GoogleDocs & our Future

In MANY fields of work, collaboration and group work is the way to get things done. Google is the leader in Web innovation and the future of how we will use the Web. Those clever minds over there created GoogleDocs. This entity is the ultimate collaboration tool. Instead of modifying documents through making copies on every machine of every collaborator, GoogleDocs makes ONE document, spreadsheet or presentation that everyone can edit in one spot. This streamlines the group's work. They don't have to sit there and cross reference six different documents when editing.

This will be immensely big in Advertising in the future. For example, we edit copy all the time at my job and several people always do it. We have an external server where we save all documents and files so there's only one file that everyone accesses. This is exactly what GoogleDocs does but just widens the range of who can be a part of the collaboration. People outside the office or company may not have access to the server so they can't access the files but with their unique invite through email, they can!

Here's a very comprehensive article about what GoogleDocs is, how it works and the future it can have from How Stuff Works. With Google's innovation, the sky is the limit at this point. Google has so much that it either has or that it can create to incorporate into what it already has. I think adding in a chat applet and/or video conferencing feature would really be amazing. GoogleMeetings maybe?? Not to mention the consideration of translation. There could almost be a deterioration of language barriers across the world. Imagine what that could do for International business and commerce?

Designing Instructional Media

There are four key guidelines when creating materials for instruction or learning: contrast, repetition, alignment and proximity. Contrast deals more with color where there should be a contrast of color between your background and your text. Yellow text and blue backgrounds work well but color isn't necessary. White on black or black on white work just fine. Repetition calls for consistency. Our learners should use their cognitive energy towards the content, not navigating through the material. Alignment deals with the alignment of the information. As with Repetition, we don't want to confuse our viewers. Everything should be clear and easy to read. Proximity is a consideration of grouping and associations. We do not want those who are looking at our presentation to have to use cognitive brain power to try and understand what they're seeing. Amongst these guidelines, there are certain design principles that should be followed. for example, using white space especially for young learners, using phrases and key words, organizing with boxes and keeping use of intricate and fancy fonts at a minimum. These elements help to create east reception for viewers to your information.

In advertising, these ideas are extremely important. First of all, there are many presentations and instances to use these guidelines and principles whether it be for clients or fellow coworkers. Not only that, in designing any type of material to be presented to consumers, you should aim to present a clean, efficient and clear presentation of what you want them to take from it. Many times I see ads where people do so much with imagery, text and audio but the consumer can't come away with what the product was or even who the brand is. It's sad but that is the firm's fault. As a designer, I find myself making simple and safe work. After this, I don't mind because I know my viewers aren't struggling to understand what they're seeing and are simply taking the information in.

This presentation goes through key elements of a good powerpoint presentation. They hit on similar points discussed in the class presentation on designing instructional media and even used some of the same terms. My problem is although the information makes a great presentation, the presentation itself isn't following its own advice. Great info. Horrible presentation.