Emerging Comm Technologies: A 10-week Crash Course in Modern Media
When I began the Emerging Comm Technologies course, I had
minimal experience in Adobe software. The course has helped me to not only
become proficient in Adobe programs, but has also allowed me to begin to brand
my company. Because of the sessions working with Wix.com, Weebly.com and CSS, I
am confident in my ability to create a public page and create a harmonious
design. The design principles studied through the blog activities helped to
shape my understanding of articulating a page that makes sense to its audience. Typically, I have steered toward contemporary design principles and minimalist perspectives. See the example below, as it is a template from Wix.com, the site I am using to develop my page.
Another program I found to be useful was Audacity. When
creating our podcasts, we used Audacity and a USB mic. Though technology (mic)
proved to be difficult at times, the workshops in Audacity were very helpful in
terms of learning how to edit sounds. Because I use Final Cut Pro to work on
film studies projects for my minor, I appreciate the extra experience in
Audacity, as I can fuse the two together in my work.
I wasn't previously aware of sites such as https://www.freesound.org/ where one can easily obtain mp3 files for use in Audacity, GarageBand, Final Cut and more. When working in the program outside of class, I would often reach obstacles with my sound projects. YouTube.com made it possible for me to get a quick refresher from the instructions previously given in class. Videos like the one shown below make it easy to relearn these programs on your own.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7BuceavV-Y)
The social media platform I created in Blog 3 was LinkedIn,
and I have not been using it regularly. While developing my brand, I have
realized that I want my skills to show but I do not want to maintain multiple
pages for my skills. I want to start out by continuing to improve my website
and Instagram account, and one I feel confident in those I can work towards
other goals. Though LinkedIn is a great networking site for many of my peers, I
will hold off on developing that portion of my professional identity.
Adobe InDesign is one of the more useful programs that we
used in class. I found the program to be very applicable to many different
careers. Immediately I thought about how I could use the program to create a
look-book portfolio for my artistry in my career. Now, I am confident that I
can create brochures, newsletters, magazines, and limitless other publications
not only got my brand, but for future employers.
I feel confident in the skills I developed this past quarter in Communication Studies 350. The class has encouraged us to not only work on our individual branding, but has also motivated us to network within the community and with each other. Working together for the group websites along with outside sources helped to fuse the technology with the Communication Studies aspect of the course.
