Trace Your Face Successes

Patricia's Trace Your Face project is simple enough for anyone to do in one visit to the clubhouse. Unfortunately, Kristophur was the only member to attempt the project -- two weeks ago! I wasn't very happy with that. You need to remember that to continue to come into the computer clubhouse requires that you do projects. My job is to guide you through learning various software programs by doing projects. There are dozens of programs to learn and it takes studying and practicing to learn advance features. There are only a few members that are exempt from doing the assigned projects. This is because I know that they are focused on improving their knowledge and skills in a particular area. For example, I know that when James comes to the clubhouse he is working on music; I know that when Donovan comes he's doing Photoshop; I know that Treymaine works in Scratch; and most importantly, their Village portfolio reflects progress. If you have not been given exemption, then you have to do the assignments listed in this posting. Since the majority of you did not accomplish completing the assignments posted two weeks ago, I decided not to give any new assignments last week. I decided to see what we could accomplish from the old posting. I'm glad to show-off what a difference a week can make. Wow! Keyona did an awesome job on this project! As usual, she didn't just try to do the assignment once and call it done, she used the guidance that I provided and went on to work on a second and a third picture. And I can see how she improved with each attempt. Great job, Keyona! (Can I clone you?) I love how she added the details of the original picture. It works for this picture. Yet, Bryan did an equally great project and I'm glad that he didn't add the details of the original picture.

This was not a hard project, but it taught some important concepts about Adobe Photoshop, such as the use of the pencil and paint bucket tools, which many of you know about from Microsoft Paint. However, Photoshop adds the process of layering that can't be done in Paint. As you continue to use Photoshop, you will find that layering allows you to make amazing art and designs. I know that Keyona does beautiful projects using The Print Shop, so I'm really looking forward to what she will produce with Photoshop. Remember, there are lots of tutorials available on YouTube and at tv.adobe.com, as well as on the Computer Clubhouse Village. You can learn this program and get better and better, and even learn to use your creations in other programs, like PowerPoint, Flash, and Premiere.

I like the works done by Tim, Deonte, Reggie, Martoine, Pheobe and Malik, but I'm disappointed that not everyone uploaded their work to the Village. I know that Tim may still want to color his project, but it looks like Pheobe and Malik are finished. Remember that uploading your projects is a membership requirement. You don't need to upload every project that you create. You should upload your best works. Now, if you do not have a username and password for the Village, then you need to let me know. You cannot set up an account on your own. You need me to do it and if you have forgotten your password, you need me to reset it.

Assignments

1. Typing Practice
2. Read Blog & Leave your comment
3. Photoshop: Put yourself in a picture with yourself
4. Upload Project(s) to the Village
5. Draw a picture at the Green Table and scan it
6. Click this link and Watch the Photoshop Videos
7. Explore the Autodesk website

Note: If you have not done your video introduction and your portfolio cover, you need to do these, also.

Clubhouse Focus: Adobe and Autodesk

Note to Computer Clubhouse members:

Always remember to sign into The Village before reading this blog.

You must have a Village account and an email account (preferably, gmail). Let me know if you need these setup or if you forgot your password.

I am so excited that Autodesk has opened its education community to the network of computer clubhouses! I hope that many of you took the time to link off of last week's blog post to check out the Adobe and the Autodesk websites. These are both awesome companies with amazing software! We will be using these sites alot, so get familiar with them. Please note that if you are not familiar with recognizing a link, here is an example: Link to The Clubhouse Village website. Notice the color difference, underline and that your mouse pointer changes to a hand when you are on a link. Simply click your mouse to go to the link. Sometimes a link will open in it's own window, and you can just close it to go back to the original site; and other times you can click the back button (arrow in upper left corner). A link can also be a picture, so keep an eye out for the pointer changing to a hand. Such as when you put your mouse over this picture by Donovan.

Autodesk is a world leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. They make some amazing software for any type of design creation you can imagine. Their software was used in the making of the movie, Avatar. They have software for game making, movie making, architecture, engineering, and everything in between. In fact, like Adobe, there is so much good stuff that I have to focus training towards a specific category. I think that it is going to be fun to learn to design and create with the animation curriculum I have selected. Of course, if you have an interest in learning another area, let me know and I can download the required program(s) and guide you to training videos that will help you learn. As a group, though, we will focus on the Animation Academy curriculum provided directly from Autodesk. The process of downloading the required programs is going to take a few weeks; so we will be working on getting everyone familiar with Adobe Photoshop and Premiere.

Your assignments for this week are:

1. Read this blog and leave a comment
2. Typing Practice: Follow instructions on handout
3. Make a new binder cover for your 3-ring, clearview binder (Everyone must have their binder and binder cover by September 27)
4. Take 3 photos of yourself; 1 headshot, 1 full-body shot, and 1 choice (could be sitting, standing, close-up, far away, whatever)
5. Record a video introduction
6. Review the introduction video of Photoshop
7. Complete a Photoshop project and upload it to The Village

The following are suggestions and links to beginner Photoshop projects/training:

1. You can use your headshot and follow Patricia's instructions to Trace Your Face.

2. Start with the Getting Started episode and work your way through Learn Photoshop CS5. (Ask me about setting up an Adobe account so you will be able to store a playlist.)

3. Ask Donovan for help. The pictures in this post were done by him. He has been working in CS4, so he knows how to work with brushes and layers. You can link from his name to see his projects and profile on The Village.

Don't forget to check out all the links in this blog post and to leave a comment.

Clubhouse Program Resumes

I'm excited to have a new school year begin with great anticipation of the creativity that can come from our clubhouse. I am looking forward to welcoming new and old members into the clubhouse. There will be an orientation for all members and their parent(s) or guardian(s) to attend this week. Since attendance at the orientation is mandatory, I have scheduled it for both Thursday, September 9th at 6pm and Friday, September 10th at 5pm. There are several changes that have been implemented to improve the clubhouse. I will cover these issues during the orientation.

The computer clubhouse is a great place to learn some awesome software programs. Our participation in Adobe Youth Voices has provided each computer with the Adobe CS5 Production Premium. This suite of programs includes the award-winning Photoshop, as well as After Effects, Premiere, Illustrator, Soundbooth and more. In addition to the Adobe software, we now have access to the entire suite of Autodesk programs, including 3ds Max, Maya and programs used in the making of the movie, Avatar!

There is lots to learn in the clubhouse. I hope you're ready!