kristen’s blog

Currently in our class, we are learning the basics of InDesign. I find this particular program interesting and fun! Our first assignment was to create a magazine cover, which was surprisingly easy to understand. We talked about the idea of the Golden Mean when choosing a picture, as well as color and quality.

We have begun learning about the following pages, but only touched on a few basics. I look forward to learning more about this program!

To see my first attempt at designing a magazine cover, and let me remind you this is my first attempt, click here.

I am proud to annouce that my sister, Regan, and her fiance, Matteo, have joined the wonderful world of blogging! Their main reason to join was to keep friends and family updated about their wedding, which by the way will take place on October 8!
In addition to their blog, they have also created a website for all to see, located here.

Welcome Regan and Matteo!

Today Motorolla has officially announced the beginning of their new campaign and guess who is the head honcho….David Beckham. Yes, one of the hottest men roaming the earth as well as one of the biggest names in professional football (soccer).

I think it is amazing how fast a celebrity face associated with a product can boost sales, no to mention the brand in general. I mean pretty much any product that I can think of has a specific face that is linked to them. Kate Moss…Roberto Cavalli, Canon; Jessica Simpson…ProActiv, Dessert; Michael Jordon…Hanes; I mean the list could go on and on.

Although these faces may have a ver fast impact, would the long term effect on audiences dwindle?

Who doesn’t LOVE naps? Children take them at school, college students take them before a night on the town, parents take them to keep from insanity. Naps are taken for all different reasons, but they do have one thing in common….they are done in the comfort of your own home!

While reading around, I found a post on Dee Rambeau’s blog about the enjoyment of naps in particular. But it was a comment on that post that caught my attention most. Jimmy Wilson’s boss has introduced a new idea; naps in the workplace.
I am not so sure about this ‘great’ idea. American’s are already too wrapped up in work. CNN conducted a survey and found that men are more likely to work while they are on vacation….so how is that then a vacation? Work is taking over our lives…..we would rather work than take a day off an enjoy ourselves. Anyway, other cultures practice siestas; they embrace the idea of rest and in return seem to be happier.

Why would we encourage ourselves to spend more time at work when too much time is spend there already??

Al Gore, former Vice President, has made his way back to the stage, but with a different appeal. Rather than focusing on politics, Gore is spending his time informing the public about the harmful impacts of global warming. I know, I know…the first thing that comes to mind is Michael Moore, but Gore’s voice is being heard, loudly.

(http://www.climatecrisis.net) An Inconvenient Truth has captured unbelievable attention. “It’s a mind-boggling disaster epic that draws its special power from the fact that we are both the villains and victims of the story.”

“In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are: You owe it to yourself to see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should explain to them why you decided not to.” Roger Ebert, http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060601/REVIEWS/60517002/1023.

I must admit I believe global warming is an crucial issue today. And the sad part is that we have the ability to cut global warming down dratsitcally, but the public is uninformed and unmotivated.

After blogging around, I found the official site of ‘An Inconvenient Truth’. I came across a blog that caught my attention. It was entitled, (http://weblogs.hermosawave.net/daniel/2006/06/bush_vs_gore_si.html”>”Bush vs. Gore Six Years Later.) The writer, Daniel, made one point in particular that really made me think.

“You have to wonder: with everything that is going on in the world right now, this is what our fearless leader is concerned about?” (Bush is concerned, all of a sudden, about a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.)

This question is brutally real. When there is hype about something that is clearly meaningless to Bush, he tries to shift attention toward another subject….like he is actually going to accomplish something ‘great’ with his presidency. I am sure I am going to get slammed and called a liberal or democrat, when in fact I am an independent. There are certain issues from both sides that I agree and disagree with.

But really, what does the rest of the world think of this?

I think today is one day in particular which everyone in the world knows the exact date; 6-6-06. Although many are seeing today as eerie, some are taking advantage of it.

Hell, Michigan…ever heard of it? Well, today they are finally putting their name on the map. The surrounding communities are flaunting 6-6-6 everything…from hats, to keychains…you can even buy an actual square-inch of Hell! No kidding! And the best part is the media is all over it! I have seen coverage for this extraordinary event from the television, to print, to clothes!
The Omen opened today with only one intention in mind; a scary movie on a ’scary’ day. I actually just got back from the movie and the stunt worked. My viewing was at 1:45 p.m. in Auburn, Alabama….and the theater was surprisingly full. (My thoughts: although the ending almost ruined the movie, I thought it was well done.)
So many are frantically waiting for the day to end, but to me, today is just another day….

Our class is currently learning two new programs, Hot Recorder and Skype. Skype enables users to make phone calls via the computer. Hot recorder is used to record conversations for interviews, quotes, videos, etc.

To put our knowledge to test, Dr. French assigned each student to use skype for a phone interview and record it using hot recorder.

I chose to interview Melissa Lemer, co-founder of The Silver Spoon Entertainment Marketing in Los Angeles, CA. Her company organizes events such as the Dog and Baby Buffet and the MTV Music Awards’ celebrity gift bags. The interview went great and Melissa is truely talented and creative!

My editing is near completion and as soon as it’s done I’ll let you know where to find it!

Hello world! This is my first time ever to blog, so here it goes!

Having enrolled in Robert French’s Style and Design class, I am being exposed to an entirely different world….the world of blogging! I must admit that I had no idea what a blog was, and am still a little confused, but as the days roll on my understanding grows. (And I am sure that I will become addicted, like the rest of ‘em.)

Now entering my second week of classes, I have begun to realize the vastness of blogs. I am almost embarrassed now to admit that I didn’t know what it was before this class! It seems that ever since the beginning of this class, blogs have been slowly making their way in to my life. 

Anyway, my first encounter happened while watching CNN. They were winding up a story and commented on their BLOG! (It may seem insignificant, but I am a first-timer.) My second encounter happened just last night. I picked up Cosmo, which I haven’t read in about a few months, and to my amazement “Bedroom Blog” by Jessica Hulett, stared back at me.

With the entire summer left ahead of me, I look forward to expanding my knowledge of blogs and be able to see what they have to offer! Talk to you soon!