FLASH OR NOT TO FLASH...That is the question...

(aka everything new is old again...)

I am not a high-end, programming-degreed web designer.
I am a graphic designer who (like many my age) has been retrofitted to do the web. Today's designers must tackle a variety of media, rather than falling back solely upon print as we had in a bygone era.

Anyone with a pedigree to web prior to 92 or 93 is likely a Computer Science major. Funny thing is that it feels like the web has been around forever... but it wasn't until the senate bill in 95 passed that it became the bona-fide commercial communication tool. Thus came my first HTML class was with fellow instructor Robbie Suhr, back in 1998 on the Marquette Campus. We were in an HTML 3-4 class, with a bunch of other post-bac adults boning up on the early world of HTML. Pages were static, and had the design sensibilities of a grade-school primer.

Then came newer technologies. We both invested in Macromedia's (later Adobe's) Flash. But over time, it seems that the technology (as well as the demands upon it) keeps increasing, shifting, and becoming more heady.

Now it seems that Flash has some security holes to it. So many concerns that Apple prefers not to support it with the iPad, iPods, and iPhones...despite a long time relationship with Adobe.

There are, however, alternate technologies. jQuery, java, CSS, and the looming change in HTML standards could make things a non-issue. Here are two sites that you may find helpful if you (like me- a designer who happens to do some web) are looking to avoid some of the Flash that may or may not be in the future of the web. (The Smash Blog itself is an awesome all-around resource for design technology in general btw)
jQuery techniques

CSS techniques

SUPPLEMENTAL DESIGN LESSONS...FREE

In addition to the superb education students get in an organized college setting, there are plenty of supplemental sites that offer additional direction (even 'lessons') in visual communications (Graphic Design). Some are pay sites, some are sample sites, and some are totally free.

While the depth and breadth of the sites may not be inline with a traditional classroom, they are great resources for students. You won't necessarily be able to raise your hand and get help, but what you get in return is a superb reference for some of the basics (many applied specifically to the web).

I will also note that not everything is totally in line with what I hold to be applicable to type and design, but  it is nice to have!

50-totally-free-lessons-in-graphic-design

"CLOUD" PRESENTATION GRAPHICS

At some point or another, almost EVERYONE has to give a presentation. It helps to have some AV support, and there are some pretty neat tools teachers are using (and sharing with their students) to create and share presentations.
In the good old days (15 years ago) you'd likely drag out a program like MS Powerpoint, pop together some slides, transfer them onto a floppy, and go to your presentation. This meant you needed to buy/have Powerpoint, and wherever you were presenting needed to have it as well.

Later, they introduced the self-playing presentation. You still needed to have software  purchased on the creation end, but you could then present on a computer without the software. Oddly enough, around the same time Larry Ellison of ORACLE wanted to introduce the idea of the N.C. (network computer, versus the PC or personal Computer). Not a lot happened...the internet was not yet fully cultivated and bandwidth speeds (not to mention server space and revenue models) were in their infancy.

Now, using the network for computing (and not just transactions, communication, and storage) is a reality. Check out this VERY cool link for online presentation tools that can help you (or the child/adult/teacher in your life) with the process!

http://webtools4u2use.wikispaces.com/Presentation+Tools

TROUBLE SLEEPING...

I know this hits everyone at some point or another. I have heard from both instructors and students with crazy schedules that wreak havoc on your circadian rhythm cycles.
And there are always folks ready to offer you a range of non-prescription solutions: warm milk, herbal tea, reading, prayer/reflection/meditation.
There are also over-the-counter medications (benadryl and actifed are two otc tabs I've heard being used for occasional insomnia). And of course, there will be a few who actually recommend a shot or two (sometimes more) of alcohol before bed  [I strongly urge you to avoid this for a huge list of reasons that I can't get into here].
I was perusing the old net when I came upon a site called "Sleeping Tricks." While I can guarantee none as working for you, it wouldn't hurt to take a crack at some of them.
http://www.sleepingtricks.com/

Life Secrets?

Well... maybe not exactly. But there is a neat blog that has articles on everyday living in the modern world, and a while ago they had (intriguingly) posted one titled "50 Life Secrets and Tips." You just can't ignore something as provocative as that!

They are simple, easy, "bite-sized" things that you can do one at a time. Give 'em a go if you feel that sometimes you are overburdened by the modern existence. We too often get stuck in routines that offer us so little hope of changing things up, that a simple change brought on by you can make all of the difference.

http://www.highexistence.com/life-secrets-and-tips/

ONE OF THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TUTORIAL COLLECTIONS...

A lot of Photo sites are really a collection of effects that you can recreate (step-by-step) in Adobe Photoshop. There is certainly nothing wrong with that... but there is so much more to photography than post-production. Admittedly, it's the main concern of the graphic designer. But so many give short shrift to other aspects of the process.

Every Digital Photography section I've taught has included a composition unit. Despite that, I'll still see some horrible snapshots being shuttled in by students as 'compositions.' Because it's something you like/love (a guy, a girl, a handbag, a pet, a place) doesn't make it a good shot. Controlling the  technical elements at your control while minding composition does.

I hope that those of you interested in digital photography take a look at all of these helpful links from the blog:
http://photo.tutsplus.com/articles/round-ups/100-helpful-photography-tutorials-for-beginners-and-professionals/

Are you overloaded?

Understand time management!  

Try doing everything listed below, and notice how it can change your success level in whatever you are doing...

Take a piece of paper, and write down the number 168. That is the number of hours you have in a week. Seems like a lot... 

Now subtract the number of hours you sleep each day  (e.g. 8 hrs a night, or 56 hrs a week).

That's down to 112. 

Now subtract time for your meals (e.g. maybe 2hrs a day? Maybe 1? Maybe less?) 

That's 105.

Now take away the time you use for "necessities" (e.g bathroom, showering, etc.--perhaps 1 hr a day?) That's 98.

Now, subtract any weekly obligations you have to family, church, friends or the like. (e.g maybe 7 hours twice a week?)  

That's 91...and it may be WAY more if you have small kids!

Perhaps you work a part-time job at 25 hours a week. 

That's now 66 hrs.

Now let's look at your courses.  You've signed up for 18 credits in 6 [3 credit] sections. You may be spending anywhere from 18 (24 or more for design or lab classes) hours a week in class. 

That's 42 hours a week left... but we haven't yet figured in: reading, homework, assignments, projects, research and the like. 

The rule of thumb is to take the hours a week you spend in class, and double to triple it for out-of-class time budgeting. In our hypothetical example, that spells 36 up to a possible 72 hours a week!!! You'd have to steal someone else's life to get those hours. 

So you either spend minimal time out of class (often resulting in slipshod work), or you skimp on one of the classes to give time to another... or worst of all you fake it. You pretend you've read and done the hands-on stuff, and nod emptily when you are asked if you understand.

The student in this example is clearly overloaded. Maybe another student (without kids, or without the part-time job) can easily accommodate this kind of schedule, but one with those conditions cannot.

Once you have your schedule in a REALISTIC mode, we need to discuss how you spend the time that you have budgeted. 

Do you 'intend to start that assignment,' but get sidetracked by that episode of SPEED RACER on Boomerang? Do you lose track of time hanging out at the mall? Did you invest WAY too much time in W.O.W. or Runescape online? If any of that sounds familiar, you're likely a PROCRASTINATOR. You will likely put things off until a few days before (or perhaps even the night before) they are due, and whip something slipshod together. 

A SCHEDULE is your best friend. Write one down for every day of the week, and STICK TO IT.  The freedom you have as an adult learner can sometimes be your downfall if you lack the skills to self-manage that teachers and schools built into K-12. You need to make your own schedule, and your own 'punishments' for truancy (since it doesn't exist for the adult learner).

Your second weapon is a TASK LIST. Compile one  every day full of tasks for the next day, and strive to achieve everything on it. Some students just use a day-planner or notebook, while others prefer to use software (I like GTD{Getting Things Done} and Assignment Tracker X on the Mac).

Here's to your success!