Indiana Multimedia Job Market is Opening Up (UI Designer, Web Developer, Flash Developer)

If anyone out there is looking for some work... you may want to consider Indiana. Not exactly the top place you would think of when you think of Flash Development or Interactive work; however, it is definitely a place on the up and up. In the past week alone, Flash Indianapolis has had 3 Job postings:

Senior UI Designer/Architect - Indianapolis
Web Developer - West Lafayette (Purdue Research Park: Knowrtl)
Senior Flash Developer - Indianapolis (www.vontoo.com)

You can view the full descriptions by checking out the job board.


Good luck!

Deep thoughts: an FLA or a FLA?

There is actually nothing deep about this, but we had a mini debate at work... do you say an FLA or a FLA? And please, if you are one of those that say "Flauh" instead of F.L.A. then please move along... you make me want to sock myself in the face. Side note, is that a British thing? I'd love to pin that on the brits... ;)

Ok, now that I just offended a nation, lets get back to the important stuff. Grammar.

Which of these is correct? Please fill in the circle completely w/ your #2 pencil:

A. The quick brown fox watched a FLV that he published in an FLA.
B. The quick brown fox watched a FLV that he published in a FLA.
C. The quick brown fox watched an FLV that he published in a FLA.
D. The quick brown fox watched an FLV that he published in an FLA.

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Take your time.

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When in doubt, pick C.

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Ok, pencils down.

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The correct answer (according to my sources at Wikipedia) is D.

And here is why...

An is used before words starting with a vowel sound, regardless of whether the word begins with a vowel letter.[1] Examples: a light-water reactor; an LWR (although this example only applies if the letters are intended to be pronounced); a sanitary sewer overflow; an SSO; a HEPA filter (because HEPA is pronounced as a word rather than as letters); an hour; a ewe; a hero; a one-armed bandit; an heir; a unicorn (begins with 'yu', a consonant sound).

Feel free to read the full description here. And while you are at it, learn what a pangram is here.

FLA is pronounced "EF-EL-AYE" (NOT Flauh!!!) and since F sounds like it starts with a vowel then we need to us "an" before it. Since FLV and FLA both start with F then they both need the "an" which means that answer D is the correct answer.

How did you do?

Flash CS4 != Crash

Back in November of last year I vented about how often Flash CS4 crashed. The blog post became fairly popular and still seems to be one of my top 5 posts read each month.

Back in May, Adobe released an update to Flash CS4 which Galvan discusses the specifics here. Ever since I downloaded that update, running Flash CS4 has been extremely smooth. I no longer have the crashes that I had before. I no longer save every time before I compile (although that one will probably bite me at some point). I am not going to say it hasn't crashed since that update... but I will say that I can't remember the last time it did crash. I know I just jinxed myself hard core, but it needed to be said.

Flash CS4 != Crash. The doors are open for those of you who ran away and the light is green for those of you who waited for a safe build.

And no, I am not being paid by Adobe. Although donations from Adobe would be accepted ;)

SXSW Panels are up for Voting... I may have a Suggestion

2000+ panels to choose from is a bit overwhelming... let me help you out and narrow it down a bit for you... just vote for this guy: http://tinyurl.com/op4jde

Here is a brief description:

This presentation is for anyone who has a passion to work in the interactive industry but is currently not at their dream job. Whether you are a graduating student or disgruntled professional, this presentation will focus on avenues to take in order to break into the industry.

Unfortunately, if you are here at my blog, then I would guess that you are already in the field, already participating in the community, and already know what it takes to keep up with the latest and greatest... HOWEVER, if you think my topic would be good for Students, Beginners, and people mentioned in my description, then go here vote for me.

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Portfolio? I don't need no stinking Portfolio!

Ok, I lied. I do... er at least did need a portfolio in order to get the position I have today. And judging by what I have seen, every aspiring Media Artist needs to have an online portfolio. I'd rank it at the top of the credentials list, way before resume. Putting above resume would be blasphemy to most guidance counselors; however, its the truth. Would you hire someone without seeing there work? I think not. I don't care what GPA you had or where you worked, I need to see what you can do.

With that in mind, I recently wrote a course curriculum for a class on establishing an "Online Portfolio". I submitted it to Butler's Media Arts Department and pending final approval I should be able to teach the course in the Spring semester!

I am excited about the opportunity and hope I don't jinx it by talking about it too early. However, I want to mention it now so that I can put the course online for review/criticism. I think what I have is a good start, but it could be improved on with some input from the community.

1. If you were teaching a course for Online Portfolio, what would you make sure you included?

2. What do you wish you had known in college that you know now?

3. What are some resources (websites, tutorials, forums, groups, etc) that you would point out to the students?

Write any ideas that pop in your head in the comments below.

Flash & Flex Developer's Magazine Issue Available for Free Download

The last issue of Flash/Flex is available for free download. You can grab it here.

Check it out, just be sure to skip over my ugly mug. It may scare you.