SKILLS INVENTORY (copy and paste questions into your blog)

For each class ask yourself the following:

Drawing 1:

1. My greatest strengths include:
   1. Attention to detail
   2. … That’s it…
2. For greater success in this course, I need to:
   1. Loosen up. Get comfortable with making mistakes and trying again.
   2. Work on projects with greater diligence. Avoid feeling rushed.
   3. Experiment more with different mediums.

Intro to Video Games:

1. My greatest strengths include:
   1. A natural curiosity to learn and know more about the history of my industry.
   2. An established familiarity with how the industry works.
2. For greater success in this course, I need to:
   1. Do the homework consistently on the nights it’s assigned.
   2. Take notes while doing readings.

Computer Science Concepts:

1. My greatest strengths include:
   1. A familiarity with the Python coding language.
   2. A tendency to think through and breakdown problems logically.
   3. A strong desire to experiment with different ways to accomplish the same task.
2. For greater success in this course, I need to:
   1. Read textbook more consistently.
   2. Take notes from readings. Write out coding principles I learn.
   3. Need more daily practice. Practice, practice, practice

1st Year Seminar in Visual Studies:

1. My greatest strengths include:
   1. Attentive listening.
   2. Genuine curiosity.
   3. Coming up with good questions to ask speakers.
2. For greater success in this course, I need to:
   1. Make sure I’m not submitting homework late.

 

Computer skills:

1. My computer skills include:
   1. Good with word processor
   2. Good with power point
   3. Python programming
   4. Some HTML/CSS knowledge
   5. Working with search engines
2. I still need to learn:
   1. How to use Excel (well)
   2. C++ or C# programming. Even Java might suffice.
   3. Get better at HTML/CSS
   4. Choose a game editor to start learning and practice working with

Research & writing skills:

1. My greatest strengths as a researcher/writer include:
   1. Using search engines to find relevant work
   2. Tracing the chain of information from less reputable sites to more trustworthy sites
   3. Outlining core ideas in papers, and bringing the paper together with the focus of connecting those points
2. I need to work on these aspects of research and writing:
   1. Learning how to use and search through academic data bases
   2. Researching through the use of books
3. I learn best & accomplish most when:
   1. When I have a ton of time to focus on absorbing material combined with a fire lit under my ass to keep me on task.

 

ACTION PLAN:

Choose one class that you are struggling with or are not doing as well as you could.
Now make a list of 10 ways you could improve your performance in this class.

COLLEGE ALGEBRA:

1. Get to class on time.
2. Take notes during class.
3. Avoid getting behind in homework and study materials.
4. Set aside specific days of the week to focus almost exclusively on Algebra studying and homework.
5. Make use of math tutoring lab.
6. Ensure to schedule one-on-one tutoring appointments on Fridays in Moody Hall.
7. Go back to older chapters with material I may have struggled with to re-read the lesson.
8. Regularly review notes.
9. Practice problems from older chapters I may have struggled with.
10. Never try doing math homework when tired. Get sufficient rest to make the best use of my study time.

Part 1: Upload 2 images of current classwork: a project(s) you are currently working on or have completed from one of your studio/visual studies courses.

1. What was the goal of the assignment? Or what was the question posed by this assignment?
   The goal of the assignment was to draw one of two bags in our sketchbook using a medium of our choice.
2. How did you go about reaching this goal or answering this question?
   I opted to go with pencils. I took pictures of the bag so that I could continue to work on my drawing outside of class.

Part 2: Self-Critique: On your blog, answer the following questions about one project you are currently working on or have completed from one of your studio/visual studies courses (see Part 1 of Blog post #3).

1. What is the strongest aspect of this work?
   I think I did a pretty decent job with the shading. The bag was comprised of white, blue, red, and black. It may not be immediately obvious which parts of the bag were what color, but I think my shading was consistent enough to make it clear which parts of the bag are the same color and which parts are different colors from each other. I also think I did a good job with the shading on the straps.
2. What is the weakest aspect?
   I could have done a much better job making the bag look more three dimensional. I had a hard time drawing the folds and creases on the bag, so I ended up avoiding them as much as possible. I don’t think it makes my bag look awful, but it definitely makes it look a lot more 2D than I wanted.
3. How can the project be strengthened conceptually?
   I must become one with the bag.
4. How can the project be strengthened technically?
   Draw more folds and creases. Exaggerate shadows to make them pop out more and to avoid use of darker lines
5. Additional notes.
   I wish I could draw without resting my hand on the page. Look how smudged the whole of the page looks.

Part 1: Comments on upperclassmen presentations.

• Faith: Faith’s presentation was great. Her pictures were wonderful to look at, the layout and design of her website was very impressive, and her presentation with the class was very informative. In visual studies, many of us are pursuing an abstract manner of communicating ideas. Whether it be through pictures, typography, design, drawings, paintings, or even video games, we are all seeking to relay something to those who are kind enough to give us a look. It was easy to see how much passion Faith puts into her work and hearing about her aspirations, and the struggle she faces with how to pursue or even if she should pursue it, was very relatable.
• Mary: Mary was very interesting to see how her creativity and her personal interests came together in her work. The font she designed herself was really cool and hearing about her experiences doing work for small companies and building her own portfolio was very informative. Hearing about how she developed and refined her talents here at St. Edward’s was very reassuring. As a 24 year old still working on my sophomore year in college, I’d be lying if I said I don’t often wonder if what I’m doing and what I learn here at school will be enough to jump start my career the way I want. Nobody wants to find themselves at age 30 and still wondering if they can turn their passion into a legitimate career choice.
• Diana: Admittedly, Diana’s presentation felt a little disorganized. She was very nervous and it was hard to overlook that throughout her talk. However, hearing her story about how she is a first generation college student, her passion for the idea of teaching kids about art, and the way she’s grown to become more comfortable with her work as an artist was all very impactful. By the end of her presentation, it was hard to not root for her and her aspirations and I regret not having more questions to ask her. Although she didn’t get much interaction from the class, I hope she understands what a treat it was to watch her presentation. Still, she definitely needs a great website to show off her great work and help convey her story a little better.
• John & Omar: As an IGST major, these two were the ones whose presentation I was looking forward to the most. Both of them seemed like great, fun individuals, but I have to admit I was a little disappointed. It should be said, however, that I may have expected too much from them. Game development as a major is still a very new thing in this country and it can be difficult to assess the quality of the education a student will receive in pursuing this line of work. I also understand that the IGST major is relatively new at St Edward’s and is still changing. I was hoping to get a better sense of what this major is like over a several year period and how prepared they feel they are for pursuing jobs in such a competitive industry with less-than-desirable labor practices. I was also hoping to gain more insight on why the IGST major doesn’t seem to have much of a community in comparison to other Visual Studies majors here at St. Edward’s. Still, it was great to see the projects they’ve been working on and it felt reassuring to see some of the skills they had picked up in their education here, such as learning how to use the Unreal engine to make their games.

Part 2: Websites with admirable designs.

1. Cognition by Happy Cog
   I love the distinct, yet simple design of this web page. It strikes a great balance of space without feeling empty. The content on each page is well managed so that the content doesn’t appear meager, nor does the user feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to click or keep their eyes focused. The texture of the backdrop on the page is also really great; so much better than just plain white space, devoid of any personality.
2. Bahston Critic
   Very unique feel. I love how the page immediately establishes an identity and a sense of what to expect from the critic.
3. Help Scout
   Does a great  job of managing a lot of content. The page feels like a colorful gallery of nifty little art. Easy to navigate and has a lot of personality. I like web pages that can create a feel without mismanaging content organization.
4. 500PX ISO
   It’s amazing how great a site can look with simple design and some really awesome pictures. The site looks very clean and makes it easy for the viewer to absorb information, while also making excellent use of some eye-catching photography.