Learning online and the drive to specialization
May 3, 2007
Adobe’s CS3 software package is out now. They include with copies of the suite(s) tutorial movies on what’s new and what is cool and things to help you justify the enormous amount of money you just spent for a couple plastic discs. After creating several tutorial series on Adobe software myself, both within my job and through freelance gigs, I’ve paid attention to how competitive this market has become. Google Video and Youtube are major players, though these videos are typically garbage, created by teenagers with absolutely no plan of attack for their tutorials.
We all want to learn how to use the shortcuts of the trade without thinking. We want to go from brain to finished product in a few filter effects and blend modes. We want to make the best decisions without the growing pains of making worst ones. Now is a better time than ever to be able to learn online. You can pick up almost any piece of software and learn the basics. Adobe and my favorite Xara have included movies with their help files to teach you their latest versions. So what gaps can a teacher fill these days? As always, specialized knowledge is the path to a successful career and life. We can still teach specialized knowledge, going beyond the basics.
The tutorial series that haven’t been created are the ones that teach you 25 specific things about Photoshop that you can use in the field of forensics, using techniques from real world examples. To stand out in the world of tutorials, you need a quality series. I’d say a minimum of 10 tutorials of five minutes each make a decent series. Or maybe 3 excellent 30 minute long tutorials could qualify too. Specialization is how you find your pupils and those willing to check out your offerings.
Here is a list of tutorial series that would make me pause and check them out.
- Creating an interactive image gallery in Flash
- Modeling a bathroom in 3D using Blender or Maya etc.
- Detecting photographic fakery (with example workshop photos)
- Modeling a human in 3D
- Creating a walk or fight cycle in 3D
- Motion capture to final video game or movie scene (even if I can’t afford the equipment myself)
- Texturing a house
- Comparison of 3D programs (doing the exact same task in each to see which is best)
- Comparison of 2D vector graphics programs (same as above)
- �Drawing cartoon characters (because the books always suck anyway)
- Installing a window or water heater in a home.
- Cleaning (anything and everything)
- Building a brick wall
- Creating an LED mood lamp (with lights and electronics and the whole shebang)
- Create and program a space invader or car race flash game
Why am I even writing about this when so many people are already doing these kinds of things? Because you can really make a difference by creating your own series. You can pass on culture, you can share a bit of yourself, you can creative authoritative credibility. You can drive traffic and create a following. Everyone has specialized knowledge. And many people are looking for it, or just have that strong curiosity. And you can make money from it, still. So get started!
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