Titilian Logistics Design

Blog #9 - My Creative Heros

2010-08-12T09:07:00.001-07:00

These days I am heavily influenced by movies, comics, television shows and artists whose ranges from paintings, photography, animation and drawings. From back in the day; growing up watching shows like Votron, Thundercats and SilverHawks to watching movies like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Clash of the Titans (The original). There are a lot of influences to choose from but for now I will zero in on the japanese animation that I watch today.

The anime I would like to start talking about is Naruto. It's about a young ninja who wants the repect of everyone around him. He trains to be the best ninja of his village. Naruto was first illustrated and written by Masashi Kishimoto as a one-shot comic in August 1997 issue of Akamaru Jump. The manga (which is japanese comic novels) was first published in 1999 in the 43rd issue of Japan's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. This series is still being published today and was adapted to an anime by Studio Pierrot and Aniplex. It appeared in japanese television in October of 2002 and has been a big hit. Here is a trailer for one of the episodes in english subtitles. (http://www.hulu.com/watch/87311/naruto-shippuden-kakashi-chronicles-trailer-2#s-p1-sr-i1)

The next title is Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood which follows these two siblings:

Edward and Alphonse Elric who are on a quest to restore their original bodies after a disastrous failed attempt to resurrect their deceased mother through alchemy (alchemy being one of the most advanced scientific techniques known to man). The series is fashioned after the European Industrial Revolution. This series is created by Hiromu Arakawa in 2001 in a manga magazine: Monthly Shonen Gangen. It became an animated series in 2004 by Bones (a japanese studio). Here is a link to the first episode dubbed in english.

(http://www.hulu.com/watch/168222/fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood-fullmetal-alchemist#x-4,cDubbed,1,0)

And finally the last anime that I'm currently following is Bleach. This anime follows Ichigo Kurosaki, who obtains the powers of a Soul Reaper - Guardian souls that help new souls cross to the other side - from Rukia Kuchiki. His newfound power forces him to take on the responsibilities of a Soul Reaper which includes fighting Hollows - which are evil spirits that attack and consume wondering spirits - and thus his adventure begins. Bleach was created by Tite Kube. It started out as a manga in 2001 and was adapted to t.v. since November 2007. Here is a video of the first Episode in English subtitles.

Blog #10 - Advice for the Next New Student

2010-08-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a video on my thoughts for the next incoming student. Hope any information I give is helpful and welcome to TCI.

Blog #8 - The Photography Club

2010-08-11T15:43:00.000-07:00

One of the things that drew me to the DMA program was the digital photography course. I had always wanted to look into that field but I never got around to it. Then one day I was leaving my classroom and I saw a bunch of student setting up shop in the hall. I asked what this was about and sure enough they said the photography club. My eyebrows peeked up and I finally saw my chance to learn a little sumthing, sumthing so I joined up. I am glad I took advantage of that opportunity.

For starters there is the man who runs this outfit, Professor Jaxon Flores. He's a cool guy whose knowledge and experience shows his credibility. The most distinguishable characteristic about him is his artist pose when he is explaining or demonstrating a technique. You can tell he digs what he does and breaks things down to the tee. You understand and you appreciate the man's passion for his craft.

Then there is the rest of us. The president of the club is Cathy Brown who is in her last semester. She is graduating and she will be missed. She knows how to get things and is always willing to help. She can also steer you to the right direction. Pablo Miron is the Vice President and the funniest guy. He is always cracking jokes and creating a laid back atmosphere. All of us always get things done but we usually have a great time doing it. Miriam Martinez is a professional photographer who has a lot of experience in the field. She is also passionate with her craft with a good eye for presentation. She gives a lot of good pointers and can give you support in your work. If you doubt your work, she can point out the positives that you were not able to initially see.

There are other photographers in the club like Christian, Zheng, and others who show great work. I look forward to next semester. Here is some of my work thus far. Enjoy. http://picasaweb.google.com/103807295871147627734/The2010SummerPhotoExhibitionTCICollege#slideshow/5504292822208230530

Blog #7 - Typical Study Habits

2010-07-22T07:20:00.000-07:00

I often wondered if I would have trouble studying during my first semester of college. It has been 14 years since high school and I knew my study habits were going to be rusty. But I had learned many skills and techniques from the different employment experiences I've had over the years. When I entered college, I had clear goals in mind: Get the best grade possible and don't hold back. But there are old habits that are hard to break and cause an individual to fall behind. But there is a strategy that any student can use to pass classes even if they fall behind. This strategy consist of maintaining a proper study environment, prioritizing homework assignments and projects, making adjustments and sacrifices.

I would have to say that an efficient studying environment is a great start. Usually you want a quiet place to study or read. If you are the type of person that needs music, then make sure it will drum to the beat of your motivation and focus: especially if it has a good flow. Relaxing music can help too but all should be played at a low volume. You want to be able to her yourself think and enter a state of mind that is completely focused on the task at hand. I try to free myself of any distractions that are around me. But that could be hard when my favorite anime site is a click away. Sometimes I would have to use the school's library or the public library for writing assignment. A good mp3 player can go along way if the silence gets too loud : ). When I get behind on assignments I sometimes ask myself when I am behind: Where should I start and how should I go about it? Then I remember that's when prioritizing comes to play.

Prioritizing the homework assignments and projects should be taken at a step-by-step basis. First, take a look at a calendar and jot down the assignments, projects and their due dates. Knowing it in your head and seeing it physically in front of you are two distinctive situations. Observing it in full view will give you a better perspective of the time frame of each assignment and when they are due. You can then single out the more immediate tasks from the less urgent tasks. Secondly, make sure to take care of our current assignments first, then work your way backwards. You do not want to fall behind any further. By completing your most current assignments, you can slowly chip away on the older assignments while gaining the sensation of progress and accomplishment. I didn't do this process early on but when I did, I noticed results right away. If you feel you may not have a lot time to do this, it could be that you may need to make some sacrifices to free up some time.

Sacrifices will have to be made in order to create time and energy for this pace and schedule of hard work. Try to eliminate distraction that are around you. Tape your favorite shows and movies so they can be viewed at a later time. You may have to alter your sleep schedule too. I am counting the days, hours and minutes for when I can have a normal sleep. Healthy snacks and plenty of fluids should help sustain energy needed to ward off Mr. Sandman, especially when he looking for your guard to be down.

This strategy should help anyone be more efficient student. I haven't always employed this strategy and I end up suffering for it. When I start to use it again, positive results are in effect. I have attached a video on twitter that I think is hilarious. I first I had trouble with twitter because I'm not used to it but then I got the hang of it. I found this along the way. Enjoy!

Twouble with Twitters from Stephan Wetzl on Vimeo.

Blog #6 - Dating while in college, bad idea or good?

2010-07-22T02:54:00.000-07:00

Dating in general can be tough but dating in college can be a bit more of a challenge. With all the amount of work given in the classes it could be hard to juggle a relationship at the same time. But I think given the right circumstances, this could be a good thing. That's why students thinking of dating while in college can be a positive experience. In a relationship there are three major aspects that make a foundation to any solid relationship; understanding, communication, and respect.

Understanding can go a long way. When you meet someone that you understand, there is a comfort level that can be reached. And in that comfort level, one can truly be thy self. Often if you are not feeling someone, you will hold back on your personality and pretty much count the minutes when you can move on. Or you could be one of those people who are always themselves and bluntly say "Get lost and stop wasting my time!" LoL. The end result is that you are looking for something in that person that would meet your criteria. And if something is there then interesting possibilities can happen. You feel like a great connection has been made. Conversations can flow, weaving through this or that subject without the ripples of clumsy or awkward moments and uncomfortable silences. You can fully be yourselves in talking about your interests or passions, keep each other in stitches with laughter, and more. Before you know it, time went flying by because of the amount of fun and enjoyment that as occurred.

And since this is college, it helps when you can hook up with someone that has similar goals like you do. You can help motivate each other, push each other and even raise the bar for each other. It can make the hardest of times bearable when you can lend or lean on a shoulder when it is needed most. It is said that two minds are better than one and if they are set with a common goal there is a better chance to accomplish anything. I believe this to be true but there are also other factors to help out.

Communication is key to continue that success. Often there are couples that have would together for a time only to hear of an unsuspected break up to end the relationship. One of the possible reasons to cause this is the lack of communication that can develop over time. Goals and interest can change over time or misunderstandings can result when the the right messages are not conveyed. After all, we are human who constantly evolve which is part of nature. But we should be honest with the changes to each other. Don't be afraid of what the other person might think. It gives that person time to digest the new changes and you might be surprised with what they have to say.

And finally there is respect. Respect is important because without respect, the relationship isn't worth it. There are a lot of reasons to give respect. Sometimes it for the persons words that encourage, inspire, and invigorate. Or it could be the actions that would speak louder than words. A couple should see themselves as equals, as a true partnership and with that respect comes a strength that can endure some of the hardest times.

You might have notice that I didn't mentioned anything about love yet. So what about Love? What happened to it. Where did it go, is it hiding, when is it going to show? If you have the three mentioned above then you have the most powerful force called love. And I'm not just talking about that heart flutter, weak in the knees, nervous kind of love neither. We could have that reaction to someone that turns out not to be the best thing for us. Rather the three represents a love that is unshakable. You know that person belongs to you and you to them. (And not a possessive, your mine so don't think about going out or wearing that type of love. That's simply possession.) The true love where you know in your soul that you were meant to be together.

That is my opinion and belief. Feel free to agree or disagree. Below are some links to websites about dating in college and vids. Thank you.

I. http://collegeuniversity.suite101.com

II. http://collegelife.about.com/od/dating/Dating.htm

III. http://www.ehow.com/way_5415396_college-dating-tips.html

Blog #5 - My Comic Life "The Road to Graduation"

2010-06-23T21:37:00.000-07:00

I must say that this project was by far the best project I have ever worked on so far. I had nothing but extreme enjoyment with this assignment. I felt like my creative juices were overflowing and I was going for a great ride. I feel privileged to experience a small taste of what comic creators go through in there daily lives. It was a lot of fun to take an idea and run with it.
So let me explain where I got the idea. As college students our main goal is to graduate with all the knowledge, skills, and learning experiences that will enhance our lives. But to reach that goal, one must overcome many obstacles. The key to it is no matter what happens; whether you fall behind by missing assignments, lack of confidence in your work, or a busy schedule that won't let you get ahead on the assignments, you can still keep your head up. Most of the time you can keep your head in the game by reaching out to your fellow classmates. You would be surprised by the encouragement that you can find. And lets not forget the professors, they're here to help and share much needed advice (after all, they see it time and again, semester after semester). Here is a site I found with some tips on how to handle stress as a student. (http://www.ecampustours.com/campuslife/studyhabitsandtimemanagement/) I mention these things because I find myself making a fatal error by taking the weekends off from doing work and I end up falling behind. I am doing mid-term projects literally the night before their due. But one thing I've learned from my previous work experience is you have to be able to work under pressure. And it seems like I am completely in a zone when I am up @ four in the morning, getting that work done. But it helps if you are organized and can avoid stressful situations like these.
So back to the Comic Life. My inspiration for my Comic Life was from the fantasy novels of R.A. Salvatore.

He writes stories about monsters, elves, dwarfs, etc. The main character is about a dark elf named Drizzt who has to overcome a lot of obstacles. (I know, I'm exposing my geeky side but it's cool.) So I decided to make it about him but I flipped the script. He is like a cocky guy who can't wait to graduate. He has a panther companion who is smarter than he is and always know the deal. I included some other characters and some interesting situations. I think it's funny and I hope you enjoy.

(To view my Comic Life Project click here)

Blog #4: First Impressions

2010-06-16T16:15:00.000-07:00

Ever watch something so funny that it sticks with you for a long time? You can find all sorts of entertainment of the web. And let's face it, the best things on the net are the ones that makes us laugh the most. Here is a clip that I think you will enjoy because it leaves me in stitches every time I see it.

The internet can be a great tool with many cool aspects. You can showcase your talents or share the talents of others. It can allow you to network with similar minded people that can give you positive feedback or constructive criticism. And that can lead to a building of confidence. Here is a clip of comedians do improv on "Whose Line is it Anyway?". This is very hard to do but they pull it off well.

The grid of info that is the internet can also be a place where you can get inspiration. Sometimes seeing the work of others can drive us, motivate us, keep us focused on our own goals. Seeing other accomplishments can help us envision our own success. Here is a link to a Digital Creative Director / Web Designer - Jason Julien (http://www.jasonjulien.com/). He does a great job designing a variety of web pages.
But one must be careful of what ends up on the internet. There is alot of information that if put in the wrong hands, can be very harmful. Not to mention our actions that can be viewed by others.

In that last video clip, the goalie made a costly error. One that a professional should not be making. And because it was broadcast internationally, it will be hard to keep something like that out of the minds of fans, coaches & team owners alike. One would have to take in consideration what type of player is he? Is his history as a professional allow you to overlook that mistake. Some mistakes are forgivable and some are not. Some are preventable and some are not. The same can be said about designers or people in general. We have to watch what we say and what we do. I am always hesitant to put things out there on the net. But I also realize the benefit of using the different resources that the net has to offer. I will try to use it with a little common sense in mind.

Blog #3: Defining the "Creative Me"

2010-06-06T07:20:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of influences that has driven me to the path of Digital Media Arts. Many of those influences are cinema, animation, photography, music, books, video games and many more. For as long as I can remember I have always been a Sci-Fi fan. The thing that interest me the most are the possibilities. To be able to fly through space, battle aliens, see bold new worlds, all without leaving the comfort of your living room. It's not just science fiction, but other types of movies as well. To be able to visit any time period and see any occupation, all through the eyes of the story teller. Web Designing is another way of accomplish this. Here is an example of how futuristic in experiencing a website can be just to purchase a product. (http://www.xmenthelaststanddvd.com/#) When you click on the link, click the enter the site button in the middle and enjoy.

If you really think about it, design is in every facet of life. Businesses reach out to the public with various mediums like commercial ad, musical jingle or typography in ways that you can associate the quality of their logo and slogans with the product and services they provide.

Hulu.com (http://www.hulu.com/) is one of the reasons why I want to be a designer. I watch most of my shows from that websites for many reasons. One of which is the layout of the site. They are constantly working on improvements so that their audience can always enjoy an optimum experience. And the fact that they have less commercials during a viewing is really beneficial. The average commercial is 12-36 seconds long, but sometimes you can get a two minute commercial in the beginning and for the rest of the episode, no interruption. Priceless!!! Here is a video of some of the latest improvements that Hulu.com was able to accomplish.

To me that video says it all. From the music setting a futuristic and cutting edge feel to it, to the many features they expose you to for an optimum viewing experience which are highlighted as she guides you through the tour. All the features you see and more is what makes using the website worth revisiting. I can't wait to have the ability to create something like that. What it comes down to is having great imagination and putting it out there. It's not the easiest thing to do with all the competing ideas out there but if you are brave enough, it is worth the battle. You become part of a something greater than yourself. A history of inspiration passing down from one generation to another. Can't think of a better profession. I can't wait!!!!!

Blog #2: Vital Resources - The Internet & TCI Library

2010-06-02T18:24:00.000-07:00

The Internet has become one of the most important tools used today. Given the era that we live in, the ability to access knowledge and information at a moments notice is invaluable. As a DMA student that fact is more relevant since one of the main tools of the trade is the computer and the various software within. But one should never lose sight that the core of designing is the understanding and application of the fundamentals.
That being said, the internet helps me find and use resources from different website as well as the TCI Library. The Library has databases loaded with articles and periodicals and other materials that help tremendously. I am able to use these resources for each of my classes (6 total). My classes are Speech, English Composition I, Fundamentals of Digital Design, Computer Drawing, Introduction to the Major: DMA & Color Graphic Design. Here is a list of each class and the resources I found for each.

Speech - One of the fundamentals of communication. I found a website that gives tips for a variety of speeches and also offers samples of several different occasions including Wedding speeches, Best man speeches, Father of the bride, etc. (http://www.speechtips.com/). In EBSCOhost, one of the many databases in the TCI Library, I found a book called 'Public Speaking: A Student Guide; 7 Steps To Writing And Delivering A Great Speech', by Katherine Pebley O'Neal.
English Composition I - This course covers writing short essays. I found this website and thought it was the CSI of writing essays. (http://secretdnaofwritingessays.com/) On this site they offer two books as well as a glimpse of some of the chapters. In EBSCOhost, there is a article titled "Write Now" by Curt Garfield from Boys' Life; Aug2007, Vol. 97 Issue8, p42-43. Now even though the article is addressed to teenagers, the tips are sound and are the very essence of writing essays.
Fundamentals of Digital Design - The bread and butter of DMA. Here is a web site that has articles, inspiration, tutorials about web design. The link here (http://line25.com/tutorials/spice-up-your-web-typography-with-font-face) has a tutorial about spicing your web typography with font-face. Typo is an article found in EBSCOhost from the Czech Republic. One must keep in mind that design is a global concept.
Computer Drawing - I found a tutorial for an introduction to Illustrator's Color Tool. (http://www.vectorials.com/tutorials/An-Introduction-to-Illustrator-s-Color-Tools-88177.html). I found a publication in EBSCOhost titled "How to draw robots and aliens" by Janet Cook. Who doesn't love aliens and robots?
Intro to the Major: DMA - I found this blogsite that helps motivate adults to return to school. (http://returntocollege.wordpress.com/). One of the strongest assets of the computer age is the ability to network with people who may be sharing the same experiences. It can lead to faster resolution to problems as well as leading to better opportunities. In EBSCOhost, you can find a magazine like"U: The National College Magazine", which has articles on college life around the U.S., news and events, new technologies and more.

Color Graphic Design (Photoshop) - I found a website that is a free resource for digital designing. In this link, there is a tutorial about websites banners with logos. (http://www.entheosweb.com/photoshop/banner.asp). There is an article (of course, where else) in EBSCOhost about Photoshop CS4 Extended Improving the flow. The article is by Mark Clarkson in the Desktop Engineering magazine. It always nice to know that with the newer versions of a software usually means life is a little bit easier, a little bit.

I hope the information is helpful.

Blog #1: My Return to College, Revised

2010-06-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

Here I am, my fourth week of college after a lengthy absence. Part of the experience lived up to my expectations and part of it has caught me by surprise. My first experience at college was not a good one. I went in right after high school and attended at Westchester Community College (http://www.sunywcc.edu/home.htm). I treated everything the way I did in high school. Big mistake! In high school, I would clown around but still pay attention in class so I was not completely lost. The homework assignments were easy and usually I would do them right before class. I mean literally 5 minutes before class. I would ace exams without even studying for them and here I thought I could do the same in college. Man was I wrong.
At WCC, the work they gave you were challenging to say the least. No way was 5 minutes enough (the streak had to end sometime). If you missed homework assignments, which I did, you can easily start on the path of failing. And sometimes extra credit assignments were not enough or simply did not exist. Depending on your professor. There was one professor who talked like Ben Stein and I could of sworn he was sent by the government to do mind control tests with that monotone voice of his. Suffice to say when he took attendance within the first ten minutes of class, so I would leave and met up with some friends and head to the cafeteria to play cards and hang out.
At that time my father had lost his job and my mother was doing all she can but they needed my help. I'm the youngest of four with two brothers and a sister . My parents taught us many things, one of which is to stick together during the hardest of times no matter what. My father didn't ask me to stop school to find work, just the opposite. He encouraged me to go to school and get that degree. But since I started failing all my classes and I wanted to do my part and help, it didn't seem to make sense to stay. I remember the last couple of days before I dropped out I was throwing up every morning. The nerves and the pressure had gotten to me. So I started to work and was enjoying the fact that I was making money.
It wasn't my first job due to the fact that I was a lifeguard and a swimming instructor since the age of fifteen but it was the first time I could get a full-time schedule. The pay check was steady and consisted of a bigger amount. And although eventually my father had found work I had grown accustom to that paycheck, receiving it bi-weekly, year round. Had I known what I know now, I would have learned all the resources that the college had to offer and get back on track. A high school diploma could never compare to a degree. The opportunities that come along with that degree are greater and the skills you learn can benefit you for a lifetime.
My experience at TCI is turning out to be a much better one. I expected there would be a significant amount of students piled in each class but so far every one of my classes has just the right amount. Not to small where you think you are wasting your time and the professor has no choice but to harass you for answers every five seconds due to lack of selection (you would probably crawl under you desk but you know you will be found rather quickly). Not too big where you feel like you would have to Lasso your professor just to get his/her attention (it would help if your from the south, better technique).
This time I do not feel any of that pressure that I was experiencing from the first time around. For starters I am paying for this so I want to get the absolute best for every dollar I put in. I know it will pay itself back tenfold but only if I take full advantage of it. I also believe that everything happens for a reason. Back then I did not know what I wanted to do in life but now I know exactly what I want to do, Digital Media Arts. (http://www.tcicollege.edu/programs/business-and-new-media-technologies/digital-media-arts/)
The book that we are reading for the introduction to the major class is "College Rules! How to Study, Survive, and Succeed in College, 2nd Edition" by Sherrie Nist-Olejnik, PhD., and Jodi Patrick Holschuh, PhD. I highly recommend this book because it deals with real solutions to real problems for new students as well as returning students. This book speaks volumes to me (no punt intended) because I can relate to it. It could help us avoid costly mistakes and help us to be as efficient as possible. To exercise a little patience when things are not going as planned. Know that you are not alone and that help is there if you can sum up the courage to seek it. I've already attended labs to work on Photoshop because this is my first time using the software (Yep, I'm a Photoshop Nube). It's always exciting to learn something new, especially when it comes to technology.
For the past ten years I have temped at various companies. From law firms to investment firms, insurance companies to fortune 500 companies. But the standard has changed and not even an associates degree would cut it anymore.
So now more than ever I am motivated to get my associates and then my bachelors. And more importantly, I will get a chance to live my dream, to weave my creativity from the depths of my passions.