Good Luck!

So...now you're taking ENGL 304, Business Writing. I bet you're hoping for an easy A, right? Just do what Angie aks you to do, and you'll be fine. Remember to blog. That's an important one. And don't forget to complete the daily grade assignments. They really will help you in the long run. You do plan to work at some point in your life. Put your resume together in Angie's class and you won't have to worry about it when graduation and entering the work force become realities.

The most important thing in this class is finding a good group. You will work with these people for the entire semester, and meeting with people you actually like will make the client-based project a lot more enjoyable. I have a great group and overcoming the obstacles we've faced would have been impossible if I were working with more difficult people. When choosing your group, Angie will ask you to interview your classmates. Ask the important questions!!! I don't think you understand how important this is, especially if you're designing a Web site. Do people know how to write code? Is there an individual who is especially interested in graphics? Don't just ask your classmates what year they are and what there major is--that won't matter when you're working to finish your proposal.

Just enjoy the class. You most likely only have a few more semesters of college to go, and in the grand scheme of things, ENGL 304 is one of the few classes you will use in the future. Most of all, be thankful you have Angie as your professor. She is a really great person and will work with you if you run into any unexpected problems.

Dual Coding Theory

Marketers frequently take advantage of dual coding theory to encourage their audiences to use the advertised product or service. Establishing connections between visual and verbal processes enables people to remember an advertisement more effectively than they would if marketers appealed to only one of these systems, i.e., visual OR verbal. For example, Dove is currently running an ad in popular magazines for the Dove Beauty Bar. The main claim is that this soap, rather than being dry, leaves skin "soft and supple." Two different bars of soap are pictured. The potential customer can visually distinguish the difference between the bars of soap. One is smooth, round, (pure) white, and is imprinted with the image of a gracefully flying dove. The other bar of soap is cracked with a flaky texture. It appears large, bulky, and heavy. It possesses a somewhat dirty, yellow tint. The visual impact alone clearly distinguishes the two different soaps. However, by appealing to a customer's verbal processes, the advertiser can successfully convey the company's idea of each bar of soap. Written below the clean, white bar is the word "beauty." Below the yellow, cracked soap is the word "beast." The images and the words work together to make a statement. The marketing team for Dove uses dual coding theory to reinforce the idea that the Dove Beauty Bar is different (and better) than any ordinary soap.

Phase 1. Complete!

Our group work from Phase 1 of the project has given me the impression that working with others can be easy and productive. Every member of Habitat Helpers seems to be eager to contribute her time and effort to make the project successful. I don't think I've ever had a group project in college flow as smoothly as this one. I lucked out with having these girls in my group. I guess the hardest thing that we've faced is finding a time when we can all meet. We're all busy--especially me. It's frustrating that when everyone else is available, I can't meet because I'm studio. I think if we can continue working hard in phase 2, the project will turn out well. I look forward to it.

Class Presentations

I most remember the presentations that were somehow personally connected to the presenter. It's great to learn about swimming equipment or types of music, but to hear about someone's unique experience or passion engages the audience on a whole other level. Sara Ashley's comments on her study abroad experience in Barcelona were interesting. She didn't just tell about some key tourist spots to visit. She explained to us why studying abroad is an incredible and memorable experience. And she shared with us some of her most vivid memories from her semester in Spain. It was exciting to watch her present because you could tell she had strong feelings for her topic.

Chicago!

I am leaving for Chicago on Tuesday night, and I can't wait. My architecture professors believe that walking around the city for a few days will educate us. 40 of us plan to stay there for about 4-5 days. I hope it will be as fun as the architecture trip to New York City during our 3rd year was. Yes, I will miss other classes, but I won't have to make up a substantial amount of work. We'll visit a lot of the most famous architectural sites of Chicago. I hope to have some free time to see the city on my own, too. I'm looking forward to the trip!

Resume Tips

According to the following article, http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/resumes/20070821-needleman.html, the appearance of a resume is nearly as important as its content.

Employers often see a large number of resumes. Because they must sift through piles of documents, the design must catch their attention. The article, "Pretty in Ink: Making the Resume Look as Appealing as the Content," features several occasions when an applicant got the job in part because of the appearance of his resume.

I agree with the article. The design of a resume demonstrates an applicant's creativity and attention to detail. In my chosen profession, architecture, the graphic design of the document is more important than it is in other fields. Creativity is one of the most critical skills an architecture applicant must market.

Interview Tips: Body Language

I found this article interesting: http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/interviewing/20021205-raudsepp.html

I know that body language plays an important role in how people judge one another during any situation. Interviews are no different. However, I'm already sufficiently nervous going into an interview. Concerns about body language add to the growing list of things to remember.

According to the article, a response carries 55% of its strength through body language. Over half of what a person tells during an interview is through the way he carries himself. That's a little mind-blowing. That an interviewer could judge me based on whether I flip through a magazine or notes before the meeting overwhelms me. Everything from eye contact to sitting down at the beginning gives people reasons to dismiss me or welcome me into their company. It seems that the less confidence a potential employee is, the more negative body movements he will have. I guess the only way to solve this problem is to fully prepare for an interview and maintain confidence in my skills.