Transitions!

We are always transitioning. We are always learning. Some learning occurs naturally. We learn not to run into traffic or put our hands on hot stoves. Some learn by doing. Some by watching or reading. Most of us learn by a combination of these methods.

I'm a visual learner,which means that reading and watching tutorials are great ways for me to acquire new skills. My secondary method of learning, and yes we all have primary and secondary methods of learning, is through hands on activities. Much like the students I taught for years, I prefer to learn through creating relevant projects.

So for the past 6 months I have been soaking up every bit of information I can find, which is a lot, on UX.UI design.

I have read all about the current trends and best practices in web design and user experience- which most commonly reffers to web and app design. BUT UX is not limited to digital devices and apps. at least it shouldn't be. Every time we interact with a product or a system, we are having a user experience. This is something I have known since I began in design. Back then there not too much thought was put into it. That is one of the reasons I have so often stood out as a designer. Pretty pictures are nice, but that is only the beginning.

The purpose of design is to make life easier for others.

This is true whether you are engaged in print, web, app, furniture, apparel, landscape, instructional design, game design, industrial design, or architectural design. Since I truly do get and love user experience design, I have been brushing up on my web skills and adding to them. So far I have learned HTML5, which is very easy and linear, and CSS3. I understand Java, but I can find any script I need for my web designs. If I were building apps, that would be a different story.

So far I have learned Adobe Media Encoder, Adobe Encore, Adobe Fireworks and how to use Adobe Photoshop to create designs and import them and their code into Fireworks.

I have experimented with the way that InDesign generates code from layouts and played with the liquid layout menu, which is great for generating quick layouts from the same design and content for mobile and desktops. What a concept! What a time saver!

I learned Articulate Storyline over the summer- a natural since I have been designing curriculum and learning activites for years. I have created a parallax and will make more since they are much easier than the tutorials make them seem. If you are not familiar with parallax, I urge you to check it out. This is a big thing with web design and will continue to grow. For me, being a Photoshop power user, that part is easy and enjoyable. I have been dismantaling other people's sites; editing their code and designing my own sites. I have been designing some sites for non-profits and I have continued to create logos and pint design. Flash and Blender are next on my list of software to learn! Animation has always been a love of mine, but the assoicated costs used to be prohibitive. With the advent of killer freeware and shareware, that is no longer an issue. Anyone who wants to learn these things can.

The information is everywhere. You do have to put the time in though, which is why I have been spending 8-12+ hours a day for the past six months learning all of this. It has been great fun and really added ot my skill set. Transitions can be a good thing. It is all in the attitude! Thanks for reading and if you know of anyone who needs a versatile and skiled visual designer, contact me! Or pass my contact information on to them.