ARTEFACT 2 EVALUATION

For my second artefact I created a set of text-based instructions in the form of a Photoshop tutorial. My aim was to test how well participants used and understood text-based instruction.

The instructions were created using text and Photoshop symbols, because I felt that these two components would be enough to complete the tutorial successfully.

The Photoshop tutorial taught the participants to create a simple website layout. The tutorial had the users create boxes, type and edit text and import images. I did this because it is a Multimedia based task, and it would give the user more than one task to do. Having the users do more than one task would allow me to see how differently skilled users learnt. I asked people of specific skill sets to take part in this test.

-2 with very good skills

-2 with average skills

-2 with no previous skills.

After this test I found that

- All the differently skilled users took about the same time to finish the tutorial 8-15mins, because there was too much text to read.

- Most participants found text-based instruction useful, 67%. And they would re-use text based instruction again.

- The very skilled participants found that there was too much text, and that only having the necessary information on the tutorial would be better.

- The less skilled users wanted a bit more text, in the certain processes that they struggled in.

- Images, as they will allow the users to see their progress.

- Colour, so the instructions are more appealing to look at.

Taking into consideration my findings my next artefact will be to create an improved set of instructions, and then see if the improvements in the instruction will improve the results of the participants work.

SPP3 TASK A. FINAL 4 JOBS

1.Junior Web Designer

Company Creative Recruitment

Location Central London

Salary/rate £23,000 to 25,000

Contract perm

Job posted on 08 February 2010

Job start date asap

Closing date 08 March 2010

Assist Web Design team in the design of websites and online marketing material.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Design online marketing material e.g. emails, banners, landing pages
o Responding to ad-hoc marketing creative requests
o Updating/maintenance of website pages as and when required
o Resolve website image or design specific customer queries 
o Ability to communicate creative concepts in a clear and confident manner, completing final solutions effectively
o Keep up to date with internet technologies and web usability standards and current design trends and influences.

LINK

2.Web Designer / SEO to £35k - Nottingham, East Midlands

Web Designer / SEO to £35k - Nottingham, East Midlands

Web Designer with strong knowledge of SEO and Web Marketing is required by an expanding company based in Nottingham, East Midlands. Candidate can expect a salary of up to £35,000.

Key skills

You must also have an excellent standard of English, great copywriting and proofing skills, and good communication skills.
Web design skills using Photoshop (or any other design package) are essential and examples must be submitted with your CV.

The successful candidate should also possess

- A good knowledge of Web 2.0 design styles.

- The ability to deal with domain registration and hosting issues.

- Fluency in CSS and HTML

- Knowledge of organic SEO techniques.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Web Designer / Developer with strong search engine optimisation skills to join an exciting company based in Nottingham.

Salary to £35k
Location - Nottingham, East Midlands

LINK

3.Digital Designer / Web Designer

Recruiter: FS1 Sales & Marketing Recruitment

Location: Northampton, Northamptonshire

Salary: £25,000 - £27,000 per annum, negotiable

Sector: Media, Digital & Creative - Web Design

Job Type: Permanent

Date: 09 Feb

Applications: 17

Job ref no: 18652929

Digital Designer / Web Designer

Location: Commutable from Milton Keynes, Bedford, Northampton & Leicester

Salary: circa £25,000 (Neg)

The client: 
An established creative / design agency with an outstanding reputation and an impressive client portfolio within the FMCG and Retail sectors but to name a few.

The role: 
Web design, assisting with the creative side of web development projects within an agency environment.

The person: 
You could be a developer with some design experience, or maybe you are a designer with some development experience, either way you will need to have your fingers in both pies!!!

You will be involved with front end production so the following skills are essential:

• Strong HTML/ CSS. 
• Use of Photoshop/ Illustrator 
• An understanding of W3C standard and accessibility issues
• Design experience

In addition the any of the following would be useful:

• Knowledge of PHP, MySQL and JavaScript. 
• Experience using Flash
• Specific experience of building HTML/CSS or Flash websites 
• Photoshop/Indesign/Illustrator designs
• HTML Email design and construction
• SEO techniques

You will need to be able to work across multiple projects to deadlines, independently or as part of a team.

This is rare and fantastic opportunity to work in a highly creative, professional and friendly company.

LINK

4.Web/Graphic Designer Intern

Location: Central London / West End, London

Salary: Internship

Company: Inspiring Interns

Job type: Temporary

Date posted: 08/02/2010 15:03

Job id: 46610780

This is an amazing opportunity to produce artwork, logos and website content for major brands such as MTV, FHM, Ministry of Sound, Vodafone and O2.

Company Profile

- A leading specialist in the creation of powerful digital websites and successful mobile operator portals through use of mobile publishing platforms

- Specialises in forming partnerships with successful media companies and mobile operators

- Provides technological advertising solutions for major mobile companies

Requirements:

- Web Design qualifications

- Traditional/Contemporary graphic design skills

- Outstanding creative ability

- Brand adaptability and commercial awareness

The key responsibilities:

- Designing art work for major brands

- Creating logos for large mobile operators

- Editing and designing website content

How the candidate will benefit:

- Gain valuable commercial awareness of the mobile aspect of advertising

- Enhancement of both digital and traditional design skills

- The opportunity to work with major commercial brands

LINK

SPP3 TASK B. FINAL 4 COURSES

I've decided to apply for courses in the Graphic design and illustration field for a few reasons

-Most of the Web design course's involve AV work, something i don't want to do

-I think i've learnt enough Web design skills through study, and can improve more through working experience rather than more study

-I've always had an interest in Graphics and illustration

-Expanding my design skill set will give me more job opportunities

1.

Illustration and Animation

Kingston University

If you are an ambitious and determined artist, with the talent, motivation and desire to create new work, to form new directions and realise your career aspirations as an illustrator or animator, this course is ideal. It has a unique teaching and learning framework, providing you with the creative opportunity to develop a singular vision as an illustrator or animator, and will enable you to engage successfully in commercial practice after graduation. Specialisms include moving image, printmaking, digital imaging, book and editorial illustration.

LINK

Advantages

-A path i've always enjoyed, and something i would work hard on

-you can chose between ILLUSTRATION and ANIMATION

Disadvantages

-Location

-may not be able to incorporate my degree skills

2.

Communication Design

Kingston University

Communication design is one of the fastest evolving sectors of the creative economy. This course responds to changing social needs and advancing technology, educating ambitious communication artists and designers. The aim is to emerge as an independent creator, originating unique concepts of social value. You can choose to work towards one of the following specialist titles, determined either by your initial enrolment or your choice of projects in the final phase of the course: * Animation * Drawing for Creative Process (from 2010 onwards) * Graphic Design * Illustration * Motion Graphics

LINK

Advantages

-A path i've always enjoyed, and something i would work hard on

-I've had experience in Graphics at foundation study, college and secondary school

Disadvantages

-Location

-may not be able to incorporate my degree skills

3.

Media Graphic Design

The London College, UCK

Art and Design Dept

The Master Diploma programme has been designed as a conversion course and will be suitable for graduates of art and media disciplines who wish to develop a successful career in graphic design. This course will appeal both to recent graduates and professional designers who are looking to re-fine and re-fresh their design skills. It is focused on creative thinking and idea generating techniques, illustration, typography, digital photography, interactive multimedia and web design. A wide range of assessment methods is used including projects, portfolios, essays, presentations, visual work, independent learning and a dissertation.

LINK

Advantages

-A path i've always enjoyed, and something i would work hard on

-I've had experience in Graphics at foundation study, college and secondary school

-Established college, employers would look at my study and find that i've been to a

very good design school

Disadvantages

-Location

-may not be able to incorporate my degree skills

4.

Graphic Design

Nottingham Trent University

School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment

This modular structured MA is designed to offer you a framework for advanced study. This course encourages a cross-disciplinary approach and embraces the many aspects of graphic design practice, including new media, motion graphic design, art direction, interactive design, illustration, branding and identity and graphic arts. Theory and practice within the local and global contexts of design are integrated and questioned.

LINK

Advantages

-A path i've always enjoyed, and something i would work hard on

-I've had experience in Graphics at foundation study, college and secondary school

-I've Lived in Nottingham for 3 years so I'm used to the city, also its close to home

Disadvantages

-may not be able to incorporate my degree skills

SPP3 TASK B

Media Graphic Design-The London College

The Master Diploma programme has been designed as a conversion course and will be suitable for graduates of art and media disciplines who wish to develop a successful career in graphic design. This course will appeal both to recent graduates and professional designers who are looking to re-fine and re-fresh their design skills. It is focused on creative thinking and idea generating techniques, illustration, typography, digital photography, interactive multimedia and web design. A wide range of assessment methods is used including projects, portfolios, essays, presentations, visual work, independent learning and a dissertation.

SPP3 TASK B

Creative Digital Media- University of Worcester

The Creative Digital Media Masters is aimed at those with a design or creative background who wish to develop their digital media design skills further (both academically and practically) while at the same time having the option to enhance their entrepreneurial and business abilities. The course is broad in scope but specialism is possible through the Independent Study. The course will develop your digital media design skills in arease such as web design, interactive multimedia, digital animation, digital video and digital audio design. The course is based around a core 'triangle' of media development issues, including communication, creativity and production.

Good CV templates

LINK

5 really good designs for CV's

SPP3 TASK A

Flash Design- Leicester LINK

Advantages-

Location- Leicester

skills on Photoshop and Illustrator would be advantageous

Disadvantages-

The job asks for a SENIOR flash designer, so they are probably expecting applicants with lots of previous experience

SPP3 TASK A

Junior HTML Web Developer - Leicester LINK

Advantages-

Location- based in Leicester

the job states that having skills on Photoshop would be Advantageous, I work with PS so

i may have more skills than other applicants

Age- any one can apply to the job

Disadvantages-

my PHP skills aren't that great. I'd need to improve my skills a lot to have a chance with the job

SPP3-TASK B

Post grad course 3- design innovation
Advantages
-very wide course which includes-
-Graphics
-Web
-Game
-Interactive design
-Location, DMU is based in Leicester, so there are no commuting issues.

Disadvantages
-A lot of design dept's, with a few which i am not interested in .
-Being a web designer i might not learn many skills that can help me improve as a designer.