Page design is an important component of making any manuel or text successful; the first half of the battle is getting a reader to open your project and read through the contents. Pictures are often the first thing that catch your eye, so designing and formatting them in such a way that it creates excitement and a desire to read on was one of my primary goals throughout this project. I tried to use color and patterns to create an enticing design that would get people in the Easter spirit.
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This project was aimed at taking a task and creating an instructions manuel to explain, using proper language, how to complete it. My project was 'How to Dye Easter Eggs'. This assignment allowed me to take a simple task that I had commonly taken for granted and explain it someone who was new to the art. This project allowed me the chance to get creative, while practicing my technical writing skills.
This project was highly focused on taking quality instructional images. Each photo integrated into the document was 'information rich', meaning that fewer images could be used to relay the same amount of information in a clear and professional manner.
Throughout this project, I got the chance to research how others completed the same task and compare similarities to see the strengths and weaknesses in each process. In this photo, you can see me moving the eggs from the boiling water into an ice bath, which actually allowed for easier peeling after decorating was complete. I found it interesting how small tweaks to a seemingly simple process, could enhance the quality of the final product.
One thing about being an engineer that I truly enjoy is seeing your designs come to life, whether it be an Easter Egg or full-scale building, each design carries aspects of the designer and shows their creativity. After my instruction manuel was complete, I tested it and went back to basics. Sometimes the simple things in life make you appreciate your world like nothing else.
Not only was the final deliverable of this project a useful tool, but it also generated some great memories that I will remember throughout my future endeavors. Engineering doesn't have to be black and white, some of my best ideas have come to me from having fun and simply being creative.
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Technical Writing - How to Dye Easter Eggs
Technical writing and being able to communicate complex ideas in a manner a specified audience can understand is vital to being successful engineer. This project, inspired by an English 314 assignment, challenged students to perfect this skill and communicate a task by effectively using pictures and technical writing.
I chose to base my project on dying Easter Eggs. This has been a tradition in my family as long as I can remember, however, composing a manuel for someone completely new to art was quite challenging. Knowledge is often something people take for granted, and therefore this project was an exciting opportunity to share something I'm interested in with others.
