Archive for the ‘Web’ Category

140+ Tweet Feed: Feb. 27-Mar. 5

Monday, March 8th, 2010

beyondwords on Twitter

Job Opportunities & Resources

  • Hilton Worldwide is hiring a social media manager. This position is responsible for driving the company’s social media communications strategy, including TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Twitter.
  • Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan has two openings of interest to writers: donation writer and proposal writer.
  • The Imperial War Museum in London is looking for a Technical Webmaster. The job involves being both a technical manager and a web developer with the experience and knowledge to implement web strategies.
  • The Book Cover Archive could use an intern to help with web content and submission queries. The blog editors are based in Boston, but you don’t need to be local to apply.
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art has an opening for Associate Web Developer in its Digital Media Department. The position is responsible for all front-end programming and collaborative template design and implementation.
  • The Motley Fool is hiring an online copy editor to join the creative company. The job involves editing, proofreading, content management, and copywriting.
  • Leveraging the Information Interview: In this guest blog for msuCatalyst, Professional Writing student Ainsley Elder shares how information interviews can be valuable to people who are unsure of what they want to do or want to get a sense of job realities.

Recommended Reading

Publishing

  • Math of Publishing Meets the E-Book: The New York Times breaks down print vs. digital publishing by the numbers to find out just how much each medium costs.
  • Condé Nast and the iPad: Publisher Condé Nast is busy getting its biggest magazine titles ready for the iPad release, but some titles lose out on interactivity because of the Apple and Adobe dispute over Flash.
  • How Penguin Will Reinvent Books With iPad: In iBook demos, Penguin shows how publishers might approach Apple’s tablet with loads of interactive content like videos, live chats, and street maps.

Inspiration

  • 45 Creative Resumes to Seize Attention: If you’ve been looking for a way to break out of the standard resume mold, check out this gallery for design inspiration.
  • Branding Across Mediums: How do you successfully brand a company from website to wine labels? Fuel Your Creativity showcases brand identities that do just that.



What is 140+ Tweet Feed? It’s where we share our top tweets every week — news, tips, resources, and articles about professional writing, editing, and design — in more than 140 characters. Let us know about other great links on Twitter or in the comments.

140+ Tweet Feed: Feb. 20-26

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

beyondwords on Twitter

Job Opportunities & Resources

  • Interested in joining the NPR Digital Media team? They are currently looking for a Programmer to help create and maintain custom applications in Washington, D.C.
  • The College of Communication Arts & Sciences at Michigan State University is hiring a Social Media Project Manager. Applicants should be familiar with academic research and current trends relating to social media. (Note: Application deadline has been extended.)
  • Oakley is looking for a User Interface Designer to join its headquarters in Orange County, CA. Interested candidates should send links to their work.
  • MyFonts has several openings in Marlborough, MA, including web designer, web developer, and web content editor. Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements.​
  • LiquidWeb is hiring Senior Software Developers to work in their Lansing, MI or Scottsdale, AZ offices. Candidates should be able to write clean and modular code, communicate effectively with team members, and produce software that delivers end results. There is also an entry-to-intermediate level opening for a Software Developer in the Lansing office.
  • 7 Tips For Creating a Print-Based Design Portfolio: Building a portfolio is about showcasing your work and expressing your personality and design style. These tips and samples from Nubbytwiglet.com help you get inspired to put together your own print portfolio.
  • How to use Twitter to build a stronger resume: Designer Brian Hoff shares his experience with turning feedback tweets into client testimonials.

Recommended Reading

  • The Value of Design: This special report from Bloomberg and BusinessWeek examines how and why design matters for every business.

Social Media

Tools & Resources



What is 140+ Tweet Feed? It’s where we share our top tweets every week — news, tips, resources, and articles about professional writing, editing, and design — in more than 140 characters. Let us know about other great links on Twitter or in the comments.

140+ Tweet Feed: Feb. 13-19

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

beyondwords on Twitter

Job Opportunities & Resources

  • Radio Flyer is looking for a social media coordinator in Chicago. Applicants should have knowledge and passion for working with social media and strong written and verbal communications skills.
  • McKinney|Chicago has an opening for a full-time web designer. The ideal candidate will have at least two years of experience, be able to hand code clean HTML and CSS, and have an online portfolio.
  • Want to join the Threadless team? The Chicago-based company is looking for a User Experience Director, an Interactive Designer, and a Marketing Director.
  • Design Jobs Part 3: Interviews: In part three of her design jobs series, Andrea Zagata talks about interviewing and offers valuable insight from her experiences as both the interviewer and the interviewee.

Recommended Reading

  • Web designers who can’t code: Designer and illustrator Elliot Jay Stocks sparked an industry-wide discussion last week when he said on Twitter that web designers should know how to code their own designs. Check out his full reasoning behind the tweet, as well as what other designers are saying.
  • Group Interview: Expert Advice For Students and Young Web Designers: Smashing Magazine sat down with industry leaders to find out what words of wisdom they have to share with students and those just starting out. They gave advice on what to study, how to show value to employers, and whether to work for an agency or go freelance, just to name a few.

Social Media

Publishing

  • Turf War at the New York Times: The print circulation and digital teams at the New York Times are at odds over who will have internal control of the price of digital content for the iPad.
  • Young More Likely to Pay for Web Content: A recent Nielsen study revealed that young people (20 and under) are more likely to pay for web content. The study also showed that people are most willing to pay for movies, music, and games, and less willing to pay for magazines.

Inspiration



What is 140+ Tweet Feed? It’s where we share our top tweets every week — news, tips, resources, and articles about professional writing, editing, and design — in more than 140 characters. Let us know about other great links on Twitter or in the comments.

The Journal for Undergraduate Multimedia Projects (TheJUMP)

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

If you’re a student doing digital writing projects for class, check out The Journal for Undergraduate Multimedia Projects (TheJUMP).

thejump

Launched by the Digital Writing and Research Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, TheJUMP will feature students’ work and promote discussion on the rhetorical decisions made in the creative process.

No longer are the best multimedia works from our undergraduates doomed to fade to oblivion, doomed to be lost forever in digital storage, filed under the archival category of “class-projects-never-to-be-heard-from-again.” They can now find scholarly home at TheJUMP, which will showcase the digital and rhetorical talents our students develop in courses across disciplines, from coast to coast, and which will give rise to a discursive community committed to examining and exploring the potentialities for multimedia rhetoric in the digital age.

The first issue will be published in March, and TheJUMP is currently accepting digital video projects for the second issue. This is a great chance for students to share their work with a larger audience and see what others are doing with multimedia. To get involved, make a submission and join the discussion.

140+ Tweet Feed: Feb. 6-12

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

beyondwords on Twitter

Job Opportunities & Resources

  • Detroit entrepreneurs Shauna Nicholson and Henry Balanon are looking for a Digital Assistant/Intern. This paid internship will give you hands-on experience working in the digital environment with e-commerce, marketing strategy, social media, and much more.
  • There is an opening for a Social Media Manager/Strategist in Boston. Interested applicants need to provide links to Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, blogs, etc. and be ready to share success stories of social media campaigns you have personally worked on.
  • MarthaStewart.com is looking for an Assistant Editor in New York. Responsibilities include creating interactive digital programming and media content promotion.
  • The Michigan State University Physical Plant has a temporary (18 months) position for a communications professional aide. Job duties include writing for a newsletter, a website, and promotional materials, so professional writing experience, knowledge of AP Style, and publication design skills are a plus.
  • Brand New has a job board for designers, strategists, marketers, copywriters, and brand fiends at brandnew.coroflot.com.
  • Grain Edit’s job board is also being shared on Twitter. Follow @designer_jobs for graphic design, illustration, and web design jobs.
  • The Ultimate Social Media Checklist For Job Hunters: Looking for a job? Check out this list to get the most out of social media and increase your job possibilities by being informed, connected, and visible.
  • Design Jobs Part 2: How to Cut Your Clips: In part two of her design jobs series, Andrea Zagata shares some advice on choosing print clips to show potential employers.

Social Media

Tools & Resources

  • Building Your Portfolio With Zero Clients & No Spec Work: Whether you are a freelancer, a recent graduate, or just in need of some updated samples, the Freelance Folder offers some tips on how to build your portfolio with quality work without doing spec work.
  • Fontspring and @font-face: Fontspring offers a slew of @font-face ready fonts. This is a great resource for any designer looking to expand their web typography options.

Inspiration

  • Designers’ Sketchbooks: Brian Hoff of The Design Cubicle has put together a fantastic showcase of designers’ sketches, notes, and other doodles within their sketchbooks.



What is 140+ Tweet Feed? It’s where we share our top tweets every week — news, tips, resources, and articles about professional writing, editing, and design — in more than 140 characters. Let us know about other great links on Twitter or in the comments.

The power of storytelling: Google’s “Parisian Love”

Monday, February 8th, 2010

For many people, the Super Bowl is less about the football game and more about the creative (and expensive) commercials. In fact, every year a group of advertising professors at Michigan State University rate the Super Bowl ads. And if you followed the Twitter buzz about the ads, you won’t be surprised that their No. 1 pick was the first TV ad for Google.

“Parisian Love” won over the audience with the way it tells a love story through a man’s Google searches. The ad works brilliantly because it is true to the Google experience while employing storytelling to make it emotionally captivating.

Unlike other commercials, “Parisian Love” wasn’t developed specifically for the Super Bowl. It’s part of a series of “Search Stories” by Google, and it first aired on YouTube more than three months ago.

We didn’t set out to do a Super Bowl ad, or even a TV ad for search. Our goal was simply to create a series of short online videos about our products and our users, and how they interact. But we liked this video so much, and it’s had such a positive reaction on YouTube, that we decided to share it with a wider audience. Source: Google Blog

What do you think? Did Google’s story of searching for love win you over, or does another commercial deserve top recognition?

140+ Tweet Feed: Jan. 30-Feb. 5

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

beyondwords on Twitter

Job Opportunities & Resources

  • Mashable is hiring experienced journalists and editors. The social media guide has both full- and part-time opportunities available, including Senior Editor and Editorial Assistant.
  • INgage Networks has several openings, such as UI engineer and UI/UX designer. Positions are available in Michigan and Florida.
  • Eventbrite, an online event ticketing, management and promotion service, is now hiring for several web, sales, and editing positions in San Francisco.
  • Comic Book Resources in Los Angeles is looking for an Assistant Online Editor. The position is part time and requires flexible hours with occasional weekend availability.
  • Quicken Loans in Livonia, MI is looking for an Email Marketing Program Manager. Candidates should have some experience with marketing/communications and be able to code HTML.
  • How to Craft a Writing Resume: Putting together a resume can be difficult for writers, especially for those just starting out. The Traveler’s Notebook shares some tips to help, including using a CV format.
  • Design Jobs Part 1: Application packets: In part one of her design jobs series, Andrea Zagata looks at how to put together your design application packet, from cover letter to clips.

Recommended Reading

  • The Future of Journalism Education: Dan Gillmor of Mediactive shares some great ideas for what journalism education should be in the future — ideas that should be considered for all writing majors.
  • Social Media: Editors Have Whole New Role: Editors from a range of media outlets gathered recently to discuss how social media has changed and is continuing to change the duties of editors and reporters.
  • Designers These Days: Chris Coyier shares a list of skills and traits he thinks modern web designer should have, including an understanding of copyright laws and the ability to design for mobile devices.

Tools & Resources

  • How to Grow as a Web Designer: Webdesigner Depot shares ways to reignite your growth as a web designer and avoid ruts in a field that is constantly changing and growing.
  • On the Subject of Design: Designer Jason Santa Maria adds to his list of design, type, and theory reading recommendations. Check it out if you’re looking for some new reading material or inspiration.
  • 50 Inspiring Portfolio Designs: Web Design Ledger has compiled a great list of layout, color, typography, and styles examples to help inspire your portfolio design.



What is 140+ Tweet Feed? It’s where we share our top tweets every week — news, tips, resources, and articles about professional writing, editing, and design — in more than 140 characters. Let us know about other great links on Twitter or in the comments.

Weekend showdown: Amazon vs. Macmillan

Monday, February 1st, 2010

It was a busy weekend in the publishing world after the unveiling of the iPad last week sparked a showdown in the e-book market between Amazon and Macmillan.

amazon-macmillan

In an effort to pre-empt Apple’s challenge to their share of the e-book market, Amazon reduced their e-book publishing cut from 70% to 30% one week prior to the iPad announcement. However, in order to get the higher royalty option, authors must acknowledge Amazon as a publisher, grant licensing rights to the company for the Kindle publishing platform, and let them set the e-book price — no higher than $9.99.

Macmillan, one of five publishers who has partnered with Apple, met with Amazon on Thursday to request the price of e-books be raised from $9.99 to about $15 to prevent book devaluation. Amazon response? To remove all books published by Macmillan — e-books, hardcovers, and paperbacks — from its site on Friday, excepting those available from third party sellers.

In a statement to its authors, illustrators, and agents, Macmillan CEO John Sargent said:

In the ink-on-paper world we sell books to retailers far and wide on a business model that provides a level playing field, and allows all retailers the possibility of selling books profitably. Looking to the future and to a growing digital business, we need to establish the same sort of business model, one that encourages new devices and new stores.

[...] It also needs to insure that intellectual property can be widely available digitally at a price that is both fair to the consumer and allows those who create it and publish it to be fairly compensated. [...] Our disagreement is not about short-term profitability but rather about the long-term viability and stability of the digital book market.

The move by Amazon was met with anger and frustration from the literary community as the news of the “Amazon Fail” quickly spread online. Amazon was silent on the matter until Sunday:

[...] We have expressed our strong disagreement and the seriousness of our disagreement by temporarily ceasing the sale of all Macmillan titles. We want you to know that ultimately, however, we will have to capitulate and accept Macmillan’s terms because Macmillan has a monopoly over their own titles, and we will want to offer them to you even at prices we believe are needlessly high for e-books.

Amazon customers will at that point decide for themselves whether they believe it’s reasonable to pay $14.99 for a bestselling e-book. We don’t believe that all of the major publishers will take the same route as Macmillan. And we know for sure that many independent presses and self-published authors will see this as an opportunity to provide attractively priced e-books as an alternative.

In their carefully worded capitulation statement, the company shows they believe customers will side with them by refusing to pay $14.99 for an e-book. Some people have commented on the statement with support for Amazon’s “pro-consumer” model and $9.99 price cap, citing a “Macmillan Fail“. Others support Macmillan and believe $14.99 is a fair price. Only one thing is certain: the weekend battle may have ended, but the war is far from over.

140+ Tweet Feed: Jan. 23-29

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

beyondwords on Twitter

Job Opportunities & Resources

  • 22squared has a limited number of summer internships (unpaid, for class credit) in Atlanta and Tampa. The internships cover a variety of disciplines, including media, creative, digital/interactive, and social media. The application deadline is March 5.
  • Love social media? Clif Bar & Company is seeking an Interactive Communications Associate. Interested candidates should send their resume and a 140-character cover letter.
  • Do you know PHP, CSS, or SEO? ddm marketing & communications in Grand Rapids is looking for a CSS Coder, a Search Analyst, a PHP Web Developer, and a Systems Administrator.

Recommended Reading

  • What graphic design schools are lacking: Graphic designer David Airey asked design students and graduates what should be included in an ideal graphic design course. Their answers give valuable insight to what instructors can do to improve classes and what students should do to supplement their education.

Tools & Resources

  • Design Instruct: Check out this new web magazine for designers and digital artists. The magazine provides step-by-step tutorials, design articles, and free resources.
  • If you would like to attend a technology, marketing, or social media conference or event this year, check out this 2010 calendar from Socialmedia.biz. Events are listed by month.



What is 140+ Tweet Feed? It’s where we share our top tweets every week — news, tips, resources, and articles about professional writing, editing, and design — in more than 140 characters. Let us know about other great links on Twitter or in the comments.

140+ Tweet Feed: Jan. 16-22

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

beyondwords on Twitter

Job Opportunities & Resources

  • McKinney | Chicago, a branding and marketing communications agency, is looking for a marketing intern. This 90-day paid internship with the possibility of hire will touch on the areas of account management, media planning/buying, production, social web/networking, editing/proofing, research, and advertising creative design.
  • The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce has a graphic design internship available. The intern will assist the marketing department in the development and execution of marketing promotional collateral, advertising, newsletters, web content, and direct marketing.
  • Franco Public Relations Group in metro Detroit is looking for a winter PR intern. If you’re interested, please contact the company directly via Twitter: @FrancoPRGroup.
  • Michigan State University’s media communications is seeking a science and technology communications manager. The manager is responsible for writing and pitching MSU technology and science news and must have professional experience writing, editing, and promoting stories on science, technology, and related fields. To apply for the job, visit jobs.msu.edu, posting #3697. The job posting will be open until February 1.

Social Media

Publishing

  • The Times to Charge for Frequent Access to Its Web Site: The New York Times announced it will begin charging for its web content in January 2011. Visitors will be allowed to view a certain number of articles free each month before having to pay a flat fee for unlimited access. Print subscribers will receive full access to the site without any additional charge.
  • Why you’re seeing more copy-editing errors in The Post: Andrew Alexander of The Washington Post attributes an increase in errors to reduced staffing and the changing role of the copy editor.

Tools & Resources



What is 140+ Tweet Feed? It’s where we share our top tweets every week — news, tips, resources, and articles about professional writing, editing, and design — in more than 140 characters. Let us know about other great links on Twitter or in the comments.