Week 3 EOC: My Demographics

Ironically enough, when I was very young, I was never really surrounded by much technology. I lived in Jamaica for some time and not even Nintendo made its way to the small island.  Outdoors and nature had always fascinated me during that time and for the most part I actually enjoyed it. It wasn’t until much later that I moved to the US and that is when I became engrossed in technology.

It became a part of who I was growing up. If I couldn’t have access to a computer or some kind of up to date technology I felt like I was left behind.  Thanks to the schools I went to, everything I did or had to turn in was dependent on technology of some form. Especially when it comes to typing up and printing out assignments. When I got my first cell phone it made a large impact in my life. I was able to talk with people over a long distance rather than face to face.

Computers were a major system that took a large hold of my life. Games was something I enjoyed playing a lot and I had access to various types of games compared to a PlayStation, for example. Turbo Pascal, a software development system, interested me ever since I had a class on it in high school. From there I wanted to understand what coding was and how it worked. Most of my time was spent on forums actually learning everything I could about the parts that made up a computer and the operating system that ran it. I think for the most part, computers became more of a fascination than a cell phone or ipod. It was the window to the world and like a spider web that kept me connected to everything that was going on in the world.

So yes in conclusion I think I am fluent in digital technology as I have to be especially when pursuing the career and degree I’m in at the very moment. 

Week 3 EOC: Making Money for Good

Warby Parker, a company similar to TOMS shoes, that benefits and incorporates the one for one sale. However, instead of shoes they use their main product, which are glasses.  So you buy a pair of Warby Parker glasses then a monthly donation of the accumulation of all that sold will be sent to their nonprofit partners. The non-profit trains people in countries that are developing so they can give eye exams and sell glasses to communities at a price that’s affordable.  This seems to raise a very interesting question, which is “Why sell them and not donate them?” From what is assumed, donations are like kindhearted gestures that can backfire or have the people who they are helping become dependent on such free things.

Donations are usually temporary that are not lasting. As mentioned before, the donators create a source of dependency that is rarely able to keep them sustained for the rest of their lives. This is why Warby Parker has decided to train the women and men of the designated country so not only can they sell great glasses but they are able to make a living for themselves and their family.

I think this is a far more interesting idea than just handing out free stuff cause it can help provide productivity and help such country develop even further. Just like when helping someone homeless. Giving money can get them so far but if you truly want to help them then you can teach then a skill set or trade that can not only help get them off their feet but help get their life back on track so they can help interact and provide for the surrounding community and society as a productive member. This is a truly better way of helping someone than simply giving them something for free and let them be on their way. 

Week 1 EOC: My Voice

Analytic and solving problems has always been a part of who I am. I am an avid researcher, always theorizing and finding opinions as well as facts that proves my work. Getting the clients what they desire and how I can get it to them is a prime example of user experience. Web design is a path of study that I am passionate about. Since I was in high school I have dabbled and touched on html, learning the basics necessary to understand the functions needed. Manipulating and changing code requires knowledge as any correction or mistake can cause problems for the entire site. Through trial and error, one begins to learn from their mistakes and with that comes perfection. Coding is a large part of web design but so is the design aspect. Study and researching as well as knowing your general demographic is key in figuring what kind of layout that you want to use for a website. Creativity is a necessity and the ability to step outside the mental boundaries is a gift I have been engaging for many years. Currently, I attend the Art Institute of Las Vegas and pursuing my bachelor degree in Web Design and Interactive Communications.