collage, collage, collage

okay, so now you have a collage that's due. so where and how should you begin?

it's simple, you have a lot of work to choose from. you have photos, research, traces, diagrams, catalogues, names, words and a lot of thoughts, opinions and some really very beautiful ideas that are just beginning to come forth from your work in this class.

all of this is your ammunition, and you may use it at your free will. some of you will choose to be a variable renegade vigilante and others a very precise sniper. what ever method you choose, you must hit the target, so be conscious of how and why you are doing things. remember, there is a second phase to this, so try something new and do not be afraid to mess up. but use caution in the fact that you will have a very short time for round two and the more developed this step ends up, the better off you will be when you compose your final.

here are your tips:

.01_flex your digital muscles.
remember, this is a computer course that is tying several digital programs and interfaces together into one project in hopes that you can find your best methods and strengths within how you work as a creator. we are reaching the end of the 2d phase. what have you learned about photoshop, illustrator, etc. show us just how good you can be. show us that you are expanding your knowledge-base of these programs. hint:: layers may be your best friend in the world on this assignment, but do not ignore your love for opacity, cut and paste, scale, trace and the ever-so-lovely goddess, line weight.

.02_use your silver bullet.
before jumping into this one look through your past work and identify the one thing that best sums up what you have found in your 2d exploration. this is the gem that to which everything else must cohesively relate. this is your brilliant whisper. this is your silver bullet.

.03_speak softly.
do not try and do too much in one collage. just because a lot is available, does not mean you must throw everything into one piece. remember, you are only going to have one final piece, so it had better be well done. simple brevity usually says it best.

.04_communication is the key.
who cares how good you are if you cannot convey what you are trying to do and say? the answer is no one. the reason is that you will not gain the attention long enough to even whisper your sweet 'everythings'. don't just make it pretty, make it pretty convincing. you have a lot here and after you narrow it down to that gem everything goes into explaining that gem and communicating its worth to its fullest extent.

.05_your the captain.
this 'ship' is under your charge and if it sinks it is only you we will blame. however, the work is done well, it's all you and you will get the glory. in this class, an assignment is an assignment, but the project is more important. higher than that even , are the computer programs you need to learn and then lies the student at the top of the pile. we want you to stick to what we ask for as much as possible, but in the end, if you have an alternative idea that you think will work better and you want to take that chance, go for it. not all classes will give you this freedom. here, we care that you keep up, do well, care about what you are doing and get to know these dang programs intimately they will make your good projects great if you learn them well.

and lastly,

.06_there is power in intention.
there's no accidents now. be decisive, make choices, guide your work and learn as you go. you have it within you to explore this process / project and expand your talents and tools in using computers as a strength, not an hindrance. show us that you know what's going on. take control mentally and erase all chances of mistakes and excuses.

good luck. good work. and enjoy this beautiful weekend.

due:: feb 19/20, 2007