods, and helped come up with tag lines and ideas for imagery. I came up with the "It's now easy being green" with Kermit idea, but once we found out that has already been used we abandoned it (I really have never seen that commercial before!). I typed up the notes from our meeting prior to the class in which we pitched our 3 big ideas, and helped finalize our Urban Solution, Everyone is Green, and Green for the Future ideas.
After pitching our ideas to Alex we decided that we want to go forward with the "Everyone is Green" solution, but we want to add more to this rather than just print ads. Some ideas mentioned were adding an application to Google Maps that would allow you to see houses in your area that have changed to Akron Energy. We'd also like to add an incentive, so if more people in your area sign up, your price of energy will decrease. We're working on making this idea more viral, and something people can really get into.
Jessie met with Alex and finalized the problem, that he is the CEO of a regular electric/natural gas company and wants to distinguish his company from his competitors by showing his green initiative.
Jessie's blog has a write up of all of our meetings and explains what was discussed and what we decided on: http://jamspropracin.blogspot.com/
In these meetings I helped flesh out ideas, once we realized we had to move away from distribution methods, and helped come up with tag lines and ideas for imagery. I came up with the "It's now easy being green" with Kermit idea, but once we found out that has already been used we abandoned it (I really have never seen that commercial before!). I typed up the notes from our meeting prior to the class in which we pitched our 3 big ideas, and helped finalize our Urban Solution, Everyone is Green, and Green for the Future ideas.
After pitching our ideas to Alex we decided that we want to go forward with the "Everyone is Green" solution, but we want to add more to this rather than just print ads. Some ideas mentioned were adding an application to Google Maps that would allow you to see houses in your area that have changed to Akron Energy. We'd also like to add an incentive, so if more people in your area sign up, your price of energy will decrease. We're working on making this idea more viral, and something people can really get into.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Second Life & Online Games
I found this GREAT article about online gaming. I don't consider Second Life a game, more like a virtual chat room with 3d Avatars, but it does mention Star Wars Galaxy and the Sims.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/147784
I really like that the article isn't bashing gamers and talking about unhealthy addictions the entire time. There is already such a stereotype about gamers that it doesn't take much to make people believe that all online gamers are nerds with addiction issues. I like that it focuses on some of the positives, and that online gaming came become an extension of life and not an obsession.
As a hardcore gamer myself (I have had to cut back due to school and work) I know what it feels like to be successful, affluent, and powerful in a world that others don't know anything about. In Everquest 2 my guild is 2nd on the server and we're known as the best of the best. I can afford anything I'd ever like to buy, and I have some of the best equipment in the game. It's nice to go from a rather shy person with a busy schedule, to a respected member of a powerful guild for a few hours...
http://www.newsweek.com/id/147784
I really like that the article isn't bashing gamers and talking about unhealthy addictions the entire time. There is already such a stereotype about gamers that it doesn't take much to make people believe that all online gamers are nerds with addiction issues. I like that it focuses on some of the positives, and that online gaming came become an extension of life and not an obsession.
As a hardcore gamer myself (I have had to cut back due to school and work) I know what it feels like to be successful, affluent, and powerful in a world that others don't know anything about. In Everquest 2 my guild is 2nd on the server and we're known as the best of the best. I can afford anything I'd ever like to buy, and I have some of the best equipment in the game. It's nice to go from a rather shy person with a busy schedule, to a respected member of a powerful guild for a few hours...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Interpreter Speaking up for Migrants
A friend of mine found this article in the New York Times and sent the link over to me. I found it really interesting since this is probably the first time I've ever heard of an interpreter speaking out about a court case. It really made me feel for the immigrants that were being prosecuted. I tried to put myself in that role, in a new country without knowing the dominant language, and being brought to trial for a crime I didn't even know I committed.
An Interpreter Speaking up for Migrants
An Interpreter Speaking up for Migrants
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Careers in Digital Media
There are a ton of careers in digital media that I can pursue upon graduation, but since I am most interested in game design I'm going to focus on those positions now. Some major game design studios are currently hiring for a variety of positions.
Funcom, who makes Age of Conan and is working on The Secret World, is hiring for their Olso, Norway office. They have other offices in Durham, Beijing, and Zurich; but are currently only hiring for translator, coordinator, or customer service personnel.
In Olso they are hiring for in a few main categories.
Animation
Animators, Motion Capture Animators
Art
3D Artists, Assistant Art Director, Concept Artist, Environment Artist, Interface Designer, Senior Character Artist, Technical Artist, Web/GUI Artist,
Design
AI Designer, BCC Designer, Content Designer, Gameplay Designer, Quest Designer, System Designer, Writer
I am leaving out the sections for Programming, Production, and Quality Assurance; but I wouldn't be opposed to working in programming if the right opportunity came along (like their 3D Effects Programmer position).
Blizzard is another huge gaming company where I would love to work. Their job opportunities can be found at http://www.blizzard.com/us/jobopp/
I would probably most be interested in the 3D environment artist job (I spent a lot of time working on realistic grass in Maya and enjoy the challenge).
Another less artistic position at Blizzard is the Game Balance Designer working on Starcraft II.
http://www.blizzard.com/us/jobopp/designer-game-balance.html
This job sounds right out my alley since I've played Starcraft I and Warcraft III extensively, and have a real love of real time strategy games, math, and am basically OCD about organization and balance. I am constantly working with the organization of complex data and find it fun and challenging.
Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) has a massive library of open jobs that are searchable at http://www.station.sony.com/sonyonline/careers.vm
Most of their work is located in San Diego, Seattle, Austin, and Denver.
One of their jobs that I would be most interested in is their Game Designer position that would be working solely on the game, Everquest. Below is the description.
The only experience I don't have for this job is "Experience designing content for massively multi-player online games" but I do meet all of the other criteria. I am an avid gamer and played Everquest for about a year, and have played one of their other games, Everquest2, since November of 2004. Even if I had to work as their Administrative Assistant: Public Relations role in order to get my foot in the door at the company, that is a job in which I have a lot of experience.
I think what I find so intriguing about the Game Designer role is that I'm not solely responsible for one part of the game. I'm not working only on animation or character rigging or coding. I would get to be involved in most of the roles, and become more familiar with each job. I'd also be able to work on writing lore and back story, and as a HUGE fantasy fan from a young age this would be great! I already work in a team setting at my job and since I am rather senior in my role, I am also responsible for all reporting and presentations for the client. I'm used to making sure all of the widgets are working and pulling together a project to a central point. I think this would be a great position for me.
Funcom, who makes Age of Conan and is working on The Secret World, is hiring for their Olso, Norway office. They have other offices in Durham, Beijing, and Zurich; but are currently only hiring for translator, coordinator, or customer service personnel.
In Olso they are hiring for in a few main categories.
Animation
Animators, Motion Capture Animators
Art
3D Artists, Assistant Art Director, Concept Artist, Environment Artist, Interface Designer, Senior Character Artist, Technical Artist, Web/GUI Artist,
Design
AI Designer, BCC Designer, Content Designer, Gameplay Designer, Quest Designer, System Designer, Writer
I am leaving out the sections for Programming, Production, and Quality Assurance; but I wouldn't be opposed to working in programming if the right opportunity came along (like their 3D Effects Programmer position).
Blizzard is another huge gaming company where I would love to work. Their job opportunities can be found at http://www.blizzard.com/us/jobopp/
I would probably most be interested in the 3D environment artist job (I spent a lot of time working on realistic grass in Maya and enjoy the challenge).
Another less artistic position at Blizzard is the Game Balance Designer working on Starcraft II.
http://www.blizzard.com/us/jobopp/designer-game-balance.html
This job sounds right out my alley since I've played Starcraft I and Warcraft III extensively, and have a real love of real time strategy games, math, and am basically OCD about organization and balance. I am constantly working with the organization of complex data and find it fun and challenging.
Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) has a massive library of open jobs that are searchable at http://www.station.sony.com/sonyonline/careers.vm
Most of their work is located in San Diego, Seattle, Austin, and Denver.
One of their jobs that I would be most interested in is their Game Designer position that would be working solely on the game, Everquest. Below is the description.
EverQuest Game Designer- Content
Job Title: Game Designer (Content)
Location:
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises and hit titles including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, Untold Legends™, and PlanetSide®, as well as for developing Star Wars Galaxies™, SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Los Angeles, CA, Austin, TX, Seattle, WA, Denver, CO, and Taiwan, SOE has an array of cutting-edge games in development.
Interested in joining a team of motivated and talented people building a new world intended for a much wider market than traditional games? We’re looking for someone to help build a virtual world full of humor, excitement and fun.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Create design documents for game content from scratch.
• Analyze and improve upon implemented content, including content designed or developed by others.
• Communicate design goals to other team members, including artists and programmers.
• Help to deliver a finely tuned massively multi-player game using proprietary tools as well as direct database access.
• Assist in the development of game areas, including scripting and quest creation.
• Development of game fiction, scenarios and back story.
Requirements:
• Experience designing content for massively multi-player online games.
• Experience playing massively multi-player online games.
• Working knowledge of Word, Excel and other office software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work alone and in a team environment.
The only experience I don't have for this job is "Experience designing content for massively multi-player online games" but I do meet all of the other criteria. I am an avid gamer and played Everquest for about a year, and have played one of their other games, Everquest2, since November of 2004. Even if I had to work as their Administrative Assistant: Public Relations role in order to get my foot in the door at the company, that is a job in which I have a lot of experience.
I think what I find so intriguing about the Game Designer role is that I'm not solely responsible for one part of the game. I'm not working only on animation or character rigging or coding. I would get to be involved in most of the roles, and become more familiar with each job. I'd also be able to work on writing lore and back story, and as a HUGE fantasy fan from a young age this would be great! I already work in a team setting at my job and since I am rather senior in my role, I am also responsible for all reporting and presentations for the client. I'm used to making sure all of the widgets are working and pulling together a project to a central point. I think this would be a great position for me.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Web Development Process
The four web design companies that I found online were SnowDog, Attitude, Core, and E-Agency. I don’t think any of these are major players in the web design field, but they all had easily accessible definitions of their web development process. I was very surprised to find that most of them were extremely similar, if not exactly the same. SnowDog and Core actually use the same names for their steps, except SnowDog has two extra steps. SnowDog has Discover – Define – Design – Develop – Deploy – Maintain and Core has Define through Deploy. These are the same steps that I learned in previous classes, except there was more of an emphasis on usability and testing than is evident in this quick step guide.
Attitude has a similar model that starts off with meeting the client and completing all estimates of time/making up the site plan. They then present draft designs and eventually finalize a design. They work on integrating the client’s content and complete testing and a final evaluation. After that they upload the website and provide continued updates and support (if it’s part of the contract). This timeline is very similar to the other two companies, but their definition was spelled out a bit more and made sure to include a time for testing and evaluations.
E-Agency was similar to the other three web design companies. Their general steps were defining the project, setting up the site structure, visual design, content development, production, and then the launch of the website. I feel these general steps are a pretty tried and true way to build a website. I would be weary of saving all of the testing for right before launch (it is in the production phase of E-Agency’s process). By this point it would be hard to go back to the start, or even change a lot of the larger site elements. Other than that I think this is the most efficient process. I especially like that all of them had “define” or a variation of that as their first step. It’s extremely important to become acclimated with your client and know everything you can about them before trying to build a website. Below are links to the web development process for each company.
SnowDog
Attitude
Core
E-Agency
Attitude has a similar model that starts off with meeting the client and completing all estimates of time/making up the site plan. They then present draft designs and eventually finalize a design. They work on integrating the client’s content and complete testing and a final evaluation. After that they upload the website and provide continued updates and support (if it’s part of the contract). This timeline is very similar to the other two companies, but their definition was spelled out a bit more and made sure to include a time for testing and evaluations.
E-Agency was similar to the other three web design companies. Their general steps were defining the project, setting up the site structure, visual design, content development, production, and then the launch of the website. I feel these general steps are a pretty tried and true way to build a website. I would be weary of saving all of the testing for right before launch (it is in the production phase of E-Agency’s process). By this point it would be hard to go back to the start, or even change a lot of the larger site elements. Other than that I think this is the most efficient process. I especially like that all of them had “define” or a variation of that as their first step. It’s extremely important to become acclimated with your client and know everything you can about them before trying to build a website. Below are links to the web development process for each company.
SnowDog
Attitude
Core
E-Agency
Biggest Challenge
I think my biggest challenge right now is actually a collection of two smaller challenges. One of them is more personal/time management, and the other deals directly with coursework and the digital media program.
Firstly, I have to work full time in order to support myself, but I also have to be a full time digital media student because the program isn't offered part time. At the end of the day I am so exhausted from leading a double life that I rarely go out with friends or leave time to relax and collect myself. I started this crazy schedule in the fall of 2006, so by now it's taken quite a toll on me. Also, due to my work schedule, it's very hard for me to get to campus (especially for group projects) since I schedule my work hours around class and I don't have a lot of other free time. I always seem to make it work, but it's tiring and challenging. Spending nights on campus to render while taking animation classes in Maya was one of the hardest times I've faced. Unfortunately it made me really dislike animation and Maya, even though if it was my full time job I'd be excited to do it each day and learn more. I just didn't have enough hours in the day.
My second big challenge is a lack of confidence in my work. At my job I know exactly what I'm doing, and I do it very well. I like that self assuredness, even though I don't like my job. When it comes to schoolwork and digital media, I always feel that my art skills aren't nearly good enough when compared with other students. I come from a programming background and was a computer science major at NYU, but I didn't want programming alone to be my life. That's why I decided to take a year off from school and transfer to Drexel. I feel pretty confident in my programming ability, but when it comes to artwork I've never been the kind of person to get praise for amazing artwork. I feel that I have to work twice as hard for a product that is half as good as naturally talented students. I hope through practice that I can break through this negativity. When I was very young I remember seeing other children's artwork and thinking it was great, but mine just looked like a mess no matter what I did. I think I gave up art then, instead of continuing to try. I'm willing to keep at it with the hopes that I can gain confidence and practice as I go.
Firstly, I have to work full time in order to support myself, but I also have to be a full time digital media student because the program isn't offered part time. At the end of the day I am so exhausted from leading a double life that I rarely go out with friends or leave time to relax and collect myself. I started this crazy schedule in the fall of 2006, so by now it's taken quite a toll on me. Also, due to my work schedule, it's very hard for me to get to campus (especially for group projects) since I schedule my work hours around class and I don't have a lot of other free time. I always seem to make it work, but it's tiring and challenging. Spending nights on campus to render while taking animation classes in Maya was one of the hardest times I've faced. Unfortunately it made me really dislike animation and Maya, even though if it was my full time job I'd be excited to do it each day and learn more. I just didn't have enough hours in the day.
My second big challenge is a lack of confidence in my work. At my job I know exactly what I'm doing, and I do it very well. I like that self assuredness, even though I don't like my job. When it comes to schoolwork and digital media, I always feel that my art skills aren't nearly good enough when compared with other students. I come from a programming background and was a computer science major at NYU, but I didn't want programming alone to be my life. That's why I decided to take a year off from school and transfer to Drexel. I feel pretty confident in my programming ability, but when it comes to artwork I've never been the kind of person to get praise for amazing artwork. I feel that I have to work twice as hard for a product that is half as good as naturally talented students. I hope through practice that I can break through this negativity. When I was very young I remember seeing other children's artwork and thinking it was great, but mine just looked like a mess no matter what I did. I think I gave up art then, instead of continuing to try. I'm willing to keep at it with the hopes that I can gain confidence and practice as I go.
Mission Statement
In life, I hope to achieve happiness, through whatever course that brings me. I have a great love of computers and video games, and have grown up with them. I want to bring my passion for these areas into my professional life. I don't want to compromise anymore, and just accept the job that is given to me. I want to better myself through education, so that I can have a fulfilling job and a happier life.
My current time line is to leave my current corporate America job immediately upon graduation. I've been there 3 years now (this August) and I'm definitely reaching my limit of doing a job I don't enjoy for meager pay. Fortunately they allow me to keep a modified work schedule in order to go to school, so I can't leave any sooner. Within a year of graduation I'd like to be in either an entry level digital media job, or a step above that. Though I don't have a lot of professional experience in that industry, I do have a lot of experience in an office work environment, so I feel this should help me advance quickly. I don't know exactly what I want to do when I graduate, but I think this next year of classes, especially my gaming classes, will help me decide.
I have always managed to overcome roadblocks in the past, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. I've managed to hold down a full time job and commute to school full time, and pay all of my own bills without my parents' or anyone's help. If I can rise to this occasion I know I can make it through just about anything.
It's not entirely about money for me. If I'm happy and able to live a somewhat comfortable life, that's all I really need. I want to feel fulfilled with my job and happy with my work. I'm not sure where that will be just yet, but I'm getting warmer.
My current time line is to leave my current corporate America job immediately upon graduation. I've been there 3 years now (this August) and I'm definitely reaching my limit of doing a job I don't enjoy for meager pay. Fortunately they allow me to keep a modified work schedule in order to go to school, so I can't leave any sooner. Within a year of graduation I'd like to be in either an entry level digital media job, or a step above that. Though I don't have a lot of professional experience in that industry, I do have a lot of experience in an office work environment, so I feel this should help me advance quickly. I don't know exactly what I want to do when I graduate, but I think this next year of classes, especially my gaming classes, will help me decide.
I have always managed to overcome roadblocks in the past, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. I've managed to hold down a full time job and commute to school full time, and pay all of my own bills without my parents' or anyone's help. If I can rise to this occasion I know I can make it through just about anything.
It's not entirely about money for me. If I'm happy and able to live a somewhat comfortable life, that's all I really need. I want to feel fulfilled with my job and happy with my work. I'm not sure where that will be just yet, but I'm getting warmer.
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