Ok, I'm Back

With the start of the second year, it's time to look back at the past and look forward to the future. I am still very keen to push through my problems in the first year. Referrals were too frequent and I want to cut that down this year. I know I can do this by planning my time better and staying more organized. I also need to plan in time to do my work each week.

After the long break though I have become a little bit rusty, and I think I with just need a few weeks to find my feet again. Despite this I am fairly confident in my approach to this year, and I know I can improve on my results of last year. It would definitely be good to get a few merits and even a distinction.

I am looking forward to the new assignments and cracking on with them. Having already started the self managed learning plan it's something I feel I could do well in. I am looking forward to learning new scripting languages that I will be able to implement into some more complex web pages. In learning these new languages it also widens my knowledge of web design and in the long term makes me more employable.

I feel like this year is time to get my web designers head on and stay more focused on the course. This way I should make myself ready for work in what is a very competitive industry. I need to make steps that with make me stand out from the crowd and show off my full potential.

Self Managed Learning Plan - The Resource List

To conduct the learning of both PHP and MySQL I will be look at two different resource avenues. I first will be looking at some books, and after some routing around I found a selection of books that will supply me with a vast knowledge of these two languages. The other method I will be using for the learning of these languages is online tutorials and the analysis of online information. Here is the resource list for my SMLP.

1. PHP for the Web, Third Edition

This is a very highly rated book due to its simple step-by-step methods of teaching. It takes you through all the basics of the language and also through the more specific implications of it with visual screenshots to help throughout.

2. Sams Teach Yourself PHP in 24 Hours, Third Edition

This book is a quick and easy way to learn how to create interactive websites. It is divided into 24 one-hour lessons over five sections making learning easy and aiding in myself learning. It covers the fundamentals of PHP and how to apply it to create dynamic websites with forms, cookies and authentication functions. You will also find out how to access databases.

3. www.w3schools.com

This website is one of my favourite resources for learning languages. I find it very easy to use and its tutorials take you step-by-step in all aspects of both PHP and MySQL. It provides you with sufficient examples to progress in your learning as you go through and is a great basis for the learning of these languages.

4. www.php.net

This is the definitive source for the latest PHP developments. This will be used to obtain my guidelines in the language, so that I can continue to produce valid PHP coding throughout my learning.

5. www.mysql.com

Similar to the previous website this will act as my guideline to the use of MySQL throughout my learning. As the definitive source for the language I will be able to check my learning against the information provided on here to verify its content.

6. www.tizag.com

This website is of a similar layout the w3schools which makes navigation easy. It has tutorials covering both languages in great detail. Here there is a specific tutorial on PHP / MySQL which is just what I need to discover how the two languages work alongside each other.

Discovering PHP and MySQL

The task is to come up with our very own Self Managed Learning Plan (SMLP) into a scripting language of our choice. After doing some research into different languages I have settle on PHP and some aspects of MySQL. I will initially study through all the basics of PHP and try to gain a good understanding of the entire language.

PHP is a multi-purpose scripting language for web development. A couple of practical reasons for PHP are that it extends your design possibilities, allowing you to create more dynamic web pages. It is also very compatible as it works across all operating systems and is free of charge.

I will then be learning the MySQL, which stands for 'My Structured Query Language' and is a relational database management system. I will be learning MySQL specifically in relation to PHP with such functions allowing me to access MySQL database servers. This means I can create my very own databases online.

I have already discovered many online learning facilities and tutorials in which I can base all my research. My method of learning will be to compile notes and back up those notes with practical implications fot the two languages. By learning the two languages in conjunction with one another I will be able to create dynamic database driver web sites. The knowledge of these two languages is said to be very sought after in industry.

First Year Reflection

When looking back to the begging of the course I can instantly see a huge change. I feel a lot more at home in every aspect of the course, due to many different reasons. I’ve made some good friends for a start which instantly made me feel more at home. Being able to learn through them has been a great help and has taught me that it is always worth asking questions and asking for help. Reflecting back, I realised this was an issue I was pretty poor on so it has been a good achievement for me over the year.

My confidence has been knocked in different directions all year but there have been some huge positive steps that I can take a lot from. Being able to do things I’ve never done before and having the confidence to make mistakes have made this year well worth while. Knowing that without these mistakes I would never have learnt how to overcome them.

I figured fairly early on that this was the right course for me and in no way have my feelings changed towards it, if anything it has been more solidified. The new skills I’ve learnt have even got me using them in my free time because I enjoy it so much. There is always a worry that things may become a bit repetitive, however, with web design you can always branch out and find new exciting designs to keep you eager.

Another major reason why I have stayed so keen is due to the wide range of skills being taught. I was originally under the impression that the course was purely a web design based course, and at first I was even more intimidated when I found out it wasn’t. Now things are completely different because I have learnt so many new skills I didn’t expect to be learning and this wider range of design skills can only be a good thing.

A good example of the wide variety of skills needed for web design can be found in typography. Before starting the course I would have thought it had absolutely no relevance to designing the website, but it has become one of the most crucial aspects of each build. It is these tiny details that we have learnt that make web design to interesting.

Initially I was finding myself a long way behind with the ‘lingo’ around web design. Everyone seemed to be so much further ahead of me from the start, and I had no hope of catching up. Now, however, it feels like I’ve caught up with people and actually have a better knowledge in some area’s which is great for my confidence. It would definitely be something to bear in mind if I or anyone else happened to be in a similar situation again.

My knowledge of coding has been my biggest improvement over this first year. After the simple HTML codes I originally knew, I have now learnt XHTML and CSS to a high stand at which I can produce fully functioning, and professional websites. It is the side of web design where I feel I get most from, and it produces the best final product. I have now taken it on in my spare time and my knowledge of it is constantly growing. This is another positive that solidifies my ever growing interest in the web design industry.

Looking towards the future, there are issues that I need to attend to for next year. In my own opinion the work I am producing is of a good quality but, as I have always been told, there just isn’t enough of it. I’ve found myself still doing things last minute and it has really caught me out. Blends of personal issues and plain laziness have caused a number of referrals, and a referral in the final project. I find it frustrating because I know what I can achieve, and with a well structured plan of action in each assignment there should be no referrals.

I believe for the second year that certain challenges and tasks must be overcome to say it is a fully successful year. After major issues with confidence this is an aspect of the college life that I would like to rid myself of, so I can stay fully focused on the work itself. This is because I sometimes find myself avoiding things that would be very useful in my learning.

Next year there has to be huge improvements in all organisational aspects of projects, especially with a group project coming up, where I need to perform for the rest of the members in my group. The work load is going to be much greater than this year also, so to keep on top of my work there has to be strict time keeping on my part.

I first set out with the goal of mastering every aspect of web design, so one day I could start up my own business. This has become more of a reality now that I have the tools to progress in this industry. I have been using my new found skills outside of college to produce websites, and things already seem to be going well for me. So this is a goal I can really aim for in the future.

I aim to produce my work strictly on time, with weekly time management to ensure this.

I aim to receive no referrals in the second year.

I aim to get at least two merits.

I aim to improve my ever growing knowledge of design.

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Not Long to Logo

The A7 assignment, along with the first year, is quickly drawing to an end. There is a definite sense of finishing on a high as it had been the best assignment so far. This is because I have found it both challenging and enjoyable; stretching my new found abilities to the max. I have learnt a lot through the assignment and it has solidified my previous learning through many practical exercises.

Initial I found the logo design frustrating as it was the first time with a client you have to get used to them saying no to your ideas. As I went on I became less attached with the ideas and design purely with the client in mind. Here is the postcard I have produced using the variation of my logo design:

The CD artwork allowed me to be a little more artistic in this project which I enjoyed. I organised and arranging interesting scenes using pebbles, and with a good quality camera was able to achieve some effective design pieces. I found working with your own images much easier and much more effective than taking from stock, and you can get your own precise desired effect easily.

I have been practising at making websites for a couple of weeks now and am looking forward to the web build as it’s a good opportunity to test my skills. It will also give me a good sense of achievement to be able to display my hard work in this assignment through an individual and devoted website.

One To Go

Finding out I had two passes in the last assignments was a huge relief. It always feels good to get something under your belt and will take the pressure off out next assignment as I can stay more focused. Again I have learnt a lot from the feedback and now want to push towards improving my grade to a merit.

Huge issues still surround my time management and recoding of work on the time sheets. If I put in the hours and record it accurately I know I can improve my grades. I believe the work I do is of a high standard but at times there just isn’t enough of it, this is something I’ve always been told throughout my education.

At the end of the last two assignments it really feels like the years coming to an end. The introduction of the last assignment requires me to apply all the knowledge I have learnt over the year, and is a good way to round everything up. It gives me a clear indication of how far I have come this year.

At first I was a little surprised with the assignment as we are on a web design course and it is a collaboration of music based graphic design pieces. However, I could see its relevance in teaching us about all different types of design. I have been encouraged by the research I’ve done and already have a broader knowledge of all design aspects.

I have spent the last few weeks doing a lot of research into website builds. As already opportunities have arose as I’ve been asked to make two websites. I’ve really enjoyed learning new skills and putting them to practise, it has clearly solidified my thoughts about my career as this is something I would love to carry on.

Insen by Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto

Carsten Nicolai and Ryuichi Sakamoto have managed to produce a purely gripping sound with there collaboration to produce the album, Insen. The album has a strong chilled out vibe to it with the use of ambient beats and subtle piano play. It is an album not to be missed by all, ticking all the right boxes in such a vast experiment genre.

It’s one of the most laid back approaches to music you will hear. Without vocals the instruments have been combined smoothly to give you a simple yet effective sound that will have you hooked from start to finish. It is a clever use of rather infectious simplicity.

Insen is suitable for almost any occasion. It takes you away to your own special place, when all you need is to just relax. It is also perfect for reflection, as it clears your mind with its subtle soothing tones and captures your imagination. It is a slice of musical genius, and exceeds every purpose it originally set out to.

It makes ideal background music for any formal occasions and will reflect its calming nature through to any listener, making those special occasions go that bit smoother.

I would strongly recommend this album to anyone, but I believe it would be ideal for anyone suffering from a sleeping disorder. In my own experience it works so well at clearing your thoughts and allowing you time to relax. It reduces stress levels considerably and calms every part of your body.

Classing this under the label ’experimental’ will often put listeners off from the very start. With an open mind you can clearly see how this album breaks the mould in terms of its classification. It is so unique in its style and the easy listening approach will reach out to a large audience of all different ages.

The album combines old and new, with the clever use of piano and electronics. There are no overpowering sounds throughout and it makes for such a fluent listen. In combining the two the intention is to reach out to a large age range of listeners and I believe it does this perfectly.

Often with experimental chill out albums, each track will sound too similar and listening to each one become too repetitive. With the Insen album, each track manages to keep its personal identity. It keeps the listener enthralled for the full duration and manages to connect them to each track.

In summary, it is the best easy listening album I have listened to. It’s the kind of music you can listen to any time of the day and it is suitable for every occasion. I would recommend it to everyone as a must listen, due to its unique and mesmerizing sound.

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