blagh

I mainly want to use this summer course of Digital Senior to kind of figure out what in the world I am ding with computers. I am big fan of print work but I feel like Web and application design is the future fro graphics majors. I have a lot to learn in both flash and dream weaver as well as premier and after effects. My "intense study" that I had been planning has been encumbered by the appropriation of a Wacom bamboo tablet. It came with Corel Paint essentials and I have been working my way through learning the basics of this program. I feel like a tablet will help me add an element that is missing in my work up to this point. As we have discussed in class there is not much interesting in a photo or graphic that simply looks as if it has been put through one filter in Photoshop. In Illustrator I feel the same way and my work lacks an organic quality. Joseph and I have discussed texture as a means of achieving this effect and I am certainly cognizant of that during my photography sessions and look for different things to add to my catalog. I also have become slightly obsessed with my scanner (although it is old and mostly useless) . I have been looking fro decent plug ins for noise and halftone type patterns. They say the new cs5 has a great noise filter.

In any event I may delve into some new work that does not involve being submerged in tutorials but for the most part I have so much to learn I feel buried in the avalanche. Even the basics of composition seem elusive to me after taking Pub Design last semester and coming up mostly empty handed for portfolio pieces. I am mostly interested in the field of graphic design because it is the first thing that i love that I feel I can eventually make money. The question is continually arising as to the aptitude I possess for the field. I feel much more comfortable with photography and sculpture as a professions but alas being penniless with two children and a wife to take care of seems selfish on my behalf. I do love design though and I am taking this course to really try and flush out the kinks in knowledge.

thanks, Dale