The Graduate Spotlight

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The official Newspaper of the A-1 Writing Academy

Page Editor:-lostdreams

Behind the Scenes

This is a very special interview with the official Graphics Artist of The A-1 Writing Academy, vivacious . The interview was conducted by -lostdreams .

         Before we jump right into the Graduation lists for Summer Session, I thought it might be fun and informative for this Premiere Edition to learn a little about what goes on behind the scenes for an A-1 Academy Graduate. I've asked a few questions of the illustrious Vivacious, vivacious , who so expertly creates the fine graphics we all see for the Academy and the Graduation Certificates. She took time out of her hectic schedule and graciously replied to each question I posed to her. Here's a look at the specifics of that interview:

FOTA: What is your title or position within A-1 Academy? What Department do you call 'home'?

A. I guess my title is Graphic Artist. As for a department, I really don’t have one, at
least not that I know of. Mostly, I wait around until someone, either deborahowen or Budroe is Blessed! , requests a logo or graduation certificate.

FOTA: How long have you been helping the Academy by providing artwork?

A. Close to about a year now, I think.

FOTA: Explain your process, if you would please. How do you begin creating the certificates for Academy Graduates? What is involved?

A. The certificates started with deborahowen sending me a sample of what she was looking for. Using CorelDRAW, I created something similar.

FOTA: I see in your portfolio that you use a few different programs for creating your art. Could you explain those a little please?

A. CorelDRAW is the main program I use. I like it because the native drawing is vector graphics instead of raster. In case you don’t know, vector drawings are based on lines and objects. No matter how close you zoom in on it, the drawing remains sharp. CAD (computer aided drafting) is another example of vector drawing. Raster drawings are based on dots, so the closer you zoom in, the fuzzier it gets, and you end up looking at a bunch of different colored squares or dots.

Vector graphics are easy in that each object is individual. Any object can be moved, resized and colored without affecting any other object. For instance, in the graduation certificates, the names and dates are each an item, and the corners and colored background are individual items as well. I can also move certain objects above or behind others, in effect layering them.

Once finished, I have to save the graphic as a jpeg, but that’s easy. CorelDRAW allows me to convert into almost any graphic format including Adobe Acrobat. I can also size them to anything I want. This is especially useful since W.Com’s maximum size for a signature is 400x400 pixels. If I need to make any changes, all I have to do is change the original vector drawing, and convert it again to a jpeg, or whatever other format I need.

I also use Broderbund’s PrintMaster Platinum, and have purchased their largest clipart collection (1.2 million). PrintMaster can create fancy text better than CorelDRAW, and the clipart collection is better than most others I’ve used, including Corel.

For more complex drawings, I use Corel Corel PHOTO-PAINT, and Corel Painter IX. They both have extensive brushes, fills, shadowing, and other effects that I can’t accomplish with vector drawing.

FOTA: You have an impressive and wonderful collection of cNotes and artwork in your portfolio. I see you stated you had chosen to "dive back into art" after quite the hiatus, could you share your reason(s)?

A. Thank you!

Call it a brain exercise. Writing uses a different part of the brain than other forms of
art. Plus, I work for an engineering firm where I crunch a lot of numbers - an almost
exclusive left-brain activity. Graphics allow me to use more of my right brain, gives my left brain time to relax, and often eliminates bouts of writer’s block.

FOTA: Rather than me just taking the liberty to, how about you give your terrific Sig Shop and cNotes a good plug!!

A. How can I turn down an opportunity to plug my stuff?

For examples of my signatures, using CorelDRAW, Painter, Broderbund, as well as
incorporating photographs I’ve taken, see:

ID: 1122342 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

You can request your own unique signature at:

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I also have four cNote collections:

ID: 1230924   (Rated: E) Happy Birthday!  cNotes for birthday wishes by vivacious

ID: 1126979   (Rated: E) Exercising Faith  cNotes with inspirational messages. by vivacious

ID: 1125453   (Rated: E) Thinking of You  cNotes to express your thoughts to someone special. by vivacious

ID: 1188653   (Rated: E) Christmas Wishes  C-Notes for Christmas by vivacious

Thank you for asking me to be interviewed. I enjoyed answering your questions.

FOTA: And I very much enjoyed receiving these responses, just as I hope all of you enjoyed learning a little about what happens behind the scenes at A-1 Academy. Thank you Vivacious!!

A-1 Academy Summer Graduates

Here is a partial list of our most recent Academy Graduates. We will feature all Academy Graduates in our Winter Quarter publication.

WDC Computer 101 Class May through August 15th

Student User Name: kit1197
Student First Name: Monique
Graduation Date: 5/07

Student User Name: diddi
Student First Name: Lis
Graduation Date: 5/07

Student User Name: tchr2009
Student First Name: tchr2009
Graduation Date: 5/07

Student User Name: angeldust
Student First Name: angeldust
Graduation Date: 5/07

Student User Name: sesheta
Student First Name: sesheta
Graduation Date: 5/07

Student User Name: southerndiva
Student First Name: southerndiva
Graduation Date: 5/07

Student User Name: chelleck
Student First Name: Unseen
Graduation Date: June/July/07

Student User Name: str8shooter
Student First Name: str8shooter
Graduation Date: June/July/07

Student User Name: featherboa
Student First Name: Feather
Graduation Date: June/July/07

Student User Name: creaofcrete
Student First Name: Mollie
Graduation Date: July/07

Student User Name: fantasywrider
Student First Name: Montgomery Sword
Graduation Date: July/07

Student User Name: tea42
Student First Name: Paula
Graduation Date: July/07

Student User Name: eliesa
Student First Name: Martha
Graduation Date: July/07

Student User Name: esotaria
Student First Name: esotaria
Graduation Date: July/07

Student User Name: dreamer62
Student First Name: Dreamer
Graduation Date: July/07

Student User Name: cwdixon
Student First Name: CreativityUnlimited
Graduation Date: 7/31/07

Student User Name: vw53
Student First Name: Vicky
Graduation Date: 8/1/07

Student User Name: theresa
Student First Name: Theresa
Graduation Date: 8/1/07

Student User Name: anngel
Student First Name: Anne
Graduation Date: 8/7/07

Student User Name: lamarck09
Student First Name: Rob
Graduation Date: 8/9/07



Genesis I Class May through August 15th

Student User Name: ecoder
Student First Name: Ernie
Graduation Date: 5/9/07

Student User Name: temagami
Student First name: Shelley
Graduation Date: 5/16/07

Student User Name: kit1197
Student First Name: Monique
Graduation Date: 5/17/07



Genesis II Class May through August 15th

Student User Name: likenion
Student First Name: Harry
Graduation Date: 7/12/07

Student User Name: kit1197
Student First Name: Monique
Graduation Date: 7/31/07

Student User Name: umer-amir
Student First Name: Umer
Graduation Date: 7/29/07

Student User Name: shaila
Student First Name: Jaya
Graduation Date: 8/3/07

Student User Name: tea42
Student First Name: Paula
Graduation Date: 8/6/07

Student User Name: theresa
Student First Name: Theresa
Graduation Date: 8/6/07

Student User Name: vw53
Student First Name: Vicky
Graduation Date: 8/6/07

Student User Name: katherinea
Student First Name: Katherine
Graduation Date: 8/9/07



Short Story Pizzazz Class May through August 15th

Student User Name: jadedusk
Student First Name: Dawn
Graduation Date: 7/13/07

Student User Name: eliesa
Student First Name: Martha
Graduation Date: 7/21/07

Student User Name: fantasywrider
Student First Name: Montgomery Sword
Graduation Date: 8/11/07

Center Stage with: CreativityUnlimited

This Edition's feature article shines the Graduation Spotlight on one of the Academy's Summer Grads...CreativityUnlimited aka Colleen. First and foremost, Congratulations!!

Each of us have our shining moments and 'I remember when' stories. Recently, Colleen shared a few of hers on the Friends of the Academy (FOTA) Forum and she was kind enough to give me permission to share her words with all of you .

"My WDC life before the A-1 Academy:
[I] Posted a few things in My Portfolio, got a few reviews, wondered how everyone else got Awardicons, Merit Badges, and lots of reviews. [I] Checked my e-mail and wondered why I just got form e-mails or newsletters. [I] Got discouraged about my writing.

"My WDC life since joining A-1 Academy:
[I] Took the Computer 101 class. [I] Learned how to create Madlibs, campfires and guestbooks. [I] Tweaked several of my pieces already in My Portfolio and updated My Blog. [I] Entered my first-ever contest, and won 3rd prize in the Amazing 55 Word Contest. [I've] Made new friends with people who dropped by my port and reviewed a piece. Made sure to return the favor. [I've] Learned how to give an effective review, rather than [a] lame review. I've upped my reviewing rate considerably and feel much more comfortable with the process."

So there you have it folks, Colleen's view of before and after... and what a picture she creates! She's a great example of a newcomer to W.Com and how overwhelming and intimidating the community can seem. A-1 Academy has served a wonderful purpose for Colleen and many, many others, and will continue to do so for quite some time .

Thank you CreativityUnlimited and thank you to all of the authors who brighten each of our days here at A-1 Academy .

If you know of someone who should be in the spotlight, please email -lostdreams and give a brief explanation. Who knows? It could be YOU who stands in the Graduate Spotlight in our next exciting issue!

-lostdreams

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