Found out today was Google‘s 9th Birthday when I was googling earlier. Has it only been 9 years? Seems like Google has been here all my life. Anyway it’s been a very successful 9 years, so it should definitely something to celebrate. To learn more about Google.. just google it! seriously.

On a side note, I really love the pinata “9″. Looks awesome. To see some older birthday editions of Google, check the Google unofficial news and tips site.

Happy Googling.

Fresh2007 is the BCIT Digital Arts Industry Grad Show.

The night will showcase the work of the 2007 graduates of the Design Essentials, Digital Animation and New Media Design and Web Development programs.

The Industry Night will be held at Radical Entertainment at 369 Terminal Ave, Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 from 5-8 pm.

You are invited to join us for this unique event. The grad students are pleased to extend this invitation out to all Digital Arts professionals, and look forward to meeting with the forerunners of the Digital Arts Industry.

www.fresh2007.ca

Come check us out!

This is another one of those blogs for my web marketing class..

There are many different technologies that belong to Web 2.0, some of them being:

• Rich Internet application techniques, optionally Ajax-based
• Cascading Style Sheets to separate presentation from content
• Semantically valid HTML markup and microformats
• Syndication and aggregation of data in RSS or Atom feeds
• Human readable URLs
• folksonomies (in the form of tags or tagclouds, for example)
• Wiki or forum software to support user generated content
• use of Open source software, such as the LAMP solution stack
• XACML over SOAP for access control between organisations and domains
• Weblog publishing
• mashups, merging content from different sources
• REST or XML Webservice APIs

I’m taking advantage of some Web 2.0 technologies as we speak: I am blogging, my blog has valid HTML markup and semantic code, a RSS feed, and uses CSS for style. Oh, and I believe WordPress is somewhat considered open source blogging software. Sweet.

I cannot believe how fast time is going by.. less than 3 weeks till graduation! I’m totally excited and scared at the same time.

It’s funny how in the beginning of the program, a lot of us didn’t know what we were going to pursue after graduation; some knew what they wanted to pursue but totally changed directions; and some already knew what they were going to pursue and still want to pursue the same thing. But in the end, we all more or less know what direction we’re heading.

I’m really looking forward to getting my Senior Management Certificate in New Media Design and Web Development. However, I’m still undecided if I should further my education and get a degree interactive media and arts or a degree in fine arts. I’m really hoping to get a steady job too, since I don’t want to be in debt from tuition and all the other expenses. Perhaps I should continue to freelance or hope to be hired as part time designer or on a work at home basis kind of job. What I need is something flexible so I can work and go to school at the same time.

That’s right, Joy Studio just got a new logo. I thought it was time to change it up a bit. The old logo was a bit plain and just had to go. I like this one better since it has a more personal, warm feel to it. Let’s just say it’s more “Joy Studio”.

The only thing I kept was the heart part of my original logo, but I altered it slightly. All the colors remain the same to be consistent with my corporate identity. I used a font called Joyful Juliana designed by Kimberly Geswein. I thought I would give the designer some credit since I really like this font. Thanks!

Please tune in for my site updates..

This is another one of those posts for my Web Marketing Class..

In my communications class, my teacher handed out a useful article about blogging. I thought I would share some of the useful information here.

Over the past years, blogs has evolved into something much more than just an online journal, or a web log. A blog has become one of the best networking tools on the Internet, but it depends how you use it. Whether it turns into a success or a disaster is in your hands. Below I have have identified some key points to blogging for business.

Keep it Professional
Although blogs are a more casual way of communicating with your audience, when blogging for business, make sure you are still keeping a professional impression. However, make sure you’re not being overly formal or informal, try to add a personal touch to your blogs. But by personal, it doesn’t mean you talk about what you had for lunch, well unless you are a food critique, a chef, or something related to that sort of career field. Keep your personal life details to a minimum. Blogs magnify your knowledge and ignorance. Show real knowledge to gain professional and personal credibility.

Simplicity beats all
The key to having a blog is for people to read it, so please make sure your blog is easy to read. Make sure that the font size is right and you allow enough white space so it’s not over-crowded, so it’s easy on the eye. Don’t over-complicate things, if you want to say something, cut to the chase. Don’t use words or terminology people won’t understand. Keep it simple.

Some things to keep in mind when blogging

• Add relevant, credible links, links will help drive more traffic to your blog
• Always write in complete sentences, with proper spelling and grammar.
• Make sure what you write is accurate, don’t lie or say something you’re not sure of.
• Make sure what you post is legal, watch out for copyrights, defamation..etc.
• You blog is public, remember what goes around comes around.

Remember the blog mentality: truth-telling diary origins, honesty, transparency, and human connection.

But most important of all, be enthusiastic about what you’re talking about. If you’re not enthusiastic about what you’re saying to begin with, chances are it won’t turn out any more exciting to your audience.

Happy blogging!