#digitalapplications

What is Digital

Transformation Consulting?

Change is the new capital for Digital.

“SlideShare is a slide hosting service…It allows users to upload files (PowerPoint, PDF, Keynote, or OpenDocument presentations) either privately or publicly. The slide decks can then be viewed on the site itself or can be embedded on other sites.” (Purvis, 2015)

Having never heard of Slideshare I thought I would look into this app to get a better idea of what it has to offer.  My initial research into the app showed that the site was originally designed for sharing slideshow style documents between employees within the same business, however, the usage has grown so that it is thought of as a more general social media app. After signing up for free, which took no time at all, I had a look round what had been posted by others. This general usage is obvious as the content is widely varied, however, in looking through it does seem to still fit the business or learning uses that it would have initially been designed for. 

As part of the Slideshare experience, there is a blog in which Slideshare provides its own tips and presentations on how to create the best presentation. Although this is obviously aimed at a user then posting to their site, some of the information contained is useful and I will be looking further into to try and improve my presentation skills.

iMovie is a software application created by Apple for use across their products, namely iPads, iPhones and Macs. The flexibility of taking photos and videos on your iPhone and then editing and sending them to your mac for completion means projects can be started and finished at any time and this ability to use the app on the go is one of the main benefits to it. 

Within the app the set up is fairly clear and straight forward. The three main options at the top of the page allow you to easily swap between the main pages. The Media page acts as a focal point for all images not only found within the app but also as a direct link to your device photos. The projects page displays all projects in a simple tile format with a search option and the theatre page is where all the projects are edited. Movement between these pages comes naturally and actually I would imagine people of all different digital levels would get into the swing of it fairly quickly.

Although the app is fairly simple, it is impressive what you can create in a relatively short period of time. Unfortunately it is only for people with apple products as there isn’t a windows version. I have both an apple phone and laptop and after using this for only a short period of time, I wish I had started using it a lot earlier as even for personal items I could have got a lot out of it.

Sketchbook is a software application aimed at artists/designers who want to draw and sketch digitally. Based on a traditional sketchbook, the application allows the user to draw directly onto screen via tablets (graphics and computer) and smartphone touch pads using various tools. The standard version is now free to all users with certain upgrades and additions available for a fee in the pro-version.

The basic set-up of the application can be seen in the below image:

There are three main elements to the standard set-up, these are: the toolbar, the lagoon and the pucks. Additional bars like the brush palettes etc. can be selected from the toolbar.

My first impression of the application is that it looks pretty straight forward and going through the quick tour option available, it does seem so. Initially playing about with it through my computer and my mouse key pad it becomes very clear that an additional graphics tablet (or alike) would be essential to get the look that would match a pen and pad. Part of the reason for picking this application, however, is because a few months back I did purchase a graphics tablet as not only did I think it would be useful within my studies but I also paint (acrylic on canvas) and having seen other digital artists work wanted to get a feel for how it was completed in comparison with physical art supplies. Having never got round to using the pad fully I thought this would be the opportunity.

Having spent a bit of time practicing with different brushes and exploring the toolbar options I am very impressed with this app. Although there is definitely still lots more I could learn and practice, it is an enjoyable experience and actually one I intend to continue. From both a designer and studying point of view, the app has plenty of potential. At times within my study I find it difficult to put my ideas down on paper as have an issue with feeling my sketches etc. are neat enough, especially if the paper gets crinkled or overworking with pencil/pen. This app would actually help me get over that because I can tidy up the images relatively easy and still have a nice white page. I also think by using this directly I wouldn’t have to worry so much about how I scan or photo my work as can export directly from the programme. This will inevitably save me time in having to rework my images in photoshop and actually as my designs change I can revisit drawings and add on ideas and experiment etc.