The Mac Lab

May it [the Declaration of Independence] be to the world, what I believe it will be (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all), the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government.
—Thomas Jefferson / Last known writing

My goal is to declare independence from the tyranny of 20th century educational models by teaching students to be self-motivated and self-reliant. Each year in the Mac Lab, we move ever-closer to that ideal, but as Jefferson has also written: The qualifications for self-government in society are not innate. They are the result of habit and long training.

Ol’ Tom has a point; instilling that habit takes long training. If not for the willingness of some students to embrace this dream, our educational experiment might have died on the vine. Instead, every year the success stories have grown more brilliant and more numerous.

This year, however, students are grabbing the reigns to explore new and varied creative frontiers in unprecedented numbers. Our new Wall of Fame™ is filling so rapidly that older student work on other walls will soon have to make way. This Website has played its part in the process but something new and unexpected has begun to fundamentally alter the culture of our classroom: the rise of the student blog.

Over 20 current and former students have begun blogging in the past month (see links in right sidebar). While many include thoughtful posts and intriguing projects, three blogs in particular stand apart. Fadi George, Philip Behnam, and CRDESIGNLAB (Chris Canel and Kyle Rodembo) have set the standard. Each is active, rich in content, and has a unique perspective. The one common denominator is the interactive dialog. Active commenting drives additional content. These three blogs have benefited from feedback loops (Chris and Kyle).

Aside: In adding those links to Christian Lim’s blog and Photoshop.com pages this morning, I realized he qualifies as well. How I missed that when writing yesterday is beyond me, Apologies.

I’m certainly not suggesting that these are the only three (four) successful student blogs, I’m just making a point about feedback loops. When I see that in the first 39 days of 2010 the Mac Lab Blog has had 43,040 page views from 1,007 cities in 97 countries and 46 states (plus DC), well, that gives me reason to believe that what I’m doing has value beyond the classroom. Likewise for all of the student blogs to varying degrees; each and every one of them have value. As the authors realize that, they’ll write with more passion. The more passion they have, the more meaningful the content. The more meaningful the content, the move profound the feedback.

The feedback doesn’t have to come from reader’s comments or page views. Consider the following:

It is impossible to undertake any kind of research without being perpetually made aware that the truth is plying us with suggestions, the past prodding us with hints, and if no benefits result from such assistance, it is not the fault of our heavenly helpers but of our all too human obtuseness.
— Cyril Connolly / Previous Convictions

Wassily Kandinsky weighs in on the same topic:

Just as an explorer penetrates into new and unknown lands, one makes discoveries in the everyday life, and the erstwhile mute surroundings begin to speak a language which becomes increasingly clear.

Biologist Lyall Watson, when considering this same mysterious feedback loop, wrote:

The best attempt to lay this ghost in the machinery of things, is perhaps the collaboration in 1952 of a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and a great psychologist. Wolfgang Pauli and Carl Gustav Jung attributed coincidence to an acausal connecting principle which operates independently of the known laws of classical physics… And when such exceptions operate independently of time and space, linking events in strange and unexpected ways, meaningful coincidences take place. They called this Synchronicity.

It’s not just art. Immerse yourself in any meaningful research, any meaningful endeavor, and a feedback loop will begin. What to do? Well, as I wrote back about the time you were busy being born:

Experience has taught me that written affirmation of insights, inspirations, and interactions is rewarded. The more diligent the acknowledgment, the more profound the response.

Why not begin your adventure as a self-motivated, self-reliant, self-governing individual with a purpose? Join the Dance of Life. In helping yourself, you’ll discover that you begin to help others as well. That’s a feedback loop we can all wrap our hearts around.

I’d like to relate some of the amazing interactions (with these folks) that I’ve experienced recently but I’ve given you enough to consider… for now. While pondering that, today’s assignment is to incorporate the Elements of Art into your being and into your artwork, just as you did the 5 Stages of the Creative Process. Remember, Wikipedia is where the search begins, NOT where it ends. Research the Elements of Art and gather meaningful information. We’ll tackle the Principles of Design next week. I’ll begin quizzing you tomorrow. This should be a snap as I’ve asked you to incorporate the Elements and Principles into your artwork several times earlier in the year and I’m sure none of you simply ignored the assignment, right?

The unconscious, though one cannot force it, will not produce new ideas unless it has been painstakingly stuffed full of facts, impressions, concepts, and an endless series of conscious ruminations and attempted solutions. On this we have the testimony of many creative people.
— Morton Hunt

Does that sound familiar? It should. Besides ranting about the concept in class every week or two, those words have also appeared in the blog. Do you remember 2010: Odyssey Two? (That was last month.) The other reference was in a summertime post.

What’s that? You don’t read the posts I wrote over the summer? Why that’s shocking!

How many of you remember the 5 Stages of the Creative Process? Yes, it was written over the summer so why should you have read it? Well, I sincerely hope you’ve read it because I’ve directed you to it several times: here, here, here, and here (all required reading). I also linked to the 5 Stages here and here. Yes, those are summertime posts too. Would you like me to show you where I asked you to read those as well? I thought not.

The point, my dear student, is that immersing oneself in this sea of ideas is beneficial. Consider these wise words: If the nature of the work is properly appreciated and applied, it will stand in the same relation to the higher faculties as food is to the physical body.

Does that sound familiar? (Oh, what I would give to know the answer to that question!) Regardless, it’s the start of a new semester. Tomorrow is ripe with potential. How many of you are ready to tap into the opportunity? How many of you even clicked the links (above)? *sigh*

For those who are reading over the weekend, thanks. And thanks to Christian Lim for our featured illustration (a work in progress). While I’m on the subject of thanks, a big one goes out to Chris Canel and Kyle Rodenbo for their work in the Mac Lab on Friday. Besides cleaning and reorganizing the lab, they helped add a little bump to the OS and fonts, lots of fonts.

Project Idea: Think about it. No one has done a parody of that scene for typophiles. Oh, if I were a student…

For those following along at home, here’s a few font films: Font Conference, Hitler on Comic Sans (naughty words), Nick the Greek (anti-social behavior), and of course, Neutra Face. On the more serious side, Helvetica is worth watching (and worth the $10 to own). Comic Sans is optional. Do you have 20/20 font vision? (Hint: Ariel, like Comic Sans, is evil.) Oh, and don’t forget the Mac Lab Vimeo Channels. (Especially Motion Graphics and Kinetic Typography (Storytelling is good too). Enjoy!

0201: Remember how easy it is to check the new fonts.

Girl Scout Cookies: For the next month or so, the Mac Lab will serve as an official Girl Scout Cookie outlet. Boxes are $4 each. No, you may not eat the cookies in the Mac Lab. And no, we don’t get a cut of the profits or a discount! (I get asked that every year.)

0202: I’ve been doing a bit of research this morning. The results are quite disheartening. The wonderful tale I wanted to share with you will have to wait because we have some unfinished business. Any second thoughts I might have had were erased when I typed today’s date and I had a full-bore Stage 4 moment. Please allow me to explain…

Did you know? Yesterday, according to Google Analytics, we had visitors from 79 cities in 17 countries and 21 states. 165 pages were viewed a total of 1,749 times. All in just one day. Wow, right?

Well, it might seem like a WOW! except I have no baseline data. I haven’t really explored world-wide data for single days before so I have no idea if that’s high, low, or just average (seems low, if I had to guess). What I do know is that we had a talk about personal responsibility yesterday. And I could have sworn some of you actually agreed with some of what I said. You know, the important parts about you holding up your end of the deal, reading the blog, following the links, absorbing information and inspiration, etc.

There were 11 Mac Lab Blog links (to 9 pages) that I wanted you to follow. I don’t ask you to read every word on every page that I link to but I do expect you to explore and perhaps be surprised at what you might find. Yes, it was an unusually large number of internal links but we’re starting a new semester and I believe beginnings are important. The point, was to demonstrate how little attention some of you have paid to the blog. It’s true. Many of you blow it off. I wanted to give you an idea of what you’d been missing.

How do I know some (most) of you are shirking your responsibilities? We don’t have to speculate. Here are the facts:

1. /blog/?p=7469 — 234 page views (there are two links to this page) 655
2. /blog/?p=11177  — 116 (also two links to this page) 287
3. /blog/?p=11465 — 84
4. /blog/?p=6353 — 79
5. /blog/?p=10092 — 50
6. /blog/?p=8039 — 41
7. /blog/?p=8971 — 39
8. /blog/?p=7921 — 35
9. /blog/?p=9318 — 28

True, a few students read the blog over the weekend so their numbers aren’t included. But what about the visitors from 79 cities in 17 countries and 21 states who dropped by yesterday? How many of them clicked on a few of those links? What are the real numbers for your due diligence? I try to hold up my end of the deal. What about you? Why the lack of personal responsibility?

Where, I ask, is your integrity?

It’s appropriate that this is Groundhog Day. (That was the full-bore Stage 4 moment I had after typing 0202.) Like Bill Murray’s character, Phil Connors, you get to relive yesterday over again. And like Phil, if you don’t get it right today, we’ll do it again tomorrow. And tomorrow. And tomorrow…

Your Assignment: Read and explore what you missed yesterday. Pay special attention to the 5 Stages. Read every word on that page! And read every word on this one too: Click.

0203: That was a little better. As much as I’d like this fairy tale to come true (check the story in the student’s artwork), I’ll settle for the uptick in diligence you showed yesterday. I’ll be spot quizzing randomly about the 5 Stages from now on so if you haven’t learned them yet, you will. You should know by now that resistance is futile.

Someone once said: Find something you love to do and learn to do it so well that someone will pay you to do it. Wise words, eh?

Work hard so you can begin to live your dream. Two former Mac Lab students are doing just that. Steven Moyer made this film (Vimeo is blocked at school) to accompany his application to the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Here’s the behind the scenes story if you’re interested. Adam Lee, one of Steven’s partners in Solitude and an LMU film student, tells a deeply moving story without a single word. Both of them understand the quote at the top of this page and both of them will undoubtedly find success in their chosen careers.

Because You’ll Ask: Visitors came from a few more cities and countries yesterday. The big jump from Monday? 224 pages were viewed a total of 2,688 times (up from 165 and 1,749). Two primary pages tell the story…

1. /blog/?p=7469 —  655 page views (from 234 on Monday)
2. /blog/?p=11177  — 287 (from 116)

Mac Lab Milestones: We had our 300,000th page view yesterday. Our 3,000 comment happened a few weeks ago. I completely missed that. We’re now at 3,218 and counting.

0204: You may work on projects. No spot quizzing today. But you better still remember the 5 Stages next week.

0205: Jeff Micklos, Mac Lab veteran, Art Institute grad (Best Grad Award/gave the commencement speech), and Web Developer at Bailey Gardiner returns today to share his wit, wisdom, and insights. He’s planned a flex-presentation so those of you in multiple classes won’t suffer from rerun fatigue. Sit back, enjoy, and learn from one who’s living the dream.

If the nature of the work
is properly appreciated and applied,
it will stand in the same relation to the higher faculties
as food is to the physical body.
— J.C. Kumarappa

Week 5: The Fifth Element. Do you remember? That was the week you learned about the Rule of Thirds. I’m rather certain most of you remember that lesson, but your memories of JC… (the quote up above) I’m guessing he fell through your mental cracks the first time around. (Second year students read him here as well.) Chris and Kyle, whether they remember JC or not, are living those words. Check out CR Design Lab (or CRDESIGNLAB, as they seem to prefer) to see for yourself.

Attitude and perception are intrinsically interconnected. Happiness and fulfillment, therefore, are ripe for the picking.

Thanks to the 61 Mac Lab students who made our last MLSS™ of the semester far less painful than I feared. Atheer and Kevin showed up at 5:30. By 7:15 there were 44 students in the room. Here’s a peek at the digital artists at work about an hour later.

Now, let the finals begin!

0126: My goodness but yesterday was delightful AND painful. Read the second paragraph.

Visitor Update: Antigua and Barbuda is the 137th country to visit our virtual classroom.

0127: Delight and pain continued yesterday. The second paragraph is still required reading for Period 2 and 5 students.

0128: Last day of finals… Finally!

Note: The second paragraph is still required reading for Period 3 and 6 students.

Details to follow.

0910 3D Geo Gallery |

Details coming soon.

0910 Light Painting |

Details coming soon.

0910 Photography |

The invisible tensive straws that can save us are those of individual human integrities — in daring to steer the individual’s course only by truth, strange as the realized truth may often seem — wherever and whenever the truths are evidenced to the individual — wherever they may lead, unfamiliar as the way may be.
— R. Buckminster Fuller

What does the electronics ban poster (James W) have in common with Bucky’s quote?

Bucky advises us to do the right thing — to be guided by what we know to be right — even if it’s not what we expected (or wanted). The administration, in an attempt to help students succeed, has banned electronics during school hours. If you look at it from their point of view, it’s hard to counter their decision. The electronics are a distraction at school.

Admin rejected James’ poster and asked us to design one that would put the ban in a better light. They asked for a poster they could show to the community and the school board. I understand their position; however, this poster was created for the students. I think it perfectly captures the issue from the kids’ perspective. I was told that SAGA, the school paper, is the proper forum for students to air their grievances. True, but…

I’ll work through proper channels to advocate for you. While I fight the good fight, I need more of you to step up and take advantage of the Job Board. The better we serve our prospective clients, the better positioned we’ll be to expand the reach of your voice.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:

Trust is time to ask yourself, to find the strength to ask
Questions free the answering, unbinding them our task
Faith is time spent wondering, what we’re meant to find
Imagine it’s your purpose, adventure by design
Belief is time to listen, but who has time for that?
Especially when the answers, knock expectations flat
— Skocko / Dream Yet Complete

Now, about the final next week. Watch this video. Oh, one more thing.

The Competition | No Online Grades | Project-Based Learning | Self-Assessment/3 then Me | Participation | Plus or Minus 600 | 10 Point Rubric | Follow Instructions (5) | Are You Kidding Me? (0) | The Bare Minimum (1) | No Second Effort (2) | You Gave it Your All (3) | Great, but… (4) | Wall of Fame (5) | Total A = 9 or 10, B=8, C=7, D=6, F=5 or less | Important Reminder |

Make Up Time: We have Mac Lab Saturday School™ this weekend. I arrive around 6:15. The lab will probably be overflowing. Here’s a look at the last end-of-semester MLSS. If you want a computer, you might want to arrive early. Next week you may make up time before school or during 1st period. You may NOT come in during any other class’ final. Grades close for all classes Thursday at noon. The lab is closed on Friday of finals week.

0120: Some students have been fretting about the first semester final presentations. Relax. You’ll just be asked to (a) introduce yourself, (b) show your portfolio while describing what you’ve learned, and (c) share your plans for the second semester (what you’d like to learn or work on). Sweet and simple in a supportive environment. Don’t worry, we’ll clap no matter what.

Note: I’ll prep a few well-prepared students who will present first and model the expectations for you. I’ll also have the instructions on the board. Deep breath. Relax.

Your Task this Week: Add new projects or improve old one’s that need improvement. Need a nudge? Don’t settle for sub-standard work!

Haiti Relief: ASB is trying to raise $2,010 by the end of this week. If all students donated $1 we’d surpass that amount. Donations may be added to the bag by the clipboard.

Mac Lab Blogger Update: John Doyle joins our other intrepid bloggers. (Links in right sidebar.)

0121: Some of you claim I haven’t given any other project ideas. Sheesh! Here’s a whole bunch of ideas all in one place (that I’ve shown you before). Go look and see for yourself.

Haiti Relief: Last two days to donate to the relief fund. The bag is by the clipboard.

Useful Tip: Yesterday, when reading Some students have been fretting about the first semester final presentations, a student asked what fretting meant. I responded, Right-click on it and see for yourself. As I walked away I heard him say, I didn’t know you could do that. Truth is, sometimes I forget about it too.

You teach best what you most need to learn. So true, Richard.

0122 Bad News: Last workday before finals start on Monday.

0122 Good News: Mac Lab Saturday School™ tomorrow. I’ll arrive about 6:15. The lab will be open until noon. First come, first served. Remember what happened the last, last MLSS™ of the semester. Come early if you don’t want to wait in line for a computer. Monday is a Collaboration Day. The lab will open at 6:15 (just like it does every other day).

Haiti Relief: Last day to donate to the relief fund. The bag is by the clipboard. 100% of donations go to Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund.

Portfolio Reminder: Use Prezi, Photoshop.com, WordPress (written parental consent required), or another Web 2.0 tool. No InDesign sites! The Art History WebQuest and the Self-Assessment (above and on Student Page) can be presented with artistic flair (hint, hint). The portfolio represents an entire semester’s work. Show what you know!

Mac Lab Bloggers: I’ve changed your Website links to your WordPress sites (just the serious bloggers). Make sure you can display all of your work from the site. Click your link to verify everything works: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 |

Hold fast to dreams
for if dreams die,
life is a broken-winged bird
that cannot fly.
— Langston Hughes

Ross Ching made a fan vid. Now he’s booked solid with paying gigs after Death Cab for Cutie made his video their own. Victor Navone landed his dream job after crafting Alien Song. Animation student Shane Acker went Hollywood after Tim Burton saw his short film: 9. Uruguayan Fede Alvarez landed a $30,000,000 contract after making a $300 video.

The connection? Each artist dared to follow his dream.

The Internet has irrevocably changed the way the game is played. Stellar work is still the key, but marketing oneself has evolved. Even high school projects can go viral once in a while. No word on Hollywood calling on that last one.

Note: Since flickr is blocked at school (we’re working on changing this), here’s Bud Caddell’s poster used (above) to illustrate following one’s dream. I find it especially relevant that he says:

I’m blown away by how this spread, the comments I’ve received back, and the links across the web. In almost every post about the image, someone asked for a poster, or mentioned printing it out to hang somewhere close by. So I’ve created a poster, using Zazzle, with a much higher res image.

Do you get it? It’s like I’ve written: Find something you love to do and learn to do it so well that someone will pay you to do it. (In case you didn’t get it the first time around, that’s what Bud’s poster says too.) The Internet is your ally in making this happen.

What do you WANT to do with your life? Philip B knows. Philip is a sophomore and first year Mac Lab artist. He’s logged over 5,000 extra minutes (that’s over 80 hours) in his first 15 weeks. Why? Because he wants to be a digital artist. It’s for students like Philip that I suggested blogging for those who know the path they want to follow. It’s never too early to begin your career. I’m impressed with the kids’ start. (Yes, I’ve read all of your posts.) Here’s the initial blog line-up:

Collin May | Danny Owens | Christian Lim | Julia Henderson | Philip Behnam | Fadi George | James Wirig | Steven Moyer (alum)

Take advantage of the opportunities presented to you in the Mac Lab. Other success stories and info on finals to follow. And since some of you didn’t see it… Try this if you’re looking for ideas. Hey, the Mac Lab twitter page is packed with inspiration for you. Take advantage!

Visitor Update: The Bailiwick of Jersey (yes, we had a prior Baliwick) and The Republic of Ghana are countries 135 and 136 to knock on our door.

0111: Yes, it’s confirmed. Prezi seems to handle line-art poorly. Don’t sweat it for this round of portfolios. The important thing is to try a new presentation technique. We’re all learning together. Perhaps you can discover other alternatives? Photoshop.com anyone? Hey, it’s kinda cool. Watch this video. And it gets even better.

Job Board Open: We’ll be soliciting graphics and multimedia projects from the school at large. If you’d like to participate, see me. Jobs link at top of page.

0112: Embedding and/or linking to your new portfolio. So easy a teacher can do it! Preserving the Old Site | Embedding the Prezi | Embedding Photoshop.com (full-screen mystery) | Text Link to Photoshop.com | Linking to Old Site | Fame and fortune for he or she who solves the full-screen mystery! (Okay, maybe just fame.) Christian L claims the prize but since it looks so much better hosted on Photoshop.com let’s just link to the site. If you want to do both: Click.

Student WordPress Update: Mario Shamhmon | Kate Austin | Troublesome Game Design (Kyle, there’s no “supposedly” about it!)

Hey! Check the Job Board!

0113: If you’re interested, check out the Photoshop Top 40. Free at Lynda.com.

Required: As it says in the 0108 update here, you’re required to have an avatar this week. See the instructions linked from the 0108 update. When finished, post a comment here (scroll down after clicking) to prove you’ve done it. Also, some people don’t like the look of the Prezi or Photoshop.com on their index page. If that’s you, feel free to design an image and place it on your index page. Select the image and link (in Properties, just like making a text link) to Prezi or PS.com. Important: NO! Under NO circumstances do I want to see your old InDesign site on your index page.

New Mac Lab Bloggers: Kyle Wheaton | Chris Canel and Kyle Rodenbo (collaborative effort)

Best of the Mac Lab Video + Galleries: I need to update both. If I forgot to grab your best work, let me know. Not sure? Look in this year’s galleries: Self Portraits | Logos | Posters | 3D Logos | Collaborative Projects | Illustrations | 3D Renders | Photography and Photoshop Galleries coming this weekend. I’ll accept submissions now. (Am I missing any categories?)

0114: Is this Arabic, simply beautiful, or both? Speaking of that…

Attention Mac Lab Light Painters: Click | Click | Click (Scroll down to: Best New Student Art Challenge of 2009) Several light painters have already stepped forward. (Don’t forget to submit your images to me.) There’s still time for you to join in the fun. A few cameras are available for this weekend.

New Mac Lab Bloggers: Alumni Lauren Carlton (now at UCSC) | Shaun Cunningham (transferred to Lakewood High School)

Reminders: Is your work in this year’s galleries? Self Portraits | Logos | Posters | 3D Logos | Collaborative Projects | Illustrations | 3D Renders (I’m also updating the Best of Video with the best of your submissions) The Job Board has unclaimed projects. Also, about 100 students still need to comment for avatar proof-of-concept. Go here and scroll down to see for yourself. (BTW, most of you made fantastic avatars!)

0115: Has anyone even tried this? Heck, it’s a brilliant idea for each month’s desktop pic! Six rotating projects for the remainder of the 0910 school year. Heck, why not create a Mac Lab Calendar for the 1011 school year? Lots of other project ideas on the Job Board. And I can’t believe that so few have played around with the Blob Brush! Polly want a project idea.

Last chance to submit avatars today. (Scroll down after you click.)

…Reason number five to thank you. The Blog and your pre-class speeches. Ooooooh the Blog. The 3 minutes of reading every day before every class for the second semester. What a stupid idea I thought every day. Reading about someone I don’t care about or about one of your memories or about some stupid movie. Whatever big whoop. No. I know that’s what I thought in the beginning but I refuse to remember that that’s how it was. The Blog HELPS. Tell your new students who think it’s stupid that the kid who made those three cars on the Wall of Fame said that. Because it really is a resource that EVERYONE should grasp onto. It’s an important part of my day now Skocko, every day. And your speeches which always seemed like an eternity but were only 5 minutes. I apologize for all the times you had to mark me down for not paying attention. But I was so eager to work in all honesty. I really do take in every word you say and It always means a lot to me. You have taught me so much…
— Alex S. June 5, 2009 (former student)

You teach best what you most need to learn. (RB)

If you read the prior post — and you’re required to read the prior post — you’ll see that the 2010: Odyssey Two title had been decided upon long before this happened. Why is that important? Watch this video. Update: Christopher F just reminded me that 2061 was the 3rd book. The one I mention was the 4th. Good catch, Chris!

Okay, now what? What are these big changes?

One year ago, the fate of 250 students pivoted on a moment of inspiration (second paragraph). That inspired moment has impacted another 250 students this year. (That’s you, this year’s Mac Lab contingent, so you might as well read that second paragraph.) Why, you might ask, would I alter the class so drastically? Why change?

Are you kidding? Have you already forgotten this? (That was back in the Week 1 post.) If we don’t change and adapt we’ll be left in the dust. Technology is changing the way in which we work and interact with one another. If we don’t keep up…

So, I’ve got this crazy idea. The goal, if I may be so rude as to spoil the surprise, is to tip a few more of you into finding and following your bliss in the Mac Lab; to encourage you to partake in the production of high-quality, student-driven, creative projects (Philip B); to get you excited about dipping into the 5 Stages of the Creative Process; and most of all, to better prepare you for the world in which you’ll find yourselves in a few short years.

Oh yeah, and to reach into the void in an attempt to breath life into a flatliner or two.

I know, I know… Some of you are still thinking: Why force us to read the blog every day? Why not just let us work (or loaf)? Watch this video.

The unconscious, though one cannot force it, will not produce new ideas unless it has been painstakingly stuffed full of facts, impressions, concepts, and an endless series of conscious ruminations and attempted solutions. On this we have the testimony of many creative people.
— Morton Hunt / The Universe Within

Just in case you forgot… read the prior post. And follow the links. (Some are blocked at school.) When you finish all that, whip up a new portfolio using your existing work. (For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about… read the prior post!)

Oh, and tomorrow is iTunes Tuesday. As we discussed before break (and in class today), bring your 100 favorite songs (in mp3 or other file format that’s iTunes-friendly). Don’t say I didn’t remind you!

0105: iTunes Tuesday! Instructions on board. More details in class. While your music loads, finish the assigned reading (above and here).

Tomorrow is Web 2.0 Wednesday. I’ve just begun a Web 2.0 support page (you may also click the 2.0 link at the top of the page). Needless to say, it will grow on the days and weeks to come. If you missed it, here’s the Top 100 Cities to visits the Mac Lab Blog from 2009. Pretty cool stats!

Prezi Tutorials: They’re hosted on YouTube and blocked at school. You can find them right here on the 2.0 page.

0106: Web 2.0 Wednesday. Today we continue to explore free and open source alternatives to industry-standard apps. I’ve begun to expand the 2.0 Resource Page. It will continue to grow so check back periodically. If you have other suggestions, please feel free to share them. I’ll give you more specific details in class. For now, have fun exploring!

Because Some Will Ask: No, you may not continue to load, edit, or otherwise fiddle with iTunes during class. You may NOT visit the iTunes store in class. You may click the play button and enjoy your music while you work. All other modifications to your iTunes library must happen outside of class. Got it?

0107: Thoughtful Thursday. The semester’s end is quickly approaching. Look at your work for the year. What do you think? Yeah, it could use a little polish, right? Revisit your old projects and fix the problems. Create some new projects and show what you know. Play around with that new 2.0 version of your portfolio. Make it fun! The day is yours.

0108: Face it Friday. Does the picture by your comments look like this? There’s an easy way to change that. Go here. Then read, think, and act. If the video is blocked here at school, I’ll link to another version. Optional today. Required next week. (You don’t even have to create something new. A cropped version of your self portrait would make a terrific avatar!)

Reminder: Mac Lab Saturday School™ happens tomorrow from 7 to noon. (The next and last MLSS™ of the semester is on the 23rd.) I get here around 6:15 so arrive early if you want to claim your own computer for the day. As always, first come, first served.

These are only works in progress as some of the kids follow their 3D muse (Christian_l).

0910 3D Renders | More information to come.