SMLP Resources

Hopefully by understanding PHP it will allow me to understand other programming languages such as perl, java and ruby.

1. www.killerphp.com
By watching a series of beginners PHP video tutorials I hope to understand a little more about PHP programming language.

2. www.webmonkey.com
Although the information provided he is limited it will get me started learning the very basics.

3. www.w3schools.com/PHP
Following the simple tutorials I hope to grasp a basic understand how to apply PHP to HTML and start to get to grips with it.

4. www.tizag.com
I will probably use this site to install php on to my mac and see how it differs to Dreamweaver. I would rather use Dreamweaver because I have become familiar with it.

5. PHP5 in easy steps by Mike McGrath
This book should allow me to learn PHP a step at a time.

6. How to Do Everything with PHP and MySQL by Vikram Vaswani
This is another book to practice techniques and encourage me to do some reading away from the computer.

While I am compiling this list I am beginning to understand why PHP is so important. So far I understand that if a website is developed just in HTML it appears static and no very interactive. PHP lets you create dynamic features that organise content to create an interactive user experience.

7. www.joe2torials.com
Although there are only 23 tutorials in this website they are easy to understand and are available in a print friendly version.

8. www.sitepoint.com
A site packed full of tutorials when I get more advanced, news and a forum to ask other people for help if I should get stuck. http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=34

9. www.tutorialized.com
This seems a great resource for PHP Tutorials and every design other application.

10. www.hotscripts.com
With a range of tutorials from basic to advanced I can work my way through them.


Other tutorials if I get the time http://www.astahost.com/Great-Php-Tutorial-Sites-t19404.ht

Self managed learning plan - What do I need to know?

In order to identify a new skill I must first consider what potential employees require against the existing skills I possess.

Developing a self managed learning based on something I don’t know already will be quite easy due to my limited experience creating websites. While I understanding how different web languages play their part in the development of a website I have only used XHTML and CSS.

Web designers today are required to possess a working knowledge of graphic design and web packages to manipulate images and text to create the basic layout. Utilising skills in e-commerce and server side technologies, such as PHP are all vital in being a truly great web designer.

Reading a few jobs adverts these are just a few of the preferred skills:

Graphic Designer
Photoshop
Illustrator
InDesign
Artist
Developer
Producer
Studio manger
Editor
Writer
SEO specialist
Programmer
Usability
JavaScript
C++
Flash
PHP
.NET etc.

In today’s job climate many employers can afford to be choosy, employing a person with the right attributes is easy due the amount of potential applicants. Choosing an applicant that perfectly matches the job specification while going the extra mile is a commodity.

I will standout from the rest and escape mediocrity by constantly improving my skill set and thus achieving my full potential. What do I need to know to become more employable?

Since I lack any experience in using server-side technologies I feel that my self managed learning plan should include PHP. I will create a website in XHTML that uses CSS to style the site and PHP to do something. Unfortunately because I am not sure why, what and when I should use PHP my starting point will be research. Research how PHP is used in existing websites and the potential benefits it has for its users.

WORD COUNT: 300

Why are soft skills important

Soft, or social skills define your individuality and are interpersonal skills. They help other people to determine your character. Many of us don’t recognise that we have these skills but we all possess them. They are how we interact with each other; how we deal with problems; organise and motivate others; develop and communicate ideas based on clear and well-balanced decisions. All soft skills can be transferable to the work place. Giving employers an understand wether you can fit into a particular structure.

In my personal experience these skills can be broken into four sections:

1. Interaction

• In order to work effectively with other people it is vital that you maintain a positive attitude and co-operate with them to ensure you reach a positive solution, otherwise it can be an unproductive wallowing occasion.

• The ability to communicate clearly and openly with the ability to listen and respond empathetically.

• The ability to collaborate with others and influence situations through lateral and creative thinking.

• Handling conflict and seeing things from everyone's perspective.

• Willingness to work within a team and understand the limits of other team members.

• Flexible to adapt to the changing needs of an organisation.

2. Self-Management

• Prioritising what is important and scheduling a priority list.

• Willingness to learn new techniques and share these experiences with others.

• Managing time effectively both at work and at home, thus creating an health work/life balance.

3. Communication

• Delegating the correct job to the strengths of the individual.

• Ensuring written work, including email are representative of professional practice and possessing the understanding these communications are as vital as face-to-face communication.

• Promoting yourself and design presentation skills.

• Listening to feedback from clients.

4. Organising

• Trouble shooting solutions to problems before they occur.

• Organising time effectively to ensure projects can be delivered in the required time.

Word count: 320

RE: Job Advert

Selected job advert http://www.technojobs.co.uk/job.phtml/164876/web/developer/view.html

Why did I select this job ?
From the adverts I researched, I identified this particular advert because it opened the opportunity to do both website design and graphic design. The job would enhance my web design skills while retaining graphic design and links with the printing industry. Based in Sheffield, with a direct train link from Doncaster to Sheffield, I would be able to use public transport.

Skills and knowledge required
The technical skills required for the job include the ability to work across both Windows/Mac platforms and to use software applications including: Adobe Photoshop, Flash and Illustrator -Swift 3D, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, expertise web languages: -Html -JavaScript -ASP –XML and have a solid knowledge across web and print media.

What skills do I currently possess?
As an experienced graphic designer, I am proficient at using many of the applications listed above, across both Windows and Mac platforms. Possessing years of print experience and the ability to use Photoshop and illustrator at an advanced level, I have a sound understanding of design for print.

I feel confident that with my current XHTML/CSS knowledge using Dreamweaver and my knowledge to validate a website would be an asset to the communications team.

Skills still need to acquire
In relation to this advert, I need to use Flash, Swift 3D, Dreamweaver, Fireworks and a understanding of web languages that include: JavaScript, ASP and XML.

Before I start applying for jobs, I would like to develop a thorough understanding of xhtml/css, and create two online portfolio’s (one for web and the other for print) to showcase my works.

In conclusion
I am concerned that the advert fails to mention CSS or PHP, and Indesign a pre-requisite required for graphic design. The lack of these skills makes me wonder if the job advert is just set up to attract designers to be on the books of Evolution Recruitment Solutions Ltd. http://www.evolutionjobs.co.uk/

Learn today, work tomorrow

Ultilising my first year results as a benchmark, I seek to continue personal improvement. I will achieve my goals and fulfill my learning potential by dedicating my spare time to the course. Completing each assignment to the highest standard empowers my belief that all my aspirations are achievable.

I am really looking forward to the prospect of creating an online portfolio to showcase both digital and online works. A year ago even the thought of creating a website was unthinkable. Bewildered by web terminology I thought Perl was a found in a shell and PHP must be some sort of new qualification.

I hope the planned assignments will stretch and expand on my existing knowledge, focusing on new web technologies I am looking forward to enhancing my portfolio of skills, learning CSS, PHP and become fluent at the art of hand coding.

Despite possessing a challenging job I am not convinced I have achieved my full potential. My original intension for joining the course has not altered; in fact my thirst for learning has increased. I am now able to converse with professionals in the Industry at a technical level, when a year ago all this talk about div’s, XHTML and CSS seemed a foreign language. I feel confident that by completing the course will fulfill my learning goals and add another string to my bow. The year ahead will be an intense learning curve, an invaluable asset in preparation for future employment in the Design Industry.

I feel apprehensive but excited at the prospect of completing the course and gaining essential web skills. If the opportunity for completing a degree should present itself that fits into my current work situation then I would defiantly consider it. Enhancing on my curriculum vitae today will improve my chances of employability tomorrow.

Word count: 300

Evaluation of my first year

Although my romance with graphic design started over a decade ago in the printing industry, I possessed limited knowledge of the online world prior to enlisting on this Interactive Media course. Learning this new medium is fun. Approaching learning with an open mind has allowed me to embrace website design with enthusiasm. Now I have a fundamental understanding of HTML and CSS. My curiosity and desire to understand new technology is increasing. Over this past year, I reached the conclusion that by next year I will have bridged the gap between the on and offline worlds. Utilising design principles, natural creative sensibility and print theory, I endeavour to use this knowledge and my skills to create attractive websites that focus on usability.

I could never have imagined the amount of work that is required, or the expected level of commitment that this course commands a year ago. Keeping down a full time job and supporting a family is one thing, but doing this and attempting to further my academic progression is near impossible when your employer is less than flexible.

Sometimes, I regret my emotive obsession for perfection, as each assignment draws closer to submission. That said, despite sleep deprivation I am never discouraged, or inclined to be hopeless of success therefore, I always achieve each deadline. Thankfully, with every assignment I complete, I am beginning to suppress my intolerable behaviour and focus on what is essential. To identify possible implications that could affect my future progression, I have reviewed each of the assignments I have completed.

A1 Sketchblog and Online Journal
Initially, I was bewildered by the sheer amount of cross-referencing required and felt the purpose of collecting inspirational designs was surely only relevant to each assignment. It only dawned on me during the last assignment A7, how essential the sketchbook is to visually represent my design progression. All three of my sketchbooks are filled with annotations, mind-maps, details of websites visited and times the information was viewed, replies from fellow students from my online journals, notes from weekly tutorials, production plans and targets, questionnaires and marketing surveys, summative evaluations, reflecting on my progress and of course a collection of design inspirations.

The online journal is the written version of progression to complement the sketchblog. Writing is something that doesn’t come naturally to me, I sometimes struggle to put my thoughts into words. Due to my situation, the majority of my learning is independent; therefore it is essential for me to keep a lifeline with other learners. With extensive use of the Blogger, it has enabled me to communicate with fellow students, offering advise and debating has encouraged my commitment and supported my learning and that of others.

A2 – That’s the Plan!
The principle of this assignment was to plan the essential requirements that I hoped to accomplish within the final website. Through SWOT analysis, I was able to evaluate what aspects of the current website designs worked effectively and what characteristics to avoid. Considering how a visitor navigates through the site and what engages the visitor to visit the site again.

Quantifying real world costs associated with such aspects as maintenance and hosting, gave me an insight how companies can make profit after a design is completed. This assignment helped me to realise the importance of the core process. Similar to the design process, the creation of an effective website is achievable when you empathise with your client’s aims and objectives, only then can you develop a realistic plan based on their budget, consideration of lead-time and design parameters.

A3 - Back to Basics
Focussing on how a page is put together, how it is delivered to a browser, how it behaves and, crucially, how the designer’s intention maps to how it is used by real people, increased my overall knowledge of web design. By understanding the target audience requirements, I was able to design a website that was both aesthetically pleasing and usable.

Taking into consideration typical screen resolutions of a visitor, colour schemes for people with colour blindness and slow connection speeds, helped me to appreciate the elements to include in the design to avoid unnecessary hardships for the visitors.

Choosing an appropriate name for the website, that would make a solid first impression and ensured the name is memorable, I found more time consuming than the initial website build.

A5 – Builder
I found this assignment totally fascinating. It led me to understand the basic principles of source code. After spending hours relentlessly experimenting with code to ensure it validated to strict 1.0, it became more expedient to me, to learn HTML and CSS, rather than opting for a (WYSIWYG) what you see is what you get tool like Dreamweaver.

A7 – Whaling Whales
Despite given the opportunity to (APEL) Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning my existing design work, I felt compelled to create a design solution for the brief that formed the assignment. This decision allowed me the opportunity to assist fellow class mates with their designs, facilitating design progression and offering technical expertise from a print background.

With my wealth of experience, you would imagine this assignment would be easy for me to complete. Due to designing unique letterheads that required reversed feeding for over printing and an unusual way of presenting a corporate manual, I challenged convention and created unnecessary work.


Points to consider for the second year

• Try and complete the assignment a week earlier to avoid rushing
• Consolidate timesheets within the gantt chart to cut down on unnecessary paperwork
• Purchase books about CSS and complete tutorials
• Keep a record all internet sites visited against the element of the unit
• Set achievable weekly targets after each tutorial, review progress in blogger
• Make sure you have adequate amount of printer consumables
• Avoid the distraction of unnecessary research
• Book a few more days off to attend full days in college
• Keep study periods within sociable hours
• Make sure blogger is completed every Tuesday and minimum of four comments are posted before Friday

Ensuring the deadline is achievable

Over the past week, I feel gratified with my achievements. The Corporate Manual is now completed and all that’s left to do is to source a printer who can achieve my deadline of Friday. One company that I can rely on to do this is ASAP Digital, based in Sheffield. Liaising with Mark at the printers I am finalising the specification prior to submitting the artwork. I have decided to choose a 150gsm Gloss paper for the manual, it will add rigidity and printed on gloss should reduce the drying time; therefore ensuring the deadline is achievable.

Progress with the other parts of the assignment has been difficult due to locating suitable imagery that would correspond with the visual I created in my sketchbook. Thankfully, I have now worked up three polished digipak outer covers. As always any feedback would be welcomed.

DESIGN No.1



DESIGN No.2



DESIGN No.3


Targets this week
In order to complete the assignment on time, I must ensure that the advert and cd inners are finished and then evaluate the whole project.