Ampersand Reflection

Various traits I learned through the magazine project consist of stronger sentence writing, layout designs, and editing. I learned to become a stronger writer during humanities due to the audio tips that Randy played during class. The little tips showed pointers that strengthen writing by making it flow smooth and precise. Layout and designs was simple enough to me. It felt natural to work with in design and complete a spread in the matter of 20 minutes.

Learning the basic steps I didn’t know from fellow class mates, I had all the knowledge I needed to complete the layout but not to perfection. This is where I learned better editing skills. Reviewing the spread looking for little errors that didn’t match the rest of the magazine was harder than it seemed. Catching little grammar mistakes or not having a drop cap can be a noticeable mistake to the consumer.

Individually writing, layout, and editing are important, but together they are of the most importance, because structure needs to be developed within the layout design, especially with a spread in a magazine. When designing a spread you can’t design it one page at a time, but both together to make it appear as one wide page. Creating balance with a picture and text can be some what difficult but is possible. This is where developing skills in structure take into affect. Editing the layout to make sure balance is in place allows the spread to show structure.

Reflection

Overall when I look at my writing and see what has improved I notice the length has grown as well as the actual writing itself. For example the text into the point and the sentence structure has developed over time. In my opinion it developed because it went through 5 drafts.

Improvements that could be made to my writing are made through drafts and critiques, because I feel the writing isn’t as strong as it could be. When reading each paragraph it almost doesn’t flow together as if it jumps between different topics.

Initially when staring this writing it was only 3 paragraphs long. The problem with this is it was to short. So to expand on the writing, I added an additional paragraph. This final paragraph ties in the writing as well as concludes it.

A few things I learned about writing during this project was cut down on the ING words, because all it does is diminish the meaning of the words appearing after them. Another example would be cutting out useless words when writing. This allows for shorter more precise writing.

Magazine Reflection

Areas that went well when creating the magazine was the simplicity in my article. I didn’t have as much work creating a spread since mine was only 2 pages long. I noticed that students who chose to do a photo essay had more work in terms of resizing pictures and having to work on more than 1 spread. I had only one critique and the advice that was given to me was used to the fullest extent.

The only real difficulty throughout the project was extending my article to at least a page, because it was so straight to the point I didn’t know what else to add. I went through about two drafts before adding the final 2 paragraphs which concluded the article.

A road block that got in the way of me not nearly completing the layout was time management when it came to designing the first draft. It wasn’t complete in time to critique but I did finish it within an hour after the deadline.

Magazines I looked at for ideas would be National Geographic and The Atlantic. I found the style of layout was very professional as well as simple. Choosing to follow it allowed for better time management as well as a professional look and feel.

Socialism and Obama

Article

When googling “Obama Socialism” the only results that I found interesting is a news article revolving around a book meeting. In the picture Obama is shaking hands of a man named Chavez. I found this interesting when I searched Google news the first result turned me on to another article about the same topic.
People saw this picture and immediately assumed Obama is a socialist.

In some areas I found the label socialism to make some sense and others not. I agree with this article I found mentioning the first 100 days of service and how people say one thing and it carries around fast due to the Internet, it talks about how most of his plans are long term ideas not short term and by a few decisions he makes now doesn’t show the good side but some socialist ideas doesn’t mean he is a socialist.

Internship Photo Essay

One of the two language acquisition and research center (Larc) labs located at San Diego state university, teachers often have students complete assignments here during class due to there being thirty Mac computers

My mentor Trevor and I discussing what is going to be taught to the students getting ready to use Skype for the first time. Trevor is clarifying how we are going to go over the program showing the basic principles as well as what appeal the program has.

Inside lab 410 during the start of class, students are getting their notes out awaiting for the teachers direction, some notice Skype already open questioning what specifically it is they will be doing.

Spanish teacher Franco, explaining to his students they will be using Skype, a chat program with video. In the background I’m overseeing checking for any problems students might be having as well as controlling what is displayed on the classroom monitor.

After finding someone in need of assistance, I show the individual the correct method necessary when logging into Skype as well as communicating with another student at the other end of the room.

What I'm Bringing to the Magazine

What I could contribute to the magazine in the form of writing would possibly be an article because the photo essay I feel would be as strong as a regular piece of writing. So instead my writing could be about art or I could possibly creat an art piece that would be featured in the magazine maybe a two page spread with the artist statement overlapping on the bottom right of the picture. This is just one idea which is the pain idea I have for the magazine.

Usually when it comes to creativity and thinking of names I have one ready for every occasion but for once I don't have any ideas on what the magazine title would be.

A topic of an article that would most likely catch my attention would have to be something fascinating or for example a creative hook in the title. the topic how ever would have to be the wildest thing that happened at internship, for example while going to lunch you saw Bigfoot run across the street saying "I exist so do aliens don't buy into fake stories or cover ups by the government..." that would be something I definitely read.

Internship Immersion...

answering question 1: What did you learn during immersion? How did you learn it?

what I learned during internship immersion is an average day for a staff member of a lab isn't that much work. I found it to be actually quit relaxing and calm compared to all the work we need to do in class. the deadlines are made by themselves as long as it gets done in a reasonable time. I found this to be a good idea because there isn't any stress put on anyone causing them to become nutcases.

a key experience I will take away is within the internship i was placed in i found that the things I was being taught in class weren't really being applied to the work being done, with the exceptions of a few things, for example learning about the recession and budget cuts the hours they stayed open changed from ten hours to 8 hours every other day.

school made internship a.k.a, job without pay come off as a challenge and high expectations of me as an intern. but that was not the case, instead the staff was flabbergasted that my partner and I knew how to do everything that was thrown at us. giving us basic tasks and saying it was due the next day was pretty simple, but the fact we accomplished things an hour or 2 later just startled our mentor. I personally felt excited I was able to have someone amazed at the work being done so fast and giving me feedback on what to change and tell me good job.