Free post !!

FREE ENTRY FOR BLOG

 

 

 

I hope by hearing the term ‘portfolio’ I am visualizing the right thing. I am planning at the moment to do some market research for my website on –line and off-line.

I plan on gathering as much information on people s dietary needs and what they would find useful on this website. I have already been talking to people who have dietary requirements and they feel something is definitely needed. Also something I found very interesting is a few people have told me that even though they are not celiac they like to eat the food for health reasons. So maybe my audience might grow and expand to people who are just health conscious and particular about the food they eat.

 

It this point I am still at the mind mapping stage or brainstorming stage .I need to condense by ideas and just focus on certain people like vegans, vegetarians and celiacs. They seem to be the majority so far, although I plan to talk to some chefs that are more aware of this for a more informed view.

 One has recently told me a customer came in that was Sucrose intolerant and in the end all the chef could offer was cheese for starters, a steak and natural yogurt for desert. Maybe if the site had been there they might have been able to pin point restaurants that are sensitive to special dietary requirements and something could have been pre-arranged with the chosen restaurant.

For my portfolio I plan to show profiles of people with dietary requirements, highlighting their hopes and needs and general bad experiences to show how useful a site like this could be.

I feel the homepage will be most important in delivering the websites purpose so I plan on doing a few drafts to see which one is most successful. Color and design is extremely important to me too so I think ill have to look at colors that are suitable. Green is a good one where food is concerned, especially healthy, safe options.

 I would also like to include a nutritionist section in the website but I’m not sure than if medical issues may arise so it could cause problems and there are already sites available dedicated to this.

 I feel so far I need to establish a strong Ethos and work from there. I need restaurants to be interested in joining the site in Galway and also ensure continuity of the product and consistency of menus that suit users to build on client trust and loyalty.

 

Creator and Consumer

 

 

What an interesting position to find ourselves, at the bud of creating something from an idea or thought .As creators we have the power to construct plans and concepts and bring them through a process to achieve a final creation. It should be authentic, useful and of high quality in its design. While this itself is a great achievement, how well the product works is the key to success. It needs to fit the purpose it was intended for.

I feel for a product to succeed it is vital for it to have an identity and to be sure of its role. There must be a strong mission statement of its purpose so a clear message is delivered of what it s function is. For instance if it is an art centre, then it should not be holding kick boxing lessons!

Being at the two sides of the spectrum, the creator and the consumer. This puts a different angle or vision on the outcome. The consumer is the end user and in my work the person who s life should be made a little easier. My product comes about because I was first the consumer before the creator and this enabled me to see the gap for something that was lacking .I feel this stance works in the favor of the work. The consumer knows what they want or what is needed and creator knows how to create, it seems to me to be a partnership of great prospects!   

review on' Blakes' poetry

Review of the William Blake

‘Songs Of Innocence and of Experience”

This delightful book of poetry holds no resemblance on the previous book by N.K Hayles called ‘writing Machines’.

Unlike ‘writing machines’ this work of art has authenticity, integrity and backbone.

It is a compilation of words twined with the visual. Two languages are been spoken here, a literal and a visual language. This use of words and design are used together to strengthen the impact of communication and Interputation.  Symbolism is also embedded within the designs of Blake, allowing for a deeper understanding into the meaning of the poetry. This poet had a very vivid imagination, one that was maybe more real to him than reality itself. He communicated his ideas and concepts through his collaboration of words, symbols and images resulting in a maximum impact conceptually and aesthetically.

 

I myself am also a printmaker so I can relate and understand the time and skill that is needed to create a copperplate etching. What I commend Blake on is his technique of hand painting the prints after the plate has been etched with the words and designs. So in fact every single print would be original as no two would be exactly identical. This truly reflects the honest artist he was. They were not intended to be editioned in large quantities. It was solely for the love of his work.

 

Two sets of poetry are included in this book, Firstly ‘songs of Innocence’ and secondly a series of poems named ‘Songs of Experience’. It is suggested in the book that there s no reason to suggest that when he composed the first he had already envisaged the second. It could be seen as a natural progression of ideas and beliefs in his work. The songs of Innocence may seem to reflect a younger poet who enjoyed nature. He created poetry from a world that he was inquisitive and curious about. While the songs of Experience might suggest a more matured poet on a plight to highlight the injustices and suffering in the world.

I think these works of art are both beautiful and masterfully executed. While at first glance the words and concepts seem simplistic they are intended for a deeper understanding, I felt the short definitions supplied in the back of the book did not do justice for a lot of the poems.

I became a little deflated and disappointed on reading them, not to mention the restriction they put upon my own thoughts on opinions.

 

Instead of deconstructing the poetry I tried to write a few lines of a poem …

 

 

 

 

A man of words, a love of life,

Reflected upon his etching knife,

An honesty that lives through a stretch of time,

An Integrity that shines through his bright design,

That holds the thoughts and seem,

To ignite a light, a spark, a dream.

 

 

 

 

 

Idea Pitch for website

Right lots of ideas in my head so ill start getting them down on Screen........... QUICK SYNOPSIS OF IDEA Its for an on-line  guide to eating out in Galway  for people with special dietary requirements !!!!! Am I mad ... Where did this come from...... Well it comes from years of frustration being a Vegetarian and enjoying eating out . It was inevitable that I come home disappointed , hungry or even both from the restaurant . Every time I scoured through a menu for the V symbol the embarrassment would begin . I never wanted to cause a fuss or a debate amongst company about vegetarianism but it usually ended up in me feeling like a was being quizzed, fussy or awkward . I would have to ask for the vegetarian option because there was nothing on the menu to suit . Only always to be told "Ill have to ask  the kitchen staff". The funny thing was i knew before the waiting staff what the answer was,it was without a doubt a vegetable stir fry . If I ever see one of those again it will be too soon . It was come to my attention also that I am definitely not alone. A few of my colleagues  at work are ceoliac  and they also share in my frustration. I remember trying to organize the food for our Christmas party which ended up being a disaster. I ate before leaving the house to ensure I wasn't famished with the hunger . My idea s are so far are to list the restaurants that have menus suitable for the specific dietary requirements . These would have to be either sole vegetarian/vegan restaurants or establishments with a permanent section of their menu deemed suitable . I also would like to update and change these menus on a monthly basis . Once a month a restaurant would be featured to do a" recipe of the month" from the head chef. Detailed lists of ingredients would be supplied to ensure it was very clear and transparent and also include some images of chef and the  dish  in question. Directions and maps of places would be clearly shown along with a price guidelines  . I would also like a section for reviews of food  and establishments from customers that would have used the site for guidance .

draft

Writing Machines

WRITING MACHINES REVIEW

 

While beginning to deconstruct and comprehend what this complex piece of writing is all about I felt myself experience a rollercoaster of different emotions, Not only in relation to the content of these chapters but also towards the Author ‘Katherine Hayles’ . From the first few pages I began to dislike ‘Hayes’ and her reasons to put forward her ideas through an imaginary persona named ‘Kaye’ and then to proceed to indulge us into her background. I was puzzled why she felt we needed to be aware that she had exhausted all the reading material in her tiny boring town. Books were her only way of experiencing intellectual stimulation due to the fact that in her eyes no one around her reached her level of intellect.

I feel now after deciphering the complicated language of the first two chapters I feel I may have misjudged the writing and its concerns. While becoming increasingly frustrated at times over the use of technical terms and language that are part and parcel of the new phenomena of this digital age, I can appreciate how it highlights the authors concerns or main objectives. To focus our attention on how this digital age is transforming the face of literature, as we know it. Hayes presents a detailed account on her theory of ‘Media-Specific Analysis’, which she feels is essential to the importance of a text’s materiality and the changes it is experiencing. No longer is a physical artifact as a book the main means of accessing literature, it has taking a leap into the infinite world of electronic media. A world where we need to learn to read and write all over again.

It was suggested later into the chapter , whether the book will survive in existence because of all these new electronic elements. It is a lot more complicated than just pen and ink. There are now elements such as polymers, screens and power cord prongs in the equation. This reminds me of a recent article on ‘The emergence of filmic Artifacts’ I had to read. Here it is concerned about the changes in Cinema in a Digital era and whether or not film will vanish, taking with it the meaning and experience of cinema. I can see similarities in both these writings in their concerns and fears for a lost medium. Both of these authors come to the conclusion that all mediums are relevant to its history and any new changes in the characteristics should be embraced. 

Hayles concludes her chapter in urging the reader to be attentive to materiality now that paths have changed. The simplicity of turning a numbered page of a book has evolved into a new world of 'Binary code' ‘Hypertexts’ and ‘Technotexts’ .

 

 

 

Questions on writing in the digital age.

Questions - Writing in the Digital age.

1, What would you like to learn about "writing in the digital age" ?

I would like to learn what exactly is characterized under the heading - writing in the Digital age and also how it will benefit me in my field of expertise . I would like to learn about about the possibilities achievable through digital media both technically and creatively.

2.What do you already know about "writing in the digital age" ?

My knowledge is very limited at the moment as I am not completely sure of what falls into this category . I feel while I have been living in this digital age and fully accepted its function . I may have approached it with tunnel vision . While using it every day I may have not fully questioned the implications that may arise from its existence . Even from the first 2 chapters of "Writing Machines "I feel my eyes have been re- directed.

3.What are your strenghts /abilities/past experiences with the digital media industry?

Digital Photography would be my strenght as coming from a Fine Art background I tend to be drawn to the Visual image . I have a good eye for composition and form taken from my artistic education and experience as a practising artist . Most of my work stems from the traditional arts but now as digital possibilities arise I have become increasingly curious in collaborating the two mediums.

4.What are your strenghts /abilities/past experiences with creative writing?

I would nearly go as far as saying - none. Perhaps if I think about it in depth I would write about pieces of work that I would be interested in or maybe an idea for a Print . I am not sure how creative the words would be but it would be more about creating a piece rather than the writing itself being the end result . I would relate more to a visual diary rather than keeping a journal.

5.I would like to re-invent and re-vitalize ideas and concepts relating to my work personally and professionally. While I have spent many years teaching students I feel my own practise has suffered and my ideas have become a little static . I would like to achieve not only a high standard qualification, but I would like to gain new technical skills combined with the confidence to progress and evolve in my area of expertise.

6. My favorite song is Tom Waits -Martha . A beautiful love song about a old man who was calling his love that he had not spoken to for 40 years . It is a song about regret and nostalgia, lost love that is married beautifully with the soulful and passionate voice of Waits. Magical !

The Piece of writing is similar with the fear of sounding like a hopeless romantic - It is a poem from Leonard Cohen - "I thousand kisses deep" A piece of Poetry what can be sang or spoken.

The piece of work is a tough one to single out but I have always been drawn to the work of AntoniTapies , a Spanish expressionist who uses very unconventional materials and creates huge pieces that have a very strong presence .

My favorite taste would have to be ripe olives. They melt in your mouth and as they fall away from their inner seeds .They are very strong and vibrant in their taste and if accompanied along with a glass of wine the flavour even intensifies . They are a bit like Marmite you either love them or hate them .I always find that each one never taste exactly the same . Ive spent a lot of time in Italy and the taste always takes me back .

Smell - I adore the relaxing and calming smell of Lavender. I place the scent on my pillow and inhale deeply- instantly your body is consumed with endorphins of relaxation.

Texture- Since a very young age a can remember clearly walking on the footpaths on my route to school. Walking on the Autumn leaves that would have fallen fresh from the trees and collected or blown up against the kerb . If it was a dry day the crispness of the leaves made an even louder crunch on the soles of your shoes.

I would try to get the person to think about their experience of something they really enjoyed, something that was warm and safe , something that was familiar to them and then contrast it with something that was a thrilling , exciting , that made the hairs on the neck stand up with shivers .

7. By using different styles of fonts in a question- It could be seen to change the way the question is perceived . Some might be seen as more formal style fonts and promote a more reserved answer while others with a lighter more casual font might be perceived and answered in a more light hearted manner .

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