e-Communications Reflections
Throughout the course of this year I learned many new skills. These include skills from all three strains of e-Comm: Graphic Design, Animation/Web Design, and Video Production. I learned to use softwares such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and Final Cut Pro. Throughout e-Comm we also learned important team building skills including communication and collaboration as well as building friendships. Most of the skills we learned were through demonstration, as well as following videos, and instructions created by our teachers. Many of our projects started out small and as our skills improved the projects became more challenging. Not only did our teachers do demonstrations but other students in our classes would teach and show off new techniques we could all interpret. After many hours of practicing the skills, I became faster and faster and my skills became more advanced. Learning these skills are important because they teach us the fundamentals of advertising, and public appeal. e-Comm has allowed our communication and presentation skills advance. By incorporating creativity and our own design to each project, it made presenting much easier as well as much more enjoyable.
My greatest strengths in e-Comm are video editing and web design. These two strands are also what I find most enjoyable because with web design it is a step by step process and with video editing it's as if you are putting a puzzle together when trying to figure out which shots look good together, along with how to edit a video. Some of my weaknesses in e-Comm include graphic design and animation. I enjoy graphic design and animation but when it comes to designing something that is visually appealing, or ‘attractive’ to one’s eye - I struggle to come up with a design a think would be good enough. Although I video and web design, some of my favorite projects were done in Graphic Design.
After my freshman year in e-Comm I have decided I would like to go into convergence journalism. I will be using my presentation and public speaking skills in front of the camera, and my video editing behind the camera. While my web design skills will not be put to use much more after sophomore year, I know convergence will be what I enjoy most. Personally, I love every aspect of the e-Comm program. We are offered fun and exciting teachers who allow us to use our own creativity to determine our grade. While sometimes I with the projects would be very precise on exactly what we are to do, I do enjoy the creative freedom. Aside from the lack of specificity, I would not change a thing.
In conclusion, this is a program I would recommend to anyone who is interested in design, or being a new anchor, or anyone who is interested in the digital arts. This program made my freshman year very enjoyable and I do not regret joining even though I had to completely start over coming to Olathe Northwest. e-Comm has so much to offer and it is the class I will always look forward to every year.
