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I finally finished my self-promotional movie in flash, which basically means that in the graphic design world, I am now a big kid.
I've put the file on the web here - however, it's not formatted for web currently, which means that you'll have to wait for the whole page to load before the buttons work. (it's also a really big file, so gaze at your own risk! )
Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999
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I've just started looking at it, but I like the nautical theme, and the way the jellyfish pulses along is cool. The buttons being air bubbles is really cool too, as is the popping bubble sound they make when you click on them.
The music isn't bad, but isn't fantastic either. It doesn't quite go with the theme, in my mind, but what do I know? You wouldn't want something mornful, like whale songs, or pirate themed like the music from Disney's Pirates of the Caribbian ride or something. Something that sounded like the beginning to Hendrix's Moon Turns the Tides Gently Gently Away might be nice.
I like the way the items in your portfolio come up, but the animation of them was a little jerky. Could that be a function of my connection? The ones that move more horizontally look smoother than the ones that move on a diagonal.
All in all, pretty cool. I've been wanting to learn Flash myself, but one thing or another has gotten in my way.
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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The music actually had to be original to avoid copyright issues, so I made it in Apple Soundtrack. And it's the least heinous of 3 tries. The looping isn't exactly my favorite. What I really would have liked to do is use the music from Amélie with some ambiant and watery noises added, but the professor nixed it.
And thanks for pointing out the slow animations - I think it's just because I'm taking too many frames to bring them out. I think if I just condense them it'll look better.
And thanks again everyone. Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999
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Annie, that was really lovely. You're very good.
I think my mother would like to be you when she grows up. She has a BFA and a MFA, but has never been able to make the leap from larnin' to makin' money. So now she has an AS in accounting and works as a receptionist.
But I win, because I have her paintings all over my house. Posts: 5948 | Registered: Jun 2001
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Its good, though you're right it needs to be optimized for the web. I in particular like the squid.
However, you will gain massive, massive kudos from users and designers out there if you make sure on your website you have html versions (including all the same content) of all your flash content, that are linked equally prominently (that is, people are given the choice of html or flash). I realize that's beyond the scope of this proect, but just pointing it out.
Plus, search engines will not index a flash file. If you put your resume and portfolio only in a flash file, google will never notice them. Having an html version ensures google's patronage, which is very helpful to a successful online business.
Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001
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Pretty slick, if I might be allowed to use an industry term. (What industry, you ask? Mind your own business!) My one suggestion would be to make your email address into a hyperlink, if that's possible.
I've been meaning to learn Flash for ages now; it'd be a great way to transfer my multi-image projects from school to the web. Well, except for the whole copyrighted music thing... And the fact that Flash costs $500...
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I think if the jellyfish had machetes it'd be a nice touch. Some kind of large blade, at least.
Posts: 2258 | Registered: Aug 2003
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Nice work . Maybe put a preloader on it if it's still on the slow side after it's optimised. Comes up just fine for me though. No jerkyness or anything. But I have cable.
For your contact information, did you intend to have that showing up in Times New Roman? That's what's coming up for me. I think it needs to be heavier and not that blue color; I might be blind but I thought the phone number in particular was a bit hard to read. Might want to make your email a link as well.
I agree with having an html version and a flash version. Another good reason for this is because then you can link to the flash version from an html page and get a little more control over how your movie is viewed. I don't know that the black border I get when I look at the movie is really doing anything for it, and it might be nice to have the page open into its own window that can't be hosed up by Tommy Toggle. Always nice to have a little more control . (did what I just said make any sense at all?)
I like the theme. Reminds me of a friend's self promotional project for package design that involved sending a fish bowl to potential employers, and then bringing a goldfish in a water bottle to the interview.
...man, that was gross.
Geez, I need to update my stuff :\. I look at mine now and all I see is the mistakes.
Posts: 1676 | Registered: Jul 2000
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that's brill! my only critical thought was matching the tempo of the music (the piano and undersea effects rock) to the gliding motion of the graphics.
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I think the link didn't work because it's too long. UBB seems to have problems with really long URLs. Anyway, the Macromedia website also has an Education Store where you can get Flash for $100, but it's supposed to be used only for educational purposes. Most likely I wouldn't be using it in that way only.
Posts: 4534 | Registered: Jan 2003
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Nice, solid site. I actually really liked the music and thought it was very appropriate. I didn't know you composed it yourself. Nice work.
It did move pretty slowly on my machine (but my machine is a Power Macintosh 7600, so please say a prayer for me). I find that any Flash sites heavy on graphics like yours is tend to move slowly. I have not yet figured out the secrets of optimization in Flash. My suggestion is a little more minimilization on the graphic end. Perhaps a smaller window size.
I liked your transitions. I thought they were interesting and not too predictable. I really liked how you set up your portfolio section.
Maybe use something other than a gray to white gradient for the buttons? Even using blue or orange and playing with the transparency a little would help. You have to be careful and hide your (blatant) use of gradients a little in Flash.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Yes Annie, it's just in contact section that I'm seeing the Times New Roman. Making the text graphics (with the email link a button) would probably fix it, but really the fonts -should- be embedding. I've had the same thing happen, and I am lazy so I just broke apart the text so there was no possible temptation to switch fonts on me . There's probably a smarter way though.
I'll email you a screen shot if you want.
Posts: 1676 | Registered: Jul 2000
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I played around in Flash, until the free trial ran out. I would love a chance to really learn it. I think I'd have great fun with it.
Posts: 1805 | Registered: Jun 1999
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That was really nice work. The color choices were soothing without being numbing, the music was nice and floated in the background well.
Your portfolio work is at worst good, and often times striking. I think you've got a great career ahead of you!
Posts: 2848 | Registered: Feb 2003
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I think I'll be able to avoid the text problem by simply converting it from dynamic to static text.
afr - I toyed with the gradients on the bubbles for a long time, but had a hard time creating a gradient that wasn't already in the swatch box. I ended up making the black-white bubble transparent over a blue circle as a compromise. Do you know how to make custom gradients?
And I think the graphics complexity is mainly due to the number of portfolio pieces I have. The only other graphics I use are the jellyfish and the bubble (which are each only one, recurring symbol) and the background art. Maybe turning the circles into symbols rather than keeping them as shapes will help.
And thanks for all the feedback! I really appreciate having such a cultured group to critique my work.
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The looping isn't exactly my favorite. What I really would have liked to do is use the music from Amélie with some ambiant and watery noises added, but the professor nixed it. ![[Kiss]](graemlins/kiss.gif)
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