Feedback Thoughts

Feedback. (Source)

Article that really stood out to me from the moment I read the title was - "Seven ways to crush self-doubt by John Spencer" and instantly I knew I had to read it. Growing up I was constantly doubting myself and my work. Until this very day I still doubt myself and my work which only resulted in never going out of my way to create something new as I was in constant worry. The first strategy written about was something I have been trying to do for several years now. 

"Don't Compare Yourself To Others."

This is incredibly difficult to NOT do especially when you are surrounded with talented people. I constantly compare my work because I doubt myself and my abilities. When reading further and being told to "drop imperfection" that was especially difficult to read as I live my life as a perfectionist. It's in my blood, yet the time has come to drop these perfectionist qualities and learn to do what I love. 

Something else I loved reading in this article was a quote from Carol Dweck talking about babies. They do not feel humiliation, they are driven to learn and learn some of the most difficult things in life such as how to walk, talk, read. Yet, when we get older we fear humiliation and making mistakes? Why are we told to stop making mistakes as we get older instead of being told how to grow from these mistakes? Society has created fixed mindsets that are astonishing difficult to get out of as we are constantly reminded during our work and college - "don't make that mistake again."

"Instead of being mired in self-doubt, you get to treat your work as an experiment. If it didn't work, it's not a failure."

 I love looking at projects-in-progress or work in such a way. Rather than immersing yourself in self-doubt about your work treat it as an experiment that you are able to constantly work on and improve as you go along! In my opinion, this entire article is worth a read. I think it has really helped me in trying to better myself and deal with my continuous self-doubt.

The second article I read was "Why It's So Hard to Hear Negative Feedback by Tim Herrera" and it was also a fascinating piece to read. When presented with negative feedback our minds instantly think failure and our egos get bruised. In the article we can read that during a study it is shown that people go so far as to avoid people who give 'negative feedback' and their brains do not take the information in. If we avoid negative feedback there is no way to improve ourselves and work. You will constantly create work that is within your comfort zone rather than expanding your mind.

"If you're receiving the feedback, frame it so it will ultimately lead to self-improvement."

Game Brainstorm

Game One.

Undertale is a game that interests me because it doesn’t have any complicated graphics that make you lost. The game is played in a top-down perspective, a style I’m interested in using for my own game. I would like to design a game like this as I like the freedom you are given. You are able to walk and explore the areas, talk to different ‘monsters’ and are able to make the choices you want. It makes the game more interesting to play because you believe you have freedom when there are certain rules in place limiting choices (even though you believe otherwise). I would like to learn how to create a role-playing game similar to this. I like the graphics and the storyline. It is simple and easy to play which is something I like in games, but it’s not to everyone’s taste. On the website we learn more about the game itself and how to play. The game itself, and even the website about page, are filled with witty comments rather than serious dialogue making the game far more enjoyable than a serious role-play game. If I choose to create something similar to this game, I would prefer to make a different plot, maybe even less dialogue more gameplay, but keep the style of the game somewhat similar. The simple 2-D graphics, easy characters and a gripping storyline. I would like to try and attempt making my very own top-down game. There are quite a few videos on making a 2-D role-play game on YouTube and after some searching, I found Brackeys (YouTube) to be the most liked and best YouTuber for these tutorial videos. And here is another set of useful playlist filled with tutorials. I believe these will be extremely beneficial to me when creating my own game as they are tutorials on how to create a game similar to Undertale.

Undertale Character. (Source)

Game Two: 

Another game that is to my liking is Animal Crossing. Although it is played on Nintendo, the idea of creating a game similar to this but on PC/Mac is very appealing. The game itself is simple and very easy to learn to play. I prefer games like this as I’ve never been a fan of violent war games etc. This is a game I am able to play freely with no rush and it’s a game that helps me relax.The gameplay is open-ended. Players have no defined objectives, but are instead encouraged to spend their time in the village performing any number of activities, which include collecting items, planting plants or other items, and socializing with the village's residents. There is a high level of customization available in the game, some of which may affect the outcome of the game itself. This is something I’d like to learn – how to add levels of customization into my game. I would also like to make a game that is open-ended, much like Animal Crossing. This tutorial is very helpful in showing how to create a game as close to Animal Crossing as possible. The pixel art may be more like Undertale nevertheless the idea of the game itself is similar to both. This blog post is helpful when learning how to use unity in order to create the retro-8-bits game, I imagine I will be using this post a lot when learning how to set unity for the game. Along with these tutorials and blog posts another post that is helpful is this post, as it will help to create the pixel art into better quality. Although quite similar to Undertale, this would be a far more advanced pixel game rather than like Undertale which is very pixelated. 

Animal Crossing Gameplay. (Source)

Game Three:

A genre of game I have an interest in is Platform games (or platformers), much like Super Mario Bros or Donkey Kong. In a platformer, the player controls the character who must jump and climb between suspended platforms avoiding obstacles. Unlike the two games above this would be more action than role-play. Platform games are frequently classified as a sub-genre of action games. When researching idea's for platform games I found out that a Single Screen Platformers would be the best type of game play to try and create. I learnt more about "What is a Platform Game?" from this blog post and decided on trying to create a Single Screen Platformers game, much like in Donkey Kong. By using this platformer I have the advantage to choose whether or not I wish to have a new screen or the same screen once a level is passed. This is a great advantage as you have control over what you want done. This can also be easier if you are stressed about using Unity and have only completed one scene, giving you the advantage to keep one screen and develop the game itself more than a new scene each level. Brackeys again has many useful videos, such as this one, in helping you create games similar to Super Mario Bros or Donkey Kong. I am a big fan of this idea and being able to combine retro-8-bits into this Single Screen Platformers is an appealing idea.

Super Mario Bros Home Screen. (Source)

Game Four:

Lastly, I would be interested in creating a Life Simulation game much like Sims. Even though this is a far more difficult game design it is something I find intriguing. My bigger interest is towards RPG nevertheless I do still adore playing life simulation games. The games in the Sims series are largely sandbox games, in that they lack any defines goals giving you free will to do as you please. You can create, destroy and build as you wish. Upon trying to find tutorials on how to create such games, the only results I obtained were all paid courses in making life simulation games. It was incredibly difficult to learn how to make such games without having to pay and take online courses and unlock paid tutorials. This made me lose interest in the idea of making a life simulation game as I would like to learn for free, rather than pay for courses and find them useless and uninformative. Life simulation games prove to be problematic as it requires more time and effort to create storylines, characters, scenery and such. Provided you have the time this would be fascinating to create. Another advantage to creating such games would be the customisable context you are able to add and subtract in the game when designing. With no end to the game and the endless possibilities, the game design almost seems impossible to make in the short spam of time we have during this module and therefore it is not an idea I will likely go forth with. Needless to say, I will continue to play and enjoy the Sims as a game itself but I am not appealed to the idea of creating a game like this myself!

Free will being used to construct an obscure house in Sims gameplay. (Source)

Unity Tutorial 01

From watching the Unity tutorials I have learnt many of the basics used in the programme. At first view it seems to be overwhelming with different tabs, names and everything in-between. From tutorial one we are shown quite a lot of the basics needed for the programme and the small tools we will need in the future. This is very helpful as the programme is new to me and will take time to get used to. I would really recommend to bookmark this tutorial for future reference in case you forget any of the basics!

While watching this video you learn some simple techniques that could be very beneficial later on when designing your first game. Something I learnt that I found useful (although it may seem strange), is by placing a cube and setting the axis to 0,0,0 places it in the very centre of the game. This will be helpful when placing objects later on because you are made aware of where the centre is. Another thing I found useful was the 'box collider' as it will be good to know how to use it/turn it on/off later on.

In the beginning I was quite intimidated to try Unity but after watching the tutorials and trying it out myself it was quite easy, yet I knew in the coming weeks it would become far more difficult. But I look forward to working with Unity and trying out new techniques etc!

My Unity3D Work.

Game Design

When I first hear the words 'Game Design', I instantly think of a complicated process including game blueprints, many rules, thousands of drafts and hours upon hours of hard work. Yet, after reading the articles I did not realise that a game as simple as "Snakes and Ladders" would be a game. When thinking of games I think of many games that are far more complicated such as 'Call of Duty' or 'Sims' but not simple games.

When I was made aware about having to design a game I was terrified. I thought to myself - "I am not creative enough, I do not know programming well enough to construct a whole game. I am going to fail." However, after reading articles I realised it may be far less complicated than I originally thought.

An article that stood out to me was "So You're Going To Make A Game For The Very First time?" by Lewis Pulsipher. I learnt a lot about making a game for the first time. If I had not read this I believe I would have made many mistakes - such as focusing on making the game 'pretty' rather than functional and this, as told by Pulsipher, is the wrong way to go. Making a game that may be unpleasant to look at is far better than having no game to play. This article has helped me greatly in becoming more confident for when I am tasked with creating a prototype game.

Do do not worry the aesthetic of the game! (Source)

Something else I have learnt is to always play the game yourself. Always analyse the game, make improvements and find the flaws. Find ways to improve it and how to make it more exciting to play. After playing each time make one change. The aim is to make a playable game. Designing a game should be fun as it is a time to get creative. I have made peace knowing the first game I will design will not be the best, nevertheless it will not stop me from enjoying the process of making my first game!

In another article by Wolfgang Kramer "What Is a Game?" We see a more in-depth explaining of what a game really is. We learn about the components and rules of a game and what makes a game. Certain criteria a game must have in order to be called a 'Game'. In summary of the article a game must have the following in order to be considered a game - rules, a goal, change of course, competition, equality, no impact on reality, freedom, chance, common experience and activity. It is important to have all rules, goals etc. Known before you design the game itself. The game will only work if YOU know how you want the game to work. Blueprints and graphics come at the later stage. Programming a game with no rules simply has no purpose and will not be a game.

Time Strategies

Ever since I went into Secondary school my main goal was to get work done as soon as I received it. This 'strategy' has really helped me in college. I would always try my best to get the work done as soon as I was told what I had to do. However, plans do change and sometimes you may not be home or may not have the time you planned to finish the work. My strategy was to always get it done when I had free time, and I have a lot of free time.

Because I don't have a job (believe me I wish I did) I have a lot of time to get my work done. I would get a lot of work done during the weekend because I would almost always be at home. Even if I did have a job getting work done as soon as I could would always be my strategy because it's always worked for me. I don't like leaving assignments and work to the last minute. I get too anxious and stressed knowing the deadline is itching closer and I have no work complete.

The two articles I read were 'Time Management Tips Just for Creatives by Amanda Oliver' and 'Realistic Study Plans by Amanda Collins'. Although most articles I read about time strategies don't really help me I do enjoy seeing different ways to manage my time. I have tried out many strategies, unfortunately none have really worked for me. Nonetheless, I still enjoy reading the articles.

Everyone works different. It's important to find a way to manage your work load correctly and it may take some (or a lot) of time to find it but in the end it will pay off.

Time Management Quotes (Source: Pinterest)

Technology

A lot of the technology and apps mentioned in the post I am quite familiar with. Starting out this blog I was somewhat familiar with it already as I had used it in the past, however, I did not write up my own blog entries so that is something I am getting used to. Now that I have written over five posts I am slowly getting more familiar and it has now become fun to write.

I am hoping that throughout this semester we will learn to use sites and apps that are a little more complicated in order to get used to using them for when we graduate. I would like to learn using more advanced programs so I could expand my blog more.

So far I like what we are doing and the things we are learning, but after reading and watching Growth Mindset I would like to challenge myself more and learn more about media and technology.

MultiMedia (Source: Google Images)

Assignments

Reading about all the assignments we have to do, including extra credits, does seem a little overwhelming as it's all very new to me. I have never written blog posts (or commented on others blogs) and it seems interesting. I am eager to read other people's blogs and see their thoughts on the module and our assignments.

I am intrigued by the projects mentioned. I'd to see what the projects will be like and what we will have to do. This is very different from our usual classes as we have more room to do as we would like. There are certain guidelines but we are much more free to express ourselves.

The Wikipedia Trails extra credit assignments really intrigued me. It's an extra credit assignment I could see myself doing a lot. As well as that I curious about the Tech Tasks.

Coffee Shop Artist (Source: Google Images)

Growth Mindset

After watching the video of Carol Dweck talking about growth-fixed mindset I realised it was my own mindset. From her video I believe this way of thinking and applying this technique to younger students will benefit them, as schools and colleges around the world strongly focus on memory in order to do well in education. From a young age you are taught to memorise the alphabet or memorise spelling words. As you grow older and progress to higher schools (e.g Secondary school) you are almost forced to learn about things. We are told to sit and learn, word-for-word almost, and by doing so they test our intelligence. If we were 'graded' on how well we solve problems or the process behind them there may not be so many students thinking they are 'not smart enough'.

We each learn our own ways and have our own ways of thinking, solving and processing problems. So why make students learn one way and one way only.

I would often put myself down in school. I would see other students doing far better than myself. My mindset was - "I don't understand now so I never will." For years and years I hated Maths, up until this very day I still have a deep hatred for it. I was never taught - "I don't understand it ... yet" but if I was I believe I would have tried much harder to succeed.

Moving onto college my mindset changed. I was eager to learn new things. I was introduced to "Website Development" which was a module I struggled with greatly. However, I did not give up.  Even though I did not always understand CSS or HTML I kept going and trying to learn how to add certain codes etc. In the end I got an even better grade than expected! I have started to learn to challenge myself, push myself and not give up when I find things difficult.

Growth Mindset Quote. (Source: Pinterest)

Workshop 01

In this workshop we learnt about flow-carts and how to use them properly. This exercise included a video on traffic lights. I am aware of flow-carts, and I am aware of how to use them but in this workshop I was able to learn more about them. In the workshop we learnt more about flow-charts. Learning how to use flow-charts are a big help as I believe they help in planning and organising your thoughts so that you can go back and change things as well as helping you in remembering what you worked on. Throughout this year I plan to use flow-charts more and more as I believe they can help massively on trying to organise group work and other assignment works. Trying to explain flow-charts in simple english was difficult.

Personally, working in groups is difficult. I want to be able to be confident in interacting with students in my year, and by having to do more group work it will allow me to come outside of my shell and learn how to work with people as a group. Interactivity can be stressful however this course is based on working together, and when we graduate we need to know how to work and interact with the people around us. It will not always be easy because everyone will have other ideas and/or not agree with yours. Everyone has different views and this can come as a challenge during group works.

Reflection can be hard to write about but with time I believe it will become simpler. I enjoy having to reflect back on the class because if I had not written about it the experience and lessons would have been lost in my memory. I get to improve my vocabulary as well as learning about new things along the way! I hope to improve my writing and reflections more this year as well.

Introduction to a Poor College Student.

Trying to write an introduction about yourself is difficult. Especially difficult if all you do with your life is go to college and watch Netflix, not much else I could possibly write about.

I'm Ingrida and welcome to my uninteresting blog.

Over the past several days I have wasted my 'precious days' sitting in bed playing Stardew Valley non-stop. Exciting isn't it? I have now spent more hours working on my farm than I have working on trying to get my life together. Besides Netflix and Stardew, I also have a big interest in photography and video editing.

In September 2017, I visited my grandparents in Russia. This was the first time I had gone to Russia in roughly 10+ years. During this visit, my grandad gifted me his old 35mm film camera - the same camera he used when he was younger. This helped me begin my film photography interest. Over the summer I have bought film and developed many photographs.

Here are a few of my favorite 35mm film photographs, and if you'd like to see more you can follow my Instagram photography page!

(Gydnia Beach in Poland, 2019)

(Cavan Cathedral as seen through nearby houses, 2019)

(Gydnia Beach in Poland, 2019)

As well as film photography, I also enjoy digital photography. One of my favorite modules in first year was photography. Since I had never been in a studio before it was interesting to learn how to properly set up equipment and use the studio to your full advantage. Another thing I enjoyed about the module was the Photoshop assignments. Learning how to manipulate photographs in your favor, how to edit photographs and make them into something new.

Video editing is tricky business. It takes patience (something I do not usually have) and time. I discovered I liked editing a couple of years back when I begun filming uninteresting, makes no sense type of YouTube videos. And so that's when I realised I'd like to do this as a career someday.

In case anyone would like to subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Throughout the year I hope I become a far more interesting person as this post has truly made me realise how vanilla of a person I really am.

That's all folks

Favorite Game

At the current moment, I have found myself not able to pull myself away from the role-playing video game "Stardew Valley". I was introduced to this game in hopes that I would begin to play video games, and I was told that "animal crossing" wasn't enough... And so I caved in and bought the game.

Stardew Valley Coming to Consoles

I started to play the game, following the tutorials as told, and I found myself not being able to pull away. The simple music, pixel characters, interactions and scenery all drew me in. It wasn't a difficult game to play and the more I played, the more things I discovered, I couldn't stop playing.

To all the new gamers, to those who like a simple and easy game, I highly recommend Stardew Valley!