Wordle
22 April, 2010 at 00:17 | Posted in Random | Leave a commentTags: Graphic, Wordle
A quick note for those who have never used Worldle. My previous post on Ork! reminded me of this fun little website because it allows you to create text graphics like this:
The image above was created using content from miss.stephanie. You provide Wordle with text, and it arranges it into a design based on their frequency of use. You can edit the font, colours, and alignment of the design, and you can also remove words you don’t want included. Here’s another one I created using online diary posts I kept from my year in London:
Fun, no? Enjoy!
stephwereley
For Your Consideration
15 February, 2010 at 16:11 | Posted in Random | Leave a commentTags: Canada, Canadian Design Resource, Olympics, Ottawa, Wardair
I’ve previously mentioned the Canadian Design Resources site and my intention to submit two items to their gallery. I’ve finally managed to photograph and upload them. Take a look!
Ottawa Scarf: I bought it for $1 in Toronto’s Kensington Market. It depicts the major tourist sites of the capital region. Including:
the Rideau Canal
the Canadian Parliament building
the Library of Parliament (I’ve always loved its architecture, and the fact that its walls are full of books)
and Mounties! They always get me excited for some reason.
The second item is this Wardair Canada bag. It was also purchased secondhand for $1. I’ve had it for ten years now, and still use it regularly. An elderly lady once stopped me in a shopping center curious as to where I got it; the Canadian airline went bankrupt in 1989.
These items recognize contemporary Canadian history, as well as the joys of secondhand shopping. (Sorry mom, it wasn’t just a phase.) Now back to watching the Vancouver Olympics! Vive les Canadiens!
stephwereley
Design Tips
14 January, 2010 at 09:47 | Posted in Random | Leave a commentTags: Design, Design Tips, Twitter
The New Year also brings a new semester. One of our classes will teach the basics of design. Here’s a recap of my 10 Twitter DesignTips in 140 characters or less.
DesignTip1: Long text such as essays should be done in a serif font. My favourite is Garamond.
DesignTip2: Cover pages and standalone text deserves a sans-serif font. My all-time favourites are Century Gothic and Avant Garde.
DesignTip3: Avoid underlined subtitles in a report; the line creates a visual break between title and accompanying text. Use bold instead.
DesignTip4: White space makes your page look cleaner. Use more space lines then you think are necessary.
DesignTip5: If a paragraph is split between two pages, ensure there are at least two lines each at the bottom of 1st pg and top of 2nd pg.
DesignTip6: Straight lines convey a clean, modern design. Use [brackets] rather than (parentheses) and square bullets rather than rounded.
DesignTip7: Name brands such as ING DIRECT, YouTube and hmv should always be presented in the case size dictated by their corporate branding
DesignTip8: The industry standard for graphic designers are Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign run on a Mac.
DesignTip9: Fonts set the tone of your content. Choose carefully, and know that the right choice will never result in the use of Comic Sans.
DesignTip10: My fav Adobe tool? Line rules. These invisible lines allow you to keep all content and borders aligned for a clean document.
stephwereley
Update: Google Wave
28 November, 2009 at 10:45 | Posted in Random | Leave a commentTags: Google
Alas, the stars have decreed that I am worthy of an invitation to Google Wave.
Now I just have to figure out how the damn thing works.
stephwereley
My Manifesto
15 November, 2009 at 14:27 | Posted in Random | Leave a commentTags: Humber, Work Related, Writing
My Communication Planning Theory class provides the structure for professional communications. Essentially, it requires that every message you release, every dollar you spend, and every decision you make relate back to your goals. Does this media channel reach my target audience? Will this message inspire a change in behaviour? It’s all very practical. So much so, that I’ve started using these tactics in my personal life.
Where do I want to live? What do I want to acheive professionally? What do I want in my personal life? And how can money best be spent to bring me closer to my goals?
I recently started a manifesto as I way to organize all of these priorities. It’s very exciting because I have never been particularly ambitious, but recent successes have inspired me plan long-term goals for both my personal and professional life. I sincerely hope my enthusiasm inspires others to do the same.
stephwereley
A Love Letter to Google
9 November, 2009 at 10:24 | Posted in Random | Leave a commentTags: Google
I recently read a review of Google Wave in NOW magazine, and I can’t wait to try it out. I’ve been trying to use my twitter page in an attempt to score an invitation, but no luck so far.
I recently went as far as posting this message [completely genuine!] on their help forum:
Hello,
I am a post-graduate student who has returned to school after 4 years in the working world. While I was working full-time, I relied on my company’s email to keep in touch with those around me. Now I’m back at school, and gmail has reinstated itself as my default communication tool.
And although I’ve had my gmail address for years, I just wanted to say thank you to the google team for putting forward a superb product like gmail. I use it to keep in touch with friends and family, to facilitate group work with my fellow students, and I even use it professionally for several volunteer opportunities I’ve had. And I can’t imagine where I’d be if I was relying on other second-tier email services.
My favourite features are:
1. When I send out a mass email, all the responses are threaded in one neat email, rather than in multiple emails I have to read one-by-one and selection for deletion.
2. File uploading does not require you to visit or open new pages – very simple design.
3. If I am exchanging emails with someone, and I post a reply, and then immediately want to respond again because I forgot to include something in the previous message, I can press ‘reply’ again and gmail will know that I don’t want to reply to myself. To be honest this one simple feature is probably my favourite!!
I just wanted to say thanks for years of good service.
p.s. – I am looking forward to trying out google wave! any chance of an invitation being sent to stephwereley@gmail.com?
cheers!
Stephanie
Still waiting for my Wave invitation! I’ll keep you updated.
stephwereley
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