Digital Technology and Culture

A blog for students and friends of Washington State University Vancouver's Digital Technology and Culture Program

DTC Spring/Summer Advising 2009--Please read!!!!

Advising is an important component of student academic success.  It also helps the DTC Program build community on a commuter campus and manage enrollment of courses for our dynamic and fast-growing program. In the past academic advising was held over two weeks and consisted of one-on-one meetings with advisors (John Barber, Harrison Higgs, or me).  Students who did not go through advising were not allowed to register.<br /><br />

The College of Liberal Arts has recently changed this advising model to one that features Group Advising sessions for the College and no hold on registration.<br /><br />



The DTC Program has opted to hold its own Group Advising Sessions so that we can focus more keenly on our own students’ needs.  Additionally, so that we can make sure that students are signing up with the right pre-requisites for their courses and to ensure your enrollment in important skilled-based courses needed by DTC students, we are suppressing line numbers for DTC 335 Digital Animation, DTC 338 Special Topics, DTC 476 Senior Seminar, DTC 477 Advanced Multimedia Authoring, DTC 478 Usability and Interface Design.<br /><br />



The dates and times of the DTC Group Advising Sessions are:<br /><br />

• Monday, March 30, 2009, 12-1:25, VMMC 111<br />


• Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 5:00-6:00, VMMC 111<br />


• Thursday, April 2, 2009, 9-10:30, VMMC 111<br />


• Friday, 10-11:30, VMMC 111<br />

We will dovetail the Spring 2009 Town Halls in these Group Advising Sessions. That way we can also spend some time answering general questions students may have and providing news about the program they may need to hear.<br /><br />

Students who do not attend the Group Advising Sessions will be able to register for classes, BUT if they need Line Numbers for courses, students will need to make an appointment for a one-on-one meeting with me.  I am the only person who can give out Line Numbers for courses.<br /><br />

Student who miss or are unable to attend the Group Advising Sessions are encouraged to take advantage of the one-on-one Career Mentoring that I am offering during that same week.<br /><br />

The dates and times for One-on-One Mentoring Sessions with me are:<br /><br />

Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 12-1:30, 3-5<br />

Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 10-12, 1-4<br />

Thursday, April 2, 2009, 12-1:30, 3-5<br />

Friday, April 3, 2009, by appointment<br /><br />

DTC 338 Special Topics<br />

DTC 476 Senior Seminar<br />

DTC 477 Advanced Multimedia Authoring<br />

DTC 478 Usability and Interface Design<br />



To register for these courses, you need a Line Number.  And you cannot receive a Line Number unless you attend one of the Group Advising Session or meet with me individually at a one-on-one session.<br /><br />



One other comment:  Those of you who are Humanities majors doing a primary or secondary concentration with another area of study (i.e. Fine Arts) should contact your Advisor from that department about advising.  If the DTC Program is your primary or secondary concentration, you need to attend our Group Advising Sessions, especially if you want to take a course with a suppressed line.<br /><br />



Preparing for Advising:  Here are things you must do before you come to any advising session:<br /><br />



1.  Check to see if you have a Writing Portfolio hold before the Group Advising Sessions and the One-on-One Mentoring Sessions;  If so, take care of your Writing Portfolio by going to the Writing Assessment Desk in the basement of VMMC.<br /><br />



2.  Look over the Advising Schedules found at http://www.schedules.wsu.edu/Schedules/Apps/HomePage.ASP.  Make a plan for classes to take.  Write down any questions you may have about your academic requirements.<br /><br />



If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Teresa Phimister, the DTC Academic Advisor at 546-9664, John Barber at 546-9645, or me at 546-9487.  

posted by: grigar at 20:00 | link | comments |

Career Fair Follow Up

 The DTC Program sponsored a special reception yesterday for businesses and organizations looking to hire digital media specialists.  The event aimed at showcasing the work of our students.  It was the first time we hosted such an event, and I have to say that it was a success in that it connected students with potential employees.



Students are now writing me and asking what to do to follow up.  So here goes:  If you were given a business card and asked to contact him or her, or asked to stay in contact, you should . . .



1.  Send a note thanking that person for attending the event

2.  Remind him or her of whom you are and what you discussed at the Reception

3.  Reiterate your knowledge, talents, and interests to that person

4.  Ask for a follow up meeting



Do not hesitate;  rather, be assertive about getting a job.  Even if that person says to you that nothing is open now. Ask to learn more about the position.  If it is indeed a job you really want, ask for a time frame for recontacting that person. And then contact him or her again in that time frame.



--Dene

posted by: grigar at 15:22 | link | comments |

Job Interview Attire

 For those of you getting ready for Career Fair today, this article about how to dress.  I am glad to see it since some of you thought I was being overly motherly about your attire:



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29241014/



I am vindicated.



---Dene Grigar

posted by: grigar at 16:30 | link | comments |

Great Job, Folks

Reply to: work@hugeinc.com [?]
Date: 2009-02-17, 2:35PM PST


HUGE is an innovative design firm with offices in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and London. We have a renowned team of designers, programmers, and user experience specialists, all with a dedication to beautiful, highly-functional design. Our work has won countless awards and we've got a long list of smart, happy clients including IKEA, JetBlue, MTV, Atlantic Records, and Time Inc.

We are currently seeking an Art Director to join our Portland-based team leading the visual design for some of the biggest and most innovative media projects online. These are major online marketing campaigns and consumer facing websites. And we are looking for someone who is very familiar with the online space.

HUGE Art Directors report to the Creative Director and work alongside the account team, interaction designers, and programmers. He or she will be responsible for brainstorming creative concepts with the project team, developing original design concepts, and overseeing the designs execution. The Art Director will also participate in visual design presentations to clients, develop design specs for production, and oversee and/or build a junior design team.

Required:
- 5+ years of interactive experience
- 2+ years experience at a top agency as an Art Director
- 2+ years experience in developing Rich Media & Flash units
- Strong conceptual thinking-- both visual and interactive
- A solid understanding of designing intuitive site functionality, interaction, site architecture, user interfaces, and navigation.
- Driven to define the look and feel of large, industry-leading sites and interactive marketing campaigns
- Strong leadership skills- ability to lead a team, manage and mentor junior designers
- Strong communication skills- you will interface with clients frequently as well as work on teams within the office.
- Ability to work autonomously
- A great attitude- We value our creative talent tremendously and show it, but we operate a prima-donna free work zone.
Please include a link to your online portfolio.

HUGE offers competitive salaries and benefits including 3 weeks paid time off.

Send your RESUME, COVER LETTER, and a link to your ONLINE PORTFOLIO to work@hugeinc.com. Please include the subject header: "AD-PORTLAND."

posted by: grigar at 18:24 | link | comments |

DTC Reception for Career Fair

Next Tuesday on February 24, from 1:30-2:50, in VMMC 111, the DTC Faculty is hosting a Reception for businesses planning to attend the WSUV Career Fair or interested in hiring in the near future. All DTC students and alums are invited to attend.

In order to showcase your work and have an opportunity to meet these prospective employers in advance of the Career Fair, you are encouraged to attend the Reception. Below is the agenda for the event, some guidelines, suggestions, and deadline dates. Please read this message carefully so that you do not miss important information that you need.

1. Agenda

1:30-1:35 Welcome and Introductions
1:35-1:55 Presentation about the DTC Program, Mission, and Future
1:55-2:10 Q & A
2:10-2:50 DTC Student Showcase


2. Guidelines

Showcasing your work: We are assigning a computer to each student who wishes to showcase work. To date, there are eight computers left that I can assign to those of you who would like to show off your work. You need to write me by Thursday, February 19 if you are interested. Materials to be shown should be the best work you have done in and outside of the classroom. This would include videos, websites, design work in FA courses, digital photography, animations, sound work, etc. Be aware that the work you show should coordinate with the kind of position you are interested in applying for and be reflected in your resume. If you have any questions about what work to show, run it by John Barber, Harrison Higgs, or me. Once you have a computer assigned to you, you are encouraged to load your materials in advance of the event. No one will be allowed to load materials during the event. The cut off time is 1:30. You must put your work on the computer assigned to you and in a folder on the Mac external hard drive. Do not put your work on the desktop.

DTC Resume Book: I am preparing a DTC Resume Book that will be given out to all attendees of the Reception. I am also planning to hand copies out at the Career Fair to pertinent companies who were unable to attend the Reception. If you want to be included in this publication, I need your resume by Friday, February 20, by 5 pm. The book goes to print that evening. If you have not yet gotten feedback on your resume from John or me, then please make sure you do this asap. Your resume is your calling card, so make the best impression you can. Once again, if you are also showcasing your media work on one of the computers, make sure that the items on your resume connect in some way with your showcased work. Please send your final version of the resume as a PDF. You chance losing your formatting if you send a doc.

Attendance/Dress: Please be on time to event. I won't go as far to say to dress in a business suit, but dress in a way that speaks to your interests. So, if you want to be a Media Communications Director, yes, dress casually chic. If you want to be a web designer or video producer, then neatly artsy. Avoid chewing gum, baseball caps, shorts, low-cut blouses, dirty tennis shoes, flip flops, etc. etc. Now I sound like your mother. But I think you get what I mean––make the kind of impression you think will impress a potential employer. Be prepared to mingle and talk to the attendees during the DTC Student Showcase. And plan to attend the Career Fair that takes place beginning 3:30 pm in the FSC.

Non-DTC Majors: Some of you majored in Humanities with a DTC primary or secondary concentration. This may mean that you do not have much in the way of media work to show. If you need help figuring out your career path or direction with how to position yourself in the job market, please contact me asap.


3. Suggestions

Pick your best work to showcase, and show it off well. The best approach is a web portfolio that you put online and show on the computer screen. You can link your work (as movs, jpgs, swfs) to the site. If you need help with making a portfolio or knowing what one looks like, you can join the DTC 476 class this Thursday at 1:25-2:40, in VMMC 111. I plan to show some examples and help students develop one on that day.

If you cannot create a portfolio, then at the very least prepare a CD/DVD that can easily archive the work and make it simple to show it off.

In terms of resume help, I have been requesting your resumes for a month now. This is the last week I can give help before the Reception. I am not taking new resumes by email, but instead I want to meet with students f2f. I have time open on Thursday. So, write me for help if you need it.


4. Deadline Dates

Thursday, February 19 Write me if you want a computer for showcasing your work
Last day for a one-on-one appointment to discuss your resume
Friday, February 20 5 pm, Resumes due
Tuesday, February 24 Before 1:30: Work must be on computers in VMMC 111 (no work can be
loaded beginning 1:30)
1:30-2:50, Reception, VMMC 111
3:30-6:30, Career Fair, FSC


If you have any questions, comments or opposing viewpoints, write me. We want to see all of you who want a job get a job.

***I will be sending students the final list of businesses that will be attending after Friday, February 20. That is the cut off day for RSVPs. I will let everyone know who sent in a resume and will remind everyone about the computer assigned him or her.

posted by: grigar at 02:40 | link | comments |

DTC Students in the News

The Columbian newspaper featured DTC students today on the front page of its Business section. The story centered on the new website that students in the senior seminar had built for the Columbia River Economic Development Council. The story does not seem to be included in the online version of the newspaper, but you can see the website: www.credc.org

This semester students are working in two teams. One team is creating the website and videos for the Boys and Girls Club; the other is making a special Quality of Life website for Clark County that will be linked from most of the major city, county, and economic development sites in the area.

I am as always proud of the work the students do and see this kind of service and outreach a major focus of the DTC Program.

--Dene Grigar

posted by: grigar at 17:27 | link | comments |

DTC Students in the News

The launch of the Columbia River Economic Development Council's (CREDC) new website takes place on Tuesday, February 10, 2009. Students in the fall 2008 senior seminar course (DTC 476) created the site for CREDC, while students in the spring 2009 worked on the usability testing for it. Seniors involved in the redesign of the site include Veronica Nguyen, Michael Hatch, Drew Swenson, Alexis Bonds, Chris Frank, Julia Messmacher, Sheryl Wasson-Howe, Eric Jackson, and Tianna Williams. Michael Hatch, who served as the website's lead programmer and designer remained on the project after the close of the fall semester in order to continue working on it during the testing. CREDC has published the following news release to its members and the Southwest Washington business community.

To see the new site when it is launched tomorrow, go to http://www.credc.org.

---
COLLEGE STUDENTS CREATE NEW WEB SITE FOR CREDC
WSUV program proves to be valuable resource for local nonprofits
VANCOUVER, Wash. (February 10, 2009) —

Thanks to the talents and expertise of nine students enrolled in Washington State University Vancouver’s (WSUV’s) Digital Technology and Culture (DTC) Program, the Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) launched its new Web site today aimed at business owners who are interested in expansion or relocation.

“One of the responsibilities of a land grant university, such as WSUV, is to give back to our local community,” said WSUV Chancellor Hal Dengerink. “All our students work on projects that directly benefit the community.”

During the process of interviewing various interactive agencies last summer, the management team at CREDC became aware of the DTC program that requires senior seminar students to create a digital technology project for a community-based nonprofit organization. CREDC then partnered with the students enrolled in the fall 2008 senior seminar who designed, wrote, programmed and now have launched the new Web site. Past class projects for other organizations include video and animation projects.

“Selecting WSUV students to develop our new Web site supports one of the basic missions of our organization – workforce development,” said CREDC President Bart Phillips.

“The real-world projects the students work on will make them even more valuable to local employers.”

CREDC redesigned its Web site (www.credc.org) to better provide businesses owners and site selection consultants with the necessary information to make an informed decision related to the expansion and/or relocation of a company.

“Visitors to our new site will now be able to access critical information within just a few clicks of the mouse, continued Phillips. “The improved navigability is going to make a tremendous difference.”

In addition to the streamlined site navigation, the nine-member team of students completely redesigned and wrote new copy for the site. Features of the site include a searchable database and in-depth information sought after by business owners and site selection consultants including:
• a comprehensive business information center;
• an in-depth business profile of Clark County;
• information on the region’s industry clusters;
• listings of available industrial and commercial buildings and properties;
• community attributes such as schools, recreation, and cost of living; as well as
• resources and services provided by CREDC.

“These projects benefit our students on several levels,” said Dene Grigar, PhD., the chair of the school’s DTC program. “They gain hands-on experience and learn to work as a team to meet an organization’s goals. They will have a project for their portfolios when they go out to look for a job. And, they walk away knowing that they have done something especially good for the community.”

The DTC program integrates critical thinking, creativity and computing skills with course work in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Students can direct their studies in one of three areas: Multimedia Authoring; Informatics; or Culture and Technology.

posted by: grigar at 06:30 | link | comments (1) |

Internet TV

Students in the Community Media class were treated to guests speakers from OPB TV and KBOO radio last night. One of the common themes that emerged from both talks, important for those of us involved in digital media to know, was that more and more information is being delivered over internet––to the extent that even dominant forms of media, like TV and radio, are quickly becoming consumed by it. The message I hoped students walked away with is that learning how to conceptualize, design, produce, deliver, and manage such information will become one of the leading jobs in the near future.

Ironically, I awoke this morning to this "front page" article on CNN.com, entitled "More Turning to Web to Watch TV, Movies." Here is the link to it, for all to read:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/02/06/internet.tv/index.html

There are many dangers involved in the convergence of media, most notably the loss of even more freedoms for internet users. The Napster case will be nothing compared to what we stand to lose on the larger scale if we do not work to educate people about the importance of public access and the internet. Community Media should be a wake up call to DTC students.

posted by: grigar at 17:30 | link | comments |

Web Design Job on Campus

Web Communications Manager
Marketing and Communictions

Description of Position:
The Web Communications Manager is responsible for taking a leadership role in the development, implementation and management of the WSU Vancouver Web strategy, ensuring consistency of brand throughout the Web site. S/he regularly analyzes and reports web site metrics, identifies trends, and ensures that the site meets the needs of the institution and its constituents with attention to usability and accessibility issues. The Web Communications Manager stays current on new Web technologies, W3C standards and industry best practices. S/he relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. The Web Communications Manager may oversee one or more Web Interns and reports to Director of Marketing and Communications. This is a temporary 1 year appointment.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree in information science or related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in web site design, development and maintenance. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
Thorough knowledge of Web site development and design, including hands-on web site technical production using Web editing software, and proficiency coding (X)HTML and CSS.
Demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively in a team environment, working with diverse internal constituents.
Experience with basic Web scripting languages and databases used to create dynamic web pages.
Preferred Qualifications:

An additional three (3) years of related experience for a total of six (6) years.
Experience working in a higher education environment.
Experience working in a marketing department, and demonstrated knowledge of branding principles.
Experience with Content Management Software and Adobe Creative Suite
Experience with user-centered Web communications, navigation and design.
Experience with, or knowledge of, Web usability, search engine optimization and Web analytics.
Experience with basic Web scripting languages and databases used to create dynamic web pages.
Experience with planning and implementation of a web site re-design.
Experience developing web pages for multiple platforms.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Oversees development of Web content and supervises Web Interns. Monitors, analyzes, and reports Web traffic and trends. Improves volume & quality of traffic to Web site via SEO. Identifies and addresses usability issues on the university Web site. Ensures that the university Web site is accessible to all constituents, even those with visual and other impairments. Implements CMS across Web site. Manages online library of images. Reviews Web site to ensure design is user-centered. Drafts and places strategic paid search engine ads (Google AdWords) as budget allows. Coordinates with WSU system-wide branding group.

Develops landing pages for various departments on campus to promote events, etc. Develops online forms such as information request forms, surveys, online registration forms, etc. Develops HTML email announcement and invitations. Posts videos to the web site and our Itunes U site. Develops blogs (not as the blogger, but in terms of web development) and other forms of electronic media as required.

Participates in staff meetings, committees and other meetings for the benefit of the institution. Stays current regarding latest Web technologies by attending appropriate webinars and conferences as recommended by supervisor. Stays current regarding web best practices by communicating with other Web professionals via appropriate listservs and by reading current journals, blogs, etc. regarding Web best practices.

Trains Web User Group (WUG) members in updating departmental Web pages and drafting good Web content. Serves in consultative role to internal constituents regarding their respective departments' Web pages.

Other duties as assigned.

Salary: $45,000 per year

Application Process:
Send a letter of application addressing minimum and preferred qualifications, resume, examples of your work (preferably in the form of an online portfolio or web site), and names of three professional references, with mailing and e-mail addresses, and phone numbers to:

Maureen Keller
Office of Marketing & Communications
WSU Vancouver
14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue
Vancouver, WA 98686-9600

Or e-mail to: maureen_keller@vancouver.wsu.edu

posted by: grigar at 15:54 | link | comments |