Changing a PDF to Jpeg

If you scan any images through the college printers you will find the images arrive on your email in PDF format. You can't post a PDF image to Blogger so you may find you need to convert it into a useable format (eg Jpeg) in order to get your images up. There is a MAC programme that allows you to do this easily - 'Preview'. Save your PDF file, and open it up through the Preview programme. Click on 'File' then 'Export' - this will give you the option of changing the format of your file. Select Jpeg and it will save to your desired location as such, and then be useable on your blog as an image.

Embedding PDF files

Want to embed a PDF file into Blogger (it doesn't recognise them generally) Follow the instructions on this handy link and play around with the options: http://www.tech.spoilertv.com/2012/05/embedding-pdf-or-other-documents-into.html

Inspirational Texts

This week you need to ensure you have completed your inspirational text work.

This should include your Mood board with a brief description of choices made/the type of magazine you intent to produce.

Following this should be further detail on your inspirational texts.  This should be relevant imagery from magazines (front covers/contents pages/dps) or alternative inspirations (fashion/logos etc) that have helped you formulate your image as to what your magazine will look like. Your images should be accompanied by relevant text that highlights the aspects that you think work well/are suitable/will fit with your vision/will appeal to your target audience.

Finally your proposal sheet, completed and added to blog.

Example Student Work

Here are some good examples from previous years of student work.

This should give you a good idea of the amount of work that should go into blogs:

Don't assume your blog will be identical - we may do different things at different times or use differing resources - these are here as a guide only.

http://callyatkinson-asmedia.blogspot.co.uk

http://nmather.blogspot.co.uk

http://staceycarruthers.blogspot.co.uk

Mood boards

You need to construct a mood board that brings together a number of your magazine influences together in collage form.  these can be musical influences, fashion, cultural, colour, style etc.

A good site you can use to help construct the board is http://www.moodshare.co

It's free to register and relatively easy to navigate - you can incorporate images, videos, text, colours etc.  I would recommend having a play around with the features and creating your board with it.

You can save your final board as a PDF on your memory stick - screen grab it and upload the finished piece to your blog, along with some text that helps explain the influences and choices you have made for the board.

Using Prezi

Just a quick post for those who have perhaps not used this software before. Prezi is an online tool that allows you to create presentations that make a change from relying on PowerPoint. If you have never used the software before, you will need to register. After this, when you log back in, all your previous prezis will be viewable on your homepage. The software itself is fairly straightforward and easy to get to grips with - ensure that you use a good mix of graphics and text to gain maximum effect. Prezi is an online tool, so when you want to add presentations to your blog you actually link in to the web address as opposed to uploading a file in a traditional way. Under your completed prezi you will see a selection of options - select 'embed'. This will give you a url code. When making a post on your blog, simply paste this code using the 'HTML' button in the top left of your new post. Your prezi will then appear as a blog post.

Week One Homework Task

For next session (17/9/13) You should have completed 3 deconstructions each for cover/contents/dps. You should have these uploaded to your blog. Spend some time thinking about how you would like to present the information (images, essay, interactive elements). Do not rely exclusively on online image searches - ensure some deconstructions are completed using your own hard copy material (which will need to be scanned and uploaded). Any problems/questions, email me on neil.wilson@sunderlandcollege.ac.uk

Welcome to the AS Media Blog Hub

Follow this blog so we have a collective of all class contributions to the foundation production and so I can track your progress.