Inkscape as a Design Tool

Admittedly I first starting using Inkscape because it was free, it was also is open source which is a movement I definitely support. As time went on I got more and more used to using Inkscape. I have yet to use the industry standard vector editor Adobe Illustrator so its hard for me to compare the two fairly. But some of the things Inkscape doesn't do out of the box (with out tweaking) is CMYK. So far most of my work is meant for onscreen so this has not been an issue for me. I am also mainly working with my designs, which means the other major con many see with Inkscape: file type hasn't been an issue.

One of the supposed pros of inkscape is less CPU demand. I can even run it on an old low end laptop designed for Vista which is now running Linux Mint. Of course it runs slowly, but the point is it runs which I am sure Illustrator wouldn't run on that laptop even if it still ran windows.

By Krisna Marie on May 25, 2019.

Yes, The digital divide exists!

As engineers and architects of the internet is easy to forget that not everyone knows a lot about using computers and making the most of the internet. There are a multitude of factors that contribute to someone having trouble using the internet.

Economics and the lack of reliable computers, or other devices is an obvious obstacle. Not only is a lack of equipment a problem but the people on really modest incomes may have problems paying for reliable internet. The scope of this problem is more than a person not having a computer, smartphone, tablet etc. They also have to spring for one that functions well enough to take advantage of the internet sites that they need and/or want to see.

While it is a temptation to use the newest web technologies in designs. Certain customer groups or niches may not have the latest version of windows or mac os. While for those of us with technical know how linux is a viable option—I, unlike, many less realistic users, would not recommend it for beginnners who do not have close friends or family who act as the tech guru—there are too many things that need to be configured with even “easier” to use linux distros to make it practical for beginners.

So many of the economically disadvantage opt to use old computers which, most likely have old OS’s. Even with good anti virus software these computers are more vulnerable to attack. Most people who know little about the internet do not have good anti virus software meaning their computer becomes vulnerable and thus slower and less efficient. The users of these vulnerable computers then become more frustrated with computers which makes them more likely to give up on learning how to use them properly and thus become even more likely to have a compromised computer.

I actually have tutored people who have become prey to “anti-virus” software that was no more than malware. While education will help the economically disadvantaged learn computers better it is not a means in an end. They need access to reliable safe devices and reliable safe internet.

While library’s, schools and employment agencies, may try to provide this good security is necessary to prevent people, innocently or perhaps not-so innocently compromising these institution computers. Oftentimes good security means locking down certain features of computer—such Windows’ task manager.

Written by Krisna Marie on May 31, 2019.

The Trials of Designing for Oneself.

Designing a project to represent oneself has unique challenges. When I began this project I knew I wanted to design a portfolio site. This is something I have attempted before but always questions plagued me. If you are designing for oneself how much of the design should be for you and how much for the audience? Sure in any design you want the audience to like it but if you hate it can you really call it your design? For the record, I like this design, although it is very difference from my original concept. I guess the question is will I love it in a year?

As an individual and a designer you are always developing. But once something goes out on to the web it becomes a brand. And once you brand yourself there are certain complications to changing that brand. People, your audience, begin to expect something from and when you want to re-invent yourself your audience may object. But what if you get sick of the design? How much can you change before you are no longer you to your audience.

As of right now I am very much struggling with these questions very much on my own. While I am attempting to get in to the Design program at Western Washington University, I am not in. So I am struggling with how to be enough a designer to design something that will get me into a fairly competitive program.

Design is about solving a problem. But when you design a product where you are the brand you are the problem. The problem becomes how you see yourself and also how others see you. The audience sees in the way you present yourself. So first you must ask how do you want to be seen? Then you have to ask yourself how do you present yourself in such a way that you’ll be seen that way. I am still struggling with the first question so how do I attempt to answer the second question? And then the next question is how do yI solve that question with design? Sure picture of design may be worth several words so wouldn’t the wrong picture or design be worth several of the wrong words?

Written by Krisna Marie on June 4, 2019.