Social Networks For Class Discussions

Google has created a new feature called Google Friend Connect. It is a social network but you add it to your own website or blog. It allows users and people to explore your site, rate their viewings, also to chat and meet new people. In a way it kind of works like Face book because you can interact with different users. I think that a feature like this should be used more often in classes. Oncourse is not really a successful means of communication for students to hold discussions about assignments. I know that there some professors use the Social Network but many do not. I think that if professors used networks like these, students would communicate and share their ideas more often. They can also see examples of each other’s work and comment on them. It is helpful to many students to see examples of their peer’s work such as blogs because it could help them understand different point of views. It also helps students learn from one another when they add to social discussions. When I took NEWM-N100 we used a social network called Ning Group just for our class. It helped me have more of an insight on things we discussed in class and what the professors, assistants, and students all thought. It also opened my mind to many ideas and different technologies. I would recommend many classes use networks like these because it keeps the students more in tune to what is going on in the course topics.

Using the Internet as a Gateway

On VH1 I was watching this program called 40 Greatest Internet Superstars, and it was about how people gained popularity from videos or pictures posted up of them on the internet. Many regular, ordinary people have become famous from their jokingly, playfulness, or just sharing things they do online. Some people have even used MySpace to upload their music and have become noticed in the public eye. For example Tila Tequila wrote and recorded a few songs and many users on MySpace have downloaded it. New artist Priscilla Renea, was discovered by posting video clips of her singing on YouTube. She now has a record deal as well as a new music video called Dollhouse. A man named Matt became famous for videos he posted up on the internet of him traveling all around the world and doing a dance in each location His videos are known as “Where the hell is Matt?” Matt has quit his job and now does traveling for a living. He has also made guest appearances on a few talk shows.
The internet is just not supposed to be used as a search engine for information, but as a tool for us to get our own information out there. Everyone uses the internet these days and if you post up something you created, then someone will come across your work. Many of us want to get noticed and feedback for the work we do especially if you are in the new media field. More than likely, we will be creating things for the public and what better way to get our ideas across than to sample it over the internet and get feedback from internet users. Take successful examples such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube for instance. Although some creations my flop, you never know who may look at something you made. That one person may give you that big break you’ve been wanting.

Visualizing Design

This design I found on the internet is a good use of visualizing digital design. It is made in Photoshop and it is a representation of good digital design because it uses elements such as harmony, movement, balance, and visual hierarchy. Harmony is represented in this design because there is repetition in the piano stairs. There is also an implied motion because everything leads up to the couple dancing and then to the moon. The flow of motion in the piano, the guitar, the girl playing the piano, the tree, and the birds in the sky, all lead your eye up to the couple and the moon. There is also asymmetrical balance because the guitar and the girl playing the piano, as well as the tree all balance each other out. Visual hierarchy is also represented because the most important elements are at the top and the complimentary elements are placed at the bottom to balance it out. This image was created to give off a certain feeling of serenity and serenading. The balance of softness, imagery, and abstractness all flow together to create this feeling. This image sells what it is trying to say because it is very clear and gives off a sense of emotions. A good representation of digital or any design is supposed to create some sort of feeling to the viewer. It is either suppose to make them feel, think, understand, or imagine something. As a design student it is important for me to remember that the feeling I am trying to create in a design has to come across in the design itself.

Image:http://my.opera.com/m2m99/albums/showpic.dml?album=604687&picture=9945827

Outlook into a new media career

I answered this questionaire online about career choices and my outlook in the workplace and it was very insightful. It opened my eyes to many of my values and what I would like to gain in my career choice.
What field would you most like to work in?
There are so many careers offered in new media today, and there will be even more in the near future. The field I see myself going into would be web design and story telling. I think it is an advantage to go into web design because every company or organization needs a web site so web designers will be much needed. I also would like to start my own business one day and knowing how to create websites would be very beneficial. It is good to know how websites really work because you can get a full understanding of them. Another career aspect I would like to focus on is script writing and writing for novels. Story telling is a very important aspect in many new media projects such as movies although it is behind the scenes it is the root to a good movie.

What skill do you think will be most valuable in your career?
There are many skills it takes to get into these two fields. Web design takes many skills and a lot of practice. Skills in Photoshop and illustrator are some of the most important because they are tools used to bring out creativity and illustration. There is a lot of coding involved and knowledge in what each code means and what it can do is very important. In storytelling (writing) a creative mind set is much needed. Having an open mind is most important because having that, can create endless possibilities of ideas. A common knowledge of English and grammar would be great as well. Practice is a big skill in writing and being committed and patient is very beneficial.

What goals are you setting for yourself?
There are many things I plan to do to prepare for these fields in the future. As far as web design I know many people who plan to start their own business in the future and I think it would be very beneficial to have skills to created websites for their advertisements. My main goal right now is to take as many web design and writing classes as I can so that I can master the skills needed for those careers. There are many workshops that will help me get more knowledge and understanding of the skills needed as well. As they say practice makes perfect so that is my number one goal.

Creativity and Play

Video Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_brown_on_creativity_and_play.html

In my N100 class I remember watching a video called “The Powerful Link between Creativity and Play” with Tim Brown. This video inspired me because it focused on the aspect of how we work, not actually what we work on. He did various activities with the audience which got them involved and also made them have a new outlook on how they think. The first activity showed how we are scared of what our peers may think of the type of work we do. I feel that this will be a major issue in the workplace. In a new media career, more than likely we will be presenting ideas to one or more people and if we let the fear of rejection get in our way, it could affect our creative thinking skills in a negative way. In the video, Tim Brown also did another activity that showed the importance of a playful, relaxed environment. This is essential in a work environment especially mine, because it helps everyone become more comfortable around each other and I also believe it will ease the fear of rejection. One of the last activities he did was taking one idea and making many other ideas from that one. This was a lesson of exploration and experimentation. He compared adult thinking to a child’s thought process on exploration and experimentation. As an adult in many careers we do have to have the same imagination and experimentation as a child in a way to help us think outside the box. We as adults limit ourselves to exploring new ideas which in the end can lead us nowhere. Tim Brown says that if we use the same type process of thinking as a child into our careers then we can reach new heights. These ideas have not only given me a new outlook on my career goals but also on my school work as well. Through exploration, building, and role play, I think that these are great methods for new ideas and better inventions for any new media career.

Pictures v. Words

I think that pictures can tell a story just as much or more than words can. Sometimes paragraphs of text can be long and drawn out. They can get quite boring and repetitive. Words that describe something may not paint the picture as clear or may even be described in a way that confuses the reader. Pictures on the other hand can catch more attention than words can. Before reading a text, if there is a picture included, it is the first thing viewed by the reader. Pictures that are executed well add emphasis to ideas especially for those who are visual learners. When someone uses pictures to tell a story with few or no words, what they want the reader to see is right in front of them. Seeing pictures that tell a story also help lead the imagination and can make what is being told less confusing. In story books for children there are pictures present because it helps the child imagine what is being described and guide them through the storyline. Pictures are also pleasing to the eye. I myself am a visual learner, and I appreciate pictures more than I do text. I think that teachers should teach more with pictures than what they do with written text. There should also be more assignments in the classroom that deal with visual learning from pictures. This may not be a problem with younger children but in high school and in certain college settings it is not the case. Everyone tends to forget that when we are children we start off by learning with pictures. Pictures lead our mind into a more creative thought process. It also allows are imagination to run wild and gives an understanding of different natures. If someone gave me storyline told with creative, eye-catching images, and another book telling the same story, with three pages full of text, I would be way more interested to read the picture story.

Overlook of Digital Prints

These pictures above are examples of digital prints. Anyone these days can create their own artwork and display it into their own home. You no longer have to purchase already taken photographs framed beautifully. Now with digital print making, anyone can display a digital photograph they have taken themselves with a digital print. They are created by copying a digital photograph onto a canvas or photograph paper with a laser that makes a crystal clear, sharpened image. It also allows one to manipulate whichever colors necessary, without disturbing other colors. Displaying the photograph on a stretched canvas takes the picture to a whole other level. I personally love the stretched canvas look. In homes, usually you will find many photographs framed in traditional different frames. Copying a photograph onto a stretched image adds a sleek, sophisticated, and modern look to the artwork. It can change the look of a room and add a touch of cleanness and artistic feel.

Source:http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gammaimaging.com/images/metallic1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gammaimaging.com/svcd_metallic.html&usg=__7cKirHFFLtCTRL_OVg21w8KMYEM=&h=520&w=415&sz=39&hl=en&start=12&um=1&tbnid=YnrKmuPI87W5nM:&tbnh=131&tbnw=105&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddigital%2Bprints%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

Source:http://fineartamerica.com/fineartcanvasprints.html

Robert Blake a Renaissance Freelance Designer

This design above was created by a freelance graphic designer named Roberto Blake. He is an example of a renaissance freelance designer because he is not just limited to one craft. He is also a photographer, digital artist, print designer, web designer, typographer, logo, layout, and branding designer as well. He said from a young age he was always interested in computer design so he wanted to become as educated and experienced in as many categories in creative design as possible. This shows that you do not have to be limited to one field. In college everyone is graduating to enter into only one focus into that career. As hard as the economy is, sometimes it is hard to get into the field that you want so you end up doing something similar to what you wanted. It is good to be familiar and have experience in more than one field like Roberto Blake. Being this diverse has many benefits especially if you are a freelance artist. It expands your networking, clients, and the ability to execute different aspects of projects. After reading his website and his portfolio he has opened my mind to other possible fields in new media. Being this adventurous outgoing in the different areas that you want to me makes the whole experience of being in a career not only hardworking, but more interesting and fun.

Images and source:http://robertoblake.com/

Publicity=Money

I am pretty sure everyone has heard of the domestic violence between singers and former couple, Chris Brown and Rihanna. On their way to the Grammy’s they were in an altercation. Chris Brown left Rihanna with cuts and bruises to her face over reasons not yet clear. This incident happened way back in the month of February. Now it is November we have seen recent TV appearances from both Rihanna and Chris Brown. Coincidently, they have both made TV interviews in the same month just a day apart. Both giving their side of the story and telling what they have learned from their incident. In both of their interviews they also seemed to mention their album release dates. They both are planned to be released this month of November, another coincidence. Although their altercation was more than likely not planned, it seems like the television appearances and the album release dates in the same time frame, were a publicized to gain more money. To me, this is an example of how when certain incidents happen with celebrities, they are publicized and it puts them more into the spotlight. More publicity and more spotlight equals more money for the media and the celebrity. For instance when the Paris Hilton’s sex tape was leaked, she has gotten multiple television shows since then and has remained in the spotlight. Brittany Spears and her drunken stunts of shaving her hair, her multiple times of brief marriages has earned her a reality show and big publicity of her new album. Another example recently is the sudden passing of Michael Jackson. Although his passing was tragic to his family as well as his fans, the media has used it in a way to make money. I am not saying that they are not honoring Michael Jackson by publicly displaying his work. But since then so many Michael Jackson albums, DVDs, apparel, magazines, newspapers, and other memorabilia have been sold. They are even auctioning off Michael Jackson’s personal possessions, like his white shiny glove. At the end of the day it all comes down to money. The Rihanna and Chris Brown incident have put them into the spotlight. Although Chris Brown’s career may not catch a break, Rihanna however, will probably get more views than ever and more views equal more money.

Image:http://www.magxone.com/uploads/2009/05/rihanna-jet-magazine-may-1.jpg

2012: Prophecy Exploitation

On November 13, 2009 nationwide, the premiere of 2012 will be making its way into theaters. This movie may be one of the most terrifying movies ever created only because it is predicted to be based on a factual event. For centuries predictions have risen revealing that the world of days as we know will finally be at its end. From oracles, the Bible, ancient calendars to the internet, they have all came to the same conclusion that the world will end. The Ancient Mayan calendar has accurately predicted 1000’s of years of events but suddenly ends on December 21, 2012. The Bible describes the series of events leading up to the apocalypse in the book of Revelations. The descriptions are similar to events that have effected out world in this new decade. In Ancient Rome many oracles such as Merlin (better known in famous fairy tales as Merlin the Wizard) has prophesized the day as well. Merlin was actually a human who was known to be half demon and he predicted descriptions similar to cell phones, tanks, nuclear wars, great floods, diseases, and death as signs to the end of the world. Ancient China has also recorded events that were transferred to a graph which surprisingly ends in the year of 2012. Something that has also made predictions is shockingly the World Wide Web. The Web-Bot Project was a program developed to use independent programs on the internet to predict future financial stock news. However, in the year of June 2001 it predicted something more than what it was meant to. It predicted that an event would change how we lived in the United States in 60-90 days. This is said to have been a prediction of the September 11th terrorist attacks. In 2012, the Web-Bot predicts of a destructive disaster in the line-up of our planet similarly to the Mayan Calendar prediction. Today we are in the year of 2009, going into 2010. We are stepping closer and closer to what these prophecies have communicated to us and because of that, the media is starting to pump up and exploit it. Releasing the movie 2012, two years before that date is not coincidental at all. Making a movie of factual predicted events so close to that time is pure genius because it is giving it alot of media exploitation. Showing the world the process of the Earth’s destruction is going to display a mixed feeling of emotions. It’s going to be exciting, scary, terrifying, interesting, and it also is going to make you think. Three years ago, people were not worried about the year of 2012, but since the movie and the media exploitations of that year, I think they will start to. It kind of reminds of Y2K. So many people were celebrating a new year into the millennium, however many were scared. The government was scared that computers were going to crash, people were stalking up food items in their house, and debates were going back and forth. When the millennium finally came, it was no different than any other New Years. In the end, the question is whether the year of 2012 being hyped up by the media to catch viewers or is there going to be truth to prophecies? That is for you to decide.

Image 1:http://8.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_krrdcqdzPt1qzwgx5o1_400.jpg

Image 2:http://www.impactlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/2012_fuss_1.gif

Photography vs. Digital Photography

There are many different types of media technologies that have changed factors of the way we live, work, think, and even play. Artist and scientist have maintained to introduce such technologies such as radio, TV, film, photography, and animation to shape and obtain information. Up until today, technology over the years has evolved into what we would now call new media. For example, Past media such as traditional photography have developed into digital photography.The development of digital photography has converted it from its analogue traditional photography in many ways. Traditional photography was used as a chemical process on which a roll of film was used to snap photographs, depending on the light sensitivity, and processed through chemical development physically. Updated to digital, photography became more enhanced and precise. Unlike the traditional way, which only made a copy of the image, it transferred the image by using a binary code that a computer would understand. This convergence enabled the image to be stored in the camera itself; making it easier to access, manipulate, and in all, made users use their creative senses. It also made the camera easier to use and store memory through a computer. Traditional photography had limited capability, only allowing artist and users to copy a scene which could not be viewed until after it was copied. However, digital made photography easier to use only in the aspects of taking photos. But it improved so the possibilities of what to do with the image where endless. The only downfall from this transition of old media to new media is that now it does not take a professional to snap a quality photograph. Overall, scientific and artistic creations have made the use of reached its goal of making such technology superior and more user-friendly.

Image 1:http://www.analoguemasters.com/wp-content/mamiya_c33.jpg

Image 2:http://www.insidesocal.com/bargain/digital-camera.jpg

What Media Means to Me

Media to me means any type of technology that enhances our world, culturally, physically and mentally through a creative and/or scientific way.The experience that I have would be digital photography. I am forever snapping pictures anywhere and everywhere I go for memory sake. I love my digital camera it is so easy to use and everything on there is so convenient rather it be red eye removal, adjusting, it doesn’t matter. I can easily transfer my photographs to the computer and use them however I want. Lately the use of the camera has turned me on to using it professionally as well. I took photography once in high school and I have to say that you have to be a patient person to deal with use of dark rooms and developing your photograph manually, which I was not. I kind of wish I would have stuck with it and kept my camera because I think if I had been more patient, I would have appreciated old media a whole lot more as I do the new. Right now I am in CSCI-N241 Fundamentals of Web Development which we focus on HTML files. HTML stands for Hypertext Make up language but basically tells the browser how to display the page. So anyone who has a MySpace and is confused about what those little codes are to make your background; that is HTML files. Anyways I’m not a big expert on HTML yet, I haven't even gotten to the designing of pages because I am still on structure. However, it is something I would like to pursue because the overall look of web page is what determines if a person would actually take the time to look at the page, so that is one of my influences. Also no matter what, every business or company needs web pages on the internet. In the end hopefully I will be able to enhance my creative side in the field of web design.

Image:http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/media/images/logos/01_tr_media_col/01_tr_media_col_gif.gif

Image:http://danm.ucsc.edu/media/project_groups/noahwf_screen-silhouette2.jpg

Tim Burton: Original and Inventive

Having your own style when creating new media or anything for that matter, is a valuable trait to have. When you create something it is your idea and a piece of you goes into that project. When you add your own thoughts, experiences, or your imagination, it personalizes that work of art and that is what makes it unique. A person who can best describe this is none other than Tim Burton, producer, writer, and director. As a creative master-mind he has created many films some including, Edward Scissorhands, Beatle Juice, Batman Returns, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Coraline, and Sleepy Hollow, and 9. Tim Burton’s style is written all over each and every film because he creates a sense of eeriness, creepiness but magical dream world in all of his films. Each film has something in common with each other to where you can tell it is a Tim Burton movie. Today I was watching Batman Forever and I got an eerie vibe while watching it. Speaking out loud, I said it seemed like a Tim Burton film. But little did I know it actually was. Although his films all have something in common they are none of the less inventive, original, and creative. Tim Burton’s films may sometimes have the same characters, but each film offers something different. It seems that he has indeed made his theme in his craft strange, yet interesting, and magical. He is inspiring because it shows that when you stay true to yourself and what type of creative work you like doing it will be successful.

Images:
http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/edward-scissorhands-poster-c10060092.jpeg
http://michaelsmoviemania.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/beetlejuice.jpg
http://ociointernet.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/batman-returns.jpg
http://images.broadwayworld.com/upload/23004/tn-500_stonesheet.jpg
http://www.impawards.com/1993/posters/nightmare_before_christmas_ver6.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mYkbzs%2BrL.jpg
http://images.movieeye.com/store/images/sleepy-hollow-dvd.jpg
http://modernpost.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/9_poster.jpg

Yahoo or Google?

The layout of a website plays an important role in the use of that website. Although both are search engines and very popular websites, Yahoo and Google are totally different from each other. Yahoo’s layout is a very bold, bright and complex. When you first open up its webpage you see pictures, videos, news stories, games, graphics, email, and the box for the search engine. To some it is exciting, informative, and interesting. To others Yahoo is cluttered, unorganized, and has too much information. When you visit Google’s homepage it is organized with a few links at the top, just one picture, and the search box. Google website is considered organized, simple, and well thought out. However to some, Google’s layout is boring, too simplistic, and not as informative as Yahoo. The applications and links to both search engines are also very different. I think that the importance of an organized website is an important factor to a successful website. It helps to lead the eye from one direction to another and makes it more fast and effective. Yahoo, although contains a lot of information is too cluttered all on one page. It’s hard to follow from link to link because they are scattered everywhere with pictures and text. Google on the other hand is more broken apart and the information is arranged according to links. All the links are stationed at the top of the page and just one click on a certain category can take you to the information you want. When designing a webpage it is best to think about what is going to be easier on the audience to read and navigate through the page. If the website looks unorganized it could be confusing and irritating. Although Yahoo is still a popular search engine, it is not as successful as the simplistic yet efficient Google.

Google:http://bizbox.slate.com/blog/google.jpg

Yahoo:http://joshuabaer.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/

iPhones (touch screens) are not Invincible

Touch screen cell phones were the newest and “coolest” technology when the iPhone was first introduced under AT&T. Then from there, it spread out world-wide reaching T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon and other cell phone companies. With just one touch of your finger and a flick of a wrist, it enters you or takes you out any application on your phone. Before touch screens, in order to go from one application to another, you had to press one button to travel to that application and press it again to select it. But on the touch screen only one touch enables the application to open without using arrow keys to select the direction you want to go. This has made cell phone usage more interactive and playful. However, touch screens are more prone to freeze up or get damaged than phones that do not have touch screens. Last December, I went to an AT&T store to pick out a new phone. Once I told the sales associate I had an iPhone in mind, he gave me a few reviews about the iPhone from other customers. Many have called in complaining that their iPhones have frozen multiple amounts of times. Some other concerns were about the screen being too dark when a picture or video was in play. A couple of people have complaint about recent travels out of town and their iPhones crashed and all information had been lost. The last complaint I was told was the number of screen breakages. Many people drop their phones and minimum damages are made. Even I have dropped my phone and a scratch or two were made. But people who dropped their iPhones have cracked or even shattered their screens. I ended up choosing another touch screen. But even over time it has started to freeze up or open up applications on its own. In the end touch screens may be a more interactive phone. However with so much ability it offers you, you might find it getting worn out after it starts to freeze up or crash on you.

Image 1:http://www.techdigest.tv/apple-iphone-in-hand-thumb.jpg

Image 2:http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/gadgetlab/broken-iphone.jpg

The IMAX Theater Experience

IMAX THEATER- the IMAX Theater is considered to be the world’s most immersive movie experience ever. It was founded in 1967 and the main headquarters is in New York and Toronto, Canada. The spacious cinematic theater, the layout, and quality of sounds and images give off a feeling of actually being in the scene itself. The layout of the screen is usually fully spaced from one end of the wall to the other and from ceiling to the floor. It is positioned in a way that caters to each and every audience’s field of view. The image quality projected is superior beyond any regular theater with digital surround sound systems that encloses you into the film itself. The IMAX audio system is featured to create a “real life” sound system. The technology used is designed so the audience member can determine where each and every sound is coming from and the clarity of sound creates a realistic feel. The screen is also designed to allow sound to travel through itself by thousands of holes in the screen. The IMAX allows movies shot in 2D and 3D to be experienced in its theaters. Even some movies that were only shot in 2D are shown 3D inside the IMAX. To experience a feeling of full immersion, the audience members are given 3-D glasses. One type is polarized glasses and the second type is a headset that has electronic liquid-crystal shutter (G. Mary Ruby. 2004 IMAX Corporation). The IMAX theaters can give a movie a whole different meaning. The movie immerses you and can also interact with you. The films featured in the theater range from popular blockbuster films to documentaries. Some of the films featured inside the IMAX have been, "The Dream is Alive," which the first IMAX premiere of a film that was shot in space. Others included; "Under the Sea 3D," "Voyage to the Alpha Planets," "Volcano," "Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets 3D", and "Titanica." Some of the popular blockbuster hits featured have been; "Apollo 13: The IMAX Experience," "The Polar Express," "Superman Returns: An IMAX 3D experience," "The Matrix Revolutions," and "Monsters vs. Aliens." Some of the films have been The "Dark Knight," "Watchmen," and "The Day the Earth Stood Still in IMAX." The most recent films being played are Michael Jacksons: This is It,” and Disney’s A Christmas Carol.”

Sources: http://www.imax.com/

http://www.imax.com/indy/nowplaying/index.htm

Pic:http://www.viralblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/imax_shark_big.jpg

Resident Evil

A video game that has been successful in being fun, entertaining, as well as scary is no other than Resident Evil. In the Resident Evil series, the origins of the zombie infected and mutated creatures are created by scientists that work for a big corporation called Umbrella. The Umbrella Corporation executed scientific experiments on humans, rats as well as other animals. The experimentation transformed the victims into monstrous blood thirsty creatures that eventually were unleashed into the world. The creatures were affected with different viruses, some being T- Virus and G-Virus. As the main character you walk through hell on Earth, watching your back for the blood thirsty creatures, not knowing if one is going to jump out on you. You can either play in third person which is over the shoulder. However, playing in first person immerses you more into the game because the zombie creatures are coming right at you. Resident Evil on the Wii is more interactive and immersive because it is played in first person. You do the all the actions to fight the zombies and dogs, and creatures off. When the creatures pop out of nowhere it dramatizes the game and makes it more heart-pounding and terrifying. When designing a video game that is meant to be terrifying you have to take some things into consideration. First you have to think of what scares people the most and will catch the audience’s attention to make them want to play the game. You also have to know what type of audience your game is geared towards and the regulations. Another thing to think about is what types of characters will interest the audience. Also what makes a game so immersive a player will not want to put the game down. Resident Evil is a game that has been a success in every possible feature necessary.

Pic:http://www.videogamesplus.ca/images/wii_resident-evil-4-wii-edition.jpg

Pic2:http://bombmatt.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/resident_evil_5_conceptart_jfj1o.jpg

Airbrushing Celebrities

Everywhere you look you see photographs and videos of celebrities touched to perfection. They have flawless skin, gorgeous hair, bodies that are tone and tight. We open up a magazine while eating a donut and we see a picture of Beyonce, Eva Longoria, or Justin Timberlake in their perfection. It can make a person self conscious and long for things they don’t have. “I want big breast like her,” I want abs like him,” “I want a toned butt like she has,” “I want gorgeous long hair”…..the wants are endless. We feel the need to make ourselves look like celebrities in the videos and magazines because they considered the definition of beauty. However, we fail to realize that each time we see a picture of a celebrity in the magazine they are airbrushed. Anyone from Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, to P Diddy is celebrities who are being airbrushed in their photographs. The main program used to airbrush is Photoshop, it can get rid of any blemish, dark circle, cellulite, flabby stomach, and even make your face more frame. It can brighten your teeth, hair, and skin, to make you look more striking to the eye. When you see a photograph of a celebrity at least 10% of what you see is probably false. The power of Photoshop can deceive a person’s mind and make you think something that is not really there. Although media like television and magazines keep us all entertained and informed, we have to remember that creators of this media will manipulate their work so you can think the way they want you to think.

Source:http://gossip.commongate.com/post/celebrity_airbrushing_before_and_after/photos/39235

Time Square

Time Square, located in New York City, is a digital world within itself. Everywhere you look you see a billboards and changing screens of advertisements, pictures, videos, media tours, and film productions. It is a representation of the digital era because it consists of the most entertaining media, the television. Over a ½ a billion people come to Time Square every year to watch the festivities. It is one of the most celebrated places on New Year’s Eve. Time Square is one of the reasons why they call New York City…”the city that never sleeps.” The fact that they made walking down the street a powerful immersive experience, makes New York City seem like another world. It’s like watching a television without having to turn the channel because all you have to do is look over to your left and something else exciting is playing. Time Square is a piece of what they future may look like in every city. If this is what every city is going to look like, a person will no longer have to purchase a magazine to find the latest fashion or appliances. All they have to do is step outside and an advertisement of JC Penny is playing right before their eyes.

Pic:http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/384235177_5f797a603f.jpg

Digitalized Bar

Digital technology has even hit the bars. Clo Wine Bar, located in New York City has reached a new day in age with its touch menu screen where there are over 100 different wines to choose from. Only with a touch of a finger you can select any wine of your choosing under their categorized name and type. After you select your wine you swipe your card across the machine and put your glass underneath the dispenser and your wine is automatically poured. I think that digitalizing a bar menu is a very interesting idea. It makes the experience of being at a bar more interactive as far as the customer picking their own drink. Most people would probably go just to see how it works and play with the touch screen surface. Customers no longer have to wait on a server to serve them but order what they want right when they want it. It also makes it more efficient because customers will not be waiting on a waiter to get to their table if they are busy with other customers. The method of payment is also efficient because all the money goes on a card which you swipe and your drink is dispensed out right after. If there were a television present in this type of bar I think that the touch screen menu with 100 different wine types would outshine the television. With a television you only look at others while they’re doing the action. With the touch screen wine bar you are the one doing the interacting with the digital technology.

Pic:http://www.jaunted.com/files/3873/Clo_Wine_Bar_TOuchscreen.jpg

The Manipulations of Photoshop

Here are some pictures that show the power Photoshop can have on photographed moments of history. Here in the first picture is Joseph Stalin in the 1900’s and the commissioner next to him. In the image underneath the commissioner has been removed through photo manipulation. The commissioner was believed to have been shot to death so he was removed from the photo. In the second set of images a man name Brian Walski combined two images together to dramatize it though Photoshop. Once found out he was fired. Programs like Photoshop can change an image entirely. As technology advances and more of these programs become available, it will be hard to distinguish what is real and what is not. This may take the originality out of photographs if everything can be rearranged, removed, and added. Will Photoshop continue to be interesting when people use it to manipulate what you see and tell lies like the images above? I think Photoshop is a wonderful software however, when it is used in a way like the images above that are recorded, the message is falsely conveyed. The picture of the American soldier was posted in the newspaper and manipulated people to create a more powerful meaning that was not there to begin with. Even though Photoshop is available for use it still should not be abused just to catch the attention of the public eye.

Info Source:http://www.geckoandfly.com/tag/photoshop-images/

Comissioner:http://www.geckoandfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/soviet_union_joseph_stalin.jpg

W/O commissioner:http://www.geckoandfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/soviet_union_joseph_stalin2.jpg

American soldier:http://www.geckoandfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/iraq_war_images_photoshop_alter_change_original_touch_up_air_brush3.jpg

The Story Told by Architectural Media

Movies, books, drawings, and other forms of media all tell a story, and among these is architecture. For example the Vietnam Veterans’’ Memorial is a historical architectural design. It was created by architect, Maya Lin in 1981. As you walk down the declining path, you enter into a walkway framed by a black wall with names of the fallen soldiers who were lost in the Vietnam War. Thousands and thousands of names are written across the striking black wall. As you read and pass through each name, you see your own reflection within the wall. The experience was designed to look like a scar in the Earth because it is the representation of the 57,661 soldiers lost in the Vietnam War. After her design was presented she received a lot of criticism because some thought the design was too simple and there were no statues of soldiers included. I think that here design was very beautiful and mind blowing. Instead of just designing a white statue of fallen soldiers and flags, the reflective black wall of names really makes you think and feel the effects the war left on the world. This leads to say that designs do not have to be straight forward and to the point. Designing using representation makes the audience think a little more and makes the experience more immersive. The story of the Vietnam War is told through the layout of the memorial because it is represented as a permanent cut left on the world. A successful design makes you feel a certain way and makes you think. Once you walk down the path of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, the experience is out of this world and you feel the impact the war left.

Pic1:http://www.badblumau.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/sky.jpg

Pic2:http://www.vacationideasguide.com/images/vietnam-veterans-memorial/vietnam-veterans-memorial-8.jpg

Pic3:http://mcdonoughmarines.com/images/vietnam-memorial-soldier.jpg

Sydney Opera House

Pictured above is a building designed like no other design you would see in Indiana. The Sydney Opera House, located in Australia, was designed by architect, Jorn Utzon. It opened in 1973 and ever since then it has been the representation of Australia, and one of the most photographed architectural buildings ever. The design was created in an organic form, styled in a curvy plant like shape. It is designed in a way so that it creates not only a sight but a feeling when the light hits the top of the building and the water. I am a big fan of organic architecture because it makes you think outside the box as opposed to just seeing a rectangular or squared building. More than likely as children, we are all taught to draw buildings represented as rectangles, but who is to say that all buildings should be represented in that way. Although they are the most familiar and we are comfortable with geometric shapes, creativity is free form. We as artist are free to create anything we want to create. Thinking and creating outside the box can bring a new meaning and opportunity to a design that can change the way we are use to thinking about the world.

Source:http://architecture.about.com/od/20thcenturytrends/ig/Modern-Architecture/Organic.htm

Pic1: http://www.architecture411.com/common/notes/1/Sydney_Opera.jpg
Pic2: http://bankstreetblog.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/sydney-opera-house-261106-2.jpg
Pic3: http://www.mypage.com/services/places/images/sydney-opera-house_1234236512.jpg