Meet Jade Critch! This is the character I created using Adobe Fuse CC (Beta). I designed this character to be a bad-ass, similar to the types of characters you’d find in first-person shooter video games. She is tough, and has lots of personality. The outfit is a blend of casual wear and tactical gear. I decided to give her a brown complexion, and silver braids … similar to mine. I also designed her with a slightly heavy, curvy figure.
Feel free to share your thoughts!
For this week’s reading response homework, I read pages 13-55 from Interaction Design Best Practices: Mastering Words, Visuals, Space. This reading featured a lot of valuable information about communication best practices. One of the things that pointed out immediately was the overlap of lessons I’ve learned in Communication, Public Relations and Advertising courses. There is an emphasis on what is known in other industries as the MAC triad – message, audience and channel. The reading emphasized questions that need to be answered in order to strengthen the message delivery. You have to take into consideration the following questions:
I learned about the 5 Pillars of Interactive Design while reading this passage and why interactivity matters. Overall, this reading explained how interactivity relates to human connection and behavior. Our goal, as designers is to get the user to inevitability spend less time trying to figure out how to use a site or platform and more time accomplishing the task at hand. For this reason, clarity should be our top priority. I think many artists can appreciate an abstract work of art, however, ambiguity is the enemy of good design. Some best practices for usability that I extracted from this reading assignment that I plan to apply to future blog posts and design projects it to opt for a clean design with less clutter, offer directives with suggested site actions, be clear, concise and specific, use proper titles and the avoid buzzwords. One of the strongest takeaway messages I received from this passage is that each of us are artists and have creative ability. The most important thing is focusing in the message you are looking to communicate.
I am pleased to announce I will be serving as a Media Festival Associate at Rowan University’s 2018 RTF Media Fest. Over the last month I reviewed and judged high school submissions (scripts, narratives, new media) and at event, I will be responsible for Photography. I am proud to be included in this event which features audio production, documentary, film, new media and screenwriting from both current students, and high school students. Be sure to come support the event which takes place on November 2nd (college) and 3rd (high school).
The event will be live streamed as well. Learn more about the award ceremony.
For this week’s reading assignment, I read the supplied UXPin PDF entitled The Visual Storyteller’s Guide to Web UI Design. What I gathered from the first two chapters is that visuals provide an immediate and longer lasting impression than other modes of communication. For instance, when a person reads, it makes a moment to process and things are left to interpretation. However with visuals, you can improve retention, evoke instant emotions, and ensure the information is processed faster overall. A picture is said to be worth a thousand words. Likely, videos and animations are worth even more words.
An important message I learned from this reading is “knowing your audience” and the importance of user research. This relates to some other lessons I learned in other communications classes. You have to factor in the message, audience and channel in order to develop a story. I also learned about iconic images, which are images that are immediately recognizable and you’d know what it means whether or not it’s been explained to you. These vary from symbolic images where there is an abstract representation, but it isn’t a direct interpretation.
I recently accepted a permanent photographer role in South Jersey. In this role, I will creatively pose and photograph individuals, infants, kids, couples and families. Additional responsibilities include editing, framing and mounting as well as meeting with clients post shoot to sell prints and digital images.
Please note, I will still continue to accept freelance photography and videography projects. In coming months, I plan to add a scheduling interface to this site to ease scheduling and provide availability. I am excited about the prospect of increasing my volume of completed shoots, using equipment comparable to what I own and usefor private projects, and supplementing my income while working in creative arts.
The studio is located inthe Deptford / Woodbury area. Feel free to reach out for special pricing and seasonal studio shoots.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank INSPIMIND for allowing me to work with their non-profit educational leadership organization this summer. Being a content creator is truly a wonderful experience when capturing imagery of positive deeds intended to uplift underserved communities. I enjoyed the time spent engaging with students at Becton Regional High School, Montclair State University, William Paterson University and others. The programs on College Readiness, Drug and Substance Abuse, Peer Pressure, Mental Health, Stress Management, Depression and Anxiety will certainly benefit the outreached students.
Although the internship has come to an end, I will continue to patronize events and contribute however possible. Special thanks to the production team, and founder Wilfredo Betance for being welcoming and providing an excellent educational experience. Learn more about INSPIMIND.
Officers were recently announced for the 2018-2019 academic year and I am pleased to announce I have been selected as Epistoleus for the Theta Mu Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated. In recent months, I have been active behind the scenes taking photographs and designing flyers for the chapter’s social media. In this role, I will serve as thechapter’s Public Relations and Social Media Chair, Historian and Archivist. This includes management of the social media account.
I hoped for this position in particular since I have skills in photography and videography, and a keen understanding of marketing from my brand ambassador role at MCG. I am looking forward to maintaining the chapter’s documents and memorabilia. I will also take steps to expand the chapter’s social media presence and ensure our public image reflects organizational goals. Visit the Rowan University ProfLink or visit on Instagram @thetamu_SGRho
Today, I celebrate another year of life. I have a lot to be thankful for. I was surprised earlier this week by the team at INSPIMIND who treated me to Red Hawk Diner. That was really sweet of them and indicative of the type of caring, family-orientated organization they operate. Also check out this photo with me and my dad. The fam treated me to NINJA-NYC which I definitely recommend.
Check out this BTS image of Jill Lotenberg’s shoot for the cover of Mann Publication’s August 2018 issue. If you look closely, you can see me handling lighting, ha!
This shoot took place at the lovely Beekman Residences in New York and features Robin Dolch, the CEO of Hundred Stories PR.
I know this seems like Deja Vu. No, you aren’t seeing double. Yes, I scored a second internship. I was selected to work as a Photography and Videography intern with award-winning commercial photographer, Jill Lotenberg.
This opportunity is particularly exciting because I’ll be shadowing a female entrepreneur with an established base and carved niche. Personally, I started out in the freelance capacity, and admittedly, I wasn’t very familiar with pricing policies, cancellation policies, scheduling, building a client base etc. So this opportunity will allow me a hands-on intuitive experience where I’ll get to use my on Canon EOS DSLR. I’ll be strengthening my proficiency in CaptureOne and the Adobe Creative Suite.
I won’t have time to spend on the beach this summer, but I’m looking forward to drone shoots, yacht shoots and capturing footage of New York’s movers and shakers in real estate.
Learn more about Jill Photography. Check out a few shots Jill caught of me on-set.
BibbyFame Digital, LLC: Photo, Film & Interactive Media 