Friday, May 27, 2011

Practice using Adobe Premiere Pro

I learned the basics of Final Cut Pro in my spring 2011 Multimedia class. Since I don't have a MAC at home with Final Cut Pro, I do have a PC with the Adobe Master Collection. So, I thought I would practice editing video using Adobe Premiere Pro.

Project: Short Music Video
Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
Song: Tom's Dinn Daa Daa

Created, shot, produced and edited by Elvira (Visual Xplosion). This is a practice project.




Visit my You Tube Channel Visual Xplosion to view more video projects.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Music Video Project...

This is a class project where we were to pick a song and create a music video. Of course, we were to shoot and edit the video ourselves. Enjoy!!

Class: "Intro to Multimedia"
Project: Music Video
Software: Final Cut Pro
Project Title: "Party in The Park"
Music: "Yeah 3X" by Chris Brown



Visit my You Tube Channel Visual Xplosion to view more video projects.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Interview with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley

This is a class project where we were to conduct an interview. We could interview anyone we wanted. I chose Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley.

Class: Intro to Multimedia
Project: Interview
Software: Final Cut Pro
Project Title: Interview with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley



Due to the limited amount of time and having to set-up interviews, work with my assistants schedules, time to work on the project in class, etc., there was not really much time to edit, work on color correction, etc.


Visit my You Tube Channel Visual Xplosion to view more video projects.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

E-Portfolio... in the design world, you need to have one!

The following is a Web Design Class assignment. We were to answer questions regarding E-Portfolios and list a few references.

WHAT IS AN E-PORTFOLIO?
An E-Portfolio (electronic portfolio) is a web-based site, which showcases design work as well as a resume, blogs and anything else you’d like to add. These portfolios are also known as an Online Portfolio or a Digital Portfolio.

This type of portfolio is used a lot by creative people such as graphic designers, web designers or freelancers to show their design work and achievements to colleagues, employers, clients, family, friends, etc. on the internet. Many Photographers, Writers, Actors, Animators, Interior Designers, etc. also use E-Portfolios. Depending on your field, it is good to have one.

Some people might sign-up for an account that hosts online portfolios through sites such as Coroflot, Behance, Carbonmade, DevianArt, etc. With these sites all you have to do is basically fill-in the blanks and upload samples of your design work, resume, etc. A good thing to having an account with one of these sites listed is you can join their forums and communities and make connections really fast.

Others, if they’re able to, will design their own E-Portfolio site. This process can take anywhere from about a month to a few months depending on how simple or how elaborate you want your online portfolio to look.

If you design your own online portfolio, that in itself is one example of your web design work. Your online portfolio can be one page or multiple pages. But of course, you must keep in mind that less is more and you don’t want to overdo it.

An E-Portfolio is also good for creative people who just want to network and to build business type relationships. In most fields it is necessary these days to have an online presence. For example, you never know when an excellent job lead might come up (even though you’re not looking for one) from one of your network connections. You can then e-mail your online portfolio to whoever it needs to be sent to or if you’re face-to-face give that person your portfolio address, preferably your business card which has the link on it. Sure you can write out your information on whatever piece of paper you happen to find at the time but, it is best to look and be professional.

No matter what, just like your resume, you should form a habit to always keep up your online portfolio. It is an ongoing process. Visual communication is very important these days. It’s your digital identity.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN E-PORTFOLIO?
An E-Portfolio is designed to show your web site design work and/or your print work. And, if you have any, you can also show your animation work. Animation is not something you can show to its fullest extent such as with a book portfolio.

One way some creatives use their E-Portfolio is to find employment and/or freelance work. Besides samples of your work, an E-Portfolio can contain your resume which names/lists companies that you have worked for.

Depending on the purpose of your E-Portfolio and whatever it is you plan on using it for, in the end, you want to put just enough information on it where they will then want to speak with you further to find out more information about your design skills and goals. You want to get them to call you! It is all about promoting yourself… branding and identity!

Also, if you’re seeking employment and/or freelance work, it is good to have a separate e-mail account just for that purpose. It is also good to utilize your online portfolio link as part of your e-mail signature. That way, you don’t always have to type it in.

Once you have your site designed, hosted and ready to go, all you have to do is to add (copy and paste) your URL address (link) to an e-mail. Of course, the link should be posted on your business card too.

E-PORTFOLIO BEST PRACTICES
Should contain
• Full name
• Office/Business Address
• E-mail Address
• Phone Number (with proper voice mail message)
• Fax Number
• Site Name

Depending on how you are using your E-Portfolio, the following is
optional or should be listed

• Social Media Site Links: LinkedIn, Blogs, etc.
• Home Address (for freelancers if they don’t have a business address)
• Resume (if you’re searching for employment)
• Client or Industry List
• Services Offered (if you’re a freelancer seeking employment)

Page Layout
• Appealing
• Consistent
• Not Cluttered
• Good Navigation
• Organized Content
• Easy to Read Text
• Fast Download
• Common Header and Footer

Color and Graphics
• Consistent Color (throughout site)
• Subtle Color
• No More Than 3 Different Font Types
• Optimized Graphics
• Image Alt Tags

E-PORTFOLIO SITE INFORMATION
Web designer wall – Visited March 31,2011
Web Designer Wall: Single Page E-Portfolio Sites

Freelance Folder – Visited March 31, 2011
Freelance Folder: 20 Inspiring Personal Portfolio Sites You Should Explore

DesignM.ag – Visited March 31, 2011
DesignM.ag 50 Excellent Designer Portfolio Sites

DesignM.ag – Visited March 31, 2011
DesignM.ag: Inspiration, 101 Awesome E-Portfolio Sites


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Multimedia Class Project "Mealtime with Family & Friends".....

Class: "Intro to Multimedia"
Project: To tell a story with images and music
Software: Final Cut Express on a MAC
Project Title: "Mealtime... with Family & Friends"
Music: "Raise Your Glass" by Pink and "We Speak No Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool and D Cup

I'm taking three classes this spring (2011) sememster. One of them is "Intro to Multimedia".

Our first project was to "Tell A Story..." with images and music. So, I thought, what should I tell a story about? I was thinking, "A Day in the Life of a Four Year Old" or, maybe "Mealtime with Family & Friends". I finally decided on the meal.

The actors of my mini-movie are my family and friends. Besides those who are in the movie, there were other family and friends behind the scenes. In order to eat up all the food afterwards so it would not go to waste, I needed extra people...LOL

THE STORY

For the story, I wanted to have lots of food and show family and friends enjoying a meal together.

On the day of the shoot, Friday, February 4, 2011, I cooked spaghetti, biscuits, baked a cake, brownies and muffins. Plus, I bought salad and we had either three or four pizza's and other stuff. When my son got home from work, he cooked a couple of beer can chicken's which turned out most excellent. It was great!

WORKING IN CLASS

Our next two class days, we had the whole class period to work on putting together the movie. It was fun editing the music and images.

Now I know some basics on how to use Final Cut Express.

LEARNING ADOBE PREMIERE

At home, I have the Adobe CS5 Master Collection on a PC (I want to get a MAC someday so that I can have both the PC and a MAC). When I get a chance, I need to try and make another mini-movie utilizing Adobe Premiere.

Adobe Premiere looks similar and somewhat works the same as Final Cut Express. Of course, PC's and MAC's are somewhat similar, yet they are still somewhat different... it's good to know how to work on both. It will be good to have some knowledge in both programs.

FINAL PROJECT

Below is my final project. Enjoy!





Visit my You Tube Channel Visual Xplosion to view more video projects.

Monday, December 13, 2010

VALENTINE'S DAY & OTHER UPCOMING HOLIDAYS...

The holiday's will soon be over. Or, will they?...LOL

Everytime we turn the corner there's some kind of holiday such as Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc., or an Anniversary.

Ok, a birthday is not a holiday...lol but, it's always someone's birthday, or someone has a new addition to the family, maybe someone got promoted, or you just want to show someone some love. It doesn't have to be a holiday in order for you to show you care. Besides receiving cards, it's always fun to give them out too.

So, thinking about upcoming parties and events, you could start getting that special greeting card/announcement all ready to go. People still love receiving mail and cards. It makes their day much more special.

Get in touch with Visual Xplosion to help you create a one of a kind birthday card, baby announcement, graduation card, valentine's day card, etc.

We look forward to assisting you with your graphic design needs.

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Visual Xplosion.....Creating Design Solutions for Your Industry

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The HOLIDAYS are coming!.....

Can you believe it? Half the year is OVER and the holidays are just around the corner...LOL

Have you thought about your Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve party invites as well as your Christmas and New Year's cards and/or any other parties/gatherings you'll have going on these next six months? Most likely not. Well, if you haven't, it's time to RESERVE YOUR DATES before someone else takes them.

We know e-mail and e-vites are a whole lot easier and faster, but an actual card/invitation these days makes it so much more special. People still do save their cards/invitations and find them years later and remember the good time they had at your party.

So, get going, get those cards designed, printed and ready to drop into the mailbox two to two and a half weeks before your gathering.

A TIP:

You don't have to have an actual date, etc., printed on your invitations just yet. Get all the other wording printed on the cards but, leave blank spaces and by hand, write in the date, time, location and phone number in their appropriate spaces when the time comes. Just an idea to consider.

Contact us and we'll assist you with creating and designing your 2010 greeting cards, fliers, post cards, promotional kits, etc. We can also assist you with finding a printer to print your item(s).

Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and everything else inbetween...LOL

We look forward to working with you!

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

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Visual Xplosion.....Creating Design Solutions for Your Industry

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Time to Promote Yourself?!?!

Welcome 2010! It's a new year! Isn't it time to start promoting your company/business with a new promotional kit to hand out to potential, new clients? Or, clients on your list that might have not have needed your product/service back then, but could use it this year.

Your kit should include information sheets about your product/service in a new folder or container of some kind; and it could include, pens/pencils, a postcard, doorhanger, a fun giveaway, etc.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

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E-mail Visual Xplosion

Visual Xplosion.....Creating Design Solutions for Your Industry