Category: what’s happening

Classes in Advanced Technical Writing Starting Soon at CSUDH

  By CSUDH, skills, teaching, tech writing, what's happening, writing

Do you want to become a writer? Want to improve your writing for your job? The Advanced Technical Writing/Communication course starts soon at California State University Dominguez Hills. The course is entirely online and students learn advanced technical writing techniques along with improving their writing skills.

Portfolio pieces are an important aspect of applying for technical writing jobs to show a potential employer your capabilities. This class is hands-on. As we discuss key areas of technical communication, we work on putting together a portfolio so you can show what you know right away.

College of Continuing and Professional Education, CSUDH

Students may take the Advanced Class even if they have not completed the Intro course as long as they have some writing experience. The certificate at California State University Dominguez Hills consists of three courses. Check out more here. The entire program for the certificate is taught online (and will continue to be taught online). Find out more information on the CSUDH Technical Writing Program website. Dr. Lu Kondor teaches The Advanced class. Check out the FAQ on this site if you have questions.

The Advanced Technical Communication course starts on May 22, 2023. For questions, email learn@csudh.edu or call 310-243-2075. To register for courses, call 310-243-3741 (option 1) or go online. You must complete all courses in the technical writing certificate program to receive the certificate.

Technical communication is used by many organizations and businesses.

=============

Lu Kondor has worked as a technical writer for more than 20 years at major corporations. She has a Doctorate in Business Management and has created a large variety of documents, videos, and copy for organizations in entertainment, software, public utilities, manufacturing, oil and gas, chemical, B2B, consumer-based products, and the nuclear process industries. She is an adjunct lecturer in Advanced Technical Writing as well as Information Design for more than 17 years.

Abobe Max Conference – 2021

  By CSUDH, illustration, imagery, skills, teaching, tech writing, what's happening

I recently attended this year’s Adobe Max Conference. I use Adobe products all the time and thoroughly enjoyed the conference. There were hundreds of sessions. There was also the usual smattering of the famous, the academics, and wonderful artists. My favorites were the practical tips in Illustrator, Photoshop, and After Effects and that’s where I spent most of my time.

My take on this is that there are some exciting new technologies coming out way in AR. I wasn’t that impressed with the 3D tools presented. Considering the additional cost beyond the creative suite (appears to be its own suite), not worth it with all the hype. I’ve recently taken to learning and using Z-Brush and Blender and will be sticking with those. My one big disappointment was the lack of updates and information on Acrobat and Audition. I would love to see more about what the future holds for those tools.

However, the improvements coming to their core software are amazing. The graphic design, illustration, digital painting, and After Effects sessions (as well as Premiere & InDesign) were worth it. I found myself jumping out of sessions on 3D to join other awesome sessions. The social media sessions were worth a note (even if you don’t do much social media) because they had excellent hosts and they were generous with information and tips. Finally, one impressive aspect of the conference is the demonstration of the speed of Apple’s new Computers. If you can view the materials (not sure if you need an account), I recommend taking the time to watch as many videos as you can if you use Adobe products.

SCBWI Big Five-Oh Conference – 2021

  By creative writing, illustration, teaching, what's happening, writing

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, known as the international professional organization for authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults, is having its annual summer conference. It is the 50th anniversary of this conference and has an exciting line-up of agents, authors, and poets.

I like this conference because there is something for everyone. Not just about fiction, the conference has workshops and learning opportunities in business aspects such as rights management and royalty statements, non-fiction, writing for the educational market, building brands, marketing, and techniques in illustration including researching. I’ll be attending, focusing on taking the Illustrator’s intensive, non-ficion, and educational. Please say hi if you bump into me.

If you want to learn more, check out the website and the conference blog to see a list of conference speakers.

SCBWI Summer Conference is Here!

2017 SCBWI Summer Conference

  By creative writing, what's happening, writing

The 2017 SCBWI Summer Conference this year is going to be packed with amazing speakers and panels. Agents like Jennifer Laughran and  Alexandra Penfold, as well as editors like Bethany BuckZareen Jaffery, and Kendra Levin will be there.  Keynotes by awesome writers like Kwame Alexander and Laurie Halse Anderson.

Even better, it’s at the JW Marriot at LA Live!  I can’t wait and will attend. Dates are July 7-9. Look forward to seeing friends, writers, and editors there.

Check out more info at:  https://www.scbwi.org/events/46th-annual-summer-conference-in-los-angeles-la17/

scbwi

Try Technical Writing by Taking the Advanced Tech writing Course at CSUDH

  By CSUDH, teaching, tech writing, Uncategorized, what's happening, writing

IMG_0720 Do you like to write and would love to do it for a living? Try technical writing. No need to be a ‘techie’ or scientific guru. With practice, you can find out how technical writing is a great tool in a writers tool box.

Students who want to take the Advanced Technical Communication course so they can get right to creating portfolio pieces (before they take the Introduction course) are welcome to do that. The class is immersive. I teach the Advanced course and we focus on creating a portfolio of pieces (which is normally requested by potential clients and employers) and are a great way to learn how to write even if you want writing as your secret weapon in your job. We write a lot.

Some of the things I cover in the advanced class include presentations, reports, proposals, and step-by-step instructions. Check out my FAQ page for answers to the most asked questions I get in the course. The class is totally online and you will come away with several portfolio pieces. I’ve had students get jobs before they finish the program.

For more detailed info, check out California State University Dominguez Hills’ web site at:

http://www4.csudh.edu/ceie/Technical-Writing/