Semester 2-Week 2: Sarony Blacklock from Tuesday Afternoon Media
Sarony Blacklock
Media Designer(MD) at Tuesday Afternoon Media
Sarony Blacklock is a media designer at Tuesday Afternoon Media. The company specializes in creating learning solutions for their clients to perform at their full potential. Focusing on the learning aspect through performance-based learning solutions; they build, design and create all kinds of technologies that access educational learning outside of a traditional classroom. Taking into account the different needs and wants from other clients and the user's needs. Examples of learning solutions that Blacklock worked on are web-based training modules, motion graphics videos, instructor-lead training decks, manager handbooks and many more. One that she expanded on was a work she created for Walmart. Where she created a web-based training module for workers about having difficult conversations and how to handle them. All these services provided are eLearnings that makes use of the online technologies we have.
eLearning
Learning about eLearnings in this talk reminded me of training modules that my father has taken before in his work. Being provided to watch a video and answer a few questions so the user understands the information. However, looking back now, they were not all pleasing to look at. So, I was quite surprised that a designer like Blacklock creates and designs these modules. My first thoughts about hearing eLearnings is that since it is used for training and learning, it would need minimal design and more focus on the information and allowing the user to understand the training. However, Tuesday Afternoon Media have a distinct philosophy about the eLearnings.
eLearnings are special because the main focus is having the user not only take in the information and grab the attention of the module, but to also retain that information. Tuesday Afternoon Media sees users as the learners. Thinking about how to treat information and the best way to show the tools that benefits all, this includes accessibilities. Through her talk, she also mentions the people she works with.
eLearnings are special because the main focus is having the user not only take in the information and grab the attention of the module, but to also retain that information. Tuesday Afternoon Media sees users as the learners. Thinking about how to treat information and the best way to show the tools that benefits all, this includes accessibilities. Through her talk, she also mentions the people she works with.
Working as a Team
A theme throughout all the talks is that no one really works alone, but as a team. There are members that deal with different aspects in the project, allowing for feedback and making sure everything is well before the final is shown to the client. Though our projects we work on are individually, getting feedback and asking for help really relieves the stress of wondering if your designs are good or not. Through collaboration with other individuals, there is a lot of feedback and changes to make the project better. Everyone shares their responsibilities and they themselves are a great resource to alleviate the job.
During school works, I always liked working alone than relying on someone else. I was quite afraid to ask for help as whenever I did, it felt like I was unable to handle them myself. However, I want to change that and be used to working as a team. Making use of the resources given and taking the feedback to heart, as the purpose of letting others see the work is to develop it even further and have a finalized work that is better than what was originally thought. I hope to work on that skill of collaborating with others and speak out my thoughts.
Overall, the talk was a great way to start the semester. With the grad show fast approaching, everyone is a bit on edge and still getting used to going back into the workflow after the break. Her talk resonated with me when she mentions the aftermath of graduation. Looking for a job, learning to collaborate with others, to speak up and enjoy the journey. The tips given to us through her talk, they are very beneficial about how I would go about looking for a job in the future. To be confident in your works and being able to talk about it with pride. Another point that really resonated with me that was talked about by the production manager, Graeme Maitland and head of production, Peter Sicard is to have a positive attitude. They talked about hiring someone who, even though they had no previous experience, they had the right attitude of wanting to learn, understanding what the company is striving for and demonstrating their skillsets to the best of their abilities. Knowing these tips is very useful and it helps to prepare for the next step in my career path.
During school works, I always liked working alone than relying on someone else. I was quite afraid to ask for help as whenever I did, it felt like I was unable to handle them myself. However, I want to change that and be used to working as a team. Making use of the resources given and taking the feedback to heart, as the purpose of letting others see the work is to develop it even further and have a finalized work that is better than what was originally thought. I hope to work on that skill of collaborating with others and speak out my thoughts.
Tips to Thrive
Blacklock goes on to talking about tips for us to thrive in the industry. Firstly, is to stay organized with your documents and works. It helps as when you let others look at your work, they would want layers and documents to be organized so changes could be made quickly. Also, it sheds light on the type of person you are as well. Working with an organized person brings confidence to their work and how responsible they are, however if a person is not organized, others would rely less on them because of how unreliable their organization skills are. Another tip she told us about is being nice with others.
Being nice is one that I think about the most, as you treat others the way you want to be treated. There is a lot of negativity in the world that we need to learn to treat others nicely, both online and in real life, especially in the workplace as well. I would want to work in an environment with nice and helpful people. As, if one goes to work everyday with the wrong people, it becomes a chore and soon, one can hate working at their job. So, it helps to be nice to others and on the long run, one would be remembered for their actions and be rewarded when the time comes. Finally, the last tip she talked about is being able to speak up.
Being able to speak up is one skill that I am still working on. Through presenting works during classes, it helps overcome my fears of presenting. Although, giving feedback is one that I am currently working on. I like to stay positive on a lot of things, especially with work. As the person put their hard work and thinking into creating the design. But, I think I should change my way of thinking about giving feedback. As eventually, it is to help the work become better. I hope to work on that skill of giving worthwhile feedback that helps others create even better designs.
What was interesting about her talk is that she mentions to have studied illustration at Sheridan before. With those skills, she was able to incorporate them in her type of work. I find that interesting that she has a background in the arts and being able to utilize that skill in this type of work. Through entering this program, I felt out of place not being able to draw constantly since I came from an arts program. However, her talk helped shed light on the matter that these two skills are beneficial and allows for more options to designing a project.Being nice is one that I think about the most, as you treat others the way you want to be treated. There is a lot of negativity in the world that we need to learn to treat others nicely, both online and in real life, especially in the workplace as well. I would want to work in an environment with nice and helpful people. As, if one goes to work everyday with the wrong people, it becomes a chore and soon, one can hate working at their job. So, it helps to be nice to others and on the long run, one would be remembered for their actions and be rewarded when the time comes. Finally, the last tip she talked about is being able to speak up.
Being able to speak up is one skill that I am still working on. Through presenting works during classes, it helps overcome my fears of presenting. Although, giving feedback is one that I am currently working on. I like to stay positive on a lot of things, especially with work. As the person put their hard work and thinking into creating the design. But, I think I should change my way of thinking about giving feedback. As eventually, it is to help the work become better. I hope to work on that skill of giving worthwhile feedback that helps others create even better designs.
Finishing Thoughts
This presentation was a great talk to start our semester. As one that stood out to me is a comic that Blacklock showed us by Alex Norris. It depicted a person having a set path, then suddenly having multiple crossroads to choose from. The meaning behind the comic that Blacklock talks about is that there are many options in one's career path and through these talks from last semester by previous graduates, I see that there is many options one can take. Blacklock mentions about her time in the web design program that she had no idea which direct path to take, but a professor mention that it is alright to not know where you want to go. One should enjoy the process and try different things and see what fits with one's criteria of work, until eventually finding one that resonates with you. When Blacklock talked about enjoying the process and journey, I had to agree with her. Seeing all the different talks and the many career options for us, it is hard to choose the one that fits with me. Since I am about to enter the industry, I would like to start off slow and try different things and enjoy the process and journey before settling into a job that I really like and a company that resonates with my beliefs. Another point she talks about that surprised me is studying illustration in Sheridan and how she incorporated those skills into her work.
Overall, the talk was a great way to start the semester. With the grad show fast approaching, everyone is a bit on edge and still getting used to going back into the workflow after the break. Her talk resonated with me when she mentions the aftermath of graduation. Looking for a job, learning to collaborate with others, to speak up and enjoy the journey. The tips given to us through her talk, they are very beneficial about how I would go about looking for a job in the future. To be confident in your works and being able to talk about it with pride. Another point that really resonated with me that was talked about by the production manager, Graeme Maitland and head of production, Peter Sicard is to have a positive attitude. They talked about hiring someone who, even though they had no previous experience, they had the right attitude of wanting to learn, understanding what the company is striving for and demonstrating their skillsets to the best of their abilities. Knowing these tips is very useful and it helps to prepare for the next step in my career path.
Useful Links:
https://ca.linkedin.com/in/sarony-blacklock-11622272 - Sarony Blacklock's LinkedIn
https://twitter.com/saronyblacklock?lang=en - Sarony Blacklock's Twitter
https://saronyblacklock.carbonmade.com - Sarony Blacklock's Portfolio
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