Here’s a collection of featured visual arts submissions from the Kadeze community.

Lydia Jenewein

Introduction to Graphic Design History

Strong, aggressive colors complement the message of this poster design made by student Lydia. For the identity design assignment, she draws from a retro grunge aesthetic to promote the issue of mental health within society.

View in the Gallery here.

Elen Romanova

Introduction to Graphic Illustration

Melting colors add an air of mystery to this digital painting from learner Elen. In her commentary about the piece she writes: “The character is on the verge of entering a mysterious world about which he himself knows nothing. He doesn’t know whether he will like it there or not, but he will nevertheless move forward to meet the unknown.”

View in the Gallery here.

Noir Yaguara

Comics: Art in Relationship

A fun and relatable commentary on the day to day life of an artist, this piece perfectly captures the process in an interesting way. Noir’s art conveys the inspiration that’s inspired by the stimuli in one’s surroundings.

View in the Gallery here.

Paulo Pato

Introduction to 3D Modeling and Animation with Maya

For this animated scene student Paulo achieves great lighting effects. The contours and shadows against the desert background and foreground add depth to highlight the barren environment.

View in the Gallery here.

Gary Barker 

Visual Storytelling for Film and Video Games

In this basic shadow assignment, student Gary showcases extraordinary detail in his pirate sketch, from the strong facial expression, shading, and textures. From the shadow’s powerful pose and the vividly illustrated and fleshed out design, the result is a fully realized and narratively interesting character.

View in the Gallery here.

Phong Nguyen 

Visual Storytelling for Film and Video Games

Inspired by Medusa, student Phong’s sea monster rendition is both terrifying and awe-inspiring. The bright color pairings are in stark contrast to the character design of the monster.

View in the Gallery here.

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If you want to jump into visual arts projects of your own, you can enroll in the courses below:

Introduction to Graphic Design History

Maryland Institute College of Art

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Visual Storytelling for Film and Video Games

Ringling College of Art and Design

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Introduction to Graphic Illustration

Cornish College of the Arts

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Comics: Art in Relationship

California College of the Arts

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]]> https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/how-to-drive-engagement-on-your-artist-social-media-pages/ Mon, 21 Oct 2019 08:00:48 +0000 http://blog.kadenze.com/?p=52323 Photo by Kari Shea / Unsplash

Making as name for yourself as an artist and captivating an audience is a challenge on its own, but when you’re trying to get people to care about your art, where do you start? In an environment where everyone seems to favor fleeting trends and has a monopoly on originality, how do you stand out and get your art in front of attentive eyes? 

With the right approach and content, artists can establish themselves as something beyond a trending topic and develop a genuine connection with their audience. An artist’s strong relationship with their dedicated followers has the power to impact or even shift the larger cultural conversation. Niche interests like brush lettering have cultivated a following thanks to unique artists popularizing the field. It’s not enough for people to appreciate your art — they have to subscribe to your artistic vision. 

Here are some ways you can get your audience to interact with your art in a meaningful way. 

Offer a sneak peek into your methods

Showing behind the scenes processes will always attract attention. Pique viewers’ interests by making them ask “How did you do that?” Being creative with the ways you reveal your art-making is another way to get people to know you. Utilize unconventional storytelling, time lapse videos, or editing techniques to establish your style. Making the process easy to understand and break down complex points. Providing a point of entry for new fans/ or followers makes you come off as approachable and ensures that your audience doesn’t feel alienated.

Post a series or collection

To maintain an active feed, make sure you post at regular times or when the majority of your followers are online. Keep up a regular schedule so your followers know when to expect new updates or announcements, and it will maximize the exposure of your content.

Feature a variety of images, such as ones that showcase stages of a past or current project. Curate your posts to show that you put thought into what you decide to share, and provides a sense of purpose.

Talk about what inspires you 

What compels you to make what you make? Break down specific choices — why you chose a certain color palette, your reference for a motif, even a stray observation. Make your objective as an artist clear – is it for a cause, explore new ways of expression, etc.? When you express your particular ideas for your work, your audience will have a greater appreciation for the art and you as an artist.

Different platforms can serve different functions; you can share glimpses of your everyday life with Instagram stories in real time, while Facebook can feature lengthier posts about your methods.

Remember that your page doesn’t need to be a highlight reel 

Maintaining a positive image on social media doesn’t mean you have to show only the best of your art. The more you talk about your imperfections, struggles you face as an artist, and other less than polished sides of your artistry. It’s more important to be truthful about your art and magnify flaws. Your audience wants to relate to you!

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For more tips and strategies for improving your artistry, check out these related articles. Then, enroll in the courses below to learn more about how you can grow as a professional artist:

Powerful Presentations for Artists

Kadenze Academy

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]]> https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/why-imagination-is-the-key-to-brain-boosting/ Mon, 14 Oct 2019 08:00:26 +0000 http://blog.kadenze.com/?p=52441 When we speak about the imagination we used to connect it to writing fiction because people think that a good imagination is important for writers, including the writers who create an essay at the online service EssayShark. However, we often miss one important thing which is based on the fact that we need good imagination not only for writing books but also for the effective process of reading new information. 

It must be considered that imagination can help to perceive better not only fictional stories, but any kind of information. Imagination is a key to brain-boosting, as it helps to develop creative skills and to memorize information in a faster way. This article provides you with an explanation of why imagination cannot be underestimated and why it is important for your brain to use your imagination more often.

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Imagination is not only about fiction

We often hear from other people that they do not have a really good imagination and it is more comfortable for them to work, for example, with statistics or facts. These people consider themselves to be non-creative, so they think that if they choose the field for work which is not related to the necessity to write music or stories, so they do not need their imagination. The truth is that all of us use imagination every day. Imagination allows us to perceive all kinds of information because in the case if we do not use our imagination we can understand only that knowledge which is based on our personal experience, so we are very limited without our imagination in this world.

Imagination is key to creativity

There is no secret that in the modern world, creativity is a key to success in every field, so if you want to be a great professional in any industry, you should develop your creativity and solve all the problems using your imagination. Imagination allows people to analyze the situations which are not related to the real order of things, so it makes the process of a solution to be more effective and faster. With the help of imagination, you can take into consideration all possible scenarios for the particular situation and predict consequences for each possible solution, and analyze how it can impact the initial order of things in general.

Imagination and dreams

Dreams can be considered as part of the process which is related to the work of imagination. It means that because of our imagination we can see dreams, but also it is related to the way in which our subconscious works with the help of existing knowledge, memories, and imagination. 
Imagination and the process of dreaming can impact the existing memories and turn them in the way which gives us a brand new perspective and point of view on the information which we already know.

Imagination and dreams in this context is key to brain-boosting because we can develop a new way of thinking for the knowledge which seems common to us, but while we are dreaming our imagination works in the way which is unexpected for us, so it can have a positive impact on the creative abilities and the effectiveness of working processes for our brains.

Imagination and empathy

Imagination can help our brains to work better, but it is not only about academic or career achievements. It also can help us to understand other people better and develop a higher level of empathy. When we read books we can imagine how it feels to be and to live like a particular character. We think in the way in which the character does, so we understand him or her better. In real life, we can use our imagination in order to understand other people better. We can think about the way in which the writer thinks when he or she creates characters for books. 

In order to develop a higher level of empathy, we can think about a particular person using our imagination and think about what kind of character in the book this person can be related to. Also, we can think deeply and imagine the causes and the factors which had an impact on the person in the past. If we think that an individual is a bad person, we can try to understand this person better with the help of imagination and develop different scenarios that can justify his or her actions. These strategies can help not to judge other people but understand them better with the help of imagination. These exercises can help your brain to work in a more effective way and develop better communication skills, as you will have a great ability to think in the way other people think and understand them better in different aspects.

Imagination is a brain-booster which provokes you to think

This is the most important thing about imagination as a key to brain-boosting. When you use your imagination, your brain works in the most effective way, as you generate ideas with the help of different senses, and visualization is the part of it. Your imagination can be boosted with the help of particular smells or noises. For example, when you smell something tasty you imagine pictures of this dish or you can imagine the taste of this thing, so your brain works using different senses. Also, when you hear some noises you can imagine what can cause them or you see the way in which this noise was created. It is a useful and important thing which is related to the necessity to think all the time and to use the abilities of your brain in order to make it work better.

So, if you still think that imagination is only a part of the process of creation of fiction, consider this information. You need to use your imagination and you use it every day even when you do not think about it. Imagination is a powerful brain-booster because it makes you think in the way which is not standard for people. Imagination can help you to find solutions that can be considered unexpected by your brain, but your imagination can create scenarios that solve problems in the most effective way. We can operate the information which is related to our experience and real knowledge, but the rest of the information we get with the help of our imagination, so it is a crucial factor which has a great impact on the way in which the brain works. 

Empathy, creative skills, and better brain work – all these aspects can be improved with the help of imagination, as it is tightly connected to all these factors and have a great impact on the process of your thinking.

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Matthew Finnighan, Freelance Writer

Matthew Finnighan is a freelance writer for multiple educational institutions. He’s been working in this field for more than 5 years now. He has been studying psychology which allows him to conduct research on this topic. 

To discover how you can apply your imagination in practice, check out courses in music, creative coding, graphic design and more in the kadenze.com catalog.

]]> https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/4-tips-to-prevent-summer-learning-loss/ Mon, 12 Aug 2019 08:00:59 +0000 http://blog.kadenze.com/?p=52221 Photo by Marion Michele / Unsplash

Summer is a time to relax and catch a break after a busy year. Experts always warn about how there’s a significant risk of learning loss during summer, so it’s crucial for students and professionals alike to participate in activities that engage their critical thinking and renew motivation. Aside from any on-campus or online courses you’re taking, there are a number of ways you can prevent your mind from feeling sluggish. 

Don’t let a summer slump undo weeks or months of progress! Read the following tips for simple and fun ways to stay mentally stimulated long after the summer period. 

1. Train your brain

An easy, low-effort way to keep your mind sharp is to do quick mental exercises. 

Make it a habit to incorporate mental exercises for a few minutes each day. Download brain training apps like Elevate or Lumosity where you can complete puzzles and solve problems in different areas like math, reading, and writing. Daily activity will help you build mental muscle memory, and even short-term engagement can go a long way. Over time you’ll improve your knowledge retention and strengthen your ability to grasp new concepts.

2. Change up your routine

Is your capacity for learning and productivity being bogged down by a monotonous, ineffective routine? The lack of a structured schedule might throw off some people, but it provides the freedom to plan your days at a pace that works for you. 

Rethink your routine for the summer and make way for positive, purposeful change. Your schedule is most likely very different compared to other times of the year, so adapt it to according to what’s on your agenda. See what new items to include or bad habits are worth ditching. 

Keep track of your tasks with a bullet journal and plan ahead to stay on top of your work. Here’s a useful guide for updating your to-do list that streamlines your workflow without adding more busy work.

3. Attend workshops

Ever wanted to take a drawing, calligraphy, or sculpture workshop? Sign up for a class and learn skills. Look for studios in your area that offer a schedule of classes in different levels. They’re a great way to explore a skill you’ve never tried before or are hesitant to jump into. Many libraries or community centers also host featured guest talks and discussion panels where you can learn about specific techniques or an artist’s recent body of work. 

Going to in-person workshops are excellent for complementing the concepts you’re learning in a course. You might find a hidden talent or your next favorite hobby!

4. Visit an educational site

If you’re traveling, add some kind of educational destination to your sight-seeing list, such as a zoo or historical site. Are there some places you’ve been wanting to explore, such as an art exhibit or natural history museum? It’s better to learn in a casual environment where you don’t have to worry about grades.

A key part of maintaining active summer learning is to remember to keep it fun! While it’s important to know practical skills, gravitate towards topics you have a genuine interest in to make learning an enjoyable process for you. You’ll find much more success when you pursue ideas you personally connect with and find enriching.

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Serious about making the most of this summer? Skill up throughout the year by entering our Summer of Learning Contest to win FREE 1 month of Premium membership or a multi-course Program of your choice, valued up to $900! See details on how to enter here.

In the meantime, explore our course catalog to see what skills you want to develop next.

]]> https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/featured-student-work-summer-2019/ Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:19:10 +0000 http://blog.kadenze.com/?p=52157
Breezy palm trees and crashing waves are some of the images that define this time of the year. Whether you prefer a trip to a theme park, relaxing on the beach, or going through your list of summer reads, there are a plethora of ways to celebrate the exciting summer season.

We’ve collected a list of student work that captures those summer vibes. Soak up some creative inspiration from these fun projects below.

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Deepika Nanda

Introduction to Graphic Illustration

For her submission, student Deepika created a dolphin with mixed materials. She used everyday objects to add a texture effect to simulate waves of the ocean.

Tinna Lam

Introduction to Graphic Illustration

What screams summer more than the beach? A illustrative poster displays a collection of images that convey the beach, such as waves, shells, sand castles, and a pair of sunglasses.

Abhishek Rantiya

Introduction to Graphic Design History

In this submission for an assignment on natural representation, student Abhishek created a beautiful tropical-themed floral pattern that features an excellent use of texture and contrasting colors.

Krysta Nordland

Visual Storytelling for Film and Video Games

A lone ship by a deserted island depicts a scene from an adventure on the high seas. Sweeping brushstrokes convey a strong sense of movement within this vividly detailed rendered environment.

Camila Zambrano Fernández de Córdova

Introduction to Graphic Design History

The creative use of shapes and layers almost make this composition three-dimensional, with different color combinations to show variation.

Which one of the projects is your favorite?

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Have you entered our Summer of Learning Contest? You could be the next winner to receive FREE kadenze.com prizes! To enter see details here.

These projects were submissions for the following courses:

Introduction to Graphic Illustration

Cornish College of the Arts

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Visual Storytelling for Film and Video Games

Ringling College of Art and Design

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Introduction to Graphic Design History

Maryland Institute College of Art

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]]> https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/kadenze-ambassador-mariano-maldonado-on-fostering-community-in-the-digital-classroom/ Fri, 28 Jun 2019 17:27:04 +0000 http://blog.kadenze.com/?p=52030 Photo by Manuchi / Pixabay

Online education allows learners greater access to a wide variety of subjects, but it’s an environment that can be challenging for many students. To alleviate this issue, we invite our learners to be Kadenze Ambassadors, where they can host an open and welcoming online space for their fellow learners.  

The Kadenze Ambassador program provides opportunities for Kadenze students to take on a more active role in encouraging engagement within our learner community. Ambassadors are moderators who demonstrate proficiency in a course’s subject material and provide instructional support to their peers. They’re responsible for giving constructive feedback on projects, facilitating thoughtful discussion within the course to create an engaging online learning environment. 

Ambassador Mariano Maldonado is a digital arts professor who has taken several Kadenze creative technology courses, such as Creative Applications of Deep Learning in TensorFlow and Generative Art and Computational Creativity. We reached out to Mariano and asked him to share his experience about being a Kadenze Ambassador and the unique ways the role has complemented his educational journey.

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Tell us about yourself. Can you describe your artistic practice and area(s) of study? 

I am a professor in the School of Arts, Digital Art at UAEMex. There, I am conducting a scientific and artistic agenda. My research focuses on building generative systems endowing machines with creative behaviors, with [a] focus on music technology and artistic applications. I have been conducting along two directions:

• Methodologies of artistic processes. My particular contribution to the field of artistic research has been to study different processes on building a result or production. My work includes philosophical positions such as semiotics or phenomenology (digital thinking) to the use of computational tools in audiovisual environments. Artistic methodologies offer different ways to reach a result. The construction of reality is possible beyond the dominant paradigms.

• Audiovisual production as philosophy. The development of any proposal demands the use of techniques. The image-movement allows to build dynamic thinking based on the intentionality of the producer. The use of the tool is not alien to the consciousness of its creator. So, the audiovisual choice can be conceived as a way of being in the world making possible a doing and reflection. The fundamental idea is the fusion between man and his artifacts as an expansion of his senses. The communication between different systems allows us to glimpse the complexity that encompasses all production.

How did you discover kadenze.com?

I was taking a Coursera course in music programming with Chuck. The professor linked the page in the references.

Why did you decide to be a Kadenze Ambassador, and how has the program enhanced your online learning experience on kadenze.com? How have the courses benefited your professional experience or portfolio potential so far? 

Online education, from my experience, needs a paradigm shift. It is necessary to take advantage of thinking the world from new technologies and ways of acting. My contribution is based on offering helpful comments that come from a human opinion. It is essential to activate participation. In many cases, it is only perceived as a space to have knowledge, but with social networks there are other possibilities than just a classroom.

The knowledge is very specialized. The topics in Computational Creativity, Programming with Max, Machine Learning, among others, helped to think about my doctorate project. Kadenze opened up many ways of thinking about my practice. In my community of Toluca, I have made workshops where I translate into Spanish. Here, [only a few of us] are interested, and [we experience] social obstacles. Not everyone has the ability to program. Kadenze has given me perspective of the subjects to be taught, applied to my context.

Self-directed learning can be difficult to adapt to for some learners. Based on your experience as a Kadenze Ambassador, what are some effective ways learners can improve their academic performance in online courses and better engage with their peers? 

The training course is very good. It helped me understand that good feedback is the key. Making the student feel special, recognizing their effort, providing specialized advice is the key. Offering a space for direct interaction would be the best: virtual cafeteria?

What are some short and long term goals that you hope to accomplish through taking part in the Ambassador program on kadenze.com? 

Short-term objectives:

• Assign hours a week to work. I’ve had a lot of work!
• Improve my comments clearly
• Review projects that can help in the courses
• Start conversations in the private chat

Long-term objectives:

• Meet people to carry out projects. The community is learning little by little
• Improve my technical skills
• Manage resources for exhibitions

What are you looking to get out of being part of an online creative community on platforms like kadenze.com? 

Community, in the sense of a family. The one that supports you, and communicates not only for an educational issue, but an experiential one.

How do you see online education evolving in the future? 

I imagine connected in virtual reality. I write at home, but with virtual reality glasses I would like to invite people to place their computer with me and talk: a person from Japan sitting on the couch, one from Germany at the table, etc. [I] think of projects that are not only [in an] academic format, but manage projects applied to communities with specific problems.

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This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Are you a learner interested in taking part in the Kadenze Ambassador program? Send an email to yoojin@kadenze.com to learn how you can become an Ambassador for your favorite course. 

If you want to build skills in deep learning and programming topics, sign up for the courses below:

Creative Applications of Deep Learning with TensorFlow

Kadenze Academy

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Generative Art and Computational Creativity

Simon Fraser University

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]]> https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/5-ways-grads-can-launch-a-career-in-the-arts/ Wed, 26 Jun 2019 17:50:55 +0000 http://blog.kadenze.com/?p=52011 Navigating the world as an art school graduate can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Even just the transition between a creative, educational environment to a working or self-employed environment can be jarring. However, you have the advantage of being freshly equipped with unique skills and knowledge that can help you push your art practice into new heights. 

Maybe you’re not really sure which direction to take, and that’s ok too! There’s a number of opportunities you can explore to build a foundation for your career after you’ve graduated.

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1. Diversify your experience

Jobs and internships are great ways to get some hands-on practical experience in the art world. From painting, film, and graphic design, internships can provide you with more experience in your respective creative field.

Museums, galleries, and other performance spaces often have their own internship programs which are beneficial ways to learn about the educational or administrational aspects of the art world. Volunteering can be an amazing learning experience too! If you’ve been interested in helping out your community, try looking into some local, non-profit organizations in your area. Internships and volunteer work are generally short-term commitments, so you can make some direct impacts in your local art communities and build new relationships with new people right away! 

Do some research on various organizations and see if their goals align with yours. Check out their volunteer applications, then try reaching out to them and ask if there’s anything you could help out with (along with a resume).

Along with standard job boards like Indeed and Internships.com, sites like Resartist, Idealist, Artist Communities, and Way Up are also great for finding internship volunteering opportunities to full and part time job applications.

2. Send in your work to open submissions

Call to artist submissions are great opportunities to get your work seen by an audience. Submissions are often organized as a part of group shows, but you’ll still be getting exposure for your work and meet other artists’ with similar practices! 

Before you submit your work anywhere, make sure you have some high quality and strong examples of your practice.

Literary magazines or DIY + local publishers, or small galleries also often have open submissions throughout the year that gives artists a platform to share their work. Here are some examples of some amazing communities you can share your work with:

• Best Art Competitions in 2019
• Trash Mag – a Los Angeles based, artist-run community
• Direction Magazine – literary + visual arts publisher run by Pierce college. Submit your work here.
• Search for Open Calls from your local galleries

3. Look into further schooling

If you know what long-term career path you want to pursue and have a strong desire to expand your creative practice, you might be interested in applying to graduate schools. For example, postgraduate degrees like MA or MFA are required if you want to teach in a college, run an art gallery, or work as a museum director. Earning a graduate degree can bring its own set of career opportunities, but there’s no need to rush into it right away.

It can be good to take some time to figure out your practice on your own and make work for yourself rather than an outside motive. Take some time to focus on all the ideas, experiments and passions you couldn’t get to in school. Invest in the topics that you’re genuinely interested in, and remember that you don’t always have to stick to the same subject as your degree! 

If you’re interested in branching out to new subjects, start with online courses or programs. You could even look into free, creative educational programs or workshops in your area to learn something new or discover interest you didn’t know about.

4. Go to art shows or events

It can be good (and necessary) to take a break from years of intensive studying and deadlines, so make some time to go see art shows or events regularly.

Seeing artwork in person versus on a computer screen are completely different experiences. It can be easier to engage with a piece if you’re physically there because you can immerse yourself in the work as a whole. Attending art shows helps you to continue thinking about art in a critical way so you can expand your own understanding of being an artist, and push yourself to experience a variety of work outside of your own practice. 

Learning about other working artists can also give you some inspiration if you’re feeling burnt out or stuck. Events can serve as great networking opportunities, and it can be exciting to see other artists making the same or vastly different work as you and remind you why you love to make work in the first place.

5. Stay positive!

Last but not least, try your best to stay positive.

There can be a lot of expectations running through your head after you’ve graduated, and you might feel like you’re off track if your peers are already making leaps in their own creative careers. Success is never a linear path; it’s ok if you happen to be working in a field that isn’t related to your degree. You can make time to build your practice when you can and you’ll be learning new skills along the way! 

Everyone is going to have a different definition of success and you have as much time as you need to find your own meaning. Keep seeking new opportunities that interest you without thinking about what will make you a “successful” artist. It’s ok if an opportunity doesn’t go anywhere; there will be so many more down the road and each opportunity will be a unique experience that helps you grow as a creative individual.

Navigating your career path

It can be easy to feel stuck and directionless after you’ve graduated, but you don’t have to pressure yourself to immediately become the most experienced and technically advanced artist in the world. Invest in yourself and think about what ideas, movements, events, or materials that get you excited. You’ll get back into the groove of art-making in your own time. 

Overall, you can think about graduating just as a continued learning experience. All throughout your career, there will always be new things to learn about and earning a degree doesn’t mean you have to stop learning. Wishing everyone the best of luck in pursuing their creative passions!   

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Need a place to host your work? Sign up to create a digital portfolio for free here. Discover ways you can advance your career by exploring some of our professional development courses:

Introduction to Being a Teaching Artist

Kadenze Academy

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Project Management for Designers

Emily Carr University of Art and Design

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]]> https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/sculpting-with-sound-audio-projects-in-faust/ Mon, 03 Jun 2019 18:38:13 +0000 http://blog.kadenze.com/?p=51742 Photo by Sharon McCutcheon / Unsplash

Audio plugins are great tools for musicians and sound engineers to enhance their music and take it to another level. One way to create a variety of audio effects is with the programming language Faust. Programs like applications, mobile apps, and even externals for ChucK, Max/MSP and more can be all be made through functional programming.

To see just what kind of sound design you can achieve in Faust, listen to these creative digital audio submissions made by students from the course Real-Time Audio Signal Processing in Faust offered by Stanford University.

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Zhe Zhang

For his project, student Zhe Zhang created a PureData patch by combining several externals generated in Faust. View his project here.

“FAUST is a powerful tool for audio processing, especially for its compiling support on various platforms. In this case I exported a basic Karplus-Strong algorithm as a VST plugin and loaded it in FL Studio.”

Pavlo Apisov

For this assignment, students had to create a polyphonic synthesizer. Here student Pavlo Apisov codes an audio track using Faust and FL Studio in Firefox via loopMIDI. View his project here.

Carole Chargueron

This submission is another example of a polyphonic synthesizer. Student Carole Chargueron adds her own spin by incorporating an additive sawtooth synth for unique sounds. View her project here.

“Put 2 sawtooths for the fundamental with a 2Hz beats for the second one, and added a second sawtooth for the 5th with a detune.”

Yaron Faxi Nadu Eshkar

Here student Yaron Eshkar implements a subtractive synthesizer with multiple different filters, showcasing a smooth modulation effect. View his project here.

“Faust coursework example utilizing peaking filters, LFO modulators and effects. Demonstrating movement through tweaking of the modulation reates.”

Chenzhong Hou

Student Chenzhong Hou programs a “strummable” string instrument with the Karplus-strong algorithm. View his project here.

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You can check out more student work from all our courses by heading to our Gallery. Interested in learning Faust and developing audio effects of your own? Join the course below!

Real-Time Audio Signal Processing in Faust

Stanford University

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]]> https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/4-mindfulness-practices-to-renew-focus-and-creativity/ https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/4-mindfulness-practices-to-renew-focus-and-creativity/#comments Wed, 08 May 2019 18:51:20 +0000 http://blog.kadenze.com/?p=51687 Photo by Skye Studios / Unsplash

With technology becoming more and more integrated into our work and social lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the screen. Some days you find yourself coding or scripting for hours or not being able to stop scrolling through your Instagram feed. Technologies can help develop web pages, create intricate designs, and connect with people all over the world — we are dependent on them for maintaining and increasing productivity.

However, being so entranced by the screens in front of us all day can make us feel tired, fried, and sometimes even uninspired. It’s easy to rely on your phone or computer to get work done, but it’s also important to be able to take a step back and practice mindfulness.

Mindfulness is defined as “a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.” It’s an especially great way for anyone to recharge, and turn your attention to the present, rather than just focusing on what you need to get done in the next few days. Some easy mindfulness techniques include:

1. Meditation

Meditation is an ancient practice of clearing one’s mind and focusing their mind in order to reach a calming state. Research has shown that even just 10 minutes of meditation can have a positive impact. You can supplement this with deep breathing techniques or stating a meaningful mantra that directs your goals for the day. Whether you like to sit or just be, meditation is a simple way to settle into your thoughts, focus on your breathing, and just not think much about anything. What better way to inspire creativity than with a clean mental slate?

2. Walking

Another form of meditation is a walking meditation. Not only do regular walks come with a health benefit, but they help us to slow down and unwind from stress. This exercise is just like your normal neighborhood stroll, except that you stay silent and focus your attention on observing and reflecting on your surroundings.

3. Journaling

Keeping a journal (whether it’s the traditional or the bullet kind) is one of the best practices for letting off steam, especially for creatives. However, you can optimize your journal in a mindful way by drawing or writing about things you can see in your surroundings. Doing so establishes a steady train of thought as you focus your mind, and helps you record any spur of the moment ideas you might want to explore at a later time.

4. Working Out

Working out may seem more intensive and high-energy than these previous methods, but exercising forces you to focus solely on the activity you’re doing. Furthermore, you need to focus on your breathing, especially when you are trying to push yourself harder. Like meditation, physical exercise aids your mental clarity and is a good habit to develop for both maximizing your productivity and boosting your mood.

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To learn more about improving your productivity and learner habits, head to our Student Life section. Keep up your creative energy and explore new projects by enrolling in a course below:

Pen and Ink Illustration: The Basics for Creating Magical Drawings

Kadenze Academy

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Music Theory Level 1: Part One

Kadenze Academy

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Doodle Magic | Basic & Advanced Techniques

Kadenze Academy

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]]> https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/4-mindfulness-practices-to-renew-focus-and-creativity/feed/ 2 https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/portfolio-showcase-fedaa-kamal/ Wed, 13 Mar 2019 00:54:23 +0000 http://blog.kadenze.com/?p=51300 A portfolio is one of the strongest ways you can can represent your identity as a professional creative. By displaying your best work, you’re sharing your personality, strengths, and accomplishments to a world of future collaborators, business partners, and supporters.

On kadenze.com, you can create your own portfolio to archive and share your pieces with a world-wide audience. Here’s an example of what a portfolio on Kadenze can look like:

Fedaa Kamal’s Portfolio

Fedaa is currently a senior 2D motion designer and 3D artist. He has been working in the digital signage field for 4 years, which involves designing LED, projections, and other digital forms of billboards and outdoor advertisements. In his creative practice, Fedaa has been utilizing a wide range of industry-standard programs like After Effects, Premiere, Cinema 4D, Maya, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

Below are some of the work he’s completed for animation and motion design courses on kadenze.com.

Got some projects of your own that you want to share? Join Kadenze to create a digital portfolio for free and host all of your creative work in one convenient spot.

To learn more about motion design, sign up for our following courses:

Introduction to Motion Design

Ringling College of Art and Design

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Introduction to 3D Modeling and Animation with Maya: Tradition Meets Technology

California College of the Arts

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One of these students is Petr Yakyamsev, who has received certificates in a number of digital arts courses. Petr has utilized kadenze.com as a valuable academic resource for learning about programming and music technology. In this interview with Petr, he explains how he first discovered the platform and how kadenze.com courses serve as an excellent supplement for developing his work in sound design.

Tell us about yourself and your background.

I’m a sound designer for games. I was born in Togliatty, Russia and studied aircraft engineering at Samara State Aerospace University. Somewhere during the the second year of my higher education I realised that I wanted to proceed with learning music, so I started to study jazz music in the local Jazz School “Moving Club” in the evenings. After a few years I found myself in the hobby jazz band, which eventually become a professional collective where I started to make money from playing music. After a while, guys from the band decided to go their own way and I decided to focus on audio for games (I have participated in a few small game-projects already).

At the same time, I realised that while I could do some music, I didn’t completely know what sound design actually is. After some research I found that there was an opportunity to be employed by companies as in-house audio guy, which was mind-blowing for me. But you need to do sound design, not music. The problem was that there were no vacancies in the city and more importantly no teachers, instructors or mentors who can give feedback or advice, which is extremely valuable from the start.

To not waste time with reinventing the wheel, we (my wife and I) moved to St.Petersburg where I got the fortune to start working as a Junior Sound Designer at Strategic Music. At that moment (2013), it was the most famous company that provided outsourced audio in Russia, while other competitors were just starting out. So I spent a year learning the craft and got myself comfortable with everything and then decided to go freelance. There was a lot of good people that I was lucky to encounter during that time and we made a good projects together: Insomnia, Sandbox Evolution, Animal World, Blockhood, and others. After a few years I got employed by Gaijin Entertainment (Moscow) to work on ‘War Thunder’, then later got employed by Stunlock Studios to work on ‘Battlerite’.

What made you want to take music technology courses on kadenze.com?

A few reasons: I like to learn new stuff like audio and engineering. I basically took everything I was interested in from Coursera and then discovered kadenze.com, where courses are more in line with my profession (the intersection of audio-production and engineering). More in-depth, more interesting, more inspiring –that’s just what I needed.

What benefits do you see in taking online courses that traditional, in-person courses don’t offer or fall short on? How would you compare those two experiences?

The biggest benefit is the ability to study what you want and where you want. As you can see from my experience, sometimes you really get locked geographically and just don’t know how to start. The ability to take some courses online will at least give [you] some basics of the topic, so you will have something to start from and then research it more in-depth by yourself.

What did you find most enjoyable about the courses? Which one was your favorite?

I will not tell any surprises here, because I really enjoy the discoveries that [the courses] give me. Even if you will not proceed with practicing the material after the course, the knowledge of how this could be done and what it is needed is very valuable. Sometimes you find something that […] builds upon [your knowledge] (Chuck led me to Max/MSP). So, every study is important even if you’re not sure you will practice it. Everything sums up at some point.

I would say Max/MSP is the best experience so far. It is so in-depth that you get out of it with a pretty good understanding of the topic and practice. That is a great example of how courses on complicated topics should look like.

What are some unexpected challenges you found in learning through online education?

The lack of opportunity [to] answer [fast questions] like you can do in-person. Sometimes the information in the coursework is not perfectly clear and you’re not sure what result is expected.

Do you have favorite coursework that you submitted, or that you saw from another student in the Gallery?

I would say every student’s work in the ‘Programming Max’ course has its own twist, it was interesting to explore them.

Since taking the courses, how have you applied the knowledge you’ve developed from the projects you’ve completed and skills you’ve learned? In what ways have they enhanced your career or portfolio potential?

I wouldn’t say I apply learned skills as they are presented in the course, it’s more like I adapt them to my daily work in some specific way. ‘Physics-Based Sound Synthesis’ led me to an understanding of physics-based sound plugins — ways to think of them, ways to work with them. ‘Introduction to Programming For Musicians and Artists’ gave a nice vision of how things could be connected and what opportunities it gives, which is pretty important in game development. ‘Programming Max’ literally kicks me closer to use Max/MSP in Ableton (which is my primary DAW) — both developing my own small solutions and understanding 3rd party plugins.

Regarding career and portfolio — yes, I truly believe that taking online courses, even short ones, is important for your career, especially if you are from the middle of nowhere. It doesn’t mean that having certificates from online courses will immediately boost your growth; you still have to practice your craft daily, build your portfolio, and figure out the best possible way to showcase everything. But, in a situation when you have equally strong competitors, having such things as course certificates will give you a few points in your favor.

As I look back to all online-courses that I’ve taken (not only on kadenze.com), I can say that all these bricks of information work as additions to professional competence. At some point it all starts to work as your own subconscious internet of knowledge.

What kind of opportunities do you hope to pursue in the future, and in which subjects?

I feel great doing sound for games, so I will keep my position and strengthen my skills. For now, my main focus is understanding of the “proper” mix, what this term actually means for specific projects (game, film, music) and how to achieve it. I mean, we all do mixing, but I just started to be curious about why certain things in certain projects sound that good. I still also prefer to study music as a hobby.

Any advice you’d like to give to students interested in taking programming and sound design courses on kadenze.com?

If you are reading this and wondering if you need to start some course, then I just wanted to say: “It is time! Start it now!”

Anything else you would like to tell us?

Thank you for creating kadenze.com and I wish you good luck in every effort of getting it better!

If you want to develop skills in programming, sign up for these courses below:

Sound Production in Ableton Live for Musicians and Artists

California Institute of the Arts

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Programming Max: Structuring Interactive Software for Digital Arts

Stanford University

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Physics-Based Sound Synthesis for Games and Interactive Systems

Stanford University

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In this profile we’re featuring kadenze.com learner David Currie. He’s enrolled in a number of courses in music programming, such as Introduction to Real-Time Audio Programming in ChucK and Sound Production in Ableton Live for Musicians and Artists. Also enrolled in traditional college courses, David decided to take courses online to get ahead in his education and expand his knowledge at his own pace. Driven by a passion for music technology, David’s projects consist of a range of music compositions and sonic art.

We spoke to David about his experience learning on kadenze.com. He shares his favorite features on the platform, his outlook towards online education and its impact on students.

Tell us about yourself and your background.

My name is David Currie. I am a student at the New Zealand School of Music. The primary focus of my studies has been music composition (including instrumental/sonic art). Recently I have begun to use computer programming in my practice.

What made you want to use kadenze.com as a resource?

At the start of 2017 I enrolled in a course in the ChucK programming language at my university. My lecturer introduced our class to Kadenze and suggested that we use it as an extra learning resource. I checked it out and realised that there were courses available for many artistic tools that I wanted to learn how to use.

What benefits do you see in taking online courses that traditional, in-person courses don’t offer or fall short on? How would you compare those two experiences?

I really enjoy having the ability to pause, rewind and rewatch videos. In traditional, in-person courses I often find myself needing to fully understand one concept before I can move on to the next. With online courses I can always go at my own pace. Course sessions are organised into shorter video clips allowing for quick navigation of course material.

Another massive benefit is courses being available for a fraction of the price of university courses. In the case of kadenze.com, much of the course catalog can be audited for free, or with a premium membership courses can be engaged with further through assignment submissions, forum access and interaction with the online course gallery space.

What did you find most enjoyable about the knowledge you’ve gained from the courses?

On kadenze.com there are so many courses teaching so many different subjects. In my case what I find most exciting is looking for ways to integrate these tools together. An artistic idea can be effectively realised with the right choice of technological components.

At the same time, ideas can be influenced from the combinations of the technology itself. A novel combination of programming languages or different software can act as an imposed artistic restriction that can assist creativity. There is a vast landscape of digital tools that are freely available to artists and these can be considered in the same way that a composer might consider the instrumentation that they utilise in a piece of music.

Also, learning computer programming has completely changed my life and my artistic practice.

What were your favorite features about kadenze.com?

Definitely the best feature is the ability to view other students’ work and provide and receive feedback. The course gallery can be a source of inspiration as well as a way to engage in meaningful discussion with other students. Online courses have lacked in the past a sense of community and social interaction. Kadenze also asks students to provide grades for other students’ work. This interaction is beneficial for both the grader and the grade.

What are some unexpected challenges you found in learning through online courses?

Without the pressure of scheduled classes, meetings with supervisors, or hard deadlines, you must motivate yourself to keep going. This works for some people better than others. Also, with having access to so many courses and exciting topics, it can be necessary to devise your own learning plan or pathway to ensure an effective use of your time. Without forming a learning structure it is possible to become overwhelmed or distracted by the large amount of information available.

Do you have favourite coursework that you submitted, or that you saw from another student in the Gallery?

I really enjoy enrolling in courses I would not normally take just to look through the course galleries. I also like to look at the course galleries to get some insight into whether a course would be interesting for me.

I’ll post a couple of my ChucK pieces because that is where I began with Kadenze, here and here.

Since taking the courses, how have you applied the knowledge you’ve developed from the projects you’ve completed and skills you’ve learned? In what ways have they enhanced your career or portfolio potential?

Learning computer programming has given me an inlet into other artist mediums outside of music. The skills are also very transferable to things outside of my artistic practice. Kadenze has also been a valuable resource for learning technologies that I then use for my university projects.

The rising costs of higher education are forcing students to consider other affordable alternatives. Based on your experience, how do you think online courses can alleviate that issue? How has it helped you?

Making learning affordable and accessible is extremely important. It is pretty crazy how much debt students must endure to obtain university qualifications. Online courses have allowed me to pursue a wide range of technologies that are not offered as part of my university qualification.

These technologies however, are cutting-edge and directly related to new artistic practices. Online courses still have some way to go. The absence of having a tutor or mentor can be felt, but this also has encouraged students to form communities and assist each other with problems and provide each other feedback. The better online courses become, the more universities will have to prove their value and adapt to the needs of their students.

What kind of opportunities do you hope to pursue in the future, and in which subjects?

I want to go further into postgraduate study and hopefully study abroad. Right now I am interested in creating browser-based works but I am constantly pulled towards different artistic values and methods of delivery.

Any advice you’d like to give to students interested in exploring subjects through kadenze.com?

Just to create while you learn rather than feel as though you must learn everything about a topic before using it. Take notes while you watch the videos and adapt what you learn immediately into personal projects. Doing that has helped me to engage more effectively with the material learned from Kadenze.

Anything else you would like to tell us?

Here are a couple of projects of mine including a musical score for string quartet created in p5.js and an audio-visual online installation created with p5.js and node.

Thanks!

Want to create your own original creative programming projects? Check out the courses below and sign up now:

Sound Production in Ableton Live for Musicians and Artists

California Institute of the Arts

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Introduction to Real-Time Audio Programming in ChucK

California Institute of the Arts

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Ask A Lot of Questions

Make an Intake Form

Define a Monetary Estimate for the Project

• How much time will you need to finish the project?
• How much expenses will you need to cover the project? (Expenses should cover responsibilities that fall under your and your client’s jurisdictions.)
• Do you have a flat rate?

Draft a Contract

Project Management for Designers

Emily Carr University of Art and Design

“Whoever thought of that is a genius,” is a common response whenever we encounter a brilliant idea. Contrary to assumption, creativity isn’t an inherent trait born to natural artists or an elite gifted few, it can be developed through simple curiosity and minor shifts in thinking. Staying creative demands a constant effort to evaluate mental habits and prevent your ideas from settling into resigned conformity.

So what’s the secret to maintaining a fresh perspective that fosters innovation? Put these titles on your reading list to bounce back from your mental lulls and prevent the creative well from running dry.

Ways of Seeing

By John Berger

“Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak.” If you’ve scratched your head at one of those single-color paintings in a museum, this book is worth picking up. An adaption of the BBC television series, author and art critic John Berger studies the act of seeing itself. By focusing on our instinctive reactions to images and pictures, Berger challenges viewers to critically approach art in ways they’ve never considered before.

Change by Design

By Tim Brown

How does great design come to life? The answer, according to Tim Brown, is that doesn’t. Excellent design is achieved through a gradual, meticulous process, like a diamond sculpted over a millennia of forces amidst the right conditions. Stressing importance on examining half-baked ideas as well as more developed ones, Brown highlights how the best ideas aren’t concocted through a grand formula.

Disciplined Dreaming

By Josh Linkner

Most creative professionals know that coming up with a ‘creative breakthrough’ is a moment that is never forced on the spot. However, there is a way to arrive at those moments a little faster. Breaking down his line of thinking into 5 parts, author Josh Linkner brings his interesting combination of business and jazz experience into a winning methodology for business leaders of all backgrounds to foster creativity within company culture.

Play

By Stuart Brown

Subscribing to the notion of “All work no play” may actually do you more than good, suggests Dr. Stuart Brown. He delves into the interesting nature of play and its role in nurturing creativity up to adulthood. Citing compelling research that examines the effect of leisure and recreational activities on our way of thinking, Brown makes the case for playtime as a beneficial part of brain development.

Making Ideas Happen

By Scott Belsky

Author Scott Belsky quickly puts out the misconception of innovation as an inherited trait limited to a lucky, intellectually gifted few. What separates the Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerbergs of the world is their commitment to implementing clear, thoughtful “outside the box” plans of action for success. Belsky emphasizes several qualities such as proactive decision making, and venturing outside of one’s comfort zone. He encourages readers to probe their thoughts, pushing them to pursue the ideas that exist at the edge of “safe” thinking.

Manage Your Day to Day

By Jocelyn Glei

As a creative professional, you might feel cluttered from maintaining an unconventional routine. In this book, Jocelyn Glei helps you unlock the focus and clarity you need to put in your best, most efficient work. Including commentary from 20 leading creatives, Glei features a diverse range of voices and experiences who discuss the lessons they’ve learned throughout their career.

The Graphic Design Idea Book

By Steven Heller

When it comes to successful graphic design, you just know it when you see it. In this reference book Steven Heller, author and co-chair of the MFA Design at School of Visual Arts, presents a collection of design examples and techniques for students and experienced designers alike. Heller is also one of the instructors for the Kadenze course The Practical History of Typography.

Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World

By Adam Grant

Everyone wants to be viewed as an individual, but what characteristics makes someone stand out from the pack? An exploration into the mindset and habits of the world’s true “thought leaders”, Adam Grant looks at how originality shapes societies at large, referring to studies from various disciplines that reveal the social impact of choices that dare to disrupt mainstream attitudes.

The Story Factor

By Annette Simmons

As readers and viewers, we can’t help but be moved by a powerful story. Unlike traditional books on the subject, writer Annette Simmons breaks down the storytelling process and explains how anyone can apply storytelling in their professional life. Whether you’re trying to perfect your elevator pitch or engage an audience with an anecdote, stories aren’t just something we consume, but an art that can improve your communication skills.

Creativity, Inc.

By Ed Catmull

Pixar co-founder and computer scientist Ed Catmull shares the business lessons of his decades-long career. He discusses management tactics that help to hack the creative process, touching on best practices that drive an innovative work environment. It’s a fascinating and insightful look into the minds that have created some of the most beloved modern animated films.

Want to build up your creative skills even more? Enroll in our courses below:

The Practical History of Typography

School of Visual Arts

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Graphic Design History: An Introduction

Maryland Institute College of Art

LEARN MORE

Online courses and program empower students to pursue their education without the constraints of traditional classroom setting. The advantages of online education offers a more flexible and personalized education all at your own pace. If you’re new or not used to taking courses online however, the change can be tricky to navigate.

Choosing the independent route demands students to be more proactive in how they develop and organize their learning plan, which not only means time management, but the methods for learning the material. Stay prepared and improve your performance in online classes by following these tips and strategies.

Establish your study space

If you’re spending the majority of time learning from home, you should make a dedicated and comfortable study space. Whether you prefer watching lecture videos from your bed, couch, or home studio, it’s up to you to find a reliable study spot where you can be the most productive.

Consider what working environment is best for you: do you focus better with ambient music or do you find it too distracting? Students’ habits vary greatly; some people thrive in coffee shops while others prefer the quiet setting of a library. Find out what your work habits are and design your space around it.

Set personal milestones for learning objectives

If you’re feeling unsure about how your performance in an online course, ask yourself: “What do I want out of this course?” Define your personal motivations for taking on the course in the first place. Make short and long-term goals to get you through those days when you’re zoning out half-way through lesson videos. You’ll get the most out of your class if you reflect on your academic goals and have a solid idea of what topics or skills you intend to develop.

Organize course materials before and after lessons

Being prepared beforehand a lecture is a must, but are you paying attention to what you do after?

Effective note-taking goes beyond what you do during a session. Evaluate your notes right after a lesson and make an outline of key topics and structure them so they’re easier to follow, especially if your sentences run on to no end. This way by the time you’re reviewing concepts later you’re not scrambling to find topics or key information.

Jot down questions as soon as you think of them. Unlike in a physical class, your instructor won’t be there to press you with questions to check if you’re following along. It’s up to you to take initiative, recognize when you need help, and ask.

Communicate with instructors early and often

Students attending a physical class seldom take advantage of office hours, so taking an online course only makes connecting with your instructor more imperative. You don’t have the convenience of asking instructors questions in real time, so you need to make the extra effort to open the line of communication.

Conversations don’t have to stay strictly course-related. Express what you’re curious to learn — instructors will appreciate your enthusiasm and will be more than happy to share their knowledge and insight with you. The sooner you establish open communication with your instructor, the faster you can go into your course with peace of mind and confidence.

Create a weekly study schedule

Don’t make the mistake of cramming right before a test! True understanding of a subject is seldom achieved by trying to review everything in one night, a week, or even a month before exam day. The same goes for completing a final project. Instead, utilize “spaced learning” and plan a study schedule as soon as class starts so you can retain knowledge long-term.

Adjust your study schedule week to week according to your needs and what’s noted on the syllabus. Stagger your study time so that you’re spending more hours studying as you lead up to tests. Set aside a portion each day for general review, then focus your review sessions based on a specific topic. Take periodic breaks to refresh and reward yourself for your hard work!

Actively participate in forums

While online courses do come with minimal participation requirements, forums aren’t just an area where you can ask questions or comment on student work. Forums are a useful resource if you’re stuck on a problem or need some help understanding a topic. Use them to express or frame concepts differently. Check to see if other students are discussing the same topics or have the same issues, they might be asking the same questions.

Form study groups with peers

Even though you’re engaging in independent learning, enrolling in courses online doesn’t mean you have to be completely on your own.

Reach out to your fellow students on and offline! Everyone might be at the comfort of their own desk in many different locations, but keep in mind you’re able to connect with a diverse group of cohorts who are learning along with you. It’ll make your in-class discussions more meaningful, and you don’t have to worry about falling behind in class when you have other people to study with and bounce ideas off of.

Write your own study guides

Challenge your knowledge of the lesson material by making your own summaries and review pages, whether or not your instructor provides one for you. You can make a cheat sheet that lists the most important concepts and key words, as well as supplemental resources like documents and links to other resources. When you prepare information in a way that makes sense to you, your study sessions will be much more efficient.

Now that you have the right preparation to be a successful online student, check out some of these courses from our catalog:

Creative Audio Programming on the Raspberry Pi

University of New South Wales

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Making Meaning: An Introduction to Designing Objects, Part I

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

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Reinventing The Piano

Princeton University

LEARN MORE

As an alternative to the constraints of traditional journals, bullet journals are embraced by creatives as a more fun and relaxed way to promote productivity. A bullet journal is a versatile organizational tool that is customizable to… well, you. What makes a bullet journal unique is that it takes a more adaptive and creative approach to a traditional planner and a personal journal — both ideas are intermixed into one.

Bullet journal (or “BuJos” as enthusiasts lovingly call them) allow you to create spreads that outline your weekly tasks and appointments, track habits, vision boards, and even meal planning. These journals can also be used as a diary to write and reflect. If you’re not a literary type, have no fear — you’re welcome to draw or write as few or as many words as you want. The point is to mold them to your own artistic whims.

BuJos require a little bit of creativity when creating spreads. Essentially all you need is just a pen and a notebook, however some people utilize brush pens, watercolors, stencils, and craft/washi tape to spruce up their pages. Because you personally write out your tasks or goals, it increases your productivity. Studies show that when you put pen to paper, you remember things better and can hold yourself accountable.

The key to make your bullet journals worthwhile is to keep it focused. Think of what you want to use your journal for: recording daily or weekly tasks, keeping track of specific projects, maintaining a content calendar? If you try to tackle too many things with a bullet journal you mind wind up decreasing your productivity and complicating your record-keeping. Choose a dedicated purpose and stick to it.

Note that bullet journals work differently for everyone. Find what complements your work habits and you’ll be well on your way to successful journaling!

Want to learn more strategies for maximizing productivity? Try out this course by Emily Carr University of Art and Design:

Project Management for Designers

Emily Carr University of Art and Design

LEARN MORE

Critiques of artwork can come from a variety of ideologies and purposes, one interpretation being: Artists, viewers and mediators coming together to generate a conversation.

Rather than coming from a place of judgement, critiques can be used for educating viewers on an artist’s practice, understanding the intent of a body of work, or providing comments that strengthen an artist’s creative endeavors. These three primary roles are the key players in providing those concepts. Here are some guidelines for artists, viewers, and mediators and their individual roles in organizing a meaningful critique.

Artist

Be prepared to be receptive

As the subject of a critique, it’s important for artists to be open-minded on being critiqued and be prepared to answer questions about their work or practice.

See critiques as a component of refining your practice. Whether the work you show is finished or unfinished, you can gain new insights into your work versus when you’re developing it on your own. Critiques can be a way to progress your artistry into new and undiscovered directions.

It can be nerve-racking to have your work be seen in an open, public environment, but know you are the expert on your own work and have the skills and resources to represent your practice in the best way possible. Try to get a sense of what your art practice is before a critique so you talk about your work with ease in a group setting.

Approach critiques as constructive, not judgmental

Don’t take all comments personally, some comments may be just value judgements. There can be some negative comments made, which isn’t always the most encouraging feeling. Overall, you have ultimate control over how you make and understand your work. Critiques can just be guidelines on how to express your ideas in different ways that don’t necessarily have to be the only way to progress your practice.

Feel free to ask questions at the beginning or end (after you’ve received some comments) to engage more with your viewers. You can also start off the critique by opening up about your work and asking any questions you have about your own work so viewers can frame their comments within the context of your practice. You can reveal as much as your practice you’re comfortable with sharing. Although, if you would prefer to sit back and listen to the viewers’ interpretations first, you can also do that too. Keep note of whether or not others’ interpretations match up with your intentions.

Spend a couple minutes of observation

As a viewer in a critique, start off by spending some time with the work. Look at it more than once, then look at it again and again. If you’re critiquing a piece of music, take the time to listen to a song more than once or focus into a certain aspect of the song, like a melody or chord progression. It’s okay if you don’t immediately grasp every theme an artwork has to offer. Begin your critique by identifying and commenting on a few themes, then guide it from there. Initial comments can be helpful in providing immediate, unfiltered feedback, but you can change your thoughts or understanding of the work with more than one viewing.

Find something you can relate to with the work, from artist recommendations to personal comments

If you’re having a hard time finding what to say, you can talk about how the work makes you feel. Does it remind you of a personal story or of a certain artist? Although, you should try to extend beyond artist comparisons so there can be more room to discuss the artist’s own practice.

Ask questions relating to the artist’s philosophy/creative process

Try asking some non-opinionated questions, like “How was the work was made? Why was this material used”? Ask questions that can help you better understand the artist’s practice rather than comments on how you think the work should have been made.

Point to ways the artist can better express their ideas through their work

How can you help the artist further express their themes and ideas in their practice? Think of the process of a critique as discussing ways to help the artist express their ideas in a successful way, rather than recommending how you would change a work of art. Although what makes a piece “successful” can be very subjective, try to understand what themes the artist is working with and if the way they are expressing it connects with you. Rather than finding mistakes in the work, discuss ways to elevate the work.

Take the time to understand the artist’s goals and intentions

As the mediator, or facilitator, of a critique you want to make sure you understand the artist’s point of view, and guide discussions toward topics that seem relevant to the artist’s practice. For example, if an artist presents a short film on the topic of family and identity, you can put emphasis on why those themes are important in the context of art/film history.

Scheduling a meeting or having a conversation before a critique can also be beneficial in directly discussing an artist’s creative practice.

Guide the critique to progress through different topics

A critique has the potential to go off-topic if the viewers get stuck on one aspect of the work, causing a standstill in the critique. Don’t let the discussion be fixated on one thing. Open up some new topics, or ask some more critical questions to guide the critique into a more meaningful discussion.

Initiate the critique by making descriptive comments

Opening with questions like “What kind of techniques were used to produce that work? Are there recurring visuals/motifs in the work?” can be good introductions in breaking down a piece. In the instance that you’re critiquing a dance performance, try asking about why certain dance genres were utilized over others or making note of where the performance took place.

Putting it all together

Any critique can be a unique, learning opportunity. Each person involved will have their own insight into an artist’s practice, which can lead to an endless amount of new concepts to handy techniques that will help educate everyone involved. At the end of a critique, you should be left feeling inspired to dig even deeper into your creative practice. Whether it’s fine art or creative technology, use critiques to improve your work with purpose, direction, and self-reflection.

Collecting insight from peer reviews is a significant part of creative development. Develop your art practice by enrolling in some of our free courses below:

Visual Development: Envisioning a Narrative for Film and Video Games

Ringling College of Art and Design

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Programming Max: Structuring Interactive Software for Digital Arts

Stanford University

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Designing Synthesizer Sounds

Berklee College of Music

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]]> https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/creative-exercises-every-designer-should-do/ Thu, 06 Sep 2018 17:14:07 +0000 http://blog.kadenze.com/?p=50121 Photo by Nick Fewings / Unsplash

Original and timeless design hardly manifests on the spot. It might seem like generating successful design can be as effortless as pulling a rabbit of a hat, but the process often takes a lot of trial-and-error and multiple brainstorming sessions. When you’re tasked with routinely creating stunning artwork, sometimes you’ll run into moments when the inspiration well simply runs dry.

Regularly practicing short design thinking exercises can refresh your perspective on current design problems and flex your creative muscles. If you’re finding yourself pulling a blank, try these daily projects for rejuvenating your creative thinking.

Translate one medium into another

Think of a pair of unrelated mediums, such as visual art and sound, and translate one into the other. One project idea is to listen to some jazz music and transform it into a watercolor painting: what forms would it take, what are its connotations? Drawing influences from separate areas forces you to find common ground in unlikely places. For example, you might be surprised at how you respond to a song based on your visual interpretation.

Make your own alphabet

Typography is such a key part of a designer’s arsenal. Iconic type automatically creates an instant connection between an art style to a brand or product. What if you were to make your own? Identify a set of motifs so your letters look like they belong to in the same type family. Mix up the boldness and movement of line strokes. Don’t be afraid to try unusual shapes or pictorial forms, and approach each letter as a complete character with its own personality.

Do a sketch progression challenge

Short, timed exercises are a great way to witness the progression of your style. Begin with an idea or concept to draw. Try drawing it in one minute, then snap a photo of the finished product. Even if it looks like a couple of scribbles, it’s worth documenting. Then repeat the process again 10 minutes. Then 30, and so on.

It’s cool to see how your drawings evolve into the next. See where you’ve added the most details and embellishments. This mini-reflection allows you to see in real-time which areas you prioritize and what you instinctively go to to make your design pop.

Create your own logo

Logo design has to do several things at once: communicate brand identity in a small image, immediately capture attention, and not be an eyesore. Drawing a logotype is a common exercise for graphic designers, so make it a recurring habit. Design your logo based on your personality, background, or skills. Choose whether you want it to look flat or three-dimensional, then produce different stylistic versions. In making a logo, you challenge yourself to generate unique iterations of the same initial design.

Study the natural world

Often, Mother Nature is the best designer. Biodiversity offers some of the best inspiration: you can see it in the layers of canyon formations, fractals in snowflakes, and varied geometry of plant life. The repetition and patterns found in organisms and natural phenomena serve as some of the best graphic design influences. Look through photos of nature and draw a design containing a set of natural elements.

Sketch a mind map

Peer into how your own brain works by sketching your conceptual train of thought to make a mind map, another helpful design thinking project. Gaining insight into your own creative process will help you discover how you arrive at certain ideas. You could spot where you need to develop different ideas or which sprawling thoughts lead to dead ends. Mind maps are your personal expression of your creative workflow, so you can refer to them at a later time whenever you’re feeling mentally stuck.

Take things out of context

Our senses and artistic instincts can be dulled by routine and familiarity. Frame new perspectives by thinking of how an object can work outside its intended use. Remove things out of their environment and think of how that item would be adapted to its new one. How might something aerodynamic function underwater? It can be as simple as inventing new uses of common household items, such as light bulbs used as a terrarium. In a way, you’re coming up with new designs by “recycling” old ones.

Re-design an existing product

Are you one of those people who look at abstract paintings and think “I could’ve done that”? Now see if you actually can, in this case through the lens of object design. Think of a branded product or everyday item, such as a chair, and come up with your own. How would you change the color palette, textures, materials, or silhouette? We’re often encouraged to not re-invent the wheel, but in the field of design innovation sometimes involves breaking with tradition.

Draw a storyboard

Well-crafted stories aren’t limited to film or writing. Storyboarding is a fun way to play with color and composition on a deeper level. You can experiment by drawing for the early stages of character development or background of a scene. Create a short narrative by making your own storyboard using a stack of index cards and sketch a single frame on each card. Stitching together a sequence of scenes tests your ability to not just engage viewers with compelling visuals, but a cohesive, exciting story as well.

Be a tourist for the day

On the days you’re not content to sit at your desk and stare at the wall, get some fresh air outside and go on a mini field trip. Bring a pencil and notebook then visit a busy urban area or people watch at your local park. Write down any and all observations that spring to your head.

You might notice that for every brilliant design, there’s probably a couple faulty ones. How can traffic signs be improved, or how could a brand execute their advertising better? What can you improve or what shouldn’t even exist at all? Taking note of how people interact with things in their environment will help you identify any problems that might impede or disrupt visual language.

Once you’ve refreshed your creative energy, try out these courses:

Comics: Art in Relationship

California College of the Arts

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Graphic Design History: An Introduction

Maryland Institute College of Art

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Introduction to Graphic Illustration

Cornish College of the Arts

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]]> https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/effective-ways-for-delivering-successful-art-talks/ Tue, 04 Sep 2018 18:31:33 +0000 http://blog.kadenze.com/?p=50107 Photo by Lo Ken on Unsplash

As you’re heading towards a creative career or earning an arts degree, there’ll be countless times where you’ll be asked “So, what kind of work do you make?”

It can be overwhelming trying to summarize your entire art practice right on the spot, or find the right words to explain something you’ve just made. Whether it’s in the context of an artist talk, critique, studio visit or class assignment, it can be helpful to talk about your work with ease and confidence. We’ll go over some tips to get to the core of what your work means and how to put your ideas into words.

From Conceptual Ideas to Simple Details

Before you get into the nuts and bolts of your artwork, know that it’s okay to start with the big picture. Before you go into your description, you can start by asking yourself questions like:

• What are some of the main themes in your work?
• What does your work look like?

Think about some recurring themes or influences that inspire your practice. Does your work investigate a certain subject? Are you trying to influence your audience’s emotions? Is your piece satirical or sincere? What are you trying to say with your work?

Those kinds of questions may be self-explanatory, but it can be best to directly address whatever concept you’re dealing with. Take the time to find which ideas you like to work with so you can connect your pieces to a central theme within a defined practice. Whether those themes are personal or ideas you’re invested in, focus on subjects you care about. It’ll open up the audience’s perspective into your practice and invite different interpretations. Viewers may not immediately see the connection between your idea to a piece, but their engagement will lead to conversations that make your work feel more cohesive.

Once you’ve pinpointed some key themes in your work, you can also take another step to consider where your work lies in the context of art history or today’s art world. Think of it this way: every single piece of art is connected to a previous part of art history. From the materials you used to which technical method you chose, those actions are in direct conversation with a pre-existing piece from the past. How is your work changing, reinterpreting, or adding to history? This doesn’t mean your work necessarily has to deal with historical topics, but you can learn more about yourself and your work by being aware of the history around you.

Aside from art history, you can also talk about which artists influence your work. These influences don’t have to be other artists, but can be any individual or collective that is connected to your practice in some way. Explain why you like certain influences over others. Identify artists that have similar practices to yours and compare how your work differentiates from them.

Having these critical thoughts about your work already planned out, whether it’s in progress or finished, can create a deeper connection with the people experiencing your work. If you freeze up and find it difficult to talk about the conceptual ideas behind your work, you can also start off with some simple, concrete factors. From what materials you used, to the dimensions and methods related to your piece, these details can help shape a visual representation of your work when an image may not be available. Those simple details also play a big part in archiving your pieces for the future.

Here are some questions to help summarize your work:

• What are the sizes, dimensions, length of the work?

• What materials were used to make the work?
• When was the work made?
• What are some visual motifs in the work?

You can even ask your audience what their initial reactions are to a piece. Gut reactions can be a great introduction to viewers unfamiliar with your work, but try not to focus too much on surface observations. Leave some room for the audience to explore other aspects of your work too.

Breaking Down Your Own Methodology

In a similar vein to the previous paragraph, explaining the decisions you made while creating something can make your work more accessible and well developed. What drew you to use that certain instrument? Why did you make that painting in that style?

Sometimes, decisions are made intuitively and you won’t have an explanation for everything. Keep your reasoning open and talk about what you do know and feel comfortable with. You can also discuss how you generally start a piece or about your philosophy on art. What does art-making mean to you? Is it a form of personal therapy? Is it a way to communicate political ideas?

Overall, talking about your practice doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s really just a matter of thinking introspectively about your work and being honest. Your work is important and you are the best person to own and define your practice. No one else can explain your work in the way that you can. Use whatever grammar you feel comfortable and confident in using. You can be as minimal, poetic, big and conceptual as you want. Take pride in the work you make and see how far your inspiration can take you.

Further develop your art practice by enrolling in the courses below:

Introduction to Being a Teaching Artist

Kadenze Academy

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The Modern Genius: Art and Culture in the 19th Century

Otis College of Art and Design

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Charting the Avant-Garde: from Romanticism to Utopic Abstraction

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

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]]> https://blog.kadenze.com/student-life/art-and-technology-in-the-present-kadenze-student-interviews/ Wed, 18 Jul 2018 21:04:23 +0000 http://blog.kadenze.com/?p=49938 Today’s technology is increasingly becoming more involved in the world of contemporary art. The variation of tools are enabling students to discover new ways of harnessing different mediums to produce new artistic genres. As the boundaries between arts disciplines continue to be restructured by technology, artists are seizing the opportunity for bold experimentation. Thanks to the development of virtual reality, 3D printers, and other technological advancements, there are now immense possibilities for creating, archiving and viewing art. With that in mind, we asked some students on Kadenze to share their thoughts on how technology influences their creative practice and views on art.

All images belong to the respective artists.

Keon Ju Lee

KL: At first, I think art and technology are directly related with each other.

For instance, in music history, music and technology are developing simultaneously. In detail, with the advancement of music technology, many artists and musicians can make new sounds and work more efficiently. Furthermore, robotics and machine learning are extensively applied in music fields.

In my case, I recently took some courses in Kadenze. I can use some tools that can help my artistic works such as Chuck, Max, Logic Pro and Ableton Live. By using Digital Audio Workstations and programming languages, I can fulfill my musical ideas in an easy way. Without these tools, it can be limited to expand my artistic ideas. In other words, music technology can assist me to compose songs or generate sounds.

Nowadays, I’m into music technology. I hope it can only influence musicians’ works but also affect even to non-musicians.

LM: I think that technology has a big influence on artistic practices, in particular on narrative and sequential ones. Today with a scanner, printer and PC I can reproduce my manual drawings indefinitely, for infinite times. I can modify it and transform the initial sketch into another thing, maybe more interesting. I can combine and isolate different sources (photos, artworks,art techniques, etc.). I can realize overlays with copy and paste. This must be a job to support inspiration, because I can maintain something of the initial gesture and preserve the structure for example, erasing all the unneeded stuff.

We must consider this as an evolution of the creative technique and not only a simplification of the work. Moreover, the creative act is not only belonging to inner intuition, but also lets chance have a fundamental role. Technology is a great “chance machine”.

In a wider sense, vision and web have determined the evolution of the traditional narrative scheme. Several codes from cinema, TV and video influence my way to build the storyboard. For example, words are not so important to explain the story and visual language is dominant. Writing is important to make reflections and comments or to evoke a mood. Also silence has become a key to tell the story.

SC: I have no formal artistic training, but I was always attracted to art. Actually, I’m creative in an advertising agency. I come from copywriting, but I also like the visual part. I have always been interested in knowing how artists produce their work and what their creative process is. It seems to me that in art, there are very great ideas that surpass advertising; that’s why many people say that advertising steals from art. So with that in mind, I decided to start looking for MOOCs and online art courses.

I remember that I did an art history course and I learned about computer art. I still do not know why, but this type of art really resonated with something in me. I started to deepen into computer art and generative art and there I discovered Processing and computer programming. Now you can not only see the works that I liked, but I can try the lists.

For a while I was experimenting with generative typography and programming sketches as a practice. Through Processing I arrived at the P5.js course in Kadenze. This was a very interesting point because through Kadenze I realized that I had the opportunity to introduce my knowledge of technology into advertising.

That came at just the moment I realized that the creative technologist profile was emerging within the advertising agencies, the perfect intersection between advertising and technology. Now I am trying to use the Kadenze curriculum to complete my training as a technologist and to be more relevant in the business world.

Xavier Cottineau

XC: First of all i am really happy to follow the Sound Production in Ableton Live courses. CalArts is doing a great job and the videos are a great help for me.

I just ended up doing a year in a music school in Paris. I was studying computer assisted music on Reason 10 among many other courses, such as theory, harmony, piano, singing lessons, songwriting etc.

Coming from classic rock music, I never had the curiosity to enter that world… and i just loved it! First, it gives me the opportunities to create a song from start to finish, which is great for understanding the process of songwriting in terms of theory and harmony. I think it’s a very powerful tool to create and it helped me a lot in breaking the old school codes from rock ‘n’ roll music.

The most difficult thing for me now is to make up my mind on how I’m gonna use that tool on stage. There are so many possibilities that you can get easily lost on the path. It’s a long way to the top, but so exciting.

PN: I love drawing and computing. When I was a child, I wish I could be a cartoonist when I’ve grown up. In 2001, I became an illustrator for an English school, and started to use Photoshop to color my illustrations.

When I learned that the ballroom in my favorite animation, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, was made in 3D, I realized how technology was connected to the industry and studied to become a 3D artist. My main job is a 3D visualizer, but I still love 2D painting of course, on computer. My part-time job is to design characters or draw storyboards for ads.

Now that I had little free time, the first thing I wanted to do was to find some art courses to sharpen my skills. Then I found Kadenze. So far, my assignments have received positive comments and I’ve learned a lot from my instructors and course mates.

I think technology changes how art is made dramatically, especially in entertainment industries. Depending on how we use it, we can still create a great masterpiece like Beauty and the Beast which flawlessly blends technology and traditional art. Technology even gives us more power to complete our work faster, better, and easier. One great example is Aaron Blaise, an artist who has turned to digital painting to create work and they still look fantastic. In the end, technology is the only tool and it cannot change the artist himself.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.