Interface Design

5 Sites I Visit Regularly

Illinois.edu – Includes a lot of information and options on the home page which can seem cluttered.

Facebook – Simple layout makes it easy for both new and routine users. Timeline, however, can be complicated to read.

Amazon – Prominent search bar, along with department options offers categories if users may not have a specific item in mind, as well as recommended items. Like illinois.edu, Amazon features an orange, blue and black color scheme

Inc.com features an understated all-black text. There are clear categories of interest from which to choose from and it displays many recent top articles that may be of interest to most users.

Youtube – Contains search bar, categories, and featured, much like Amazon. Offers a red, white, and black color scheme.

Narrative

Zoe & Bios

Upon reflection of my own personal habits and tendencies, I notice that I often give preference to the bios side of life. Rather than look at the big picture and aggregate, I often look for details and what makes a thing distinct. I can see this reflected in my “10 things” assignment in the objects I wish to focus on. I could frame my shots to include perhaps a sweeping landscape, yet I often rather look for an individual item to observe on a “microscopic” level.

Creative DNA

What is the first creative moment you remember?
Writing songs and drawing during preschool

What are your attitudes toward: money, power, praise, rivals, work, play?
Money – desire it most to provide experiences, not things
Power – like having it, but don’t always feel the need for it; some people shouldn’t have it
Praise – ideally would be given and received more often
Rivals – motivate you to try harder
Work – necessary for great accomplishments
Play – essential 

When confronted with superior intelligence or talent, how do you respond?
I either become more competitive or humble and willing to learn 

 
When you work, do you love the process or the result?
Often both, but sometimes more so the result 

What is your greatest fear?
Failure/rejection 

 

Favorite quotes from the reading:

Our ability to grow is directly proportional to an ability to entertain the uncomfortable 

I wonder how many people get side tracked from their true calling by the fact that they have talent to excel at more than one artistic medium

 

I Walk into a White Room

I can get very creative in the ways in which I procrastinate. Taking a nap, checking the refrigerator for food, and going on Facebook are staples of procrastination. Also, it is easy to get distracted by news articles or roommates. Surprisingly, even after I get started on the task at hand, I may find my thoughts wondering off topic and onto something completely unrelated. I find it ironic that I was procrastinating in writing this post by looking at pictures of puppies.

My daily routine typically starts off by checking email and the weather. Email typically will come up several times per day, and at least once Facebook will most likely come into play. Starting last month, checking Linkedin every couple days has made it into my schedule as well. Furthermore, while at school, I typically eat dinner around 5 o’clock when possible; when at home, 6. Yet, none of these typically help in the creative process

I perceive some of my artistic friends to have “touch of God” talent. Their works of art ranging from drawings, paintings, music and writing are extremely well done and are a source of inspiration. They have clearly devoted significant amounts of time to honing their skills, while at the same time almost appearing to be struck with some sort of “divine inspiration” every now and then.

1) How long can…

1) How long can the average piece of equipment be checked out? 3 days

2) What amount are late fees per day? $10

3) What does a Panasonic 300 or 500 record onto? DV tape

4) What does a Canon FS100 or Panasonic 700 record onto? SD card

5) What do you need to transfer data from an SD card onto your laptop? SD card reader

6) If a camera records onto a mini dv tape, what do you need to transfer the video to your laptop? Firewire

7) What kind of tripod do you need? Small video

8) What do ZOOM audio recorders record onto? SD card

9) What kind of microphone is best for recording a person speaking in an environment with distracting noises? Shotgun

10) What do you need to check out to connect your microphone with your camera? XLR to 1/8″

What is literacy?

Literacy is the result of learning; it follows the acquisition of knowledge. It is the mastery over a subject. Conversely, illiteracy involves difficulty in reading and writing. Literacy entails fluid comprehension. Yet, literacy also implies receiving an education, thus resulting in “book smarts.” Literacy is not “street smarts.” With literacy comes the freedom to independently acquire more knowledge.

Thinking Like da Vinci

1. What is the purpose of our existence?

2. How can I be a better person?

3. How do I know when I have found “the right person?”

4. Is there such a thing as “the right person” or is it more about being the right person?

5. How can I best balance work, family and leisure in the future?

6. Is there any truth to astrology?

7. Can the average person be happy in an average job?

8. Is there a God?

9. How much of the Bible is accurate?

10. Is something significant going to happen at the end of 2012?

11. On average, how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?

12. How many people have actually counted?

13. How can I best serve others?

14. How can I be a better leader?

15. How can I be a better friend?

16. How can I be a better son?

17. What will bring the most happiness in life?

18. Can I win the lottery yet?

19. Do ghosts exist?

20. Do demons exist?

21. Do angels exist?

22. Are some people able to communicate with the dead?

23. Why are people mesmerized by reality TV shows?

24. Do cellphones cause cancer?

25. What doesn’t cause cancer?

26. Can people attain enlightenment?

27. What is the nature of mental illness?

28. What is the relationship between energy and humans?

29. What are holes made of?

30. Will there ever be world peace?

31. Why did Michael Jackson feel the need to get so much plastic surgery?

32. What is the world’s best pizza recipe?

33. Is there a Heaven?

34. Regardless of some teachings, could I take my pets to Heaven?

35. Would I be able to create my own version of Heaven?

36. What is the greatest book ever written?

37. Why is there such wide disagreement among politicians in the same country?

38. What is love?

39. Why is there so much inconsistency in English pronunciation?

40. How did Shakespeare come up with so much good material?

41. What is the funniest joke ever told?

42. Logically speaking, wouldn’t Jesus have been able to tell the funniest joke of all time?

43. Why have divorce rates increased so much?

44. Is there such a thing as soul mates?

45. Is capitalism the best economic system?

46. Is there a cure for tinnitus?

47. Is there a cure for cancer?

48. Does Bigfoot exist?

49. Why are men more attracted by looks than women?

50. Does karma exist?

51. Are people ever reincarnated?

52. Do aliens exist?

53. Will time travel ever be possible?

54. What is the greatest good?

55. Are we there yet?

56. Why are people obsessed with celebrities?

57. Why is Facebook essentially addicting?

58. Why are cell phones mesmerizing?

59. How does Apple gain such senseless brand loyalty?

60. Who would win in a fight: Mike Ditka or a hurricane?

61. Do black patent leather shoes really reflect up?

62. Who would win in a fight between a taco and a grilled cheese?

63. Does drinking water upside down or eating sugar make hiccups stop?

64. Are people inherently good?

65. Can there be truly selfless altruism?

66. How can one’s creativity be increased?

67. Are humans causing global warming?

68. Why are some people more gullible than others?

69. Why are some people pickier eaters than others?

70. What is the best way to skin a cat?

71. Do people have souls?

72. Do animals have souls?

73. Does the Loch Ness Monster exist?

74. Where do thoughts and ideas come from?

75. Will pigs ever fly?

76. Will reality shows ever go away?

77. Is chivalry dead?

78. Should chivalry be dead?

79. In the event that chivalry is dead, who killed it?

80. Could chivalry come back from the dead?

81. What is most important in life?

82. How much happiness can money buy?

83. What is the best pick-up line of all time?

84. Is anything absolute?

85. Is/was Argyle ever actually in style?

86. Why is there so much negativity in the world?

87. Will Occupy Wall Street ever do any good?

88. What is the actual quality of the meat used at Taco Bell?

89. How do people get themselves to commit the atrocities of war?

90. What is the longest period of time anyone has ever stayed awake?

91. Why do most women prefer romantic comedies to action movies?

92. Why do more men play video games than women?

93. What is the source of laughter?

94. Will the entire world eventually be industrialized?

95. Why do so many people like pizza?

96. Why is politics more about image than substance?

97. Does anyone really know what they’re doing?

98. Will the Cubs ever win the World Series?

99. Why do the Cubs still have so many fans?

100. What was the best thing before sliced bread?