“The Critical Theory of Technology…argues that the real issue is not technology or progress per se but the variety of possible technologies and paths of progress among which we must choose.” - Andrew Feenberg
Feenberg discusses three theories of technology.
1.) Instrumental Theory of Technology- The dominant view of modern governments and the policy sciences on which they rely.
Feenberg states that this is the most widely accepted view of technology. As an “instrument” we see technology as tools ready for its user to use. The instrumental theory of technology has considered neutral:
A.) Indifferent to the variety of things it can do.
B.) Indifferent in respect to politics.
C.) Maintains cognitive status in every conceivable social context.
D.) Universality of technology means the same standards of measurement can be applied in different settings.
This theory focuses on the people’s use of technology rather than the technology alone. This allows people to focus on the use rather than the design of the technology. This theory suggests that technology is transferable to other cultures and is efficient as well.
2.)Substantive Theory of Technology- technology as subservient to values established in other social spheres, while the latter attributes an autonomous cultural force to technology that overrides all traditional or competing values.
This theory is believed to constitute a new type of cultural system that restructures the entire social world as an object of control. It assumes that technology’s design will change the ways in which an organization or culture will operate. The substantive theory places emphasis on the design of the technology. This theory suggests that people can make choices about technology and that technology becomes the environment.
3.) Critical Theory of Technology- Preserves the best in both while opening the prospect of fundamental change.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The Design of Everyday Things
In the beginning of this article, the author discusses how designers are so focused on the beauty of design. Often times the look of the design takes over, and usability is sacrificed. People believe accidents are usually caused by human error, when in all actuality they are the cause of a poor design.
For example, I have a navigation system in my car. Unless your foot is on the break, the system does not allow you to type in anything into the system. Sometimes I find myself at a stoplight typing in an address and then the light turns green. I hit the gas and try to continue putting my address in. IT WILL NOT LET ME! This is completely frustrating, but it is a good design. Without this feature, a lot more accidents would be occurring.
Or what about my remote control that is able to navigate the television, audio system (including radio, ipod, TV, and movie sound), the HD cable box, and the DVD player?
My sister not being technologically saavy gets really aggravated at the remote, but also does not want to use 6 different ones. There is a design feature on the “all-in-one” remote that allows you to ask for help if one of the devices is not working. For instance, if the television is on but you can’t hear anything…just hit HELP. The remote will ask you if the Samsung television is on. You simply hit yes. Then it will ask you if the Comcast HD box is on. Again you hit yes. Then it will say is the audio receiver on…you hit no and boom…you have sound!
It is important to understand Don Norman’s four main criteria for design:
1.) Affordance- the perceived and actual properties of the thing, primarily those fundamental properties that determine just how the thing could possibly be used
2.) Constraint- limitations
3.) Mapping- the relationship of two things
4.) Feedback- sending back to the user information about what action has actually been done, what result has been accomplished
For example, I have a navigation system in my car. Unless your foot is on the break, the system does not allow you to type in anything into the system. Sometimes I find myself at a stoplight typing in an address and then the light turns green. I hit the gas and try to continue putting my address in. IT WILL NOT LET ME! This is completely frustrating, but it is a good design. Without this feature, a lot more accidents would be occurring.
Or what about my remote control that is able to navigate the television, audio system (including radio, ipod, TV, and movie sound), the HD cable box, and the DVD player?
My sister not being technologically saavy gets really aggravated at the remote, but also does not want to use 6 different ones. There is a design feature on the “all-in-one” remote that allows you to ask for help if one of the devices is not working. For instance, if the television is on but you can’t hear anything…just hit HELP. The remote will ask you if the Samsung television is on. You simply hit yes. Then it will ask you if the Comcast HD box is on. Again you hit yes. Then it will say is the audio receiver on…you hit no and boom…you have sound!
It is important to understand Don Norman’s four main criteria for design:
1.) Affordance- the perceived and actual properties of the thing, primarily those fundamental properties that determine just how the thing could possibly be used
2.) Constraint- limitations
3.) Mapping- the relationship of two things
4.) Feedback- sending back to the user information about what action has actually been done, what result has been accomplished
Professional Investigation: TECHNICAL SKILLS
In order for me to obtain the jobs I want, it is important to learn
Adobe Illustrator, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Flash, and Photoshop. After taking The principles of graphic design I have learned how to use a lot of the tools, but I know there is a lot more I can use. I became mostly familiar with Photoshop and Illustrator so some InDesign, dreamweaver, and flash lessons wouldn't hurt. There are still a lot of hidden tools I should learn about.
Also...it is highly important to stay on top of technology and keep up with all the tools used today. Staying on top of new technology is key.
Adobe Illustrator, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Flash, and Photoshop. After taking The principles of graphic design I have learned how to use a lot of the tools, but I know there is a lot more I can use. I became mostly familiar with Photoshop and Illustrator so some InDesign, dreamweaver, and flash lessons wouldn't hurt. There are still a lot of hidden tools I should learn about.
Also...it is highly important to stay on top of technology and keep up with all the tools used today. Staying on top of new technology is key.
The Elements of Graphic Design
“Tell me sweet, tell me true, or else my dear, to hell with you.”
Having taken NMS 503 Principles of Graphic Design, I have read this book before. I have never designed anything or done any graphic design work before this class. This book was great in explaining not the technical issues, but the main ideas when creating designs.
The section that got my attention most was A Communicator’s Job. Obviously it is important to make the page look inviting, but how we do this is the big question.
Visual stimulation draws viewers into the page,
arousing their curiosity and actively involving them
in the process of absorbing information. Visual simplicity
eliminates unnecessary elements and structures those
that remain in a logical consistent system. Good design
reduces the effort of reading as much as possible, thereby
encountering readership and understanding.
It is amazing to know what does and does not overwhelm the reader. Apparently simplicity is key to go design. Advertisers and designers should make the information appealing and accessible.
Space is another important facet of design. “Emptiness in two dimensional design is called white space and lies behind the type and imagery.” In regards to design, emptiness is a good quality. Emptiness becomes positive shape. The lack of white space creates a “visually noisy” design. What I’ve taken from this reading is that space is luxury, which creates the idea of class and simplicity
Having taken NMS 503 Principles of Graphic Design, I have read this book before. I have never designed anything or done any graphic design work before this class. This book was great in explaining not the technical issues, but the main ideas when creating designs.
The section that got my attention most was A Communicator’s Job. Obviously it is important to make the page look inviting, but how we do this is the big question.
Visual stimulation draws viewers into the page,
arousing their curiosity and actively involving them
in the process of absorbing information. Visual simplicity
eliminates unnecessary elements and structures those
that remain in a logical consistent system. Good design
reduces the effort of reading as much as possible, thereby
encountering readership and understanding.
It is amazing to know what does and does not overwhelm the reader. Apparently simplicity is key to go design. Advertisers and designers should make the information appealing and accessible.
Space is another important facet of design. “Emptiness in two dimensional design is called white space and lies behind the type and imagery.” In regards to design, emptiness is a good quality. Emptiness becomes positive shape. The lack of white space creates a “visually noisy” design. What I’ve taken from this reading is that space is luxury, which creates the idea of class and simplicity
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
English Next
What is the future of English?
In David Graddol’s work, he informs of the reasons why the twenty first century highly affects the English language. Also…why global English could be the end of ‘English as a Foreign Language’.
What is so impressive about our world and technology is what Graddol states in the introduction…
“Microsoft’s “windows 98’ operating system was not yet in use. Google did not exist. Information technology experts were mesmerized by the looming ‘millennium bug’ of Y2K. The ‘dot com’ bubble did not burst until March 2000…” pg. 10
With technology on the rise…English as a second language is decreasing. (Especially on the Internet) Web material is slowly becoming available on a variety of different websites. For example, wikipedia:
Français
L’encyclopédie libre
711 000+ articles
Polski
Wolna encyklopedia
541 000+ haseł
日本語
フリー百科事典
525 000+ 記事
Русский
Свободная энциклопедия
320 000+ статей
Italiano
L’enciclopedia libera
501 000+ voci
Português
A enciclopédia livre
430 000+ artigos
中文
自由的百科全書
205 000+ 條目
English now is a global concern. Not only with the growth of languages on the Internet but also because of the “Doom of Monolingualism”. Like Graddol says, English only speakers are going to have a “bleak economic future”. It is true that children who are taught a second language are more likely to absorb it. It is beneficial though that children’s learning tools are now big on providing the education of foreign languages for young Americans. For example:
Dora the Explorer is an animated American television show. The Spanish speaker girl on this show teaches young children how to speak Spanish. This is a great educational experience for kids.
Another point in the reading I found extremely shocking was, “In 2001, text messaging helped bring down the Philippines President, Joseph Estrada”. This was a great way to bring about a campaign considering majority of cell phone users in the world know how to SMS text. Being Filipino, when my mom told me about this, I was amazed. How could SMS text messaging sway politics in today’s age?
Most importantly, I think all children need to learn a second language to advance their economic, political, and social stance.
In David Graddol’s work, he informs of the reasons why the twenty first century highly affects the English language. Also…why global English could be the end of ‘English as a Foreign Language’.
What is so impressive about our world and technology is what Graddol states in the introduction…
“Microsoft’s “windows 98’ operating system was not yet in use. Google did not exist. Information technology experts were mesmerized by the looming ‘millennium bug’ of Y2K. The ‘dot com’ bubble did not burst until March 2000…” pg. 10
With technology on the rise…English as a second language is decreasing. (Especially on the Internet) Web material is slowly becoming available on a variety of different websites. For example, wikipedia:
Français
L’encyclopédie libre
711 000+ articles
Polski
Wolna encyklopedia
541 000+ haseł
日本語
フリー百科事典
525 000+ 記事
Русский
Свободная энциклопедия
320 000+ статей
Italiano
L’enciclopedia libera
501 000+ voci
Português
A enciclopédia livre
430 000+ artigos
中文
自由的百科全書
205 000+ 條目
English now is a global concern. Not only with the growth of languages on the Internet but also because of the “Doom of Monolingualism”. Like Graddol says, English only speakers are going to have a “bleak economic future”. It is true that children who are taught a second language are more likely to absorb it. It is beneficial though that children’s learning tools are now big on providing the education of foreign languages for young Americans. For example:
Dora the Explorer is an animated American television show. The Spanish speaker girl on this show teaches young children how to speak Spanish. This is a great educational experience for kids.
Another point in the reading I found extremely shocking was, “In 2001, text messaging helped bring down the Philippines President, Joseph Estrada”. This was a great way to bring about a campaign considering majority of cell phone users in the world know how to SMS text. Being Filipino, when my mom told me about this, I was amazed. How could SMS text messaging sway politics in today’s age?
Most importantly, I think all children need to learn a second language to advance their economic, political, and social stance.
Professional Investigation: COURSES
I have researched the classes that will teach me the skills needed to land my dream job…
PRAD 540- Crisis Communication Management
MKT 545-Consumer Behavior
PRAD 556- Strategic Planning in Public Relations
PRAD 557- Advertising Communication Strategy
MKT 535- Marketing Stategies and Planning
MKT 555- Decisions in Marketing Management
MKT 575- Advertising and Sales Promotion Management
MKT 595- Internet Marketing
NMS 520- Web Design I
NMS 521- Web Design II
NMS 470- Digital Page Formatting I
NMS 471- Digital Page Formatting II
NMS 504- Text and Image
HIC 402- Foundations of Digital Design
PRAD 540- Crisis Communication Management
MKT 545-Consumer Behavior
PRAD 556- Strategic Planning in Public Relations
PRAD 557- Advertising Communication Strategy
MKT 535- Marketing Stategies and Planning
MKT 555- Decisions in Marketing Management
MKT 575- Advertising and Sales Promotion Management
MKT 595- Internet Marketing
NMS 520- Web Design I
NMS 521- Web Design II
NMS 470- Digital Page Formatting I
NMS 471- Digital Page Formatting II
NMS 504- Text and Image
HIC 402- Foundations of Digital Design
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Professional Investigation: SKILLS
To be a graphic designer, web designer, or have a career in advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations and sales management there are a set of skills and specific training that is needed.
Graphic/ Web Designer:
1.) Adobe Photoshop
2) Adobe Illustrator
3.) Adobe Indesign
4.) Flash
5.) Understanding Typography
Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Manager:
It is preferable that this job usually entitles a degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. Considering that I do not have a degree in business administration, it might be more beneficial to go towards the advertising management positions. This requires a lot of work in advertising and journalism. Skills in marketing, consumer behavior, market research, sales, communication methods and technology, and visual arts are highly recommended.
For the public relations route, advertising, business administration, public affairs, public speaking, and creative writing are beneficial skills.
Computer skills are vital because “marketing, product promotion, and advertising on the Internet are increasingly common” (www.bls.gov).
Graphic/ Web Designer:
1.) Adobe Photoshop
2) Adobe Illustrator
3.) Adobe Indesign
4.) Flash
5.) Understanding Typography
Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Manager:
It is preferable that this job usually entitles a degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. Considering that I do not have a degree in business administration, it might be more beneficial to go towards the advertising management positions. This requires a lot of work in advertising and journalism. Skills in marketing, consumer behavior, market research, sales, communication methods and technology, and visual arts are highly recommended.
For the public relations route, advertising, business administration, public affairs, public speaking, and creative writing are beneficial skills.
Computer skills are vital because “marketing, product promotion, and advertising on the Internet are increasingly common” (www.bls.gov).
Professional Investigation: JOBS
There are a couple career paths I would like to follow.
The first option is a graphic designer/creative director. I would love to design the packaging for products or even magazine covers or movie posters. I would enjoy creative promotional displays, packaging, marketing brochures, logos, etc.
I would have to expand my design studies and take on more design classes. Possibly computerized design, commercial graphics production, web design, etc. It is important to learn the technical requirements to be a designer.
As a creative director, one must be able to plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. They find the most effective ways of getting messages across to audiences, whether its print, electronic, or film.
Here is the link to an internship that looks very interesting:
http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:QHv6QvbBYFYJ:www.simplyhired.com/job-id/rlzsktd3cf/graphic-design-jobs/+production+design+jobs+in+chicago+AND+candy&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
Another option is advertising, marketing, promotions, P.R., and sales management.
Coordinating a companies’ market research, market strategy, sales, advertising, pricing, product development, and public relations activities sounds like a promising career.
Some business administration classes might be useful for this particular career path. Management classes would be highly beneficial, as well as some journalism classes. Creative and technical writing may also be good courses.
PRAD 540- Crisis communication management
PRAD 556- Strategic Planning in Public Relations
PRAD 557- Advertising Communication Strategy
MKT 535- Marketing Strategies and Planning
MKT541-Brand Management
545-Consumer Behavior
http://www.carriescandies.com/jobs.html
My last option is web design. Currently I have no experience in web design. The planning, modeling, and execution of electronic media content would be an interesting career. I lack experience in Dreamweaver, Flash, coding, etc.
Some course options:
520- Web Design I
521- Web Design II
470- Digital Page Formatting I
471- Digital Page Formatting I
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/job-JF9L3O80DJL
The first option is a graphic designer/creative director. I would love to design the packaging for products or even magazine covers or movie posters. I would enjoy creative promotional displays, packaging, marketing brochures, logos, etc.
I would have to expand my design studies and take on more design classes. Possibly computerized design, commercial graphics production, web design, etc. It is important to learn the technical requirements to be a designer.
As a creative director, one must be able to plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. They find the most effective ways of getting messages across to audiences, whether its print, electronic, or film.
Here is the link to an internship that looks very interesting:
http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:QHv6QvbBYFYJ:www.simplyhired.com/job-id/rlzsktd3cf/graphic-design-jobs/+production+design+jobs+in+chicago+AND+candy&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
Another option is advertising, marketing, promotions, P.R., and sales management.
Coordinating a companies’ market research, market strategy, sales, advertising, pricing, product development, and public relations activities sounds like a promising career.
Some business administration classes might be useful for this particular career path. Management classes would be highly beneficial, as well as some journalism classes. Creative and technical writing may also be good courses.
PRAD 540- Crisis communication management
PRAD 556- Strategic Planning in Public Relations
PRAD 557- Advertising Communication Strategy
MKT 535- Marketing Strategies and Planning
MKT541-Brand Management
545-Consumer Behavior
http://www.carriescandies.com/jobs.html
My last option is web design. Currently I have no experience in web design. The planning, modeling, and execution of electronic media content would be an interesting career. I lack experience in Dreamweaver, Flash, coding, etc.
Some course options:
520- Web Design I
521- Web Design II
470- Digital Page Formatting I
471- Digital Page Formatting I
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/job-JF9L3O80DJL
How Powerful is the Media?
Culture, society and the Media by James Curran, Michael Gurevitch and Janet Woollacott, “examines the power of media and the divisions between the liberal pluralist and the Marxist approaches to the analysis of the nature of the media.”
What is the role and influence of the media in modern society? It is imperative to question how media contributes to, creates, and represents our culture. The theoretical approaches to understanding the study of media examines the social and cultural role of media.
To begin, Marxist theorists tend to stress the role of mass media in the reproduction of the existing state. They also believe that the media is intergraded into the existing economic and political elites reflecting their interests. On the other hand, liberal pluralist highlight the role of the media in encouraging freedom of speech. Since the 1940’s the liberal pluralist view has been the dominant stance.
So the question is: is media really a powerful and influential entity?
I believe so. Look at Hollywood’s affects on young women in our culture. Magazines and reality television shows have such negative affects on young women. Media is our lifeline to knowing what’s going on in the world, but it also shapes who we are socially and culturally. Our world is obsessed with information and entertainment values. Media has a political and persuasive power over our society. Studying media and its affects defines who and what we are.
What is the role and influence of the media in modern society? It is imperative to question how media contributes to, creates, and represents our culture. The theoretical approaches to understanding the study of media examines the social and cultural role of media.
To begin, Marxist theorists tend to stress the role of mass media in the reproduction of the existing state. They also believe that the media is intergraded into the existing economic and political elites reflecting their interests. On the other hand, liberal pluralist highlight the role of the media in encouraging freedom of speech. Since the 1940’s the liberal pluralist view has been the dominant stance.
So the question is: is media really a powerful and influential entity?
I believe so. Look at Hollywood’s affects on young women in our culture. Magazines and reality television shows have such negative affects on young women. Media is our lifeline to knowing what’s going on in the world, but it also shapes who we are socially and culturally. Our world is obsessed with information and entertainment values. Media has a political and persuasive power over our society. Studying media and its affects defines who and what we are.
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