Digital Art Making Immediacy

** Assignment #6 ** – full assignment details are below

The class recording will post below after class on 10/17

Let’s talk a little bit about Creativity, Immediacy and Intuition. In this post, let’s learn how it can inspire your storytelling:

***For this assignment you will need to follow the video tutorial created by prof. Ryan. I will walk you through many of the steps needed to stylize your work and complete the assignment. There are several aspects to this assignment so please take notes along the way and make sure that you address all the questions being asked.

**This is a long post so please spend time with it and absorb it as many times as necessary! And remember, my posts are also digital storytelling examples**

Creativity is…

Immediacy is…

Intuition is…

In what order do these words go?

Creativity + Intuition + Immediacy = …….. 

Let’s pause, and become aware of this very passing second. I mean REALLY AWARE, so stop, and be still, very still…

You are alive. Contemplate that.

What does being alive mean to you?

Have you ever defined it beyond someone else’s interpretation? Where do those interpretations come from anyway? If not, its time to do this, and no, it can not be done in the next 3 seconds..

I believe that a big part of this life is to create and express that unique ability we all can contribute.

It will take some reflection..

More than a single blog post, but perhaps this is a metaphor, a portal that lures you in and activates you.

You are a thinking, breathing, feeling, sensory being that is processing this exact passing moment. Exactly as you read this from the specific location that you are in, with the age that your body is, in the time zone of the highest level of what you understand consciousness to be..

We can always expand this awareness.

Its a metaphor (there is that word again), because all the while, you are simultaneously existing on a seemingly gigantic rock spinning through the “space” that the best of the best of the best world’s scientists keep discovering only keeps expanding into more….well, space.

In the grand scheme of things, our gigantic rock may not be so gigantic when we think from this perspective. It’s actually the size we think it is relative to our awareness of it.

How do you develop the ability to audit this awareness and ask yourself what potentials lay in this metaphor? And, how can we apply this to other things that we wish to change or create from scratch.

It will require creativity, intuition and imagination. So go ahead and ASK.

Ask yourself a few questions:

“What is the creative potential of my awareness of this moment, and how may I intervene?

When we turn this directly to our weekly creativity exercise and re-propose the question:

“What is the creative potential of this assignment?

What is the creative potential of my web browser?”

What would you like to express about this moment and the awareness of it? How might or will you do it?

Chances are, you are holding your “device or viewing this through a computer” as you read this.

You know what device I am referring to. Perhaps it’s a laptop, desktop, iPhone, android or a tablet? It doesn’t matter and either way because it first started simply as an idea.

An expression of a collective need to expand, grow, learn and express.

Much like the infinite expanding space that we mentioned above, your device(s) is an intermediary tool to help express the potentials of creative space. Our viewing screens are rectangles… sometimes they are held and viewed vertically and sometimes they are turned horizontally, but before any content is consumed, it’s a rectangle in its form. That rectangle is a window, and so is a web browser window..

Your tech device(s) are remote controls for the planet..

We interacted with simple geometric shapes every single day, we take all of them for granted and rarely think of the doorways we are passing through as rectangles. Or the TV that we watch as “the rectangle.” As we walk up steps we rarely think of them as the horizontal rectangles that stack upwards or downwards.. You get the idea..

What is the creative potential of YOU and the rectangle that you are holding or looking through? (this is the part of things where you think Im a little weird, right? lol..)

Last week we asked and discovered what you are passionate about, BUT, but what is that you always wanted to express and share with the world? What is it that holds you back? Is what holds you back on the other side of the web browser window?

If you never “Start” then you will never have a result to work from. The only metric you have are the ones that you fear your expression wont compliment.

So, let’s start. Let’s express. Let’s share this into that rectangle / window that you are looking through and make it a practice.

Let’s jump into our assignment – let’s experiment and create a space on the web that is yours and personalize it.

Taking risks that benefit your growth and personal development while impacting and including your fellow human beings has serious mental, spiritual & emotional value.

This is your story, and storytelling is the communication pilot of the Electric Landscapes that we navigate.

LETS MAKE SOME ART!

Assignment  #6 – Digital Art Making Immediacy

Assignment Description:

1. Experiment with these “Free to Use” Digital Tools: Lets create an account page using mmm.page and Figma.com (both Free!) ->
2. https://figma.com
3. https://mmm.page

mmm.page & figma.com are both web browser based UX/Ui/ Prototyping / digital collage / website making platform / space. They work perfectly in your web browser. They also works on mobile devices!

Perhaps you will use some “ai” – do you know of any artificial intelligence tools on the web? (lets discuss!)

Based on the blog post here above, what are you inspired to do? What are you inspired to make or create? Each student will produce 1-2 pages using the figma or mmm.page platform. Each published page that you create generates its own URL. Be sure to locate those.

4. In a new blog post, share your experiences working with figma or mmm.page. What are you compelled to create? What did you create? Be sure to share the published link to your page(s) – its a good idea to take screenshots and hyperlink directly to the screenshots. (we already know how to do this)

I personally got pretty excited about mmm.page and began working on an exhibition of digital art collage pages. Here is an example I made with mmm.page below:

https://mmm.page/ryanseslow.main

Last week we chatted in class about using image manipulating software to creating graphic assets – do you recall the photpea.com tutorial? If not, you can check last weeks tutorial for that.

Photopea.com – is a free web browser based digital image making and manipulating application, we can alter and manipulate and prepare images in this space!

https://www.remove.bg/ – remove any background from an image

Places to find Images online – Creative Commons based:

Pixabay.com – great resource for images and transparent assets! (we will use this for the workshop)

Pexels.com  – great resource for images, videos and transparent assets!

Giphy.com – Well, we know Giphy by now – but animated stickers! 

National Gallery of Art  With the launch of NGA Images, the National Gallery of Art implements an open access policy for digital images of works of art that the Gallery believes to be in the public domain.

Digital Public Library of America The Digital Public Library of America brings together the riches of America’s libraries, archives, and museums, and makes them freely available to the world.

NYPL – The New York Public Library Digital Collections Archive

Flickr CC – Creative Commons on Flickr.

Gif Cities – Internet Archive

Let’s get creating!

It’s safe to say technology has improved people’s lives to the point that we now depend on it. Technology has been embedded in our everyday lives. We use it for safety measures, for cooking, for preserving, in healthcare, in researching, transportation, communication, etc. So why can’t it also be the way in which we express modern art?

In my opinion, memes are a great way to visually communicate with others. Memes can help you with storytelling. You can choose from a variety to help you explain the feeling you’re trying to convey. In traditional writing you would have to use at least three senses to describe something in depth. However, with today’s generation, people tend to take short cuts. The saying,“One picture is worth a thousand words” was made for modern society.

Other than self-expression I do think memes help us remember certain events. What are memes? Essentially, memes are images and videos that are taken with text added (usually humorous). Some events that are used in memes more memorable than others which are marked in meme history and reused for social amusement.

The first day of CT101, I automatically assumed how easy it would be as a result of my love for writing. I assumed it was more fiction story telling verses making your own web page, creating links and GIFs.

However, I did like hearing about the course and its creative content. I love how creative writing is being introduced in a more modern way with pictures, videos and GIFs. I’m excited to learn how to use certain tools to introduce in my writing. Hopefully with this class I can have the potential to better my blogging and hopefully make my own webpage.

If I could compare it to my other classes, I would say it’s definitely geared to modern technology and how we view today’s art form. It’s an updated version of illustrations to express our views of the world.

Recently I have been binge watching the show “Love is Blind.” The show is a social experiment where single men and women look for love and get engaged, without ever meeting in person. The couples talk through a wall and are not allowed to see each other or describe themselves. Once the man or woman feels as if they’re ready, he/she will then propose and finally see his or her fiancé face to face. Each season premieres episodes on Netflix over the course of 3 or 4 weeks and then followed by a reunion special.

I find myself constantly watching TikToks and Instagram videos of fans reacting to the shows. I find it entertaining when people/fans imitate the cast members and their decisions. People will also mock cast members, investigate cast members lives to see what they are up to. As crazy and intense as it sounds, it’s pretty entertaining to see someone’s dramatic love life; and if you know me, you know I live for the drama.

Project Flexibility

Hello again fellow CT-101-ians…(I know that’s not a word but just go with it). After reading the assignment and having a small scale mental breakdown about which projects from the DS101 Assignments Bank I should choose, I finally found two assignments that I actually had a lot of fun making.

Assingment 1:

Assignment 2:

For this assignment, I wasn’t sure how to go about it, not to mention, nervous because I’ve never created a piece of art with solely pictures, much less pictures of myself. So I thought this assignment would be a good way for me to practice some self confidence and overcome that hurtle.

The first project I decided to do is the ‘Vogue Challenge.’ Since I’m a photographer and graphic designer, I think I can handle it by myself.

So far, 0 people have completed this assignment.

The second project I chose is ‘Mash It And Make It.’ I know how to use a 3D printer, but I’d like to learn more about CAD programs.

My passions: Interior and Exterior Designing and Event Planning

According to the BetterUp Blog: What is a Passion, “Before you can pursue your passions, you need to discover what your passions are. You’ll likely have to work many days, in many ways, to discover the work that taps into your passion.” This is true because I always knew that designing and decorating was my hobby, but I also felt there had to be more. I don’t just love doing it; I’m passionately in love with doing it. It brings me comfort and joy. 

Every event, whether it’s someone’s birthday or the Christmas celebration preparation, I get super excited to research ideas for whatever upcoming events I have to plan for. Two of my go-to websites are Yelp.com and Pinterest.com. I take full advantage of these ideas and also apply my own unique touches to my work. Here are a few of my creations:

I found my passion for decorating around age 15 because I remember always fighting my sisters to decorate the house for Christmas. Sometimes, I let them decorate the house, and afterward, I made my own changes, which blew their minds every time. Lol! Since then, my mom has encouraged me to use my hobbies/passions toward my career path. In this case, I will work doing what I love and make money off it. Also, CT101 will allow me to create my own styles and designs and blog my business.

My plan after graduation is to acquire as many certificates as I can in event planning, designing, and decorating to gain the qualifications and more experience to start a business and continue doing what I love.

And so we continue… The History of Blogging and Digital Storytelling

Blogging is the online platform where bloggers share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences on various topics, allowing individuals to express themselves and connect with others. It’s a popular form of online storytelling, journalism, marketing, and income, utilizing media like images, videos, and infographics to engage readers.

Digital storytelling is a blend of traditional storytelling techniques and technology, utilizing multimedia elements like images, videos, and audio to create immersive narratives. It’s gaining popularity due to its ability to connect with audiences through platforms like websites, social media, or dedicated platforms, offering dynamic experiences beyond traditional mediums.

History of Blogging: A Timeline highlights the first blog created by Justin Hall in 1994 on Links.net, up until modern blogging like LinkedIn, WordPress.com, Tumblr, Blogger, etc. During the 1990s, people enjoyed blogging about their personal lives, including hobbies, beliefs, and daily lives. Lately, very few people blog about their lifestyles because everyone started microblogging on social media instead. Casual blogging is gone, but what has replaced it with a vengeance? Business blogging, says Content Hacker

According to Content Hacker.com, blogging is not dead but has evolved! However, nowadays, blogging is loosely used as  Content Creation.

The YouTube video: A Brief History of the Internet is quite interesting because it outlines key moments of the Internet, from the beginning of the Internet in the 1970s, which took 20 years for the public to gain access to it, to social media and memes. The first email was sent in 1971; the first website, the World Wide Web (www), was created in 1990; the first picture uploaded on the web was in 1992; and following in 1994 was the first search engine. The first blog was in 1999; the first mobile phone internet was in 1996; however, the birth of the mobile internet wasn’t until 1999, when i-mode was launched in Japan. The first Internet celebrity was in 1999. The first word on Skype was in 2003; the first Facebook user was in 2004; the first YouTube video was in 2005; the first Twitter post was in 2006; and the first Instagram post was in 2010. the first meme was in 1996, the dancing baby. 

Concerning the case studies on blogging, congratulations to Ree Drummond for her blog page, The Pioneer Woman. Her page is quite interesting, showcasing her yummy foods, beautiful home decor, and fashionable clothing line. Hats off to her for successfully blogging for so many years and still striving.

With reference to the case study on digital storytelling, National Geographic is one of my favorite TV channels, and yes, it is also a well-known digital storytelling publication where it publishes things like science, trips, explorations, and the studies of the world’s culture and history; not forgetting advertisements also. 

I don’t really have one big thing that I am passionate about but I know some things I like doing. Like hanging out with my friends and family, visiting a new place, especially looking and observing the different scenery such as like going to a pier, a beach, a forest, anything can be fun surrounded by the right people

I also enjoy trying new foods, or new activities. But I don’t have like a set passion that I can write on and on about.

You read the title right this is my favorite hobby, and I’m passionate about it!  Regarding crocheting, there’s no denying that it’s a craft that’s captured my heart and soul. You might be surprised to learn that I’m a guy who’s deeply passionate about crocheting, and I’m here to tell you that it’s not just for grandmas. Crocheting has evolved into a versatile and rewarding art form that transcends age and gender boundaries, and it’s a hobby that’s as therapeutic as it is creative.

As a young man, I always had an adventurous spirit and a knack for trying out new things. One day, while browsing a local craft fair with my girlfriend, something unexpected caught my eye – a vibrant display of handcrafted crocheted blankets and scarves. I was instantly drawn to the intricate patterns and vibrant colors, and I decided to give crocheting a try.

I vividly remember my first encounter with a crochet hook and a skein of yarn. It felt a bit awkward at first, like learning a new language, but with the help of online tutorials and the guidance of a close friend who was an avid crocheter, I began to unravel the secrets of this age-old craft. To my surprise, crocheting quickly became a source of relaxation and creativity in my life. Instead of spending my evenings glued to the TV or my smartphone, I found solace in the gentle rhythm of yarn slipping through my fingers and the satisfying click of the crochet hook. It was a therapeutic escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

A lot of people I’ve seen nowadays wear a ton of knitted pieces the most recognizable ones are the bucket hats such as these:

They have actually taken over the male fashion industry in a big way which kind of lightens the blow I get for crocheting as a man nowadays.

 

As time went on, I realized that crocheting wasn’t just a hobby for grandmas, as some might stereotype it. It was a hobby that transcended age and gender boundaries. I proudly crocheted alongside my girlfriend, and we even joined a local crafting group where we met people of all ages and backgrounds who shared our passion.

So, the next time someone mentions that crocheting is just for grandmas, I’ll proudly share my own story as living proof that this timeless passion knows no age limit and can be a source of creativity, relaxation, and connection for anyone willing to give it a try.

I have many hobbies and have worked in various professions, but I don’t have a so-called passion.

I used to have a great passion for photography, and I even became a photographer. I traveled to countless places, took numerous photos, and met many people. However, I realized that this was not the life I wanted, so I sold all my equipment and kept just one point-and-shoot camera as a memento.

I also had a deep love for Japanese cuisine, so I gave up my studies and became an apprentice at a Japanese restaurant. When I was about to complete my apprenticeship, I realized that this might not be the life I truly wanted, so I resigned and returned to New York.

So now, if you ask me what my passion is, I truly don’t know.

If I had to choose one, I think I enjoy sleeping.

I LOVE cars with a passion. I actually didn’t even know I was as passionate about cars until I decided to buy my first BMW. An automatic, base model  BMW 525xi.

Before that I use to impress my mother with naming any and every car that I would see on the road when I was young. For some reason, cars always enticed me. I loved admiring the designs, the sounds, and different things people did to make the car look more appealing to them. After my second BMW, I had to get another one. I was HOOKED!

So I sold that BMW above and planned to get something a lot newer… that required me to save as much money as possible to get ahead of paying for a car note. I went 10 months without a car just to do so. I car pulled with friends and family and also took public transportation to and from work just for my dream to come true. The day came and I couldn’t believe it; I owned the car that I dreamt of owning for months.

A BMW 340i with a 6 liter engine pushing over 300 horsepower and torque, equipped with a MANUAL transmission.

The reason MANUAL is capitalized is because it’s the number one reason I bought the car. I had little to no experience of working on cars but at the time I got this car, the internet was flooded with tutorials on how to “do it yourself”. In the car enthusiast world, there’s something people like to refer to as “the bug”. People who first start modifying their cars don’t stop and I experienced this first hand. I changed many, many parts on my bimmer. So much that I considered enrolling into school to become an Automotive Mechanic (not kidding).

                       

                                       

Digital Storytelling Project Flexibility

There is A LOT of CT101 Digital Storytelling Project Flexibility..

**the video recording & tutorial from class on can be found below after class – 

Class recording from Tuesday 10/3:

Professor Michael Smith introduced me to the DS106 Assignment Repository many many years ago..

I am glad that he did! 

Now that we are getting comfortable with publishing blog posts to our class website, embedding media like images, GIFS, memes, videos and hyperlinks, it’s time to push things further with content creation and deciding on how you will go about it.

Prof. Smith wrote the following in a blog post from a previous semester;

“In CT-101 you will have the opportunity to create many, many different pieces of media throughout the semester. Inspiration for these projects can come from a number of places. Two great websites that inspired this class and are hosted by a digital storytelling class at the University of Mary Washington.

One, is their ds106 assignment repository which has project prompts that are categorized by a variety of media types (visual, design, audio, video, mashup, writing, fanfic, and animated gifs). Visitors can browse through and sort by most examples completed, most viewed, newest, and more.. 

The second, is also a site known as the daily create which gives a daily project prompt to “make something” using various types of media.

Finally, you, yourself can also find a particular website that has a media piece and/or project type of interest to you – Tumblr and/or Reddit can be fun for this – Photoshop Battles is a favorite of mine.

Do you know of one? If so, share that link here!

*The ASSIGNMENT – (assignment #5)

In a New Blog Post this Week – Let us address and execute the following:

Browse through the mentioned websites above (ds106 & daily create) and find two projects that you think you would like to do.

1.One that you believe you already have the skills to do – or you believe you could figure out on your own.

2. And another (hopefully of a different media type) you don’t know how to do yet and would like to learn.

Working from the DS106 site, the Daily Create site or otherness – select, describe and hyperlink to two assignments/project ideas and tell us why you’ve chosen them. What do you think you’d need learn to complete them? How many of these kinds of projects do you think you should be doing in this semester so that you might learn and build both emergent storytelling skills and use new tools to create them? Why do you think these skills are or are not important?

Be sure to narrate your steps and support your descriptions with screen shots of the process. Be sure to actually complete one of the assignments and add it into your blog post.

***Please pay attention to proper blogging formatting – this post is an example of the necessary amount of embedded media types and written text to support the process.

***Also, be sure to leave a comment or two on one or more of your classmate’s blog posts! 

Below – Photopea.com is a great web browser based image editing and manipulation tool – much like a watered down version of photoshop but it has great immediate creative power – we will discuss and share some ways that photopea can come in handy for this assignment

Here is a great video tutorial for HOW to use and work with photopea – its easy and super fun to work along side of, Im excited to see what you will do!

Have fun and reach out of you need help or have questions, you add your questions to the comments section below!

Memes can definitely be considered a form of art, as they often reflect and comment on contemporary culture, politics, and society in a creative and visually engaging manner. Just like traditional art forms, memes convey complex ideas and emotions through imagery and text. They have the power to evoke humor, satire, or even profound social commentary, making them a powerful medium for self-expression and communication. Memes are also participatory in nature, with individuals and communities constantly remixing and reinterpreting them, much like the evolution of art movements over time.

Memes are more than self-expression; they are potent communication tools, condensing complex ideas and emotions into easily shareable content that transcends language barriers, educates, entertains, and fosters community, making them a multifaceted means of modern online discourse.