The Mac Lab

You don’t really know how much you can do until you stand-up and decide to try.
— Dave (written by Gary Ross)

We can do no great things, only small things with great love.
— Mother Teresa

Those two quotations stand at the top of a short chapter of an interactive newsletter that I wrote around the same time that some of you were busy being born. Last Friday, at high noon, I stood in front of an overflowing crowd in a church and addressed those who came to honor the memory of a man at the other end of life’s spectrum.

Yes, I stand up in front of you guys every day, but I’ve never done anything like that before. It was a small thing to do for the man who raised me. But trying to decide what to say and how to say it… Well, that was the real challenge.

Obvious as it was, it hadn’t occurred to me that I’d be expected to speak. We’ve talked about deadlines recently. Between all that was happening I only had a two hour window to craft the speech. Now that’s a deadline. My wife took our daughter out to give me space and just as I’ve advised you, when faced with the task of creating something original, I began with pencil and paper. The first hour was full of false starts, crumpled pages, and a few tentative ideas. Then, mercifully, miraculously, the Ah-Ha! moment.

Some of you have read Ender’s Game. You’ll understand when I say that I decided to take on the mantle of a Speaker for the Dead. For the rest of you, that means that I decided to speak the truth. And the truth isn’t always pretty.

My dad didn’t often take the easy way out and I decided the best way to honor him was to do the same. It was a hard thing to do. It was the right thing to do.

Today, I challenge you to do the right thing. Focus on your projects and dig deep to find your own truth. Create something personally meaningful, insightful, and beautiful. Yes, that’s truly a hard thing to do. But one day, when you’re called on to do something far harder, you’ll remember that you’ve risen to the challenge before. And, if you accept either challenge with an open mind and an open heart, your muse will step in to help you too.

••••• ••••• ••••• ••••• •••••

Thanks to Fadi G for providing the artwork for this week’s post. I couldn’t have hoped for a better depiction of an introspective moment.

…But make the grid lines consistent widths.

Visitor Update: The Bailiwick of Guernsey (I’d never heard of it either) became the 130th country to visit the blog. I found a new tab in Google Analytics and discovered that we’ve had visits from 2,679 cities around the world since April. Even more surprising, in the past 30 days we’ve had 10,559 visits from 777 cities in 89 countries and 47 states (+Washington DC). Surprising Numbers from those 30 Days: 80 visits from Montana (Butte, Kalispell, and Shelby) and 136 visits from Vietnam (Da Nang, Hanoi, and Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh). Our quarter-millionth page view is still on track for next month. Simply amazing!

1117: And now for something completely different…

Today all classes are competing in an art history WebQuest based on a very clever animation. Watch this video to get started then follow this link.

Visitor Update: The Republic of Rwanda is country number 131 to visit the blog since April. We’ll also hit our 220,000th page view before noon today.

1118: While I’m at Final Cut Pro training today I’d like you to do two things…

1. Complete your WebQuest and re-post your results. Y’know, if you collaborate with one another I bet every person in every class could complete the first 22 questions. Just a thought.

2. Spend some time looking at work by Jasper Johns, Max Ernst, Xul Solar, David Hockney, Robert Rauschenberg, Yaacov Agam, Marcel Duchamp, and Piet Mondrian. (Those are the artists who weren’t connected to the Kunstbar animation) <<< Was that a clue?!

Back in the day (before I went back and earned my BFA), I’d often hear gallery owners comment that my work reminded them of Victor Vasarely or Yaacov Agam. I’d smile, say thank you, and eventually wound up at a library (pre-www days) to find out who the heck those guys were. I was especially bummed by Agam because I had all these cool ideas about combining painting and sculpture so that the imagery would change depending on the viewer’s position in relation to it. Don’t get me wrong, I love Agam’s work. I just thought my idea was unique.

Digital Artists: You’re going to be asked to create a composition based upon another artist’s style. (No, you can’t bring in a urinal.) After you complete the first 22 items on the Quest, AND LIST THE INFO IN TEXT EDIT, feel free to explore these artists as well.

3D Artists: You also must complete the first 22 items on the Quest, LIST THE INFO IN TEXT EDIT, and post your updated results. Spend some time looking at Agam’s work. Think about what you might create to engage the viewer. Plus, you’ll be directing the camera in your animations so you’ll have complete control over the user’s experience. We begin working in Cinema 4D after Thanksgiving break. (Just a thought: What would happen if you combined Agam’s style with Mondrian’s? Ooh! I wish I could spend hours exploring the possibilities too!)

Visitor Update: People from 25 additional cities have visited the blog since Sunday. That brings our total to 2,704 cities around the world. I have trouble wrapping my head around the reach of our little Web 2.0 classroom.

1119: Props to Christian L for this comment. Made my day! Today we’ve got a presenter from Full Sail University. I hope to sneak away from the all-day meeting here at Valhalla to catch some of it as Full Sail is an excellent school and this is the first time they’ve come to the Mac Lab. Those in multiple periods may work after watching the presentation the first time around. Everyone will be polite and attentive during the presentation, right? Tomorrow I’ll be at the convention center for NAPP’s CS4 Unleashed seminar. Perfect timing as the lessons I learn will be passed on to you as we shift into the Creative Freedom Zone after the Thanksgiving break.

1120: Last day before break. Please use today to complete your WebQuest, post the results on your Website, and while you’re at it, update your entire site. Continue to submit work for the galleries and I’ll review and reply over the break. Work hard, stay on task, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

P.S. Let’s recover that missing projector.

Out of clutter, find simplicity.
From discord, find harmony.
In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity.
— Albert Einstein / The Three Rules of Work

Interesting, isn’t it, how those words ring true when coming from a legend rather than Skocko? A quick search reveals that I’ve asked you to simplify your ideas 17 times in the past two weeks (here and here). I’m sure you’d agree that I’ve repeated it in class too many times to count. My search for an appropriate quotation to frame the importance of learning and following rules was cut short when I encountered the above. It’s a new quote to me as well. You’ll be applying it to your projects. I’ll be applying it to my students. Working together, we’ll add to this collection of excellence and make this the best year yet in the Mac Lab!

On Friday I announced that Earned Creative Freedom™ would begin on Monday. To qualify, one must have a minimum of 300 positive minutes, art in all three galleries: Self Portrait | Logo | Poster | and abide by the rules in the Mac Lab. I added posters (John C) to the mix because it’s the final (initial) required project for Digital Arts students. Three additional projects will be required of students in 3D. (I’ll explain in class. Don’t worry. You’ll want to do these.) All students are required to employ and explain the Elements and Principles of Design as well as Color Theory in the poster project. Your explanations will be incorporated into your portfolio for all projects from this point forward.

I’m going to repeat this because there’s simply no escaping this responsibility: You will employ the Elements and Principles of Design as well as Color Theory in all projects from this point forward. I will give you more specifics as the week progresses. For now, you need to read and begin to become conversant in the Elements and Principles of Design as well as Color Theory. Are you catching my drift? I’d bookmark those pages if I were you… NOW!

One More Time: Read the Elements and Principles of Design and Color Theory right now. This is NOT optional. Read those pages and embrace the fact that you’re going to learn and apply this information… for the rest of the year. And yes, acquiring this knowledge will require you to do some independent research as well. Wikipedia is the starting point of your research, not the end.

Must Watch Video Info: Christina P is a first year student who joined the class late. She’s worked hard, listened to my suggestions, and has earned my eternal gratitude for providing this golden teaching moment: Watch this video. Please watch this correction and clarification. 3D students, you’ll also benefit from watching this Digital Arts video. Digital Arts students, you’ll definitely want to watch this 3D video. Clarification for 3D students (and anyone thinking about employing 3D into his or her workflow). And just in case it wasn’t self-evident, ALL students should watch ALL of those videos.

As for posters… 01 | 02 | 03 are example galleries. When in doubt, keep it simple and elegant. Students in 3D will want to check these galleries 04 | 05 (under construction). No illustrations in 3D. Use pure typography. Digital Artists might also try typographic solutions as well. Oh, and did I mention the Elements and Principles of Design and Color Theory?

Participation and Your Responsibilities: Watch this video.

Free Software: For Mac Users (last 3 days). For anyone: Sync your files from the Mac Lab to your computer at home (PC or Mac). I’ve already installed DropBox on our computers so you can just sign up for your free 2.25GB account here if you’d like to use it. You’ll have to download and install DropBox at home to complete the circuit and get the extra 250MB of storage.

1110: Since I know for a fact that some of you blew off yesterday’s assignment, I’m giving you a second chance to read, watch, and follow the instructions (above). Your projects will reveal whether or not you’re holding up your end of the deal.

1112: Since we’ve spoken about getting inspiration from others and compared Microsoft’s packaging strategies to Apple’s (Remember: Microsoft, not Apple, produced that video), I thought I’d share an atypically candid comment from an MS manager: One of the things that people say an awful lot about the Apple Mac is that the OS is fantastic, that it’s very graphical and easy to use. What we’ve tried to do with Windows 7 — whether it’s traditional format or in a touch format — is create a Mac look and feel in terms of graphics. We’ve significantly improved the graphical user interface, but it’s built on that very stable core Vista technology, which is far more stable than the current Mac platform, for instance. (Via)

Please, no Mac/PC flame wars. As I’ve said in class, I hope Windows 7 is stable and slick. When companies are forced to compete, it’s good for the rest of us. We all get better products!

Speaking of competition, how’s your own coming along? Remember, you’re competing with that person in the mirror, pushing him or her toward artistic excellence. Yes, the Mac Lab’s not your typical classroom and it’s about to become even more unique because I’m not going to be around for a while. I’m depending on all of you to hold up your end of the deal this week and next. It’s going to take teamwork and perseverance. Help one another, work hard, and stay on task!

The classroom will be open each morning around 6:15. I’ll be in this morning and next Wednesday to Friday to open the lab. Today, I’m flying north to say goodbye to my dad. Services are tonight and tomorrow but since the burial won’t happen until Tuesday, there’s no Mac Lab Saturday School™ this weekend. Sorry. Next week I have Final Cut Pro training on Wednesday, an all-day Arts, Media, and Entertainment Pathway meeting on Thursday, and a CS4 Seminar that Friday so you’re on your own for the next seven school days. Can you all hold it together for me? I’m depending on you!

As for updates, I’m at the mercy of WiFi. See the 0804 entry here for details. I expect to provide daily updates but as The Little Prince says, “One never knows.”

Motto for this Week and Next: You’re Never Finished in the Mac Lab!

Work on your posters, logos, self portraits, and Websites. Strive for excellence, watch the videos, and help one another. When all around you agree that your work should be in the gallery, email a correctly composed JPG that’s at least 1,000 pixels wide or tall to mskocko@guhsd.net and I’ll either put it in the gallery or make suggestions on how it might be improved. Do NOT send anything that AT LEAST three others haven’t confirmed to be worthy of inclusion in the gallery. Remember: 3 then Me. In your email, INCLUDE THE NAMES of the three who agree with you. Unsure? Watch this, this, this, this, and this video for posters and this video for logos. Simplify!

Still confused? Scroll down and check out prior posts. Here, I’ll make it easy: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Galleries: Self Portrait | Logo | Poster | And don’t forget the Elements and Principles of Design or Color Theory (details above). See? It’s all right here for you.

Danny O, Christian L, Samantha P, and Christopher F are still on for the CETPA Digital Learning Symposium next Tuesday. You’ll be representing the Mac Lab, Valhalla, and the Grossmont Union High School District at this state-wide conference. No pressure. Be sure to say hi to Jack O’Connell and the other Edu-bigwigs who stop by to see what you’re up to. Alternate transportation is being arranged and I’ll have an interesting lesson for you and all Mac Lab students next Tuesday. Sorry I won’t be there but this is a perfect opportunity to prove that our online model works with or without my presence.

The lesson? It’s a secret. It will, however, pit the four of you against all the other classes.

Psst: Got DropBox?

1113: Wow! It takes a lot of time to reply to all the student submissions. Reminder: There’s no loophole in the 3 name requirement. If a student doesn’t want his or her name included, he or she probably doesn’t want to hurt your feelings. Everyone: More attention to detail! Spot the obvious mistakes and fix them. Make the most of today.

Helpful Tip: Don’t rely on your friends for gallery submission approval. Go to the kids you think do the best work in class and ask for their opinion. Save us both some time. Then, and only then, keep those submissions coming!

A girl should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across her mind from within, more than the lustre and the firmament of bards and sages. Yet she dismisses without notice her thought, because it is hers. In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty. Great works of art have no more affecting lesson for us than this. They teach us to abide by our spontaneous impression with good-humored inflexibility than most when the whole cry of voices is on the other side. Else tomorrow a stranger will say with masterly good sense precisely what we have thought and felt all the time, and we shall be forced to take with shame our own opinion from another.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson / Self-Reliance (gender edit)

All of you should be familiar with that quotation. You’ve been instructed, twice now, to read this post. Yes, please read it again. Whether it’s for the first, second, or third time, you need to understand the 5 Stages of the Creative Process as we’re going to be using them the rest of the year. As the father of a daughter, I wish more of the quotations I post were gender agnostic rather than aimed at the guys. So, if you’re an XX chromosomer (girl) rather than an XY (boy), the sex-change operation (above) is for you. If you’re a boy, and the altered gender in the quotation bothers you, you’re a regular RWAC (Aaron L).

Speaking of Rebel, last week Theatre approached us to design the poster for their upcoming play. Our instructions (on Monday) were: Red jacket, no face, this information, and we need designs by Thursday. I tossed out the project to a few students and here’s what they came up with after only three days of work: Austin W | Christian L | Danny O | Philip B (and you’ve already seen Aaron’s). They liked all of the designs but chose Austin’s because the play is about a teenager who’s about to explode and they liked the metaphoric look of his design. Austin’s frantically working on the redesign so we can print on Tuesday. Deadlines happen.

Now, getting back to Ralph’s advice to pay attention to our own ideas… Sherman, set the WABAC Machine to 1989…

I was browsing the used CD bin in a bookstore in Santa Cruz prior to the LPQ when I happened upon a recording by Heart. But when I picked it up, I thought, for a second, that it said Earth. What the?! Looking at the typography, it suddenly clicked and I had the coolest idea for a t-shirt design. I went home and sketched it out. Today, that idea is safe, somewhere, tucked away in a box in a corner of our garage.

Over the years I’ve returned to this idea several times but never acted on it until printing a few posters last year. They, of course, sit in a box on a shelf in the Mac Lab and haven’t seen the light of day since they were created. Because I recently talked about my belief in Richard Bach’s declaration: You teach best what you most need to learn, I’m going to publish this idea right now. This is a painfully plodding rough cut of a much more ambitious concept that I’ll have to learn After Effects to produce. I’ve also ordered the first t-shirt with this artwork and will put it on the Mac Lab T-Shirt Shop for resale ASAP. (Redesigned store layout coming soon.) Since I know you’ll ask, yes, of course you’ll be able to design, print, purchase (about $20 with shipping), and wear your own custom t-shirts. Profits go to the Mac Lab Foundation.

That felt good. Now it’s your turn.

Next up are poster designs, the last shared project between classes. Those of you in 3D, listen to this: Keep it simple, elegant, and purely typographic because you’ll be taking it into Cinema 4D (that goes for your logos too). Please heed my advice or you’ll pay the price. Here are two examples of what you’ll be doing with your logos: Austin W and Trevor C (your typography will be better than those). Back to the posters. I’m opening this up to ideas beyond public service. What I care about is good composition and an appropriate message. Please read up on the Elements and Principles of Design before beginning (yes, there’s a lot of reading today). I’ve begun to set up third party galleries to give you ideas: 01 | 02 | 03. I’ll set up a couple of 3D galleries and add the links either today or tomorrow.

Mac Lab multitasking begins now. You must have an online portfolio (your Website). By Friday that portfolio will contain your self portrait, logo, and poster (coming soon). Don’t worry about finishing. Everything is a work in progress at this point. See the Project Page for links to assignments. In honor of James Cameron, I’ll be awarding extra credit for Avatars. Details will follow but you’ll be posting your proof, if you catch my drift.

Last for today, I’ve updated the time sheets (as I do every week) but this time I spent a few hours reviewing the district’s records. It’s your responsibility to check your balance (each week) and alert me if you think there’s been a mistake. For those of you who’ve cut class (according to the district quite a few of you have), the penalty is stiff. It’s your responsibility to clear truancies with attendance. I have no control over truancy records. If the district thinks you have one, you have one until you clear it. Friday is the D and F report deadline. I’ve scheduled a Mac Lab Saturday School™ for this weekend to help some of you avoid the infamy of inclusion. Look at the time sheets. Is your ID number red? See you Saturday at 7 am!

1103: Just a reminder to update your Websites. I’ll be checking them this weekend. Oh, and you might want to watch this video if you want to avoid inclusion on the D and F Report. What about the self assessment? Reminder about simplification: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | Please review this designer’s logos: 01 | 02 | You have to learn the rules before you can break them. When we break rules (and break them we will) we will break them intelligently.

Student Logos: Gallery 021 Where is yours?

1104: Someone from Dhaka (the Rickshaw Capital of the World and the most densely populated city in the world) in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh spent a few minutes wandering about the blog to bring us to 129 countries. I wonder what he or she thought of our little classroom in the Web.

Speaking of thinking, how about you? Do you think you understand the logo project? If you do, you’re one of the few. Please allow me to explain. <<< You should probably click that link and do what it says. You must understand kerning, tracking, and leading!

1105: We’ll hit our 200,000th page view this morning. (Sitting at 199,968 right now.) That count doesn’t include videos or JPGs. Just the blog’s self-contained pages. Update: 200,002 as of 5:58 this morn. A quarter million should happen in early December. The last 50,000 views came from 47 states (+DC) and 84 countries.

Reminder: Minimum Day/Parent Visitation Day tomorrow.

Hint: Sure hope you guys (my students) have read the instructions (above). I’d hate to be disappointed when looking at your Websites this weekend. That’s all. I’ll let you work now.

1106: Visitors from 134 cities in the United Kingdom have pushed Canada (107 cities) into third place in the global visitor standings. Jolly good showing from across the pond! Likewise, the folks in 81 Florida cities have moved past New Jersey (74 cities) to take second place in the US standings.

Mac Lab students have a growing global following!

Welcome parents! Today the kids are updating their Websites using these tutorials (if necessary). Note: Use Working with InDesign — Take 2. I want to see works in progress and correctly formatted portfolios. See this video for details. (Correction: To change margins go to Layout > Margins.) Here’s the example site. Is your logo in the gallery? Get designing! (Use the graphic tips and tricks video.) And speaking of galleries, is your self portrait in this one? Let me know if you think it should be.

Free Software: Mac users, MacHeist is giving away 6 free apps. Offer expires next week. (Thanks, David!)

A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
— Antoine de Saint Exupéry

Here we are at Mac Lab Saturday School™ number two. Early on, I threw out a challenge to the kids: Who’s going to provide this week’s blog image? Fadi G had about a dozen ideas in various stages of completion and when he tried to submit this one I asked him to zoom out to see what it looked like when reproduced small. As the rest of the page came into view, I immediately pointed to a different design and said, “That’s brilliant!” (No larger version yet and this still needs a little editing, like any work-in-progress.)

When you’re designing your own logo, you should always strive to make it relevant to your skills and interests. Make it both personal and professional. The reason I was so immediately taken with this idea is that Fadi’s becoming an Illustrator expert. Out of all the ideas on his page, this is the one that shouted FADI! to me. To him though, it was just another idea. No big deal. I’m still not sure if he really likes it or not but it’s too late to escape this week’s claim to fame. Sometimes, especially when designing logos, less is more. Check the quote at the top of the page again. That message will be with us the rest of the year. Count on it. Perhaps some clever student will design a poster with typographic finesse that captures the essence of those words. I sure would like to display that quote forevermore on the Wall of Fame. (Hint, hint.)

Oh, and for anyone else considering the Adobe-esque logo angle, it’s officially been taken. You’re going to have to come up with some other brilliant idea. Lucky for you I got up in the middle of the night to begin constructing third party logo galleries to help you to get a feel for what I’m looking for: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | More are on the way. Check out the other links on our Inspiration page to feed your imagination.

This post is subject to editing as it was written in the midst of MLSS chaos.

International Update: The Republic of Haiti and the Republic of Kazakhstan bring us to 127 countries (the countries in white have yet to visit).

1026: The Republic of Moldova just joined the Mac Lab party. If 128 have now visited, how many does that leave? (Didn’t think you’d learn about geography or global politics in the Mac Lab, did you?) Now, back to our irregularly unscheduled deprogramming…

Simplify: While you’re trying to simplify your design, think about simplifying your name as well. George M was working on his design this past Saturday. When he asked for a critique, I suggested shortening the four-word grouping he was playing with. After a few minutes, George M (last name spelled out) Graphic Design had become GeoGraphics. He’s not only got a catchier name (and his own TV channel!), his design challenge just became more manageable. Simplify!

Inspiration: Back in the day, whenever I was working on a new design, I’d have my morgue file handy and I’d page through it over and over again. To say I’d seen some of those images over 1,000 times would be an understatement. Only a fool would believe I was wasting time. I was feeding my imagination. A morgue file is a living breathing resource. It changes just like you do. Are you the same person you were five years ago? Five months ago? Five days ago? No, of course you’re not. The imagery may not have changed but you have. With each new viewing, new connections are established. Plus, new imagery is always being added to a morgue file. It’s one of the lessons my first graphic design professor taught me back in 1974 and it’s a lesson I took to heart because it worked for me time and time again.

As with many things, today’s morgue file may be digital rather than physical. Though I’d encourage you to begin your own, I’d caution you that it can be a time consuming process. For me, it’s a labor of love rather than on onerous task. (I brought in one of my old morgue files if you’re interested.)

Think about this: You only have 180 hours per class each year. If the Mac Lab were a full-time job, that’s only four and one-half weeks on the job. (And you wonder why I encourage you to come in early or on Saturdays.) I know you don’t have time to build a solid morgue file so I’m building one for you. It’s right here. I’ve already spent far more than 180 hours on this project. When I saw that many of you were becoming overwhelmed sorting through the thousands of logos found via Grand Central Linkage, I spent about 20 hours sorting through the pile and pulled out 100 of the best examples for you to focus on: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | This morning I found a page featuring negative space in logo design. I continue to search for resources to help you to succeed and I’ll be adding more logos as I find them. All that remains is your commitment.

Look through these pages: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | (Yes, again.) Now, work on your own design. Begin by simplifying the name of your business. Think: GeoGraphics. (No, you can’t use that name. It’s just an example.) How might you simplify your business name? If possible, think: alliteration. Continue to produce thumbnails. Hint: These will be scanned and included in your portfolio.

Reminder: Simplify!

Updates: Period 1 just had 3 simplicity home runs! Three long names shrank and three designs saw the light by shedding unnecessary clutter. Example: Christian L was using CML Design & Illustration as his business name. Check this out. Simplified! Period 2: Katie Photography + Simplification = PhotoKat. Yes! Period 3: Ryan Inkel got simplified. Last period, one budding designer was trying to work out a simplified name. I pointed to the last three letters of his last name. DNA is a pretty evocative name for a creative firm, isn’t it?

1027: I’ll keep things short today as I hope to be adding updates with student success stories as the day progresses. There’s a new series of tutorials you might find of value. Watch this video to see what I’m talking about. Check out Abduzeedo’s Great Visual Identities.

Featured Artists: This year’s Logo Gallery is open for business.

1028: I’ll be at Kearny High School to observe The School of Digital Media Design today so continue to work on your logos. Do I have to say it? Simplify! Learn how to use the Pathfinder as well. Trust me. It’s a skill you’ll learn to love. Reminder: Misbehavior = Saturday School!

1029: Looking forward to checking progress today. Short video to share during class. Hint: Has something to do with simplicity.

1030: Overview of the Droid typographic fail: Smart vs Prime (Yes, I forgot the n in punctuation. Hey, I got up at 2:10 this morning!) | The Droid Fail | Glyphs and Tips | Update: McGarryBowen is the agency with egg on its face. Update 02: Several students have told me that they saw the Droid ad last night and it’s been altered so that all of the apostrophes are consistent. But they claim all of the apostrophes are vertical (primes). If that’s true, well, I’m going to have to see that to believe it because that borders on the inconceivable. Unbelievable Update 03: Here’s the latest version of the Droid ad (thanks to Steven K for locating it on Verizon’s site). Now all 9 apostrophes are incorrect. Typographic incompetence! Thank you McGarryBowen for providing this once in a blue moon teaching moment!

It’s a mystery to some, but in design, less really is more. More = Clutter (produced in-house by Microsoft employees in 2005.)

Next Week: Multitasking begins in earnest. The final project before 3D and Digital Arts go their separate ways. See a preview of what I’ll be looking for, design-wise, right here. (I’ll have more on Monday. 02 is complete. 03 is currently under construction.) Choice of subject matter is wide open but your design must be simple and elegant. The Elements and Principles of Design will come into play in a big way. See Looking Ahead in the 1023 update for more information.

No Mac Lab Saturday School™ tomorrow. Next dates: Nov 7 and 14. Happy Halloween! Be good. Have fun. Be safe. Don’t egg my car!

It seems, then, to be one of the paradoxes of creativity that in order to think originally, we must familiarize ourselves with the ideas of others.
— George Kneller

Just as we used the first self portrait gallery as a reference for our self portraits this year, so we will use the first logo gallery as a starting point for our next project. Similarly, I expect the quality of this year’s logo/identity creations to surpass prior efforts (Hannah Johansen). Today, your task is to research, to familiarize yourself with the work of others. First, as I’ve said, look at last year’s gallery. Next, I’d like to introduce you to something I call Grand Central Linkage. Please watch this short video to understand today’s quest for inspiration.

Progress Report: A word about grades. Grades are on time sheets.

1020: A bit of synchronicity in that Terry White (who’s responsible for us using InDesign for our initial Website designs) posted The Importance of Attending Workshops a few minutes ago. (He’s an early riser too!) I was at Ben Willmore’s Photoshop for Photographers seminar yesterday and boy do I have some new ideas to share with you! It’s not too early to begin exploring your photographic vision. In fact, the adventure may be right outside your door.

Want a Freebie? Have you noticed the NAPP link in the right sidebar? (That’s the group who throws Photoshop World and Seminars like I attended yesterday.) If you’re serious about learning Photoshop (and the rest of the Creative Suite), NAPP a bottomless learning resource. If you ever do join, use the link from the blog and I get a perk or two. If 12 people join, I won’t be the last technology teacher on Earth without a cell phone any more. Note: There’s a freebie for you too (see: lower left of page). Discounted rates for students and educators.

1021: Because of the presentation yesterday, most of you didn’t get a chance to read yesterday’s update. Please do so now. It’s okay, I’ll wait.

Now, while I’m at a Final Cut Studio workshop today, here’s what I expect from you. After reading and following the instructions above, explore the 5 Stages of the Creative Process. That’s a post I wrote over the summer and I want you to begin to understand the creative process. Read it. Reread it. Click the links. Ponder the quotes. Spend some time there. Have you really tried to understand? No? Try again. Yes? Watch this video. What are thumbnail sketches? Link to a quick overview. One last link. And just for students in multiple periods.

Reminder: Thumbnails are small, quick sketches of your logo ideas. You should be able to fit 10 or more on a single page. DO NOT make finely detailed drawings. This process is quick and simple. You’re brainstorming and capturing ideas without trying to refine them. No one, and I mean NO ONE will be “finished” with the assignment today.

1022: Yes, I’ll be asking to see your thumbnails today. Yes, you’re supposed to have saved them. Yes, I told you that yesterday (and the day before). Yes, you finally get to work in Illustrator today. And yes, you’ll continue to work out your ideas in thumbnail form for the rest of the year. Now watch this video.

Visitor Update: The Palestinian Territories makes 125 countries to visit the blog. Yes, I know the word “country” is a bit nebulous in this case, but it’s only a matter of time. To be honest, I never even imagined we’d see a visit from there. Our 175,000th page view will occur in a few hours. Little milestones recorded here. Side note: Both New Jersey and Florida have visited over 1,000 times (from 150 different cities).

If I were Looking for a Job: I’d apply right now. Note that an online portfolio is required. If the job is filled and the link is a 404, here’s a snapshot of the page.

1023: I just noticed that we had our 2,000th comment a few days ago. Simply amazing participation! All who’ve commented are to be commended.

Looking Ahead: Some of you are wondering what’s on the horizon and I figure now is a good time to give your right brain a preview so it can begin working on ideas while you’re otherwise engaged. (If that makes no sense, you didn’t read or understand this.) Digital Arts and 3D students will soon part company but not before both classes complete their own logos (including the Pathfinder workflow — trust me, you’re going to love it), avatars, favicons, and one optional typographic project. After that, 3D students will begin with the Mac Lab 3D 1-2-3 Intro to Cinema 4D: the spaceship, the logo animation, and the animated camera projects. (Old tutorials here. New ones coming soon.) Digital Arts will dive deeper into typography but will have expanded freedom of choice in their subject matter. Examples include redesigning corporate logos, movie or band posters, book covers, CDs or DVDs, or anything that begs for a new and improved version (including public service posters promoting appropriate causes of your own choice). The overarching goal is implementing the elements and principles of design while developing a mastery of typographic form and function.

Do you want creative freedom in here? Play by my rules and master the fundamentals. Read everything I post and follow the video tutorials. Resistance isn’t really futile, it’s just self-defeating. If you’ve not lived up to your end of the deal, it’s not too late to change your ways. And remember, if you want to catch up (or get ahead), we’ve got another Mac Lab Saturday School™ tomorrow. I’ll arrive around 6:30. As always, it’s first come, first served. Alright, back to your logos.

P.S. Almost forgot to mention that I’ll be loading piles of cool fonts (and other resources) on your computers within the next week. And while I’m mentioning things I forgot to mention, Rotoball 2010 is on the horizon (cue Shaun) as is this 15 seconds of fame project! Oh, and did I mention photography? Painting with Light? And what about… (Too much to mention. Though, interested parties might check this at home. Hint, hint.)

It’s going to be a fun year!

Opportunity: The Student Creative is asking Mac Lab students to submit designs for a logo. Who’s going to step up?

Art is never finished, only abandoned.
— Leonardo da Vinci

There’s a difference between You’re never finished in the Mac Lab and This work is ready to be displayed. You see, the self portraits in our first gallery of the year are already a vast improvement over those in the first gallery of last year, but no matter how good the work may be, none of it is finished (Fadi G). Make no mistake though, it’s not abandoned either. One of the big adjustments students have to make in the Mac Lab is to understand that I expect every one of you to improve upon every one of your projects, ALL YEAR LONG! Read this post to get a better feel for what I’m talking about. I’m serious. Read that post, click the links (you don’t have to read everything at the other end of the links), and make an honest attempt to understand what I’m trying to tell you. Embrace the Mac Lab frame of mind.

The Progress Report: The Mac Lab is like a garden. Most of the seeds I’ve planted are just now struggling toward the light. A few have broken out of the soil and have begun to reach toward the sky. It feels like a record crop but, as the Little Prince says, One never knows. Trouble is, the school district wants answers right now; I’ve got to assign grades by this Friday. I’ll finish the guidelines for you this weekend and point you at our unique rubric. All you have to do is follow instructions, take care of your minutes, and good grades will rain down.

Post written during Mac Lab Saturday School™ and is subject to further editing.

1012: The Progress Report has to be based on something so here it is: Your time will account for up to 50% of your grade and your portfolio will account for the other half. The time sheets are self-explanatory (the A, B, C, etc. breakdown in at the bottom of each page on the clipboard). Additional details may be found on the Student Page. The portfolio is not so cut and dry unless you refer to the rubric. But there’s a problem…

Some of you have been in here since day one. Some of you added the class in the past two weeks. Mix in language issues and familiarity (or not) with the operating system and other software and it’s kinda hard to expect the same results from everyone. That’s why every one of you is going to self-assess using the rubric. And that self-assessment will be included as the last page of your portfolio. See the Self-Assessment videos on the Creating and Maintaining Your Website Page for more details. This video will get you started. Important: You need to watch this too.

1013: Third time’s a charm. Oh, and one last thing.

1014: Hmmm, how does this work? Oh yeah: Grades close on Friday. Skocko says my grade depends on following instructions and taking care of minutes. Instructions say create, upload, and update my site (plus self-assess). My minutes are listed on the clipboard (the rest of those movies, as you well know, are on the Students Page). I can get an A or a B if I take care this. Question is… Will I do it?

Hint+Correction: Yesterday’s post contains two videos that will help you save time. One of those videos incorrectly identified Craig as the source of a tip. The credit should have gone to Atheer. As a stand-up guy, Craig lobbied for public disclosure. I agree. Thanks, Atheer!

1015: Focus on the assignment. The assignment is spelled out in this video (from 1013). How can you have watched that video two days ago and still be confused as to what’s required?! Put your work in progress in the portfolio. After you upload, continue working on your self portraits. Want to know why we’re working in this order? Watch this Video! (It’s new and it’s magical.)

1016: I’m off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Cathedral City High School’s Digital Arts Technology Academy. Hmm, doesn’t quite work as a song. Oh well, while I’m away, I want you to complete the assignment to the best of your ability. See 1013 and 1014 for details (1012 also). As a complete and utter softie, I’m going to rescind my decree of yesterday and allow those who know to help those who don’t. BUT DON’T TOUCH THE MOUSE! Feel the pain of teaching. Dang it though! It’s time for everyone to start pulling their weight. Use the flagnoggin’ tutorials!

For those who “finish” early, read or review the Collaboration 2.0 post. Our high school friends from China make an appearance in the comments. Still need something to do? It’s time you explored the Mac Lab Twitter info in the widget in the right sidebar. If it’s glitching, which it sometimes does, try going to the source.

common sense. 1. Native good judgment; sound ordinary sense. 2. The set of general unexamined assumptions as distinguished from specially acquired concepts: Common sense holds that heavier bodies fall faster than lighter ones.
— The American Heritage Dictionary

So, which is it? Is common sense 1 or 2? Is common sense always a good thing? Does common sense always make sense? These are not rhetorical questions. Think. Answer! Which one makes sense to you? I’ve got to admit, when I first came across some of these quotations, I was puzzled. You see, my preconceived notions got in the way. I’d always been told that common sense was a good thing. And it seemed that I was missing it completely because when my dad would get frustrated at me (which happened quite often), one of his favorite rebukes was, “Gosh darn it! Don’t you have any common sense?” (He’d actually use a stronger version Gosh darn it! if you know what I mean.) I used to feel bad about it until I began to understand the dual nature of what we call common sense.

Abstract finger painted words, to dance the metaphor
Makes the rhyming reason, for those who will explore
Twenty-six, pick-up sticks, word pictures do you see
Common sense, evidence, in conflict do they be
Look the question in the eye, extract what’s make believed
Prism bends the lighted path, like notions preconceived
— Skocko / Dream Yet Complete

Do you get it? Did you even try? I know, I know… What’s this got to do with Digital Art or 3D? I’ll let Loren Eiseley help you to find the answer to that last question:

Is not the real business of the artist to seek for man’s salvation, and by understanding his ingredients to make himself less an outlaw to himself?

In the Mac Lab, you are an artist (Trevor M). The artist within, that quality of self which some of you are beginning to discover, will help you find success in your life’s journey. It’s one of the great secrets, as J.C. Kumarappa well knows:

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.

I’ve just given you a precious gift. I have no idea if you’ve clutched it to your heart or rejected it without a second thought. Such is the life of a teacher. I’ll let Dan Simmons give it one more shot:

For our race to reach the next true satori, for us to move to that next level of consciousness and evolution that so many of our philosophers proclaim, all facets of human endeavor must become conscious strivings for art.

In return for your efforts to understand this post, I’ll share another secret with you today. Do you like movies? I do. I promise that when I show you how the Rule of Thirds works, it will wreck the experience… at first. Then it will open up a new level of appreciation for the art. I guarantee that you’ll love movies more than ever after adding the Rule of Thirds to your conscious awareness. Visual literacy, sometimes, is simply coming to understand what you already know. The trick, sometimes, is to free yourself of preconceptions. Don’t let your common sense get in the way.

1006: I talked all period yesterday about the Rule of Thirds so I’ll keep this short. If you didn’t read (or didn’t get) yesterday’s post, read it NOW. If your desktop isn’t set, do it NOW. If yours was set incorrectly, fix it NOW. If you’re reworking your self portrait (hint, hint), use the Rule of Thirds to create a better composition. I’ll work on the InDesign Website process today while you take care of business and the tutorials will be up tomorrow (if all goes well). Designing a Website with InDesign? Now there’s some uncommon sense!

Milestones: Yesterday the Republic of Paraguay became the 123rd country to visit our little blog. We also had our 10,000th unique visitor. Interesting stats about the last 30 days: 9,907 Visits from 95 countries including 49 states plus the District of Columbia (no West Virginia) accounting for 50,580 page views.

Peek at Photoshop World: I still have lots to tell you about it but here’s Scott Kelby’s take (do this at home or outside of class) Mean Scott Kelby | PSW in Pictures | Jet-Lag Monday | And oh do I have something to share about meeting these guys in McCarran International Airport. (Sometimes it pays to be too cheap to spend $4 for a little bag of Twizzlers.)

Featured Student Artwork: When Christian showed up at 6:25, I apologized and told him I had to rip his head off (the blog). I’d written the post but had to scramble to find new artwork yesterday morning because I’d been out of town (at PSW). Trevor M, a Mac Lab Rookie, is also taking an unusual approach to the self portrait project. Please note that this is a work in progress. When he completes it, it’ll be uploaded to the ‘09 Self Portrait Gallery. Is yours ready for consideration? Show me! I’ll add any and all worthy projects.

1007: Man, you guys were high maintenance yesterday. Couple that with family obligations last night and an early morning in the Skocko household (the girls got up at 4:15 to head to YAT for Fox’s early morning feature on Peter Pan, their latest production) and we get a one day delay on the Web workflow tutorials. No worries though as it’s very simple. All requirements for the progress report (next Friday) will be straight forward and easily achievable. Work hard, follow instructions, take care of your time, and you’re guaranteed and A or a B. (More details next week. If you’re working hard, don’t sweat the progress report, you’ll do fine.)

Teacher Angst: Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been oscillating between My plan is working perfectly! and What in the world was I thinking?! True, we are spending an inordinate amount of time on the Pen Tool and self portrait, but think about what else we’ve begun to learn about… Visual Literacy to Digital Literacy. The Rule of Thirds to the Elements and Principles of Design. We’ve touched on Color Theory and have repeatedly explored the Inspiration Section as I’ve hammered on the concept of feeding your right brain. (Soon, not today, I’ll require you to read about and embrace the 5 Stages of the Creative Process.) But most importantly, you’re beginning to understand that the Mac Lab is a different type of classroom. You’re learning that you’ve got to be self-motivated. You get to work at your own pace but you have to work hard. You’re coming to understand that moral and ethical behavior are required (admittedly, not a new lesson for everyone). You’re never finished in the Mac Lab! isn’t a whip to make you work harder; it’s a reminder that you can always improve upon your artwork. And speaking of that, just look at how much better this year’s crop of self portraits are compared to last year’s. (If you don’t see a big difference, wait a day or two as I’ve seen a whole bunch of others that are nearing the initial completion stage. Once again, the students raise the bar.) I’d love to feature your self portrait too. This project sets the tone for the rest of the year so you might as well throw yourself into it! Resistance is futile.

Visitor Update: The Republic of Yemen is our 124th international visitor.

Don’t Let Advertisers Poison Your Mind: Sequence of events: Ralph Lauren published a grotesquely Photoshopped image of a model. Photoshop Disasters republished the image, rightly pointing out the disastrous final result of a Photoshopper Gone Wild. Ralph’s lawyers hit Photoshop Disasters with a DMCA and his ISP automatically removed the offending image. (Make no mistake, it is an offending image, but Ralph and his crew are the offending parties, IMHO.) Boing Boing also ridiculed the image. Ralph’s lawyers struck again. Boing Boing fired back. Bravo! It’s high time the “fashion” industry is called to the carpet right here in the Mac Lab as well for yet another pathetic attempt to poison of the minds of our youth.

Hey, Ralph! If you want to make clothes for Barbie, switch to the toy industry. If you want to make clothes for women, try a little honesty in your representation of the female form. [END OF RANT]

1008: Yesterday, as with every day so far, I asked you to read the blog. Today’s no different. What is different is that today you have an assignment. Now, I realize that some of you don’t like reading the blog but I made it clear early and often this year that reading it wasn’t an option. If it was a deal-killer, I told you to take another class. If you don’t follow instructions today, you’ve got an extra hour. No debate. No excuses. No exceptions. Any questions? Good. Today you’re going to create and upload your own Mac Lab Website. If you do anything other than what I’m asking, you’ll receive a personal invitation to spend an extra hour in the Mac Lab. Watch this movie and do exactly what it says.

1009: Would you believe we’ve had visitors from 200 cities in California since April? That’s amazing to me but far less amazing than the facts in the second paragraph. Finish the steps from yesterday first then watch this movie.

Come to the edge.
No, we will fall.

Come to the edge.
No, we will fall.

They came to the edge.
He pushed them, and they flew.
— Guillaume Apollinaire

Christian L is a senior and a Mac Lab veteran. (He took 3D last year.) But before you judge his work in progress, you should know that he never had to complete (or even attempt) a self portrait last year. This is his first try. Interesting, isn’t it, that he’s taken a somewhat more ambitious approach than most first-timers? Why is that?

Not everyone “gets” the Mac Lab. It’s not so much a place as it is a frame of mind. It’s where students learn to stretch their creative wings and discover that they can, in fact, soar to previously unimagined artistic heights. Christian seems to get it. I wonder how high and far he’ll go this year. I wonder the same thing about you as well. That’s right. I know there’s an artist within every single one of you. I promise to do my part to free that creative spirit. Question is, will you do yours?

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

My guess is that Christian found the time to listen. My hope is that you do too.

Today’s Assignment: Before you do anything else, watch this movie and try to answer the question. Did you get it? If not, did you really try? Click and click for the answers. Now it’s time to set up your personal account on the computer. Watch this first (and please help one another) then follow these instructions (and please remember the name and password you use).

0929: I’ll be asking all of you to change seats shortly after the period starts so we can all learn to work across the network together. Meanwhile, begin watching this video.

0930: Continue Working. I’ll post more tonight from Photoshop World. If you’re stuck, ask one another for help!

1001: Rather than blog I had to answer piles of email last night. Sorry ’bout that. Here’s a peek behind the scenes. Here’s a Skocko D’oh! moment. And here’s your assignment for today. What are you waiting for? Get those beautiful self portraits up on your screens! Note: Put the maze up if that’s where you are. Everyone puts something up. Help each other, but if you’re helping, DON’T DO IT FOR THEM and never, ever move someone’s mouse. Talk them through it. Finally, a word to the wise.

1002: Good tidings arrived from the other side of the world. It’s Friday and I planned to throw in a report about yesterday’s Photoshop World adventures, and something really special… but it might be better for all if we just focus on the assignment for Monday (see yesterday’s post). Have you finished the assignment? (Trick question. You’re NEVER finished in the Mac Lab!) Improve upon what you have. Still looking at the default purplish desktop? Git-R-Done! (DO NOT explore that link in the Mac Lab. Click it. Get it. These aren’t the droids you’re looking for. Move along. Move along.)

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.
—William Blake

You may or may not be ready to begin the self portrait. I’ll let you be the judge of that. But before you begin, I’d like to ask you to remember the demonstration I gave on Friday. Remember how juggling is like the Pen Tool? Master the fundamentals and the rest will follow. Please watch this video for today’s instructions.

International Update: Montenegro marks the 121st country to visit the blog.

0922: All students, watch this video. If you’re just starting or have already started the self portrait, watch this video. If you’re still learning the Pen Tool, keep at it and watch that prior video when you get to the self portrait.

0923: Last night the Rotary Club of El Cajon generously awarded the Mac Lab a $3,750 grant towards the purchase of new computers. I honestly had no idea that the Rotary Club was the world’s first service club organization with 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs around the world. And I certainly didn’t know about the Four-Way Test. In their own words, Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service Above Self. Every time I hear a story about what’s wrong in the world, I’m going to remind myself that there are individuals like the men and women I met last night who walk the talk and make the world a better place. Thank you, Rotarians, for all you do!

I want to challenge my students to examine the first question of the Four-Way Test: Is it the TRUTH? Have you been following the guidelines for success in the Mac Lab? The words and videos I’ve had you read and follow aren’t busy work or a waste of time. I’m trying to set you up to succeed but you have to do your part. I know some of you are already cutting corners. It’s not too late to go back and begin again. Launch PhotoBooth, look yourself in the eye, and ask yourself if you’ve passed this first test.* Have you done all I’ve asked? Is your answer the TRUTH? You already know if it is or not. What you do from this point forward… Well, that’s going to determine your future, isn’t it? You have a choice. Your future’s not pre-determined. Why not make it a good one?

*It has been brought to my attention that it’s impossible to look one’s self in the eye using PhotoBooth (since the camera is positioned above the screen). Johnny and James, you’re both right. How ’bout we change that to a metaphorical exercise? Or I could go all Professor Trelawney on you and ask you to look within for the answer. Your aura is pulsing! Are you in the beyond? I think you are! (Just answer the question honestly.)

0924: Back to School Night was a rousing success in the Mac Lab (or so it seemed to me). Thanks to all the parents who took the time to visit. Again, if you have any questions, concerns, or would like to see the Mac Lab in action, my door is always open and you’re always welcome.

All Students: Continue working but keep yesterday’s message in mind. Quality counts. Honesty counts more. Take pride in doing the job as best you can. Push yourself to try harder. Replay the video tutorials when necessary. If you’re confused about any aspect of the class, please let me know. Watch this video about the Twitter widget.

International Update: Someone from the Isle of Man spent almost 40 minutes exploring 31 pages of the blog yesterday. I wonder what held his/her interest. If you return, mysterious visitor, share your story in an email or better yet, add a comment (scroll to the bottom of the page) so the students can read your story. Believe it or not, your presence makes the class more exciting! Your visit brings our world-wide tally to 122 countries.

0925: What a start to the 0910 school year! Watch this video, listen to the message, and follow the instructions. Long live vector graphics!

Every start upon an untrodden path is a venture which only in unusual circumstances looks sensible and likely to be successful.
—Albert Schweitzer

Once we choose seats today, ALL STUDENTS go to the 2.0 Tutorials and follow the Accounts and Networking instructions before proceeding. I’ll be adding more of these Mac Lab Basic Tuts in the days and weeks ahead. I’m going to help you to establish good work habits this year. Please follow along. NOTE: It will be obvious if you’re not so why not spare us both the pain?

This is the second week of our journey. If you’ve completed all the requirements from last week, read on. If you’re new to the class or have yet to finish, please complete the first week’s assignments before proceeding. If you don’t follow these instructions, I’m going to react like this (Claire R). Listen to what Claire has to say, play by the rules, and we’ll all have fun.

Before I get to the projects, a nod to whomever visited from The Maldives (118th country) and to our 100,000th page view on Friday.

Completed All Tasks? Watch this video and follow the links.

0915: Libya and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay make 120 countries. When I checked the blog at 3:00 this morn, it was down (and remained so until a few minutes ago) so I couldn’t add what I’d planned. For today, follow what’s written on the board. Your tasks (in order):

1. Finish setting up the local account you signed onto yesterday.
2. Complete these tasks including watching ALL videos on Student page.
3. Watch this video.
4. Master the Pen Tool.
5. Begin your self portrait. Examples of successful projects. See Projects for details and links.

SECOND WARNING: Fail to follow instructions and I’ll react like this (Claire R)*

*Several Mac Lab veterans have started their self-portraits without following ALL of the instructions. Rest assured that these students will be repeating this project… probably several times. [shakes head] Tortoise and the Hare. How many times have I already said it this year? Tortoise and the Hare.

0916: All Pen Tool tutorials have been re-recorded. Watch this video for details and a reminder of your responsibilities.

0917: I’ve been busy creating a number of new pages you may or may not encounter today (but you will soon). Please watch this video so we can ensure that everyone understands how to translate these pages if necessary.

0918 Demonstration: How Juggling is like the Pen Tool. Don’t miss it!