Who gives a Twit?!

Twitter.com–in a nutshell, the name is stupid, the design is annoying, very adolescent and does not keep my attention whatsoever. However, if I were a teenager or someone with nothing better to do, I’m sure that I could find it interesting to follow who’s following who, who’s following who….BUT again, why would I want to?

At a time when our world is moving faster than ever and everyone wants it quick, fast, the shortcut way…it seems like this site is just promoting less and less quality conversation. If it ain’t worth writing five sentences about, perhaps, it aint worth writing!

Some say that this new hype will make money–and although I’d like to argue, I’m sure that it will. There are enough young people out there with time to kill who want to be connected.  The big thing–it’s free! I refuse to let anyone in our house text on our cellphones because the fees add up fast and why not just dial the number?–But i can see this site drawing the attention of many teens who’s parents have boycotted texting, like myself. 

How many different sources (providing the same jist of services) do we need? Twitter is on the bandwagon with a twist. Sure, there is money to be made–but does it have to be at the expense of normal people who don’t wish to have their inbox full of invites which read: “Follow me! I’m twitty!”

Examining Wired

This was an interesting site about the start of the mag. http://www.fimoculous.com/archive/post-3813.cfm

I first ever opened this mag at class on Thursday. Keeping in mind that the issues we have are two years old, they were still refreshing to examine.

The big thing I loved: Bold color and quality stock.

The magazine was successful at pulling you into another world. It embraces a total lifestyle and you want to be a part of it when you read it.

I noticed that it has a lot of ads, however, feel that it’s justified as it recognizes that its readers are likely major consumers. I enjoy looking at all the eye popping ads. As one pointed out in class, it can be very difficult to distinguish the ads from the actual articles. But both are equally eye-pleasing.

Article: Don’t even think about lying. How brain scans are reinventing the science of lie detection. Page 142

Some design tactics used:

Full color pages
white on black, black on white
Highlighting beginnings of random paragraphs
Oddly placed and formatted pull quotes
lots of white space
eye catching neon, cartoons, really nice photos
better than average mug shots, if featuring people.

 

Waxy.org article

I read this article twice, and perhaps I’m just not up on the times…(no pun intended) But, I really didn’t understand what this article was about. It appears that “spamlinking” is dishonest or something? I really don’t know. I thought that it was a good thing to get your stuff linked in many different places (like getting the word out) but the article makes this guy sound like a scoundrel–I’m confused by it.  I clicked on many of the site links provided to show what the guy had been up to, but I really didn’t know what i was looking at, how it caused harm, or what was sneaky about it.Can someone explain, please. 

Opinion-Article: J-school Education in the Digital Era

I agree with this article that journalism students, regardless of their area of emphasis, should be equipped with some experience and knowledge regarding design.

I feel this way, number one, because I am a JPC student less interested in the reporting side and more interested in the design. And number, two, because I realize that in this day and age, a helluva story can be made even better when it is visually pleasing/stimulating to the reader.

 Without publication design and web design knowledge, I don’t believe a full package is offered from those seeking a career in journalism.

It is likely that more and more, reporting will take place in remote locations. Events will continue to happen that require last minute, immediate action. The article makes a point that there will not always be a programmer or graphic designer on hand when covering a story. If a journalist finds theirself on the frontline, racing against competition to get a complete and detailed story out, if one has design experience and the other doesn’t–there’s really no competition. The majority of readers will be drawn to the most visually appealing story first, the most well-written, second.

My name-Googled

GOOGLING yourself is always fun. Google always asks if I meant to spell my last name “b-a-r-n-a-b-y” versus “Bannarbie” (actual). My husbands family got their last name all twisted up when they came over from Jamaica…I believe it was supposed to be “Barnaby”. So, we are the only Bannarbie’s in the world, I imagine (pronounced just like it sounds.)

 Anyhow, some info comes up about web work I did at my office with a former UAA student we contracted to launch two new sites. www.alaskaenergyauthority.org and www.aidea.org. There are a few links that show up of an article that I wrote for the Northern Light last year :/media.www.thenorthernlight.org/media/storage/paper960/news/2007/02/13/Features/Dance.Enthusiasts.Get.Saucy.At.Uaa.Salsa.Socials-2713954.shtml and a reference to my name in ADN for making the Dean’s List last year.

Since my name is spelled with a “y”, other people who spell their name the same come up in the search as well.

A blurb about eryn

I am enrolled in three classes right now, work full-time for the State (going on 9 years). I am married and have two children (and one on the way). A pretty full plate…which might explain why I am just a tad behind on these web posts (yikes & sorry prof!)

My goal is a JPC degree by next fall. Excited about both design classes I am taking this semester. Feel like I’m finally catching up on some of the latest…

 Past time interests: Writing and Photography, hanging out with my fam.

Project #2

Here’s a series of pictures of a baby moose being hand-fed lettuce this winter in front of my house. (Messed around with a few filters in Photoshop…kind of made my baby moose look creepy!)

Hello world!

MySpace was a total time killer. After boycotting it, I’ve now been forced to join the webworld again for my Design for Publications class. (I am secretly excited!)