"Designing with the Stars", Take Joe-I-Can't-Design/Code-Crap and make him/her design... Options

[talcumpowder]

... I think, mostly like what Kristina said with the preliminary round being to design a logo and then progress further.

Primarily because a logo is nice and simple, and the "Teach dimensions, resolution, basics." part could be incorperated here so as not to have too many things happen at once. Teaching too many things at once is difficult.

(I did not just jump into this conversation, and you did not just see me ... 'kay?)

[Intercourselyts]

Ah I would love to participate in something like this Its a very neat idea I have to admit. I know the ends and outs of coding anything usually so If this ever happens and someone wants to pair up with me

[ThE LoTuS FlOwEr]

hi there ..
i'm new here , i hope that doesn't prevent me from paticipating .. i really like the idea ^^
thanx

[*digital.fragrance*]

^ Of course not, you can participate . But right now, this is only in the planning stages.

[*mona lisa*]

BUMP!

Hmm.. Something to think about--would it be best to start off with a specific type of layout, e.g. the common two column, and then progress to a different type of layout in say, DWTS part 2? This way, the starlettes would be able to learn more than just basics since this is going to be a very lengthy "contest" and would be difficult to try to teach everything the stars know.

And taking Kristina's ideas and expanding them:

First Round: Creating Basic Headers
---> Basically, learning to manipulate the pictures into a proper header that COULD be used on a website. Manipulating: Simple blending, changing colors, adding textures, adding brushes, and how NOT to go overboard. Teach dimensions, resolution, dpi, basics.

Second Round: Creating complex Headers
---> Involves lots of pictures and focuses more of picture placement. Lessons taught in round one will most certainly come into play here. Basically, making more complex headers that you spend more time on. Teaches proper repetition. How can repetition be proper, you ask? Oye. Much to learn you do, young weedhoppa! Adding on, possibly trying out different styles--cut-out collages, blends, abstract, all that jazz.

Third Round: How to incorporate the headers into a site
---> Making it flow with the rest of the webpage, figuring out if ONE COLUMN or TWO COLUMN code would fit best. OH! Color scheme. Making sure the site has a great color scheme that flows with the header and isn't too bright or tacky. Figuring out colors for text, links, etc. Tip: use colors from within the image/header as they will "flow" best with the overall layout.

Fourth Round: Coding! The basics of coding, simple HTML and CSS: how to place images, wrapping text around images, using images as links, opening links in the same frame or in a separate window, perhaps in a window with a certain dimension/size, how to use CSS for setting text styles, link styles (hover, italicizing, changing font size/face/color, etc.).

[talcumpowder]

Hm ... I still think a preliminary logo round would be nice. It would kind of teach the "star" what they were working with in their partner ... And it would be easy to incorperate some of that first round (Creating Basic Headers) into that round so that it's not really stressful to teach someone so much in so little time.

Maybe that's just me. And if you were to do a "two column" layout, would it have to be a linear header with the two columns under it ...? That's more something to think about. Perhaps it could be, and then you could progress into, um, "finding your own style" as round/part 2 ... Just a suggestion.

That would also eliminate the secnd round that Mona proposed ... In a way. See, 'cause the first 3 rounds/parts would be like ... When the dancers are being taught pre-choreographed dances, yeah? And then the second part/round could be when the dancers are making up their own choreography. That is how dancing with the stars works ... Right? -has never watched the show-

[technicolour]

^ They always make up their own choreography. The "Stars" are just taught how to do the steps..


Oh. We have to involve imagemapping somewhere in there. Imagemapping is a must to learn.


Oh, also.

If we were to start out with learning a colum-defined layout, then, most definately go with a one column first. Then, you can learn how to do that and then learn aspects of a sidebar and all that junk.

But Reili is right..we do need a logo round or something to where we can learn what the trainee knows and doesnt.

[talcumpowder]

... Pretend like I'm up with pop culture. XD I think I confused myself with "So You Think You Can Dance?", which is a completely different show.

If they start with a one-column layout, you can just teach them how to expand (or shrink, depending on the style) the layout to add in a siebar ... So I guess it probably would be good to start with a one-column.

Perhaps (for the imagemapping) the header could be required to have navigation on it. That way it naturally lends itself to the one-column layout anyways. Or something like that, yeah? I do agree that they should be taught that though.

[technicolour]

^ Yes yes, imagemapping would go in with the creating "complex" header round, I suppose? Imagemapping can be pretty complex. It was to me, at first, at least.

[Mulder]

^well, with imagemapping, are you talking about it with a particular program, or hard-coding it? i use pcoward's imagemapper, or psps, both of which almost noone else does, and I at least couldn't teach someone how to imagemap with imageready.

[technicolour]

I know how to do it w/ Imageready.


It is quite easy. But, since not everyone has that program...we would have to use one of those internet site thingie mcbobbers.



Ugh, Damnit. Thats the problem with this competition. Programs.

Who has what programs. Not everyone has the same programs. And that isnt fair. Damn. Why didn't I think of that sooner?

But yeah. Program conflicts.

[Mulder]

^that will always be a problem
i suppose that the "star" and learner should both use the same program, as well as the same blogging program.

[*Duchess of Dork*]

As far as compatibility with programs is concerned, that could be reasonable resolved in matching up process (matching star to rookie). So how I envision it is that we have a thread asking for participants. In that thread, if you are interested you post your name, etc AND what software you currently own. You would also list what you have done, or are able to do. For example:

Name: Rebecca
Participant Role Interested in:Learner (or Mentor, if you would to be the "star")

Currently Owned Programs

• Photoshop 8
• ImageReady
• Flash
• Dreamweaver
• MS Paint

Experience: I've done graphics in Photoshop, some animation in ImageReady

--------------------------------------------

That way, once everyone has expressed their interest, they can be matched up. I also like this because I am of the mind that participants should not choose one another. It takes away from the spontaneity of the contest. Also, it gives people a chance to get to know someone they might have otherwise. So it's a contest AND a way to get to meet someone. :)

I think Mona and Kristina's ideas of rounds are perfect. Add to that Reilli's prelim and we've started to formulate a plan. [/Velma]

The idea of a prelim round is good because it does let the mentor know, or at the very least give them an idea of what they're working with. So for example, that round is exclusively up to the rookie. They come up with the logo, or simple graphic and the mentor can see how what they've got in store for them (sort of).

[technicolour]

Mwahaha. We need a judging committeeeeee then. Someone independent who'll match everyone up. OMG I WANNA PLAY MADAME MATCHMAKER! (my little brother is watching Mulan )

But, yes, I do suppose the rookie + star will need the same program.


When should the participants/star thread be made?





I think after

-Prelim: Logo
-Basic Header
-Complex Header
-Incorporation of Headers
-Coding

those 5 rounds, then, you start making them have to design a site around a certain theme. Say, for a Church organization, or something. The site would have to include X amount of pages and whatever.

Gah. I need to seriously learn to think before I write anything. That would help in English Class.

[talcumpowder]

Whenever we completely figure this stuff out. XD

As for the thread, perhaps two seperate thread for learners/mentors? I dunno, but that would keep things neater so that whenever they do get matched up ... Well, you don't have to search for the two different categories in 1 thread. That would make the matching go faster, methinks.

After Kristina's 5 rounds though, maybe not a strict theme round ... But more of a LXS thing? Like, each contestant and their mentor have to create a (personal-ish) website with at least 2 or 3 pages featuring a graphic following the "theme." Because most of the participants will want to create more stylized websites ... And a church page would be more commercial, yeah?

(Ah, I also probably won't participate just because I own a rather weird program. Photoshop Elements and Photoshop aren't quite compatible, you see, and I never really thought about it before ... I guess I could be a learner. XD That would be really, really weird.)

[technicolour]

^ YES! A more LXS thing. That sounds better.


And I do think we need two separate threads.
The "Stars" and then the "Rookies"

Im not going to participate either...so..don't feel bad.

[*I Shot JFK*]

Name: James

Role: Learner

Programs: Photoshop (lemme get back to you on version, but i've not missed anything while following tutorials here, so it should be fine), MS Paint

Experience: Playing around making graphics in Photoshop

[*digital.fragrance*]

My programs aren't compatible either... I have PSP7... so I suppose they would be compatible with newer versions, but I'm not positive....

I use Photoshop at school only.

I'll have to find out.

[technicolour]

^ Rachael. Look at what you've been able to do with PSP7. SEVEN. Come on. I HAVE PHOTOSHOP. They're pretty similar. It's just how the programs are set up that are different.

[*digital.fragrance*]

Only thing is that it would be hard to pair me up with someone.

[sweetangel2128]

I think that is a very very cool idea!

[talcumpowder]

RACHAEL! C'mon, you an' me can pair up. I'll use my PSP9 and you can use your PSP7.[/ot]

So, when we gonna start?

[*digital.fragrance*]

That'd be awesome!

[HakunaMatata]

RACHAEL! C'mon, you an' me can pair up. I'll use my PSP9 and you can use your PSP7.[/ot]

So, when we gonna start?

Yes, yes, when are we starting? And how are we going to get to choose who the "learners" are? I predict that we'll have too many compared to the number of "stars", so is it just who signs up first?

[technicolour]

Well, I guess we might as well start getting people lined up for the contest.


We need to find people who are extremely qualified to be a star. We have plenty o' rookies, but not that many stars!