Monday, July 14, 2008

Test Plan

  • Project goals in which you describe what the goals for your original project are; in this case, your original project/product is your instructions.
      • The goal of my instructions is to show someone how to stretch their ears in a safe manor. My set of instructions was useful to the reader by providing them with not only how to perform this task, but learn the risks and prevent damage to themselves. The user will have generally done some research on stretching before their attempt. All the user has to do is actually perform the tasks of my instructions, and follow them wisely. After reading my disclaimer they are well informed of what can happen and it is up to them if they would like to continue.
  • Testing goals in which you explain what you want to learn from the test, what you hope to achieve.
      • For my test I am going to focus on errors. Participants will be on different levels and by learning what the errors of my project are I can provide some information to be a bit more user-friendly. I hope to learn errors people had and when exactly they needed help. I believe I can make my set of instructions much better by fixing my errors and providing more information that is needed.
  • Scenarios and Tasks in which you detail the hypothetical situation and tasks which you will give your test participant to perform.
      • You went to the mall today, saw tapers, and decided to buy them. You've seen people with stretched lobes and thought it would be nice to have them but have never taken the first step, but by buying your first pair of tapers, you just did. Now its time to get informed and do what you've been waiting for. You've heard that there can be some damages to your earlobe if you are not careful and that's when you stumble across this site. You see that it explains everything that can happen and how to prevent traumatizing your ear so you decide you still want to go through with stretching your ear. I will ask the reader to go through the site as if it were a real life situation and they were actually stretching their lobe and have them write down their thoughts and any errors or points at which they needed help. I will then have them come back to me and see if they were successful.
  • User Profile in which you explain the type of user which you expect will be using your product.
      • The users are typically young people interested in body modification. The users will want to modify their body and go straight to their desired size but they will learn from the disclaimer that doing that will have undesired results.The user has probably had their ears pierced and has already dabbled in body modification. If a mistake is made all the user has to do is take the taper out and go back to the original size and allow their ear to heal for about a month. All the user has to do afterwards is be gentle with their ear and wash their hands everytime they touch their earlobe.
  • Testing Materials in which you detail what you will need to have to conduct your test.
      • I will be taking notes by hand while asking questions and will have a questionnaire for the participants which they will fill out when they are performing the task at hand. Since they will most likely be in front of a mirror not a computer while they are stretching their lobes i will also give them a paper version of the site.
  • Testing Protocol in which you provide step-by-step specifics as to how you will conduct the actual test.
      • I will have 10 participants. We will meet and each of the participants will look at the site, i will then give them a printed out copy of the site and the questionnaire. I will tell them to detail any errors, and times they need help or have a question. They will then go off and perform the task where they wish and we will meet back in an hour. I will then gather questionnaires, interview them for about 10 minutes each to see if there is any other information i need to know. After the test, I will provide the participants with a list of corrections, I am going to make to the instructions and ask if anything else needs to be added. I will then inform them that the site will be updated with the revisions in the next couple of days.

My Instructions

http://crystalcutthroat.googlepages.com/home

Monday, July 7, 2008

Intro/Conc

Introduction

Today you are going to learn how to stretch your ears safely. In doing so you will not cause any permanent damage or trauma to your earlobe.

Items Needed

Taper (a size bigger than your current hole size, a normal piercing is 18 ga therefore you would go to a 16ga, the lower the number the bigger the hole)

Water Based Lubricant

Unscented Antibacterial Soap

Jewelry the size of the taper




Conclusion
After reading these instructions you have learned how to stretch your ears safely.
Overview: You have learned…..
· How to stretch your ears safely.
· How long to wait between stretches.
· The dangers of stretching unsafely.
· How to prevent a blowout
After following these instructions you will now be able to stretch your ears safely using the steps listed above. After taking this first step you should still do research on stretching, some jumps are bigger than others and may seem impossible when taking the stretch full on. If you find yourself you may find it necessary to look for a list of instructions on how to create your own tapers using polymer clay.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Materials

Taper (a size bigger than your current hole size, a normal piercing is 18 ga therefore you would go to a 16ga, the lower the number the bigger the hole)

Water Based Lubricant

Unscented Antibacterial Soap

Jewelry the size

Let's see where we stand


Exactly where you stand and where you start off depends on where you are right now. If your ears aren't pierced you should get them pierced by a licensed professional at a tattoo shop not in a mall. Professionals in a tattoo shop can help you determine what your next steps are if you tell them you plan on stretching or gauging your ears. If your ears are already pierced and healed (a ear piercing takes 2 to 3 months to heal) then you can continue on with the instructions.

Before you start stretching it is important that you know the risks, and if you are underage it is important that you have your parents permission. Stretching your ears is a permanent modification to your body if they are stretched to their limit. A 2 or 4 gauge is considered the point of no return, this means your ear piercing will never shrink back to its normal size. This process can be harmful and cause permanent damage to your ears if not done correctly, that is why it is important to wait between each stretch. Stretching to fast can cause thinning in parts of your lobes, this could lead to your lobe tearing through or a blowout (your skin folds over on the back of your ear and heals into a large ball of tissue or a ring of skin that will get thicker and thicker over time. Do your research before you stretch, it is better to be safe then sorry. Never skip sizes while stretching the results can be ugly.

Getting Started

  1. Take out the stud or jewelry you have in your ear currently.
  2. Wash your ear with the antibacterial soap with warm water and rub your ear in a circular motion to massage it a bit. This will increase your ears elasticity and make the stretch much easier on you and your body.
  3. Clean the taper with antibacterial soap, dry it and put your water based lubricant on your ear and the taper itself. (Lubrication is not always necessary if the jump isn't to big but, if it makes it much easier on your body so i recommend it.)
  4. Now you can slowly push the taper through your ear. Do not force it, this isn't one of those "just like a band-aid" type of things. Slow and steady is the only way to do this in a healthy way.
  5. Once the taper is in you can place the O-rings or little bands on the jewelry. Place one in front and one in back not to close to the ear, you have to be careful and make sure you don't pinch your skin.
  6. Clean of all the lubricant and make sure that the O-rings are in place.




2101Pendleton
Harlingen, TX, 78550

Janie Santoy
TSTC1902 North Loop 499
TX, 78550

Dear Ms. Santoy,

I am writing you this letter to express my interest on doing my next project on writing instructions. I have recently been stretching my ears, and have learned many people do not stretch they're ears safely. I would like to create a set of instructions that explains how to stretch your ears safely, so there is no damage.

The information i will be providing will come from personal experience, others experiences, internet research, and a proffessional piercer. Most of what i have learned on this subject has been passed down on me from other people who have stretched their ears. I will be using graphics and text. I would like to thank you in advance for your time in this matter. If you have any questions concerning this matter, I may be reached at (956) 111-1111 or by e-mail at crystalcutthroat@tmail.com

Sincerely,


Crystal Rivera

Friday, June 27, 2008

Elements for Instructions

Instructions usually include

a title

introduction- state what you will be instructing the reader how to do and if there is any skills or prior experience needed. Provide an overview of the content and state all warnings.

background- only used to explain general concepts and theorys

equipment and supplies-simple vertical lists to tell the reader what will be needed to complete the following task

operation- the introductory paragraph gives an overview of the process which is going to be done followed by individual sections for each task

Friday, June 20, 2008

BROCHURE

Here is my finished design click the link and it should take you straight to it.



brochure

Monday, June 16, 2008

Planning My Design

Headings
In order to help the reader organize information i will make headings indicate the coverage of their section. I will use headings and subtitles.

Lists
In order to emphasize certain text i will use lists for notable information. I will keep the lists consistent and simple.

Graphics
I will use graphics and tables to show numbers, concepts, and words in a more eye catching way. I will, however, not use to many graphics because that might distract the reader from other information that may be text based.

Highlighting
I will use highlighting to alert readers to what action they must take and to convey certain important information. I will keep my highlighting techniques consistent and to a minimum to avoid confusion.

Text Areas
I will use text areas to give the reader information in a different way.

Cover Letter

Purpose and Goals
The purpose of the brochure is to inform people that there is a mobile dj service that plays different types of music.

Audience
The audience for this brochure is young people with a broad taste in music.

Design
The brochure will be a two column; on the front will read “What’s Next?” Inside of the brochure on left said will be an introductory paragraph explaining and on the right side of the brochure will be a list of jobs in the Valley

Outcomes
I believe that this brochure will bring PGP! much more business.

Media and Tools
The following software will be used
· Photoshop
· Illustrator
I will be using a:

· Mac

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Analyzing Audience

My intended audience is James Torres the Owner and Founder of Polymorphic Grind Party, mobile DJ service. The audience that will read this brochure is mostly likely young adults interested in different types of music and has an open mind. With this in mind I believe my brochure should be a bit more casual and upbeat so that the audience can relate. The information in the brochure will provide the audience with what sort of music is played by this DJ service, what sort of lighting is used, pricing, and ,of course, contact information. The Owner and Founder of Polymorphic Grind Party once was in Digital Media Design, and might be a bit more critical than a client who wasn't previously in the field. He does however lack some skills and basic design elements because he did not finish his DMDT classes. He also cannot relate to his audience because he does not fall in the age group that he wishes to attract and needs help connecting with the younger generation.

Proposal

Mr. James Torres
Owner & Founder
Polymorphic Grind Party
1025 East Adams Avenue
Harlingen, TX 78850

Dear Mr. Torres:

I am a Digital Media Design student and Texas State Technical College and would like to create a brochure for you.

This brochure would be both informational and educational. It will help your up and coming business flourish in the Rio Grande Valley. I am willing to design this brochure for you free of charge. I am experienced in targeting the audience in which you would like to attract. I believe if we work cohesively this small project could help your business in a big way.

I am free after 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I would like to set up an appointment with you to discuss further action and specifications. I look forward to hearing from you.



Sincerely




Crystal Rivera

Enclosure

Friday, June 6, 2008

Parts of A Leter

Parts of A Letter

Heading- The heading contains the writers address and date, not name.
Inside Address-This part of the letter contains the recipients name and address.
Salutation- This is the greeting of the letter it is followed by a colon or comma.
Subject/Reference Line- This line states the main business of the letter.
Body- The actual message of the letter it contains everything between the close and the salutation
Close- This is the goodbye of the letter for example, Sincerely yours.
Signature Block- This is the writers name typed in four lines with the writers signature in between.
Notations- These are several abbreviations below the signature block that have important functions that include, initials, enclosures, and copies.


Thursday, June 5, 2008

Useful Blogs

A Trip to Writesville

Writesville can help you improve your creative writing and will give you on the information you need on the writing process. It is a site totally dedicated to novice writers and i think it could definitely help not only me but everyone in this course.

Be The Story

Be The Story teaches everyone how to write a good story and become a better writer. This website also reviews storys and explains what makes you like them or not.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Personal Introduction

My name is Crystal Torres, technically i am still Rivera. I should have an associates in Digital Media Design Technology by next summer. I plan to then go to UTB and advance my degree to a Bachelors. I plan to move out of the valley and pursue my career in more of a metropolitan area where my job is more in demand. The composition classes i have taken have prepared me by giving me the ability to speak more fluently and get my point across. Communication, written and oral, is very important in my profession. I must be able to communicate with a client to see exactly it is they are looking for and whether i can provide that for them. I am currently a waitress and communication skills also apply to that job title. This course will help me achieve my goals just by showing me different ways to communicate and doing it professionally. I cannot communicate with future clients as i would with my friends. I am currently also taking Digital Sound, Digital Video, and Desktop Publishing, not to mention working 4-10. I have a full workload this semester, due to the shortened semester, so hopefully i can keep up with everything.

A bit late sorry

Just created my blog and about to email it to Janie.