Copyright law is one of those things that I have been able to circumvent for the last four years because of my status and a student. This is because works can be copied and altered by students because they are doing so for non-profit purposes. The down side of this is that it forms bad habits of downloading images off of Google image search for use in a project. I did this during my internship and actually had to scrap and entire project because it would have gotten the company in a lot of trouble. Thankfully my boss, Joel Harss, was really understanding of this and laughed to himself while saying he made the same mistake when he first began working.
While reading the section “Respecting Others’ Rights” in Cynthia Baron’s Designing a Digital Portfolio, I became particularly interested in the section about derivative art and style. I actually had to read it a few times because I was confused about the difference between the two. Though I think that the difference lies in the content of the work. For example taking someone else’s work and modifying the details does not make it your own. However basing a design off of another, as long as your do not use and of the material (pictures, quotes, color schemes) featured in the original, then you are good to go. I think.
Reflecting upon this, I think that I need to alter my portfolio because it features an image that was taken from someone else’s work. I have this vector piece which features a character featured in the video game “Spartan: Total Warrior”. Now while I gave credit to Electronic Arts as the developer and explicitly say in the description that I drew this while looking at a screen shot of the game, I’m still nervous about featuring it because its not completely original. I drew it, added a bunch of interesting and original detail on top of it, but it is still not entirely mine. This really stinks because I really like this particular piece of work, but it’s not worth the risk of a lawsuit or seeming fraudulent at an interview. So bottom line is, I’m going to have to find another piece of work to replace it. Thankfully I have enough more than enough original pieces to present in my portfolio, so swapping one for another isn’t that big of a set back.
Another section in chapter twelve of Designing a Digital Portfolio that caught my attention discussed the idea of owning and protecting your creations. When employed by an agency, Cynthia warns that not all of the work you created is actually yours. Depending on the language of your contract you may actually be creating works for the company and thus only for company use. Meaning that you must first gain permission from your employer in order to use certain works in your portfolio. Cynthia went on to explain that his is largely dependent on your relationship with your boss. This worries me because I would much rather prefer to work for an agency than to work independently. I feel much more relaxed with the idea of working for an established firm than taking the (in my eyes unnecessary) risk of starting my own firm or working free lance. I think that free-lance designing is a good way to have additional income but I do not want it to be my primary means of supporting myself. It’s not daring, but it’s safe.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
WR171NG (SP?)
Ahhh, finally a week where I don’t feel like throwing myself off a bridge for fear of doubt and general inadequacy. Today’s topic concerns the contents of Chapter ten in Designing a Digital Portfolio, which focused upon the written element of a portfolio. Writing happens to be a subject that I have experience much success in, even though I have no formal recognition to prove it. I find creative writing to be fun, and indulging a design piece with a little history of the creation process is a dream come true. Far too often design comments get boiled down to whether it looks good or not, you never hear anyone say: “Wow that heart you designed in Maya looks great, you’d never know that you spent 8 hours fixing polygonal tears in the aortal chamber”. While I don’t plan on submitting a list of all the problems I encountered while creating a piece, it’s a rare to be granted the opportunity to subtly allude to the hardships involved. Being able to speak intelligently about the creation process shows determination and skill in one’s ability to communicate and design talent.
Now of course the book spoke about the needs for correct spelling and attention to grammatical detail, standard issue stuff. What truly took my interest though, was the author’s equating of minimalist design standards as the gold standard for describing your work. Truly this is where one’s skill as a writer will come into play, saying a lot with very little is monumental task, and I tip my hat to those that can do it with proficiency.
It’s funny in that the way I write is very similar to the way I design. I tend to throw all of my thoughts onto the page and then begin a screening process of reducing the content into a cohesive form. I believe the author referred to this as verbal diarrhea. Granted that that is an accurate, though graphic, description of my writing style, I stand firm to my writing style will let the finished pieces speak for themselves. I’ve found that it is easier to reduce rather than produce, and by putting everything I want on the page I can more effectively shape my thoughts.
My having chosen a book format as my alternative portfolio was certainly influence by my confidence in my writing abilities. With a book portfolio I can indulge my descriptions and give those who take the time to view my works a better understanding of myself. My works are a reflection of my interests, not necessarily of myself. The written content of my portfolio will do significantly better job of representing Simon Steadman. And hopefully it won’t show that he sucks at spelling!
I want to include a list of my favorite books with this blog to show my literary background. I feel that the writing styles in these books are defiantly reflecting in my work, though I do not claim to posses the same level of skill as the authors showcased.
The Things They Carried: Tim Obrien
Lord of the Rings (the whole series): J. R. R. Tolkien
MASH: Richard Hooker
Republic Commando (the whole series to date): Karen Traviss
Guests of the Ayatollah: Mark Bowden
Now of course the book spoke about the needs for correct spelling and attention to grammatical detail, standard issue stuff. What truly took my interest though, was the author’s equating of minimalist design standards as the gold standard for describing your work. Truly this is where one’s skill as a writer will come into play, saying a lot with very little is monumental task, and I tip my hat to those that can do it with proficiency.
It’s funny in that the way I write is very similar to the way I design. I tend to throw all of my thoughts onto the page and then begin a screening process of reducing the content into a cohesive form. I believe the author referred to this as verbal diarrhea. Granted that that is an accurate, though graphic, description of my writing style, I stand firm to my writing style will let the finished pieces speak for themselves. I’ve found that it is easier to reduce rather than produce, and by putting everything I want on the page I can more effectively shape my thoughts.
My having chosen a book format as my alternative portfolio was certainly influence by my confidence in my writing abilities. With a book portfolio I can indulge my descriptions and give those who take the time to view my works a better understanding of myself. My works are a reflection of my interests, not necessarily of myself. The written content of my portfolio will do significantly better job of representing Simon Steadman. And hopefully it won’t show that he sucks at spelling!
I want to include a list of my favorite books with this blog to show my literary background. I feel that the writing styles in these books are defiantly reflecting in my work, though I do not claim to posses the same level of skill as the authors showcased.
The Things They Carried: Tim Obrien
Lord of the Rings (the whole series): J. R. R. Tolkien
MASH: Richard Hooker
Republic Commando (the whole series to date): Karen Traviss
Guests of the Ayatollah: Mark Bowden
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Bad week
All week I’ve been going from being inspired and excited about my upcoming career, to feeling insecure and doubting my ability to perform. Maybe its because this has been a particularly difficult week in terms of work and I’m feeling as though I am slipping behind in my assignments. Or maybe it’s because I’m beginning to feel the finality of the situation that my tenure as a student is about to expire. Whatever the cause of these feelings they’re beginning to negatively affect my work. Taking a long time to design something because you are experimenting with new ideas is different than being slowed by doubt. The Later is restricting and leaves even the finished product with the distinction of lacking something.
In trying to make sense of my sudden mood swing, I’ve equated the change in my sleep schedule, my relationship with Cary becoming strained as of late and the uncommonly large volume of assignments due this week as all being contributors. Feelings like what I’m experiencing now often become more tangible when I write them down, allowing me to focus on changing them.
In my business classes, fears of change like what I’m experiencing now would be called homeostasis, which is the tendency of organisms or systems to remain the same. It’s a survival mechanism of sorts that lessens the chance of unnecessary risk, an if it’s not broken then don’t fix it instinct of sorts. What I need to do now is not think of these feelings in terms of doubt but something along the lines of skills assessment. Perhaps I’m becoming more critical and restrictive in my work because my mind is making sure that I am prepared for graduation and the changes in my life that will follow.
Still when I was reading the section in Building Design Portfolio’s about portfolio’s that got jobs, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I just don’t get it. That I don’t have that daring creative talent possessed by the students portrayed there. I like my work, but secretly I feel it is more imitative than innovative.
This mindset I’m in right now really isn’t indicative of my personality. Usually I’m excited about getting a job and when I see the work of someone more skilled than myself I often think “man that’s awesome I’m gonna try something like that”. I’m hoping that alls I need to shake myself out of this funk is a fun Friday night and maybe a call home. Typically that does the trick
In trying to make sense of my sudden mood swing, I’ve equated the change in my sleep schedule, my relationship with Cary becoming strained as of late and the uncommonly large volume of assignments due this week as all being contributors. Feelings like what I’m experiencing now often become more tangible when I write them down, allowing me to focus on changing them.
In my business classes, fears of change like what I’m experiencing now would be called homeostasis, which is the tendency of organisms or systems to remain the same. It’s a survival mechanism of sorts that lessens the chance of unnecessary risk, an if it’s not broken then don’t fix it instinct of sorts. What I need to do now is not think of these feelings in terms of doubt but something along the lines of skills assessment. Perhaps I’m becoming more critical and restrictive in my work because my mind is making sure that I am prepared for graduation and the changes in my life that will follow.
Still when I was reading the section in Building Design Portfolio’s about portfolio’s that got jobs, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I just don’t get it. That I don’t have that daring creative talent possessed by the students portrayed there. I like my work, but secretly I feel it is more imitative than innovative.
This mindset I’m in right now really isn’t indicative of my personality. Usually I’m excited about getting a job and when I see the work of someone more skilled than myself I often think “man that’s awesome I’m gonna try something like that”. I’m hoping that alls I need to shake myself out of this funk is a fun Friday night and maybe a call home. Typically that does the trick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
