Reflection

Final Reflection

Technology

The biggest thing I am taking away from technology is being able to adapt to new things. Earlier in the year all of the Adobe applications updated and it changed many things. The biggest was CSS inDreamweaverr. I had to figure out how to use the CSS compared to the way it used to be. I had to be able to change the way I worked in Dreamweaver in order to continue.

Collaboration

The biggest things I am taking away from collaboration is clarity between people. I learned this when we did our first website of the year. We had to talk with each other on things about our self and give a different fact to each person. This became easier if the person had already planned out what their fact was. It was also better if they explained more one something that would be considered confusing. I will always try to make sure that information I give will be clear and detailed when need be.

Communication

My takeaway from this one is similar to Collaborations. I mainly want to be more clear and detailed with information I give and receive. This is especially important when talking with clients because you want to make sure that you are getting any specific details they have and making sure that everything will get done on time.

Project Management

My takeaway from project management is managing time when you're gone. I was not gone a lot this year but when I was I could really tell when I missed a day. The best thing to do would be to work on your project outside of class. There was one project that when I missed a day it really set me back so I worked on it during a seminar.

Leadership

There was not a lot to show leadership this year but my biggest takeaway would be to make sure that everything that needs to be done gets done. If I were in a group for a project I would make sure that everyone had something to do and to use everyone talents to their best ability. If someone was good at making graphics and someone was good with CSS I would make sure to give them the right tasks.

My greatest Strength is Project Management. I am able to judge time and when I need to get things done. I know how fast I can complete things and how long it may take me to do something. My biggest weakness is Collaboration. I am not one to talk with people much so I could improve on it.

Overall this has been a good year where I learned a lot. I know what I need to work on and what I don't need to work on. I will take what I have learned and apply it to things I do later in life. I think  I most need to work on my Collaboration

Texture Site Mock-Up

This was made in Adobe Illustrator in an attempt to use texture as I would use it in a website. This was mainly used to practice using texture in a website.

Texture in Web Design

Texture is normally looked at as a grungy kind of style but it actually is very useful when used correctly. It has many uses that can add visual appeal to something.

You can visit Smashing Magazine for an in-depth tutorial on texture.

A. Texture can be overlooked because it can be thought of as a dirty design. It actually can bring a whole design together but should not be the focus.

B. Patterns are usually smaller images that repeat over and over. Texture are usually larger images that do not repeat.

C. You can use a textured object against a clean background or a clean object against a textured background.

D. Texture can catch your eye and lure it toward the textured area.

E. It can add to personal or unique aspects about your sites.

F.

1. You need to make sure that if you are using textures that you make sure everything is still easy to read.
2.  Do not use too much texture to the point that it is distracting.
3. Practice using texture before you apply it to a real project.
4. If you don't need to use texture don't.
5. Think about how you will use texture before you start.
6. Whenever you come across something you can use; save it immediately so you don't have to find it later.
7. Masks are a safe and efficient way to apply texture.
8. Make sure your textures are high quality instead of worrying about loading time.
9. Use textures that make sense for the topic.

4.

Maptia

https://www.maptia.com/

Old Town Spice

https://www.oldtownspiceshop.com/

The Kettle

http://www.thekettle.net

Uinta Brewing

http://www.uintabrewing.com/

ColorHexa Chrome Extension

What Is It?

This extension is called ColorHexa. It allows to to find or input a color code and find out all sorts of information on that color. One great thing is that it will also show color schemes for that color you choose. It even has the color conversions for about any kind of code. This extension would be best used by designers or anyone who is using many colors or trying to make a color scheme using a certain color.

How To Use:

To use this extension you first click the extension then enter your color code or search for a color with the + button. After you do that it will pull up a page with a ton of information on the color you chose.

Extension

Search Bar

Color Information

Schemes. Alternatives, etc.

Conclusion:

I think that this extension is very easy to use. The hardest part is probably coming up with the code for the color you want or even having to decide on a color. The sheer amount of information you get is a little overwhelming but it has so much useful information its hard to say its a bad extension. I would overall say that it is a great extension that provides information that you may not of even known you needed. It would be a great thing for anyone that has need of finding things like color schemes and alternate colors.

You can download the ColorHexa extension for Google Chrome here

Font Finder Chrome Extension

What Is It?

This extension is called "Font Finder". It allows you to select an element on a page and it will show you the CSS for it. So not only do you get get the font but also any other CSS that is associated with it. This would most likely be most useful for a web designer to be able to see CSS on an element of the page in a clean looking window.

How To Use:

Using Font Finder is very simple. You Simply click the extension then click the element on which you want to see the CSS for. A window should then pop up with the CSS for the element you selected.

Extension

Element

Font Finder Window

Conclusion:

This extension is extremely easy to use. It may be very simple but just using for something like finding the font of a word it is fast and works well. I think that if this is something that sounds like something someone could use then they should definitely try it.

You can download the Font Finder extension for Google Chrome here

Website Redesign

This is the Topeka West High School Website

Visit their site here

Garmin's Website

Visit their site here