Digital Workshop
Week 1:
Mate asked us about the software we wanted to learn this semester. I chose AutoCAD, Photoshop, and Illustrator because, as a Landscape Architecture student, I think AutoCAD is essential for creating planting plans and professional designs. Photoshop can help create diagrams based on CAD designs, edit photos, blend colors, create lighting effects, and apply complex textures. I chose Illustrator because I wanted to learn more about the Adobe software used by architects, which I had seen on TikTok. I felt kind of excited because I can study what I want, it helps me have more motivations on studying digital softwares.
Week 2
We were practicing with Photoshop this week, and I realized my laptop was having problems, so I contacted international warranty service. I’m quite worried about this because I use my laptop very frequently, and I don’t like using BCU laptops because they’re quite slow and only allow me to log in with my student email.
Week 3:
This week I practiced with Premier, and honestly, I don’t know why a landscape architecture student needs to learn video editing. But it also has many benefits; maybe later I’ll create a social media account about the life of an architect to share moments and things people don’t know about architecture. We secretly watched the New Year’s Eve livestream in class because this week is Lunar New Year.
Week 4:
This week I’m learning Illustrator, a new software. After practicing with logos, I think it’s easier to use and manage layers than Photoshop. Because it uses vector algorithms, I don’t worry about image distortion when zooming in and out. I hope to learn more about Illustrator, as I think I’ll need it in the future. I’m still practicing Photoshop for other modules; although it’s time-consuming, it helps me improve my digital skills.
Week 5:
I have more practice in Illustrator this week. After not sleeping so well these days, I got so sleepy and not sober. This makes me make a lot of weird noises, it is so embarrassing. I tried my best to open my eyes to focus. I like using illustrator more than Photoshop because it uses a vector unit which allows photos to not get blurred or broken after zoom.
Week 6 & 7:
These weeks, we did not do many tasks for digital, Mate allows us to do our project or other tasks for other modules. We checked our work on WordPress to make sure the way we present it in a good way. After that I continued doing research for ILSART and ART101. I do not know why I got more tired every Monday. Maybe because of having long days of classes. I did some experiments with AutoCad and Sketchup but it is not really good. Sketchup is easier to use than AutoCad but it wants me to pay to use it. AutoCad I tried to upload the google map to render. I can just upload the google map but other things do not work so well. I think this semester I should focus on the physical thing then I get to level up my making models skill and research skill. I plan to improve my digital skills next semester.
Week 8 & 9:
I’m taking two weeks off from the digital workshop because I need more time for modeling and research than digital work. This is necessary because the deadline for my final outcome project is approaching. I feel a little guilty for missing class, but I feel that working from home is more efficient, especially with modeling, because I have a lot of stuff to bring if I work in class. So I have decided that if I do modeling in class, I will do it on Wednesdays because I’ll only be in one room during all the Wednesday classes. This saves me from having to drag my suitcase all over the university.
Phuong Vi Nguyen 