Task 1b: Web 2.0

After reading the Reader 1 I was infected. I spend two days only reading and researching at the internet about the second internet generation. The subject is very interesting, especially for us because we using some with BAPP like our Blog, facebook and Flickr. Suddenly I had so many questions about Web 2.0. But until now I am not satisfied about my research.

I could not find any information about  the basic question:

Why are social networks so popular? Maybe this is a good subject for everybody here and if you want post a comment about this question.

But fact is that the nature of our work, our social interaction has equally changed by the role of web 2.0 and social networking. It has not passed so much time since the internet was different without social media. The usual communication was one-to-one by email. Now, it is possible to communicate with all friends at the same time, when and were we are. This is possible because of social networks and new techniques. 

One of the most successful social platforms was founded 2004 for students and has actually (october 2011)  800 million* active users. Everybody is knowing this social platform, without naming it. I think only this proofs the popularity of social networks. 

Meanwhile everybody has to participate. If you are not in an social network, you will harvest an unbelieving gaze. The space for excuses decrease. The barriers to access like time, skills and financial commitments as in Reader 1 mentioned are easier to penetrable. New technologies and tools making this possible. We can participate via phone or ipad. Anywhere and anytime. Today, it is cheap, easy and quick to collaborate and interact.

But what are the disadvantages? The "glass human being"? I have read in one german Magazine that social network user are publishing carelessly personal data on the internet. Nobody would leave the house keys on the door with the note "I am on holiday", but on internet we do.

Some other theory which is mentioned in Reader 1 is the "collective intelligence" of web 2.0. Yes, off course the participation of many people could enable a positive development. For example, internet systems can be improved. But, it has a reason why it is not allowed to quote Wikipedia in scientific works. 

In my opinion, it is getting more and more difficult to filter correct and incorrect informations from the internet. Sometimes it is really hard to find a correct answer with google. I have to read many statements in internet forums, clicking from link to another link and do not find a clear and correct answer. I think the problem is, that everybody can give informations or answers to different topics, but lack on experts to recheck the given informations. 

Task 1d: Some of my works

Here are some works of mine:

Task 1c: Video

This video is made with "Flash". "Flash" is a computer program for creating animated spots. The most common use of Flash-Animations is the embedding into webpages as a part of design or as advertising. 

I have decided making a video with this program, because it is a common program for graphic designers. But I haven‘t got many experience with this and my aim was, after this task, to learn more than the basics. 

Now, after this project, I know more about the opportunities.

It was a lot of fun thinking about the content, searching for the music (which had to be free/without GEMA license) up to designing step-by-step the sequences. 

I am really curious about your meaning. Don‘t be afraid to tell me/write me what you are thinking. Thanks!

This is my video:

Enjoy!!!

Task 1a: More complicated as I expected

Before I started with this task, I have watched how the others have done this. But I got a little bit confused, because the solutions were so different. Some have written texts and some put their CVs into the blog. So, at first I thought we have to rewrite (to write) our CVs to a text. But after looking at the Blogs, I was not longer sure about this. Finally, I decided to write a text and in addition to this, to create a graphic which shows my CV in an Illustration.


I am really curious about your meaning. Don‘t be afraid to tell me/write me what you are thinking. Thanks!


Text version:


Professional Progress
I was born 1983 in Bonn. This is a medium sized city which is located 17 miles away from Cologne. But I have grown up in a little village called Mondorf near Bonn. Ever since I can remember, my mother has given me paper and pens when I was bored or for the case she could not play with me. That was one of the reasons why I have painted a lot, since I can hold a pen. The other reason was, that I enjoyed it so much. It gave and gives me the feeling to forget everything around me, even in a full restaurant with loud people and music around me. 


When I grew older, I got interest in the Art- and Desingbooks of my mother. The possibilities of forms, colours and materials and the strong power of these artworks were very impressing for me. I felt that design can change the world. Made them a little bit more comfortable, modern or beautiful. 


With the age of 17 I chose "Art" as one of my main subjects in german A-Level. As we got through the subject "impressionism" and "how they changed the style of painting which was customary at that time", I felt the power of artwork again. This was the point where I decided to follow up with artwork, even in my future work.


As I passed my A-level in the comprehensive school Troisdorf-Oberlar, I went on and made a 6-month intership in a company which has produced handmade products for photo shootings and film productions. That was very exiting and there I learned a lot. Then I applied for an student place at one of the best-known universities for Design...and failed. That was very frustrating for me, because I did knew that I am not so bad in design.


For this reason I decided to study something else and chose agriculture science. But the fire for art was still burning in my chest and I decided not to rest until I have reached my aim. Than I got a place at the KDA (Cologne Design Academy), where I studied three years, where I got the diploma degree in communication design. 
The BAPP gives me the best opportunity to communicate with others and improve my skills.


Illustration version: