CUNY York College – Digital Storytelling
CT101 is Gearing Up for the Spring 2021 Semester!
Thats right! CT101 is Gearing Up for the Spring 2021 Semester!
All Posts below this one are archived in chronological order from the FALL 2020 semester, you are welcome to explore those posts and interact with them.
See you soon!
This week, lets delve into copyright… So, What is copyright?
From the content below (and there is a lot of great stuff to explore) please select a blogging prompt to respond to – you should respond to at least one but of course you can respond to all of them!
Why is there copyright?
How much should users of the web think about copyright as you and others share, re-share, and remix content on the web?
What is fair use? Think about these questions and watch Larry Lessig’s TEDTalk – How creativity is being strangled by the law.
**Assignment Option #1– In a new blog post, find a quote from the Larry Lessig talk (link above) that you find compelling and tell us why. Also respond to the questions posed above.
As a further reflection on “fairness” and fair use consider two cases that actually tangled with the legal system under copyright law. First, Andy Baio a software developer for Kickstarter writes and speaks about his experience being sued by a photographer and is forced to settle and pay thousands of dollars. This is despite the fact he believes the law is on his side and so does his pro-bono counsel the EFF.
https://www.creativemornings.com/talks/andy-baio/2 <- link to the video
Second famous appropriation artist Richard Prince is sued by photographer Patrick Cariou for Prince’s use of Cariou’s photographs in a number of collages. At first the courts sided with Cariou the photographer, but then on the appeals court reversed the decision in favor of the Prince’s remixes being fair use.
**Assignment Option #2 – In a new blog post, find a quote from both Andy Baio’s case and Richard Prince’s case that you agree with, disagree with, or both. Tell us why. Also tell us whether you think law around fair use is working. How would you change copyright law and fair use if you were in charge.
**Assignment Option #3– In a new blog post – Digital Storytelling Prompt on Fair Use – Create an image, GIF, video, and/or piece of audio that reworks a quote and/or image found in any of the linked essays or videos above. Think about possibly creating a poster that uses an image and quote (https://photopea.com will help). Or create a video or audio remix that samples from the Andy Baio and/or Larry Lessig talks. Or maybe come up with something on your own that is inspired by these discussions. In your post, remember to use hyper-links to reference texts incorporated in your work as well as give context to the work.
Have Fun!
**The Digital Art Making Tutorial / Recording from class on 11/19 is at the bottom of this post – scroll down to follow along please**
Well, before we dig in, I blame professor Michael Smith for getting me hooked on the Aesthetic! Did I just say “aesthetic”? It all started when I saw that he created this post and assignment for a previous CT101 class that we were team teaching:
(PS – The assignment details are at the bottom of this post!)
#ds106 reply to me w/ tag #tdc1775 Create a Retro 80s Message! https://t.co/2lS2FCoJVo pic.twitter.com/r6ZpyMm1Fy
— ds106 Daily Create (@ds106dc) November 17, 2016
Prof. Smith went on to say:
“I saw this morning’s DS106 Daily Create and thought of the Vaporwave Aesthetic (read the wiki – it helps) and thought I’d share my interest in it. It’s an amalgam of retro culture remix focused on the commercial aesthetics of 1980s and early 1990s – VHS artifacts, Glitch art, a little greek classical sculpture, 90s web design, low poly 3D computer graphics, and more. It’s a fairly recent phenomena starting around 2010, but there’s already a brief history video if interested.”
I updated the video link to another variation as the original video from a few years ago was removed.. but if you go to YouTube and do a search for “VaporWave”, well, down the rabbit hole you will go!
Prof. Smith is also responsible for introducing me to the infamous but yet now very famous – KIDMOGRAPH – a motion graphics artist based in Argentina who continues to dominate the Motion Graphics world in many many ways! Including inspiring tons and tons of artists and designers of all types, all over the world.
“There’s a Tumblr by the handle KIDMOGRAPH that’s a personal favorite GIF artist in this particular genre. Here’s an example of his work which incorporates low polygon 3D models.”
KIDMOGRAPH is also on Instagram of course – here
Prof. Smith made a few cool examples below using some mobile and web applications, Ill also go a over a demonstration in our class! (Below)
“If you’d like to attempt to create vaporwave styled piece, consider using this – I like this Trianglify Generator to create low poly backgrounds or how about a low polygon generator from images. I made this remix from an NYPL Vulture archive image.”
“This I then took into a couple apps Ultrapop and Ultrapop Infinite to recolor and then to animate the images using ImgPlayPro all on the iPhone”
“There are a lot of other influences to consider in vaporwave such as 90s windows application interfaces and greek classical sculpture. Have a stab at this AE S THE TIC.”
We actually do a lot using https://photopea.com as an interface to make some digital art pieces, there are tons of transparent graphic assets out there on the web, ill share the process in class this week!
(Ryan’s photopea.com examples made in class – above)
Below – watch the video tutorials made in class
Passcode: *3cBkkh?
Passcode: vs=Zt1Pk
The ASSIGNMENT: In a new blog post, review this blog post and its content! Describe what you see and perceive, what is Vapor Wave? Do you love it? Hate it? Somewhere in between? Will you review the vaporwave aesthetic from a journalists perspective? Or will jump in as an artist and make some VAPORWAVE digital art? Will you do both? Either way, lets get to work and share this creative project on CT101 (and your personal websites if you wish! Be sure to check out the vaporwave student gallery here from CT101 students in the past!
This week in CT101 we will share and explore each others websites, learn about creating “categories” and “custom links” and how to add them to your websites navigation menu structure. Of course I will record this process during Zoom and post the video here after.
**Here is the Video Recording from this Week’s Zoom Session –
Passcode: YJ!x7?.3
Here we are 3 plus weeks into being the proud owners of a shiny new Website! We are customizing our pages, building menu navigation, tweaking colors and fonts, and blogging away into oblivion! Exciting!
The Assignment for this week:
First: Its time to share your website’s URL, please add it to the comments section below in this blog post (My example is already there as an example)
Simply leave a comment below sharing your website’s address and press the Post Comment button!
Be sure to include the – http:// part. (some of your have added https:// – thats OK too)
Here is an example–> http://your-website-url.com
This is my example of my website URL – https://ryanseslow.com
Second: Explore some of the website’s of your fellow classmates! Leave them a comment, or two about their progress directly on their website! Then, write a blog post here on CT1010 OR on your own new website sharing your thoughts and feedback about discovering your classmate’s websites. Be sure to include their URL in your post (and hyperlink it!) What do you like about the websites that you discovered? Did you find a favorite blog post, or project? Share it! Give some feedback!
And, Why are we doing this?
Well, to share our development, support for each other and their process of course! Maybe your classmates and peers missed your last few posts and are in need of some feedback, inspiration and contrast. Lets dig in!
Its not that hard! I promise – We had a great time in today’s live zoom session! Its time to talk about the impact of social media and the many roles it can play in our storytelling and blogging practice.
Here is the Zoom recording from class on 11/5/20 – the same video will be used for class on 11/10 – lets go!
Passcode: V$9v^@Qa
The recording above will walk you through the process of embedding the content and media that you see in the video’s post. Please add these tips and tricks into YOUR websites posts, pages or sidebar widgets!
Have Fun!
And just like that, here we are at the mid-point of the semester! Time really does move fast, or does it? Either way, we are learning a lot and growing together!
**Please scroll down to screen the full recording from this week’s class with WordPress customizations Part 2!**
In a new blog post that will be published to here to CT-101, I would like for you to reflect upon our current semester. Lets tell a compelling story about what we have learned thus far. What have been some of the main skills that have been discovered, learned and applied? What do you know now that you did not know before the class began? What are your strengths so far? What do you need to work on and make improvements on? To date, we have had the opportunity to publish a series of blog posts that allow us to speak creatively in our own authentic voices, how have the assignments helped you as a communicator? It would be a good idea to review and reference your existing posts and even quote to hyperlink back to a few of them. What grade do you feel you have earned so far in our class? Self assessment is important, it helps us become aware and take action from that perspective and energy. We took a big step last week by registering a new domain name, setting up a web hosting account and even began customizing our personal websites! Please include in this reflection post your domain name and “how” you plan to use your website as we go forward. Make sure to include the hyperlink to your websites URL – for example, here is mine: https://ryanseslow.com
Have Fun with This!
Last week in class we covered an introduction to the customizing of the Twenty Seventeen WordPress theme for our new websites!
(In case you missed it, here is the first video recording from that session, it is a good idea to watch this first if you haven’t)
During the zoom sessions this week I will be continuing another series of customizing tips, tricks, and techniques for working with wordpress. We will remove all default theme content, create new pages, set up a contact me form, embed or add social media posts into your website and more!
**Here is the full recording from this week’s class with WordPress customizations Part 2!
Passcode: 1jD!c19P
“The Journey Begins!”
**Please read through this post carefully as it contains a lot of important information**
Two LIVE ZOOM tutorials of this process will be screen recorded and placed at the bottom of this blog post starting today 10/15. The first recording will be on 10/15 @ 10am
Last week we began talking about Domain Names and what role they play in creating a digital identity on the web (and as a part of this class.) If you missed last week’s post on that, please review it here first as it has context and will help make this next step a bit smoother.
This week we are going to get started! We are going to register a domain name and also set up web hosting, which will allow you to put files up online and will be discoverable through your new domain name! We are going to use a form of ‘shared hosting’ where you get a portion of a server – think of it as having an apartment in a building. With this shared hosting you will be able to do a lot of things including installing your own instance of WordPress (remember, this is NOT wordpress.com) so you can start building your website for your domain name.
We use a company called Reclaim Hosting, with which we have a contract with so you will enter a coupon code and start your account for free.
*The coupon code will be e-emailed to everyone via blackboard on the morning that your class meets during week #7 – so please check your York College e-mail address to get the coupon code. (the code can only be used one time)
We chose this hosting company because they have a lot of experience working with students just like you, that are likely getting their first domain name and web hosting account. You will be creating an account just like you would with any online vendor with which you want to purchase something. So it’s not a ‘CUNY’ account, we’re just giving you the coupon code to pay for the year’s service.
You do not need to pay for anything, so please reach out if you have questions – rseslow@york.cuny.edu
Again, 2 LIVE ZOOM tutorials of this process will be screen recorded and placed at the bottom of this blog post. The first recording will be on 10/15 @ 10am.
With that said, you will need to provide a name, address, and phone number. Lets go to this sign-up page <— to get started.
1. First you will need to pick your domain name, make sure that it is available and make your selection to proceed.
2. On the next page, check the ‘add ID protection.’
3. On the next page you should see two items in your cart and a price of $32 with ID protection, you will then enter the needed information for your account and provided coupon code and validate it. (you will NOT be charged for this, its already included in the course.)
4. Your total should now be $0. If it is not then check the items and your cart and adjust.
5. You should now fill in your personal information, and select the payment by mail option. (again, you will not be charged anything.)
6. Complete the order and check your email for your account information and a verification of your e-mail. With your new account information, log-on to Reclaiming Hosting.
7. YOU ARE NOW ALL SET AND READY TO START WORKING WITH YOUR NEW DOMAIN NAME AND WEB HOSTING ACCOUNT!
9. Its now TIME TO INSTALL WORDPRESS.
Passcode: xm0g%qi4
*Here is the Tutorial that Ryan made in class during last semester’s class on 3/26/20 – the process is the same as above so please follow along and pause the video as you go!
Domain Names!
It’s time to choose a domain name that can represent your digital self! <– (we will watch this video in Zoom class together)
You can’t (and shouldn’t) pick just anything.. this is important!
It has to be unique and also available! It should be relevant – it could be based on your real name, a nickname and or something meaningful to you.
You will need to search for its availability using a domain registrar and you can pick from a number of different ‘top level domains (TLD)’ – for example .com, .net, .us, and .org – then you can have an example like – “mypersonalsite.net”
As we go forward to select and register our domain names (don’t do this on your own please, I will be walking you through the process in class next week!) You’re also going to need web hosting, which will allow you to put files up online and will be discoverable through your new domain name! We are going to use a form of ‘shared hosting’ where you get a portion of a server – think of it as having an apartment in a building. With this shared hosting you will be able to do a lot of things including installing your own instance of WordPress! (via WordPress.org and not wordpress.com – they are a lil different) With wordpress installed you can then start building your website for your domain name. I will cover a series of demonstrations on how to do this and I will record all of the demonstrations and tutorials.
We use a company called Reclaim Hosting, with which we have a contract with so you can enter a coupon code and start your account for free.
The coupon code will be e-emailed to everyone starting next week – so I will be reminding you to check your York college e-mail address to get the code.
**This Week’s Blog Post Assignment: Write a blog post that shares a few of the potential domain names that you would consider using for your website. List them and say a few words about why they would be good examples for the website that you will build.
What will your new website be about? This part is totally up to you! If you wish, you can use the website project itself for a specific project, for example, perhaps you want to share your passion for cooking and poetry. Which means you will be primarily writing blog posts about cooking and poetry. This can also be applied to sports, or gaming, or politics or journalism, or simply put, website that fused together many interests as well as your ct101 assignments. Share your thoughts, excitements, fears and any other sentiments about how you are feeling about this next chapter in your life as a website owner! Please include a few hyperlinks and or screen shots of some of your favorite websites, let us know why you like them!
This week’s assignment on DS 106 was pretty interesting. I got to explore some pretty dope content that I think I could possibly use for my own website when the time is right.
This week we were task with finding an assignment that we could try now and another in which we would later develop the skills to do it later. The first assignment I chose was from the “Mashup Assignment: Storytelling Through Text.”
If you direct your attention to the below this text, I’ve left a picture of what the page looks like. I also have hyperlinked the assignment name in the text.
In this assignment, I had to create a story through text. I’ve seen many of these examples on Youtube ads or on my Facebook timeline. Most of the examples I’ve seen have a thriller like a theme. It starts off as a normal conversation through text and one person always appears to be in trouble.
To complete this assignment, all I needed was my iPhone and an app called “Texting Story.” With this app, I have the ability to create a text tread between two or more individuals. Also, I’m able to edit the names of the people I’m texting and able to screen record the whole thing.
This is what the app looks like for iPhone users
This app is quite effective in creating this assignment. The harder part is just coming up with a storyline to make the text thread interesting. It was a little weird because I was basically talking to myself. But I made it as interesting as possible.
Here is the finished product of my recreation of “Storytelling Through Text.” Hope it is as entertaining as it was creating it!
The second part of the assignment was to find something that I needed more informative knowledge to create. For this assignment, I wanted to learn how to create my very own Logo. this assignment could be found in the Visual Assignment folder.
This how the assignment looks. I wanted to know more about this process because when creating my own blog website, I intend on creating making my very own to put off my site. This would personalize my work a little bit more and people tend to do better with remembering visual rather than words. I would love to create a logo that helps me become memorable with my CT101 peers.
To do this website I’m not sure what I would have to use as yet. But I intend on doing some more research. I’m pretty sure in this day and age I could find some app to help me with the process.
Louannie N. Smith
There is A LOT of CT101 – Digital Storytelling Project Flexibility..
***Below are the Zoom class Video recordings from 9/24, 10/1 & 10/6 with this project demonstration, description and process – enjoy!***
Professor Michael Smith introduced me to the DS106 Assignment Repository several 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, videos and hyperlinks, its 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 are 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). You 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 media. If you post the completed piece with tags to the sites they feed from, you’ll see your work on that page as well.
Finally you can also browse through the main feed of the old CT101 site and see works completed by students in the previous semester. Or find a particular site 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.
Browse through these sites and find two projects that you think you would like to do. One that you believe you already have the skills to do or you believe you could figure out on your own. And another (hopefully of a different media type) you don’t know how to do yet and would like to learn.”
*The ASSIGNMENT – In a New Blog Post – working from the DS106 or the Daily Create site 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 do 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 actually complete one of the assignments and add it to your blog post. Also, be sure to leave a comment or two on one or more of your classmate’s blog posts! Prof. Seslow will go over a example in our class time and screen record the process.
*Below are 3 various Zoom class recordings taken from 9/24, 10/1 & 10/6 with the project demonstrations, descriptions and process – enjoy!
Passcode: $Br7G4EJ
Above – recorded from 9/24
Passcode: wr^NJsw1
Above – recorded from 10/1
Passcode – R!4?UW3q
Above -recorded from 10/6
To be honest, my initial feeling of this class was of all my other classes. It was another 10 o’clock class that I had to get up from my Cozy cover for.
I think everybody can relate to not wanting to wake up for an early morning class. lol
My mindset was immediately changed when I signed on to our first zoom meeting and here was the class was all about. I was intrigued!
I was overjoyed at how well detailed, laidback and understanding Professor Seslow was. I also loved that I could go at my own pace in this class.
My thoughts towards being able to set my own workflow pace were like:
“This class finna be a breeze!”
I love that the lessons are user friendly. With the recorded tutorials, our class work is self explanatory. I feel as thought this course can be used as a crash course”Blogging 101 for dummies.”Lol
What I’m really looking forward to is creating my own blog website!
I already have so many ideas as to what o want to blog about. It’ll be like my personal journal that I share with the world & my fellow
CT101 classmates.
I LOVE HERE!!!!!!!
Im so ready to create/explore all kinds of creative content to build my portfolio.
I can’t wait to see what our next assignment is all about. Should be FUN!!!!!!
(Disclaimer besides the websites given to use to create gifs, I used some content also from tenor.)
Louannie N. Smith
Are Internet Memes ART?
Let’s discuss!
(please don’t start this assignment until after 9/17 at 12pm)
First – (lets screen the video above in class and then later read the article below for more context.)
Second – The Assignment Details:
Do an Internet search for “Are memes ART?” See what you discover. No matter how you cut it, memes are here to stay…is this good or bad for Art? Is this good or bad for communication? Are memes simply just forms of self-expression? Or are they MORE? Well, why or why not? I want to know what you think. And by all means plan to search for, discover and share your favorites existing Memes via an image or URL, or embed them into a new blog post for this coming week. How will craft a narrative between using Memes and your own personal experiences?
Oh, and, you MUST create your own meme to express your sentiments for our CT101 class! Be sure to include the words “CT101” in your meme!
Perhaps, you will say “CT101 be like…”
OR, “What if I told you that CT101….”
All of this nestles quite well into in new Blog post! (thats your assignment!) Please consider the formatting of this blog post that you are reading right now. Notice how we see a mixture of images, video and hyperlinks that help give context and reference to where we are drawing resources from. (wink).
Giphy.com – (create a free account)
Imgur.com – (create a free account)
Make a Meme – work with some of the Internet’s classic templates
Mashable’s top 6 Meme Maker Picks – various tools
A good synopsis via how-to-geek.com
————————————————–
***The CT101 Meme Project will later be exhibited on the NET-ART website as a collaboration project! Check out some of the other projects on display there now – https://netart.commons.gc.cuny.edu/galleries-exhibitions/
————————————————–
Are Memes the Pop Culture Art of our Era? Kate Knibbs
(I know, I know, its a dream come true assignment!)
Have fun!
**The Zoom class video recording and tutorials for Week #4 are below:
Passcode: %AE5h!&D
Making our first GIF & GIF Post Narrative!
Assignment #2 – (scroll down for the full video tutorial)
Exciting times! Lets make some GIFS and explore the contexts and potentials of this Internet Culture Sensation! GIFs are here to stay!
Imgur and Giphy are great platforms to explore and create with! They have a HUGE repository of animated GIFS to choose from! In our Zoom class this week (week #3) lets check out both of these platforms in a series of live video tutorials, both Imgur & Giphy are free to use and work with. (you can sig up for an account for free too) I will post the class video here in this post after the Thursday 9/9 section of the class.
The Assignment Details: BLOG POST!
This week lets create a NEW blog post using your Author access on our class website and embed a series of new Reaction GIF s that narrates your feelings about our CT101 class so far! Think about these questions,; What did you think on the first day of the CT101? Did you like hearing about the course and its creative content? How does CT101 compare to some of your other classes? Also, address what the potentials of this class are?! (yes, you can make this post as long you wish and make it flow like a story – This assignment description that you are reading is also a BLOG post example of the assignment!) Each reaction GIF that you use should be accompanied by a sentence or two or three of verbiage to help describe the GIF and narrative you are communicating.
Here is an example of me responding in GIF expressing: “Demonstrations and examples will be shared and executed in our class Zoom lab time, don’t miss it!” (and if you do miss it, Ill post the video from class here below)
Lets get started!
**PS – Here is a handy tutorial on how to make a GIF from a YouTube URL using Imgur from Prof. Smith a few years back – My first GIF post
Passcode: M3BV3&w%
<——- snip transmission ———->
How do you say it / pronounce it? Gi-f or Ji-f?
The battle continues!
Here is the WIKI for the GIF file format – its a good read.
Smithsonian – History of the GIF
Mashables take on the History of the GIF
A good article for WIRED on the 30th Birthday of the GIF
Your goal for this week will be to read and follow the info / links listed in our class calendar for Week #2. Absorb the information and then begin to prepare and gather all of needed media, images, links and content to create and publish your first blog post here on our class website!
(This assignment was created by Professor Michale Smith a few years ago, it still holds true as a great example and ice-breaker for our first blogging assignment.)
Prof. Smith asserts;
“In a new blog post, take the time to introduce anything you want about yourself and describe a piece of the internet that is “making you happy” this week. Share what the content is about, the media format, and the online space in which is was discovered. Make sure it’s something you can ’embed’ in your post and be sure to link back to the original source of the the item.
Below is an example:
I discovered recently a writer who made side-by-side comparisons of frames from the Simpsons with frames from the original movies that inspired the cartoon. I love this kind work because it shows how culture is seemingly endlessly recycled and remixed.
Here’s the original, famous “shower scene” from the 1960 film Psycho:
Getting Signed Up and Signed In to the CT101 Website & the CUNY Academic Commons.
Welcome back Digital Storytellers!
As we know, a big part of CT101 is the class the website. It is where you will begin your active role as an Author of our CT101 community and where you will be publishing most of your class work and assignments. You will also become a part of the CUNY Academic Commons Community (Im a big fan!)
*First things first, It is super important for you to have access to your York College E-mail Address, and to make sure it works!
You will need to have access to it in order to sign up for our CT101 web site and the CUNY academic commons. If you need assistance with setting this up do not hesitate to contact the York College help desk at 718-262-5300 as needed or at helpdesk@york.cuny.edu
Lets Get Started!
We must follow the sign up steps in this order below (I will demonstrate the process in our Zoom classes and record it to post here after class.)
1. We will Sign Up for the CUNY Academic Commons Here – simply fill in the form and complete the sign up! You will receive an e-mail to verify your account.
2. After you sign up for the CUNY Academic Commons please Sign Up for CT101 and add the SAME username and e-mail address into this form <– this info will allow for me to send you a direct invite request from our class website to become an Author of the website. Please accept the invite when it arrives via e-mail.
And then….
Its time to log in and get blogging. The log in prompt is always located in the main navigation menu area of the website (depending on the device that you are viewing the site in, you will see it in upper right hand corner of the page via desktop or laptops, but mobile devices may see the log in prompt on the left side of the page, either way, click “Log In” and enter your Log In credentials.
VIDEO Tutorial:: Below is the video from class this week. Be sure to use the password below when accessing the recording
Passcode: !7^8g^DT
The first blogging will assignment will also be added to our class schedule later today on 9/3.
More to come!
