This posting is a reminder for those who are contributors to this blog as a reminder how to post to this site. For everyone else, please ignore this interruption.
Welcome to the GDC BC Blog Members Blog. Please find below your username and password as well as simple instructions for your reference. If these instructions are not clear and you are still confused, please let us know via email and we’ll do our best to clarify further or give you a private tutorial to demonstrate how fast and easy it can be.
USERNAME: XXXX (ask the Web Comm Chair for this if you’ve lost it)
PASSWORD: XXXX
OVERVIEW
The public blog is for members and friends of the GDC BC Chapter (including Mainland and Victoria) to post and discuss ideas and issues relating to our mission. This blog was developed to create a dialogue between members and the Executive Committee members so that GDC issues and events could be discussed in an open, public forum. This blog is NOT intended to replace the national website, where official information can be found, nor the listserv, which is focused primarily on member issues rather than the society issues found here. Submissions for new blog entries and requests for contributor status can be sent to blog@bc.gdc.net (currently forwarding to webcommunications.bc@gdc.net)
Entries can be as short and simple, or long and complicated as you wish to make them. They can come from anywhere, but it is imperative that we, as the leaders of the BC chapter set a good example and contribute as often and professionally as possible. There are many topics and conversations that occur on ListServe that would probably more appropriate for this venue, though they can easily co-exist on both. Do not discuss sensitive National issues or post personal diatribes not relevant to our members.
Whenever you see, hear or think of anything that would be useful for our members – blog it. And most importantly, if you receive an inquiry from a member via the blog’s CONTACT page or via an email to you, please post it to the site immediately so all members can benefit from the dialogue. Finally, as you write your posts, try to remember that this is a dialogue with local BC members, so best to be as non-judgmental and inviting as possible to get members to participate. Ending post entries with a question or invitation to respond is encouraged.
The private Executive blog is for GDC BC Chapter Executives and volunteers to have confidential conversations relating to the ongoing business of the BC Mainland Chapter only.
MEMBERS BLOG LOGIN:
PRIVATE EXEC/VOLUNTEER LOGIN:
BIO
Please provide a photo and short bio for the contributors section .
BROWSER
Download and install Firefox (Mac or PC) in order to take advantage of the WYSIWYG editor for formatting posts.
COMMENTS
Comments on existing posts are currently unrestricted so anyone (including you of course) can contribute to postings (on the public members blog), but will be moderated and edited by GDC/BC Executive members.
A verifier (the blue box with numbers at the bottom of comments) has been enabled to reduce spam.
POSTING NEW ENTRIES
Login as per the username/password info above. go to and you will land on the WordPress Dashboard for the site. Have a poke around and you can familiarize yourself with the interface and functionality of this publishing platform.
To publish a new entry, click on “Write”. (or in the Private Blog, you can click on the red sign top left that says “Click here”)
Add a title less than 50 characters (or else it will rag) and write your entry.
Format text with the WYSIWYG editor tools above the entry box (if you don’t see them, switch to FireFox as mentioned above). If you have some HTML experience, you can also manually code your text using basic HTML tags such as italic text, bold text, underline text and the most important one, linked text which links the selected text to an external URL.
To split longer posts, use the “Split post with More” button in the WYSIWYG editor bar.
To save for future editing, just click “Save and Continue Editing” or “Save”.
To post an entry, click “Publish”
CATEGORIES
It is very important to categorize your entries (or multiple categories if appropriate) from the drop down menu in the right hand column.
If you do not choose a category, it will default to “miscellaneous” (deselect “miscellaneous” after you have classified your post)
ADDING LINKS
Make sure to link relevant text to URLs as often as possible. Links make the Web world go round. Select the word or words in your entry you’d like to be a link and click the “Insert/edit link” button above that looks like a chain link. Paste or type the full URL into the “Link URL” field (i.e. http://www.domainname.com) in the pop up window.
If you want the link to open a new window (advised so visitors remain on the blog page), then choose “Open in a new window”.
You may also give the image a relevant title if you wish (though not critical).
Click INSERT and the link will be added (linked text will now show as blue and underlined).
IMAGES
If you want to add an image to your post, please remember to first crop & resize your RGB Jpegs to 100 pixels X 100 pixels (72 dpi of course).
Upload images using the “Upload” tab below the text editor or select an existing image from the “Browse All” tab. It’s easy to use and is configured to automatically send the images to our server (no need for FTP confusion). Once you have uploaded the image, you need to click on the image in the preview window and select “Using Original” (as opposed to the default of thumbnail) and then click “Send to Editor” which will place it in the WYSIWYG editor above where your cursor is (should be at the beginning of the article).
Once the image is in place, select it and click the “Insert/edit image” button above (it looks like a little tree). In the pop up window, change the alignment to be left and click UPDATE. This will rag the text around the image in the WYSIWYG editor.
FILES/ATTACHEMENTS
If you want to add a downloadable file to your post, you do this the same way as an image. 1. Browse. 2. Upload. 3. Send to editor.
REVISIONS
If you see something broken, fix it. Any one of the Editors (which includes you) have the authority to log in and make revisions to any entry.
1. Log in. 2. Go to Dashboard. 3. Click the “Manage” and select the post you wish to update (even if it’s not yours). 4. Click “Save”.
SUPPORT
Here’s a resource site for WordPress beginners
If you are really in a pickle and need some expert advice, the Wordpress forums can sometimes be of use.
Otherwise, email or call Mark Busse or Jennifer Romita for assistance.
September 5th, 2006 at 7:58 pm
Hi, I am a graphic design student at Kwantlen University College and I am just looking for some general oppinions from individuals in the industry.
First of all my question is: Is anyone familiar with the program at Kwantlen and if so, what institution would you consider producing the best graduates in that feild and why?
Other than the obvious, like talent, punctuality, communication skills, etc - what are the main traits that employers would look for and would ensure a persons success over someone who say might not have these traits?
So, if anyone cares to give a quick oppinion, I would greatly appreciate it!!!
Thanks, Kevan
September 7th, 2006 at 11:47 am
Hi Kevan, I am the Education VP currently, and a bit familiar with the various design programs out there. Some design studios have their favourite programs from which they prefer to hire grads, others don’t care. In my opinion, Kwantlen is a very competitive program and now offering a 4-year degree as well.
I’d say willingness to learn, talent, teamwork, but also independent thinking, passion for design and art, are important. It’s also important to truly listen - listen to your clients or potential employers, try to understand them and where they’re coming from. Gather information about them and their customers. That’s the first step in solving their communications challenges.
In the end, a lot depends on how much you put into your education. That will determine what you get out of it. Challenge the projects you are given and don’t go for obvious solutions, take risks, have fun, try new things.
In the end, your personality and your portfolio will be what gets you a job, not even your grades or your degree or college name. Especially in this field.
Hope this helps a bit.