#Task List Template Blank

[devoqdesign]

From Wireframe to Wow: A Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing UI/UX Designs in Elementor

In the world of web design, turning a brilliant UI/UX concept into a fully functional website can be a daunting task. However, with the right tools and approach, this process can be streamlined and even enjoyable. Enter Elementor, a powerful WordPress page builder that bridges the gap between design and implementation. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of transforming your wireframes and UI/UX designs into stunning, interactive websites using Elementor.

Preparing Your Design Assets

Before diving into Elementor, it's crucial to have your design assets ready. This includes:

Wireframes: These serve as the blueprint for your website's structure.

UI Design: High-fidelity mockups that showcase the visual elements of your site.

Style Guide: A document outlining colors, typography, and other design elements.

Assets: Images, icons, and other graphical elements used in your design.

Organizing these assets in a structured manner will save you time and effort during the implementation phase.

Setting Up Your WordPress Environment

Ensure you have a clean WordPress installation with Elementor and Elementor Pro installed. Create a child theme to safely customize your site without affecting the parent theme.

Configuring Global Settings in Elementor

Before building individual pages, set up your global design settings in Elementor:

Set your global colors based on your style guide.

Define your typography settings for headings and body text.

Configure default styles for buttons and form elements.

These global settings will ensure consistency across your site and save time in the long run.

Creating Custom Templates

Elementor allows you to create custom templates for recurring elements like headers, footers, and sidebars. To do this:

Create new templates for your header and footer based on your UI design.

Use Elementor's widgets to build these templates, matching your design as closely as possible.

Assign these templates to display globally or on specific pages.

Building Your Homepage

With your global elements in place, it's time to build your homepage:

Create a new page and edit it with Elementor.

Start with a blank canvas and add sections that correspond to your wireframe.

Use Elementor's column structure to match your layout design.

Add widgets to each section, customizing them to match your UI design.

Implement advanced features like sliders, galleries, or forms using Elementor Pro widgets.

Remember to frequently preview your work to ensure it matches your original design vision.

Implementing Responsive Design

Elementor makes responsive design straightforward:

Use the responsive mode toggles to preview your design on different devices.

Adjust layouts, font sizes, and spacing for tablet and mobile views.

Hide or show elements based on screen size using Elementor's advanced settings.

Test your responsive design thoroughly on various devices and browsers.

Adding Interactive Elements

Bring your UI/UX design to life with interactive elements:

Implement hover effects on buttons and images using Elementor's hover animations.

Create pop-ups for calls-to-action or forms using Elementor Pro's Popup Builder.

Add scroll animations to elements using the Entrance Animation settings.

Implement accordions or tabs for content organization, matching your UX design.

Optimizing Performance

A great UI/UX design should also perform well. Optimize your Elementor site by:

Using Elementor's built-in asset optimization features.

Compressing and optimizing images before uploading.

Leveraging caching plugins compatible with Elementor.

Minimizing the use of heavy widgets or third-party plugins that may slow down your site.

Implementing Dynamic Content

If your UX design includes dynamic elements like blog posts or product listings:

Use Elementor Pro's dynamic content features to pull in data from your WordPress database.

Create custom post type archives and single post templates that match your design.

Implement filtering and sorting options to enhance user experience.

Fine-tuning and Testing

Before launching, it's crucial to fine-tune and thoroughly test your implementation:

Compare your Elementor build side-by-side with your original UI design, making adjustments as needed.

Test all interactive elements and forms to ensure they function correctly.

Perform cross-browser and cross-device testing to catch any inconsistencies.

Check your site's loading speed and make optimizations if necessary.

Conduct user testing to ensure the implemented design meets UX goals.

Documenting Your Work

Create documentation for your Elementor implementation:

Document any custom CSS or JS used in your design.

Create a guide for content editors on how to use Elementor to maintain design consistency.

Note any plugins or additional tools used in the implementation process.

Launch and Iterate

With your UI/UX design successfully implemented in Elementor, it's time to launch:

Perform a final check of all pages and functionalities.

Set up analytics to track user behavior and identify areas for improvement.

Launch your site and monitor for any issues or user feedback.

Continuously iterate on your design based on user data and feedback, using Elementor's flexible editing capabilities to make updates easily.

Conclusion

Implementing a UI/UX design in Elementor is a process that combines creativity with technical skill. By following this step-by-step guide, you can transform your wireframes and designs into a fully functional, visually stunning website. Remember, the key to success lies in attention to detail, thorough testing, and a willingness to iterate based on user feedback. With Elementor's powerful features and your design expertise, you're well-equipped to create websites that not only look great but also provide an exceptional user experience.

Visit my Upwork project catalog :  Elementor Developer

[cabotcovecorpse]

Exciting New Tools for Designers, July 2024

July 01, 2024

Welcome to this July’s collection of tools, gathered from around the web over the past month. We hope you’ll find something here to make work just that little bit easier. Enjoy!

Sometimes inspiration is slow in coming when faced with a blank screen. This aptly named AI design helper can get you started with color schemes and font suggestions.

The trend of remote working is becoming increasingly common among designers and developers. This platform is designed for remote workers who wish to make the most of their location independence by arranging home swaps that meet their technical needs.

Gluetrail can create articles and enhanced videos from a single screen recording, which could really speed up the process of making guides and tutorials. It’s a browser extension, currently Chrome only.

Linktopia describes itself as a link building community for founders. You submit blog articles to receive backlinks and send link requests to boost your SEO. All submissions are checked manually.

While there are existing font identifier browser extensions that work on Safari, they only work on desktop. What Font for Safari has been built specifically for Safari and works across all current Apple devices.

Koosh simplifies video embedding using pre-designed templates for single and multiple videos. It also has options for adding interactions.

Spending an hour here and there accidentally browsing is a common pitfall of working on the web. Tell Intentional what you’re working on, and it will stop you from accessing anything irrelevant.

The Figgy web app helps you track your design contributions and monitor your productivity by displaying your Figma activity in a GitHub-style contribution chart.

There are lots of task timers out there, but Bubble Time (currently for iPhone only) may have the most enjoyable and stress-free interface. Additionally, it does not collect any data.

Uizard has added a conversational modality to Autodesigner, allowing you to use plain English in prompts to generate or edit UI components or component sets.

Portfolo lets you create an online showcase for your work, using markdown. It’s simple and fast, allowing you to focus on the work you want to show.

This AI image generator from Icons8 has been trained on the illustrations created by Icons8’s own team of artists. You can get a set of consistent images, with no legal or ethical issues.

DynaUI is a set of animated components built with React, Tailwind CSS, and Framer Motion. The smaller components are free, while a one-off payment gets you page sections and templates.

The Dualite plugin for exporting Figma to code has had a major update. The new features are Component Mode, for generating reusable code components, and Page Mode for converting animations and pages to code.

Most To Do lists expect you to prioritize tasks yourself: One Task uses AI to do the prioritizing for you. If you feel overwhelmed trying to decide what to do next this might be the answer.

Paddi MacDonnell

Read more here https://www.vingle.net/d5media

[actowiz-123]

Automating Web Scraping Product Pricing with Microsoft Power Automate

Introduction

In today's data-driven world, efficiently gathering and analyzing information from the web is crucial for businesses and individuals. With the help of Microsoft Power Automate, formerly Microsoft Flow, quick web scraping has become more accessible than ever before. In this blog post, we'll explore how to develop an automated solution using Microsoft Power Automate to scrape product data from a target website, focusing on web scraping product pricing data as an example.

What is Microsoft Power Automate?

Microsoft Power Automate, previously recognized as Microsoft Flow, is the cloud-based service enabling users to create automated workflows and streamline repetitive tasks across various applications and services. With Power Automate, users can automate data collection, file synchronization, notifications, and approvals without extensive coding knowledge. The platform offers a user-friendly interface with various pre-built connectors and templates, allowing users to easily integrate with popular applications like Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint, Dynamics 365, and more. Power Automate empowers organizations to increase productivity, reduce manual effort, and improve efficiency across various business functions.

Role of Microsoft Power Automate in Web Scraping

Microsoft Power Automate is crucial in web scraping, particularly in tasks like web scraping product pricing data from e-commerce websites. Here's how Power Automate facilitates web scraping:

Quick Web Scraping: With Power Automate, users can set up web scraping workflows quickly and easily without extensive coding knowledge. The platform provides a user-friendly interface with pre-built templates and connectors, enabling rapid workflow development.

Power Automate allows you to automate the extraction of product pricing data from websites, saving you valuable time. By configuring workflows to run at scheduled intervals or trigger events, you can ensure regular pricing information updates without needing constant manual intervention.

Scraping Product Data: Power Automate offers various actions and connectors that facilitate scraping product data from websites. Users can utilize HTTP actions to send requests to web pages, parse HTML content to extract relevant data and store the extracted information in structured formats such as CSV files or Excel spreadsheets.

Power Automate streamlines the process of extracting pricing data from product listings on e-commerce websites, ensuring accuracy and reliability. You can define specific criteria to scrape pricing information, such as product names, descriptions, and prices, and then automate the extraction process to gather this data efficiently, giving you confidence in the data you're working with.

Product Pricing Scraper: Power Automate can be configured to function as a product pricing scraper. It continuously monitors websites for changes in product prices and updates the extracted data accordingly. This enables users to stay informed about pricing fluctuations and make informed decisions based on the latest pricing information.

Microsoft Power Automate is vital in quick web scraping, offering users a quick and efficient way to scrape product pricing data from websites. With its automation capabilities and user-friendly interface, Power Automate empowers users to extract and utilize pricing data effectively for various business and analytical purposes.

How to Scrape Product Pricing Using Microsoft Power Automate?

Scraping product pricing using Microsoft Power Automate is a straightforward process that enables users to automate web scraping tasks efficiently. Follow these steps to scrape product pricing using Power Automate:

Create a New Flow: Log in to your Microsoft Power Automate account and create a new flow. Select the "Scheduled - from blank" template to start from scratch.

Set the Trigger: Choose a trigger that initiates the web scraping process. For exaple, you can schedule the flow to run regularly to ensure updated pricing data.

Add an HTTP Action: Add an HTTP action to request the target website's URL. Use the "GET" method to retrieve the product pricing information on the webpage.

Parse the Webpage: Use the "HTML" or "XML" action to parse the webpage's HTML content and extract the relevant pricing data. You can use XPath expressions to target specific elements containing the pricing information.

Clean and Format the Data: Clean and format the extracted pricing data to ensure it is structured. Remove unnecessary characters or symbols to make the data more readable and usable.

Store the Data: Choose a storage destination for the extracted pricing data. You can save it to a CSV file, Excel spreadsheet, SharePoint list, or any other supported storage location.

Test and Run the Flow: Test the flow to ensure it correctly retrieves the product pricing data. Once tested, activate the flow to run automatically at the scheduled intervals.

Monitor and Maintain the Flow: Regularly monitor the flow to ensure that it continues to scrape product pricing data accurately. Make any necessary adjustments or updates to keep the flow running smoothly.

Following these steps, you can quickly set up a quick web scraping solution using Microsoft Power Automate to extract product pricing data from any website. With Power Automate's user-friendly interface and powerful capabilities, you can automate web scraping tasks efficiently and effectively, saving time and effort.

Deliverables

Upon completion of a web scraping project using Microsoft Power Automate, several deliverables are typically provided to ensure the solution's successful implementation and ongoing maintenance.

Fully Functional Power Automate Flow: The primary deliverable is a fully functional Power Automate flow configured to scrape product pricing data from the target website. This flow is designed to run automatically at specified intervals, ensuring regular pricing information updates.

Documentation: The Power Automate flow is accompanied by detailed documentation that provides comprehensive guidance on setting up, configuring, and using the scraping workflow. This documentation includes step-by-step instructions, screenshots, and explanations of key components.

Setup Instructions: Clear setup instructions are provided to assist users in configuring the Power Automate flow within their environment. These instructions cover account setup, connector configuration, and flow activation.

Troubleshooting Tips: Troubleshooting tips and common error scenarios are outlined to help users address any issues that may arise during the implementation or execution of the scraping workflow. This includes guidance on handling connectivity issues, parsing errors, and data formatting issues.

Training Materials: Optional training materials may be provided to help users become familiar with the Power Automate platform and its capabilities. This may include video tutorials, webinars, or online documentation.

Overall, these deliverables ensure that users have all the necessary resources and support to successfully implement and maintain the web scraping solution using Microsoft Power Automate, enabling them to access and utilize product pricing data effectively for their business needs.

Conclusion

Actowiz Solutions empowers businesses and individuals to harness the capabilities of Microsoft Power Automate for seamless quick web scraping solutions. By automating repetitive tasks and streamlining workflows, Power Automate enables users to gather valuable data effortlessly. With Actowiz Solutions, you can focus on deriving insights from data rather than spending time on manual collection. Our expertise in Power Automate ensures swift deployment of scraping solutions, allowing you to make informed decisions based on real-time data. Supercharge your data insights with Actowiz Solutions today! You can also reach us for all your mobile app scraping, data collection, web scraping services, and instant data scraper service requirements.

[lefluoritesys]

Our system journal is... all over the place. To the point where we don't count it as a "journal," but more of a:

Kinda thing.

We use a template on Notion as a collective system journal. It was an idea presented to us by a person named Mickie who made a template for systems to help work with each other, including newly discovered systems (their discord server is Mickie Makes Things, if I remember correctly). It's digital.

We have alter pages there with information about us and linked diaries of our own or just stuff we like. List of emergency contacts, descriptions of safe/dangerous people/places, a list of tasks, important things for us to know, and one of our favorites: pictures and descriptions of inner world locations. As well as something we called "the box of ideas," which is a page where we put ideas about what we should/shouldn't do. Also, our lovely partner system came up with the idea of mailboxes, and they are pages where you can leave letters for alters to see later when they're fronting.

I added a few other things like information about the body for new alters in case somebody fronts and has no idea who we are, then info about our guidelines, rules, and info about us. Also directory to pages with certain stuff.

It's... all over the place, lmao. But it's also chaoticall organized how potentially only we can understand.

(Spoiler: we still did not add the goddamn outer world shit. Nor class & teachers. It's been months)

We also have our own discord server where we use PK to communicate with each other. We have separate channels for our own rants that others aren't allowed to look into unless there's a reason, a channel for homework, picrews, music, and a general chatting channel.

And, at last, there's Antar. We use it less due to fear of important conversations being lost (it has no backup), but it works for us, too.

Short answer: no rules, go as wild as you can as much as you need. System journal is a tool that shouldn't be used by a textbook, and it doesn't have to just be a journal, too. I didn't even realize we had a journal until I thought about it. Go as hot as wold as you can, my friend. If you have trouble with alter communication, write to each other, cuss each other out on paper, that's awesome, too. If you have trouble staying on top of tasks for one reason or another, write a list if tasks and keep it updated in the journal.

A system journal is basically a collection of all the tools and information you have of/about/for your system. There isn't a limit to what you can do. I wouldn't say "write what you want" because your mind would just go blank on it and you still gotta follow some sort of rules/guidelines of your system if you have them, but I would say write about you, your experience, about what you have/need to do, and anything else you find necessary or just for fun.

Hope that helps!

(I like how this post implies we have our shit together, but we really don't, lol. We just have experience in certain fields. I didn't even realize everything I listed was an actual journal, I thought of it as tools for system communication and things that every system has for each other. But nope, it's a journal. A big, messy, chaotic as fuck, organized in our unique way journal)

-host

to systems who have system journals, how do you do it? Is there rules? Does everyone just write what they want?

I started a journal for us, but I’m not completely sure what we do with it. So far we’re just keeping it like a normal journal

-host

[templates-resumeblog]

Elevate Your Planning Game with the reMarkable 2 Template Feature

In the fast-paced, digitally-driven world we live in today, staying organized is not just a choice; it's a necessity. And when it comes to planning, the reMarkable 2 Template feature is an absolute game-changer. This remarkable device has taken the concept of digital planning to new heights, offering a wide array of templates that can transform the way you organize your life. Let's dive into the world of Remarkable 2 templates and discover why they are essential for your planner.

1. Tailored for You: The Remarkable 2 template feature recognizes that planning isn't a one-size-fits-all endeavor. With a rich library of templates at your disposal, you have the power to customize your planner according to your unique needs and preferences. Whether you're a busy professional, a student juggling assignments, or someone planning personal goals, there's a template that perfectly fits your requirements.

2. Efficiency Redefined: Planning is all about efficiency, and the Remarkable 2 template feature is designed to streamline your tasks. Imagine having a daily planner template that lets you outline your schedule, to-do lists, and even jot down important notes, all in one place. With these templates, you can optimize your time, reduce clutter, and ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.

3. Visualize Your Goals: Visualization is a powerful tool when it comes to achieving your goals. The Remarkable 2 templates make it easy to create vision boards or goal-setting templates. Whether you're striving for personal growth, career milestones, or fitness objectives, these templates enable you to visually map out your journey and track your progress.

4. Embrace Creativity: Your planner doesn't have to be mundane. For the creative souls out there, the Remarkable 2 offers an array of artistic templates. From blank canvases for doodles and sketches to specialized templates for creative writing or brainstorming sessions, this device encourages you to infuse your planner with your unique creativity.

5. Go Green, Stay Organized: Beyond the personal benefits, the Remarkable 2 template feature champions sustainability. By eliminating the need for physical paper planners, you're reducing your environmental footprint. You can plan, organize, and strategize without wasting paper or resources, making it a win-win for both you and the planet.

6. Seamless Integration: The Remarkable 2 seamlessly integrates with your digital life. You can easily import and export templates, share them with colleagues or classmates, and access your planner from various devices. This level of flexibility ensures that you can stay on top of your game, no matter where you are.

In a world where time is of the essence, and being organized is key, the reMarkable 2 template feature empowers you to take control of your life, your goals, and your creativity. It's more than just a planner; it's a versatile tool that adapts to your needs and enhances your daily routine. So, if you're looking to make your planning remarkable, look no further than the Remarkable 2 template feature��it's your ticket to a more organized, efficient, and creative life.

[telscoba]

Email Marketing Perfected: A Moosend Review You Can't-Miss

Today, we're diving into the world of email marketing and automation with an in-depth Moosend review, exploring the game-changing features of this platform. If you're seeking simplicity, modernity, and results that boost revenue, you're in for a treat.

But before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's face it: email marketing can be time-consuming and challenging. Crafting that perfect campaign seems like an endless struggle, and hitting that "send" button can make you feel like you're rolling the dice. But fear not! Moosend promises to be the ultimate solution, helping you create engaging campaigns effortlessly and achieve your marketing goals. 

So, let's buckle up and explore how Moosend makes your email marketing dreams a reality.

Unleash The Potential Of Moosend

When it comes to email marketing, Moosend is the cream of the crop. Their newly redesigned platform takes the complexity out of email campaigns, making it super easy to create and send your marketing masterpieces in under 5 minutes. Yes, you read that right – minutes, not hours! Say goodbye to time-wasting tasks and hello to an intuitive, user-friendly experience that will change the way you approach email marketing.

With Moosend, the days of staring at a blank email template, wondering where to start, are long gone. Their drag & drop newsletter editor is a godsend, allowing you to effortlessly customize your emails with images, text, and buttons. You can truly let your creativity flow, and the best part is that you don't need to be a tech wizard to use it. The interface is designed to be user-friendly, so even if you're a beginner, you'll feel right at home.

Craft Emails That Shine

Sending emails is one thing, but sending emails that actually get opened and clicked is a whole different ballgame. Moosend equips you with all the tools to create eye-catching emails that captivate your subscribers from the get-go. With fully customizable templates and a drag & drop newsletter editor, you can let your creativity flow effortlessly.

Let's talk about subject lines – they can make or break your email's success. With Moosend's A/B testing feature, you can create multiple subject lines and let the platform determine which one performs the best. It's like having a magic crystal ball that shows you the most engaging subject line for your audience. And if that's not enough, they even have an AI Subject Line Optimizer, which uses artificial intelligence to analyze your subject line and suggest improvements for higher open rates. Talk about innovation at its finest!

But it's not just about the subject line; the content of your email matters too. With Moosend's Content A/B Testing, you can experiment with different email layouts, call-to-action buttons, or even the tone of your writing. This invaluable feature lets you understand what resonates best with your audience, allowing you to refine your content strategy and maximize your campaign's impact.

Segmentation: The Key To Personalization

Moving forward with our candid Moosend review, We all know that personalization is vital for successful email marketing. Luckily, Moosend's list segmentation feature takes care of that for you. By segmenting your subscribers based on their interests, behaviors, or demographics, you can deliver personalized content that resonates with each recipient. It's like having a one-on-one conversation with your entire audience! Engaging your subscribers on a personal level builds trust, and loyalty, and ultimately leads to conversions.

Say Hello To The Perfect Forms

Growing your mailing list and collecting valuable data is a breeze with Moosend's beautiful and editable email signup forms. Whether you want a simple newsletter signup or a more interactive gamification form, they've got you covered. With advanced display rules, you can trigger the right message at the right time, ensuring your forms appear to the right audience. Plus, their anti-bot protection keeps pesky spambots at bay, ensuring that your data remains accurate and reliable.

Automate Like A Pro

Repetitive tasks, be gone! Moosend's automation capabilities take your marketing efforts to a whole new level. Their pre-made automation templates make it effortless to set up customer journeys that trigger specific actions based on user behavior. From welcome sequences to abandoned cart reminders, you can engage with your audience at the perfect moment. The visual workflow builder is a true lifesaver, making the automation process intuitive and enjoyable. And with over 100 triggers at your disposal, you can rest assured that no opportunity for customer engagement slips through the cracks.

Closing Out!

In conclusion, Moosend is a powerhouse email marketing and automation platform that redefines simplicity and effectiveness. It empowers businesses to create stunning campaigns, build personalized relationships, and drive real revenue growth without breaking a sweat. With its user-friendly interface, and impressive features like A/B testing, segmentation, and automation, Moosend is undoubtedly a top choice for marketers looking to level up their email game.

Head over to Moosend and experience the magic for yourself. 

There you have it, folks – our comprehensive Moosend review. So, what are you waiting for? Embrace the power of Moosend and witness your email campaigns soar to new heights. 

[kymmiejournals]

2020-2021 Digital Dark Dated Planner + Stickers by Kamipi

This post contains affiliate links. If you take action (i.e. make a purchase) after clicking my affiliate links, I’ll probably earn a few bucks which will help keep this website running or just to buy a cup of coffee. You know I only recommend products that I actually use, love and trust, right?

Hey lovely,

Let's talk about black-colored pages or planners, have you tried to use one?

I remember way back in high school, I used to write with a gold glittered-gel pen on black paper whenever I send love letters to my friends and even to my crush! The contrast of colors makes it pop and creates this classy vibe. I also made some doodles of constellations or galaxy and it's super fun and enjoyable! 

In today's post, the 2020-2021 Mid-Year Digital Dated Planner in Dark mode by Kamipi shop has lots to offer, including stickers in 6 different hues. What sets this planner apart is the texture of the digital paper used, it's not just your typical black paper. This planner includes hyperlinked tabs for easy navigation between Yearly, Quarterly, Monthly, Weekly, Daily and other detailed spreads, plus a master index page to access different trackers, subjects and layouts. Dated from July 2020 - June 2021, perfect for students who started the semester late due to pandemic.

Tools and Resources

Any note-taking app (ex. Goodnotes or Noteshelf, etc.)

iPad 2019 7th Gen (10.2”)

Apple Pencil 1st Gen

Replace your Apple Pencil tips

Paperlike matte screen protector

Details

1 High-Resolution Planner PDF with 450+ pages (Monday start)

1 Goodnotes Sticker file which includes pre-cropped stickers

6 PNG transparent Full Sticker page for cropping to be used for other projects

252 PNG transparent individual cropped sticker images

2020/2021 Digital Dark Dated Planner

Cover

Perfect for minimalists or those who like to keep things simple.

Master Index

An easy way to access different Planning templates and Notes layouts.

2020-2021 Calendar

A full view on the mid-year calendar. The months and numbers are clickable to Monthly, Weekly and Daily.

2020-2021 Key Dates

The months are clickable to the Monthly page. This is where you can summarize the whole mid-year, you can either use color blocks to track your appointments or draw symbols to mark your tasks or activities.

Quarterly Overview

3 boxes arranged per quarter that is clickable to each month.

Subjects

There are 5 individual dividers to set your subjects or categories.

Notes

Different templates that you can duplicate and use. The Notes consists of:

Lined

Dot

Graph

Cornell

Legal

Two Column

Four Column

Blank

Planning

This section offers different layouts and tracking for your:

Finances

Project Planner

Meeting Notes

Lists

Password Tracker

Birthday

Grocery List

Meal Planner

My Goals

Mood Tracker

Habit Trackers (2 formats)

Workout Log

Project Time Planner

Travel Planner

Monthly

A page perfect for planning the whole month ahead. Each box is clickable to their respective Daily page, while the numbers on the left side are clickable to Weekly. You will also have access to the Summary page.

Summary

This page is for specific activities for the whole month, you can write your To Do's, Goals, Important Dates, track your target Habit and so much more.

Weekly

This includes time blocks that are perfect to track your schedule for the whole week.

Daily

A more specific page dedicated for the whole day. You can transfer the schedule from the Weekly page to this and list all top priorities and tasks.

Bonus: Stickers

250+ High-Resolution Stickers (Pre-cropped PNG in a separate Goodnotes file) in a real texture look with 6 different hues:

Beige

Pink

Blue

Yellow

Green

Light Blue

Links

Kamipi on Instagram

Kamipi on Etsy

Notes

This post is not sponsored nor paid by Kamipi, I am only reviewing products that I use and love [know more]

The fonts and graphics used are separate purchases and not included in the planner

feedback

What do you love most about this digital planner?

Any questions or suggestions about this blog post?

Get access to Freebie Library!

[sweetchotimochi]

tips for managing time (ɔ◔‿◔)ɔ ♥

Disclaimer: these tips worked for me and based on my own experiences. It’s okay if this doesn't work for you! 

Lets start with some methods;

Method 1 - Bullet Journaling: This is a great way/method to manage your time! I have used this method for a long time and it really has kept me consistent with how I manage my time. It is, however, annoying to bring your bullet journal everywhere or try to write in it all the time. The problem is about how much effort you put into your “journaling”. We all see online how pretty or aesthetic bullet journaling spreads are and when we look at our own journal we stop using it because it is not pretty enough. That doesn’t matter. Instead, look at how well it can help you manage time. If not, this is totally okay. Try switching to an online platform. 

Method 2 - Google Calendar/Calendar app: Another tried and true method. This helps in organizing your day. Great way to manage your time, especially because you can edit your tasks and time-block your day. It is also really good because calendars can be implemented in your computer, phone, and other devices so you can check out your tasks on the go. They also have components for tasks, reminders, events and more. I really recommend this for a lot of people because it is a game-changer, especially for people who need something easy to use for managing time. I guess the only problem for me is that I feel guilty, sometimes, if I see an empty part of my day which makes me feel unproductive. That’s totally okay! You don’t have to be busy all the time, take some time off for yourself. Nobody is productive 24/7. 

Method 3 - Notion: This is all the rage nowadays, so I checked it out for myself. It is a really great way to implement aesthetics and different parts of a journal. Unlike a calendar app, you can make lists, add other parts, add calendars and many other things. Its also accessible on many sites. Unfortunately, after making everything look very aesthetic, I didn’t use this platform as much except for keeping track of my anime and books. I do also use this to keep track of my classes and planning on-the-go, but it may work for you, so try it out! 

Method 4 - Diary with template/Planner: This is a great idea for people who want to use something on the go, but also easy to use and still have room for creativity. Daily, Weekly, and Monthly planners are all great ways to manage your time. The only problem is the template itself for me. Let’s say you might not be doing anything one day or slack off. Personally, seeing that one blank spot makes me feel guilty and then I can’t keep up. If you feel like you might feel like this, that's totally okay! Try managing time at your own pace, or use another method. 

There are plenty of other methods out there, but these are the ones I tried. I believe everyone should use something to help manage their time, because I have yet to meet someone who remembers everything they have to do in their head. Here are some quick-fire tips:

Try writing your tasks for every day the day before: Write out your tasks the day before. It helps you plan for the future and gives you a clearer head for the next day.

Use a reward system for completing tasks: Let's say you complete something big, make a reward system for that specific task! For example, if you complete a really hard chapter and do well on the quiz, that task deserves some reward! 

Keep some time for yourself each day: Even I have a hard time doing this, but keep some allocated time each day for yourself. Relax, watch some tv, do something fun and wholesome. You deserve it.

Divide up your tasks if they are really big: This is such a repeated method, however it is super effective. Let's say you are trying to study for a couple of chapters in a subject. Try dividing them up along the week into smaller tasks. It makes the whole thing as a whole less daunting. 

Try color-blocking your tasks: I use color-coding to divide my tasks on google calendar. For example, things for school/work are in green, and chores are in white. I think, at a glance, it really helps you think about how the day will go. 

This was a long one, I hope you’re still here. Again, these methods may not work for you, and that's okay. TLDR; Explore your methods and figure out what works best for you.

[cynicaldom]

Scheduling

Amy is self-employed. Over the years, she would occasionally ask for help with time management when she was feeling overwhelmed. It also felt like she would appreciate consistent guidance. But I knew I wouldn’t follow through on a promise to do that, it would require a lot of mental energy, and a failed promise is often worse than inaction.

Our lives are exponentially less stressful now, which has been invigorating, and I finally made myself see a doctor for adhd, so I have more mental energy to spend than I’ve ever had before.

Earlier this year I suggested I start scheduling her work day. We’ve been doing it for about 5 months now. “Schedule” might be the wrong word, there aren’t specific times.

Here’s how the process works:

We have a google sheet called Schedule Maker. When Amy thinks of a work-task to be done the following week, she makes an entry in this Schedule Maker spreadsheet. Each entry is two cells of the spreadsheet horizontally next to each-other: the task name, and the estimated time required to complete the task. On Saturday she looks at the document and makes sure she isn’t forgetting anything, and comes up with additional tasks if there isn’t enough to fill a week. Recurring tasks that need to be done every week are italicized.

The task spreadsheet cells are color-coded based on how annoying they are to complete. Red is painful, yellow is kinda annoying, and green is fine.

Every Sunday I duplicate a different blank-template spreadsheet called Work Schedule, and rename it with the week’s date range. Every day of the week is listed. Every day has a 5 columns:

Task name

Time estimate

Blank cell for her to enter the time she started the task

Blank cell for her to enter the time she completed the task

Blank cell for her to enter the total time the task took to complete.

We record times so we can more accurately update time estimates for recurring tasks. Inaccurate time estimates could potentially lead us to overload her schedule.

I copy a task & it’s time cell out of the schedule maker, and paste it in a day of my choosing in the new schedule. 

With our color-coding system, I can visually see if I’m equally distributing annoyance throughout the week. It can help too if we know she might have a stressful day for other reasons, to keep mentally taxing tasks off that day.

Since time estimates are in terms of minutes (i.e. hour and half would be represented by 90), there are cells lower on the spreadsheet that have math functions that tell you automatically how many hours you have scheduled for each day, and one cell at the bottom that automatically tells you how many hours you have scheduled for the week. Having these helps me distribute her work more equally. Another example where it’s useful: we visit my mom for a few hours every week on Wednesday, so I schedule less work hours for that day.

It can be fun for me to put together, like a logic puzzle. The goal is to maximize her happiness, the challenge comes from recognizing her mental energy is a resource that has to be spent wisely. Her desire for success means you can increase her happiness by increasing her productivity. But productivity has a parabolic relationship to happiness, if you increase productivity too far it's positive effect becomes a negative one. So too much productivity can ironically cause a crash, which would leave her worse off than she was without a schedule.

When I’m done, I send the schedule to her. She writes the tasks down in her planner, in her preferred order, for each day. The planner has new animal facts every week and little drawings of the animal. I learned that Binturongs exist, and they smell like popcorn. It’s a very cute planner. I think she writes it down on paper mostly for the satisfaction of crossing off items when they’re complete.

I don’t do it very often, but it’s also fun to schedule horny tasks unrelated to her work. It’s fun knowing that occasionally there is a degrading sexual task to be performed in her work schedule. 

The process has been a great bonding experience. Fairly often she’ll tell me where she wants her business to head, and I help her break down those bigger strategy goals into actionable tasks that can be scheduled. It gives me an opportunity to lead and her an opportunity to follow, which forms a virtuous cycle, it recharges us with more emotional energy than it costs us to do.

It wasn’t intentional, at least not consciously, but I like that I didn’t just end up becoming her boss. I want her submission, but I don’t want to subsume her entire will into my own. Well, to be frank, I do want that, very fucking much. I want every single moment she has be solely concerned with me. While this idea arouses me, it’s not really how I want someone I love to live their life. If the goal is to maximize happiness, then desire can not override love, love being another word for respect. She is a whole person the same as I am, and as much as I like to control her and as much as she likes to be controlled by me, a level of human autonomy is sacred and fundamental to happiness. I don’t have the experience to confirm whether my hunch is true, but I suspect dominance and submission also have a parabolic relationship to happiness, over a long-enough timeline.

I’m assuming there’s ways you could modify this type of schedule for other situations beside self-employment: for chores, or a largely self-directed white collar job, or hobbies you want to do but never prioritize. Anything where there’s a lot to do, and being given direction could help.

[designsland]

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[krakenartificer]

When I got my ADHD diagnosis, I looked at the questions on the screening form and thought, "If this result comes back positive, then I'm definitely not the only person in my family who has it." Questions like

"Have difficulty finishing one activity before starting another one" and

"I finish others' sentences before they can finish it themselves" and

"have trouble staying on one topic when talking"

...I thought were just weird quirks of my family, but no. When I got my results, I contacted my cousin, and she contacted her sisters and mother, and .. .. yeah. Basically everyone in my dad's side of the family is ADHD.

Now there are some problems with that, obviously, (getting family reunions to stick to a schedule is lol no) but there are some really fantastic perks. For one thing, no one in that family minds if I interrupt them while they're talking ... everyone's happy to keep 3 conversations going at the same time .... and no one minds if you fidget constantly.

But the best perk -- at least that I've found so far -- is that all of our parents have coping mechanisms, and passed them on to us. When I found myself unable to handle tasks with more than one step, my father didn't say "WTF are you talking about? It's easy! Just do the thing! Stop being lazy!" No, he could relate completely, and he sat down and taught me how to handle that.

So today, I'm going to pass on to you the coping mechanism my dad taught me for handling the "cannot put tasks in order / cannot get started / forget what I'm doing" problem. You'll need to adjust it for your own needs and your own struggles, but hopefully it'll be helpful in setting up your own process.

I'm going to walk through it with a big project I'm doing at work, just to have a concrete example. That will make some of the discussion specific to computer programming and technical writing, but I do the same thing for all my projects, so hopefully it'll be generalizable.

So to set the stage:

I was supposed to modify this piece of code -- we'll call it "Rosetta" -- to make it handle call data as well as what it was already doing. I did that.... but we now need the code to be able to handle calls (if that's wanted) but also to be able to handle NOT having calls (if THAT'S wanted).

Which is just .... ugh. So much. SOOOOOOOO much.

So. Break it down.

Step one is to get some recording mechanism - pen and paper, whiteboard, blank computer document, whatever

(Technically, this is a different coping strategy, so we'll just take a quick detour: WRITE THINGS DOWN. Your brain is shit at remembering things, and anyway you've already got limits on your working memory; why would you choose to tie up some of that limited resource in something that could be accomplished with literal stone-age technology? Don't even try to remember things. WRITE THEM DOWN.)

I like sticky notes: they're readily available in all offices, they're pretty cheap, and (most importantly) they can be rearranged if it turns out that I forgot a step or put the steps in the wrong order (which, like, let's be honest, I am definitely going to do). But they kill trees and create unnecessary methane emissions, so I've recently switched over to using virtual sticky notes. That's the format I'm going to use for this example, but you can use anything that meets your purposes.

So, you've got something to write with, you're ready to start.

The first question is: what are you trying to accomplish here? What would "done" look like? What is our goal?

I need to end up with a version of Rosetta that will make the correct results if you don't want calls, and will also make the correct results if you do.

The goal here is that you end up with a statement that you can definitively say (a) Yes this is what I wanted or (b)No this is not right because _______

In this case, in order to do that, I'll need to define "correct results" for both call- and non-call versions. But if I have that nailed down, then this statement meets that criterion: I'll be able to say "Yes, this is what I wanted: see, it makes the correct result for calls, and it makes the correct result for not-calls". Or else I'll be able to say, "No, this is wrong: see, it makes the correct result for calls, but on not-calls it does X and we wanted Y."

I have a clear, definitive standard about what I need to do and whether or not I've done it.

But there was a prerequisite there: I need to define "correct results".

So that goes on a sticky note: Create test that will compare my results to existing call!Rosetta-results and to existing not-call!Rosetta-results.

[ID: Two blue boxes, one on top of the other. The top one says in white text "Create test to compare my results to call!results" The bottom one says "Create test to compare my results to not-call!results"] OK. So now we know what we want. The second question is: what do we need to do in order to get that? Here's where the sticky-note recording system really shines, because you don't have to answer this question sequentially. You just start writing down every single thing that is not the way you want it to end up.

I need it to remove commas in the python script, not the bash script

I need to delete the first part of the get_runs() function, which doesn't do anything

I need to delete the rest of the parameters passed to build_query_script() function, because runs encompasses all the others

while we're on that subject, runs doesn't even need the group_variable, so let's pull that out of the parameter document

we also have a dmf defined, which the bash script demands but doesn't use; let's change that demand

since we're changing the structure of the parameter document, we don't need to pull new metrics for each run, so let's move that outside of the runs() loop and only run once

right now the parameter document is ALMOST but not quite "one row per template". Make it so it's actually one row per template.

among other things, that's going to require making it possible for a template to be followed by nothing at all, since it's the assumption that a template will have a metrics block after it that makes it not quite one row per template. So make it possible to publish a template with a null block

the other thing that's weirdly hard-coded is the definition of what a block looks like. Would it make more sense to separate that out into an input file, like the parameters document? On the one hand, that would make it much more flexible; on the other hand, that's another piece that can break. Don't know. Put a question mark on it.

etc

Here's what it looks like at the end of this step:

[ID: A black and white background showing many boxes in two different shades of blue, all with white text. Some of the boxes are overlapping each other.]

As you can see, at this phase you don't need to worry about any of the following:

ordering the tasks. Just stick 'em right on top of each other for now

how you're going to do any of this. Right now we just need to know what, not how

sticking to only one project. As I was working on this, it occurred to me that this whole process would have been a heck of a lot easier if someone had just made a user manual for this, and since I have to go through all the code line-by-line anyway, I might as well write up the documentation while I'm at it. (To help out future-me, if nothing else.) So I put those tasks on another color of sticky note.

making notes that make any ***ing sense to anyone else. This process is for you, and only you need to understand what you're talking about it. Phrase it in ways that make sense to your brain, and to hell with anyone else.

on that topic, also don't worry about making steps that are "too small" or "too dumb" to write down. This is for you. If "save document" feels like a step to you, then write it down.

You also don't need to get every single step involved in the project right now. Get as many as you can, to be sure, but the process is designed on the assumption that you ARE going to forget important steps, and is designed to handle that.

When you can't think of any more steps, then the third question is: what order does it make sense to do these in? Are there any steps that would be easier if you did another step first? Are there any that literally cannot be done unless another step is complete?

This is also a good place to group steps if they fit together nicely. When I used physical sticky notes, I used two different sizes; digitally I can of course make them whatever size I want.

So I have several documentation steps that (a) do need to be written to make sense to other people and (b) I really need to know what's going on before I can do that. I could write them now, but if I did, I'd just end up re-writing them based on things that change as I'm coding. So we'll move those to the end:

[ID: Three dark blue boxes with white text. They read "Create step-by-step instructions for creating your own metric agg", "Create step-by-step instructions for modifying a metric", "Create step-by-step instructions for modifying a query."]

These parts, though -- if I had all the variable structures written down, I could look at them while I'm coding. Then I won't have to keep scrolling back and forth in the code, trying to remember if it's an array or a dictionary while also trying to remember what part of the code I was working on. Brilliant. Move that to the front.

[ID: Seven dark blue boxes with white text, three large, four small. The first one is large and says "Write up explanation of how Rosetta works." The second one is large and says "Document structure of all variables." Attached to that one are four smaller boxes that say "All_blocks", "Runs", "metric", "New_block". The third large one says "Document what qb_parameters.csv contains"]

Also, while I'm at it, I should get the list of variables I need to document -- then I won't have to keep scrolling to find them. Make those sub-steps.

I definitely keep needing to look up what's in the parameters document, so I should write that down, too. For the user manual I also should write down what's in the metric document, but I don't need that for myself, so I can send that to the end.

[ID: The same three dark blue boxes from two screenshots ago (create step-by-step instructions for metric agg, modifying a metric, and modifying a query), now with another dark blue box in front of them with white text that says "Document what granular_metrics.tsv contains."]

These five are all small steps, and are all related in that they don't actually (hopefully) change the functionality of the code; they're just stuff left over from prior versions of this code. So we can lump them all together.

[ID: Five light blue boxes with white text that say "Delete first part of get_runs()", "Have build_query_script only receive the "run" parameter" "Delete dmf" "Move metrics=get_metrics() outside build_all_blocks (all the way up to the top level?" "Delete group_variable from qp_parameters"]

My brain likes this better, so that I can keep track of fewer "main steps", but that's just a peculiarity of me -- you should lump and split however you prefer to make this process easier for you.

[ID: The same five boxes from the prior screenshot, now all made smaller and attached to a larger box that says "Remove Legacy Code"]

Keep going, step by step, sticky by sticky, until you've got them in order. If -- while you're doing this -- you remember another thing you need to do, write it on a sticky and slap it on the pile; you don't have to stop what you're doing to deal with it, because it's written down and it's on the pile and it will get processed; you can just keep working on the thing you're on right now.

[ID: All the same boxes from the first screenshot, now in a neat row. Some of the original boxes have been grouped together. The ones that were said to be at the beginning of the process are on the left and the ones that were said to be at the end are on the right.]

Step four: for the love of all that's holy, SAVE THIS LIST.

Write it on your cubicle whiteboard where it won't be erased

write it on a piece of paper and tape it to the office wall

send an email to yourself

take a picture with your phone

I don't care but save it.

When I used physical sticky notes, I kept them all on the hood of my cubicle's shelf. Now, as you can see, I use Powerpoint, which is irritating af but does allow me to keep everything in a single document, which I can write down the path of.

[ID: White text on a black background says "open ~/Documents/Rosetta\ Modifications\ and \Documentation.pptx" The next line says "Notes in Rocketbook pg 10-12, 16" The next line says "Turn that into documentation that can be used for making modifications."]

And now (finally) you can answer the question "How would I even get started on that?" You look at the first thing on the list, and you treat it as its own project. You can hyperfocus on this step and completely forget about everything else this project requires, because everything you need to remember for the rest of it is written down.

If, as you're working a step, you think of something else you need to do for the big project, write it on a sticky and slap it on the pile. Don't even worry about trying to order it or identify sub-steps; as long as it's not blocking the thing you need to work on right now, you don't have to care. Just stick that bugger anywhere at all on the list, and go back to what you were doing. When you un-hyperfocus and come back to look at your list, there'll be a big sticky note stuck sideways across all the rest of the steps, and you'll remember to file and order it then.

Other benefits of this system

1) The first question really helps with unclear directions from your boss. You can take whatever they told you to do, and translate it into a requirement that is clearly either met or not-met, and then run it back by the boss.

If they say, "No, no, we want ______" then phew! You just saved a huge miscommunication and weeks of wasted work! What a good employee you are! What an excellent team player with strong communication skills!

If they say "Yes, that's what I want," then you know -- for sure -- what it is you're trying to accomplish. Your anxiety is reduced, and your boss thinks you're super-conscientious.

(And if your boss is a jerk who likes to move the goalposts and blame it on their subordinates, then have this conversation over email, so you can show it to their boss or to HR should it become necessary.)

2) Having this project map means that when you spend an hour staring at the requirements and trying to figure out how to get started (which, let's be honest, you were definitely going to do anyway) ... When your boss/coworker comes by and says, "How's it going?" Instead of having to say "I haven't even started 😞" You can say, "Pretty well! I've got all the steps mapped out and am getting ready to start on implementation!" and show them your list, and they think you're very organized and meticulous. 3) Sometimes, especially in corporate jobs, you and your coworkers will run into a problem that's too big for even Neurotypicals to hold all in their heads. At that point, the NTs will be completely lost -- they've never had to develop a way to handle projects they can't just look at and know how to get started. So then you pipe up in the meeting and say, "OK, well, what exactly are we trying to accomplish?" and everybody at the conference table looks at you like you're a goddamned genius and you don't have to tell them that you use this exact same process to remember how to make a sandwich 😅

4) Having this project map makes it so much easier to stop work and then start it up again later, but this post is already really really really long, so I'm going to address that in a separate (really really long) post.

[soundrooms]

Soundrs: William Fields

My name is William Fields. I live in Arden, Delaware, just south of Philadelphia on the East Coast of the USA. I make non-functional, future-oriented electronic music.

My newest album is ➜ Bokuseki  My 24-hour algorithmic music project is ➜ FieldsOS  My website is ➜ https://williamfields.com/  On social media:

    ➜ Twitter

    ➜ Instagram  Why do you make music?  I played the drums for a bit as a kid, but otherwise I am self-taught. I grew up listening to a lot of different music, but hiphop was a big part of it. I discovered electronic music in high school and was hooked for life. For some reason it resonates with my brain. On a fundamental level, I suppose I make music because I enjoy the process and because the results are rewarding. Music provides me with an endless source of learning and exploration and problems to solve. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and pride. And maybe in some small way, it’s given me an opportunity to inspire others and leave the world a little better than I found it. On a practical level, music has given me the opportunity to connect with really great people around the world and to travel occasionally for shows, which adds some adventure and excitement to my life.  What are your inspiration sources?  Rhythm: Photek, Squarepusher, Untold, Rian Treanor, Mark Fell, Kindohm Sonics: Autechre, Drum and bass (Noisia & friends) Groove: J Dilla, Flying Lotus, Aoki Takamasa Improvisation: Jazz, Indian Classical Ideas: Brian Eno, John Cage, Thich Nhat Hanh, Yuval Noah Harari, Austin Kleon, George Saunders, Haruki Murakami, various podcasts, my good friend Qebo.  Tell us something about your workflow.  I am always working on my music system (my “instrument”): adding features, removing features, adjusting algorithms, refining, tweaking, etc. You could think of my system as a huge, complex modular patch with hundreds of modules, that has a nice UI, full generative capabilities, and easy state management, but at a tiny fraction of the cost and it fits in my backpack. I ♥ Computers In the process of working on my system, I will occasionally feel inspired by something, so I will hit record and improvise. Most of these improvisations are crap and get thrown away. But, occasionally something magical happens, and those recordings end up getting released. If I know I have a release coming up, I will sometimes have dedicated recording sessions. Some of my favorite releases (like Shackamaxon) have been recorded in the course of a single day.  How would creative rituals benefit your workflow?  Good question. I don’t practice any creative rituals. But, I’m pretty sure going for a vigorous walk beforehand is a good idea. Gets the blood flowing to the brain.

How do you get in the zone?  It usually takes me around fifteen minutes before things really start flowing. So the first few tracks of a session tend to be stiff and self-conscious. In a stressful live performance situation, I’ve found that a little bit of tequila helps!  How do you start a track?  These days, my tracks tend to start with a snapshot that is algorithmically generated by my music system. It is much better at finding interesting musical spaces than I am. So, I will sit there and hit the randomize button until something inspiring comes out. Then I will hit record and improvise with it. I also keep a collection of interesting snapshots that I can load at random. So sometimes I will flip through those until I find something good and improvise based on that.  Do you have a special template?  Yes! I never start from a blank slate. The template is everything. It is my instrument. It has been burned into my muscle memory. I can control the music without thinking about it. I have been working on it since 2012. The fundamental structure is: LEMUR (controller) ➜ Javascript (for state generation/capture/recall) ➜ REAPER (sequencing, synthesis, fx) REAPER is the core of my music system. It is where the sequences are generated, the synthesis is done, and the FX are applied. 

The visuals are generated in real time, triggered by the music via MIDI. So there is very tight correlation between audio and visual events. I am not using audio analysis. The visuals are done in Javascript, running in Chromium. I use Visual Studio Code for development. 

For the visuals I am mainly using three.js. Thank you Mr. Doob! On the music side, I am hugely indebted to Justin Frankel (REAPER) and the Surge Synth Team. What I do would not be possible without their amazing work. What do you put on the master channel?  I try to put as little as possible on the master channel. I have some metering stuff like a spectrum analyzer, an oscilloscope, a goniometer, and a loudness meter. Other than that, the only thing is a waveshaper. It adds saturation, glues everything together nicely, and tames the peaks without reducing the impact of the transients. I’m not sure of the technical term, but it’s a special kind of waveshaper that folds over the waveform when it hits 0 dbFS instead of flat-topping it.  How do you arrange and finish a track?  I perform and record the music in real time to a single stereo pair. I don’t do any arrangement, layering, or multi-track editing after the fact.  How do you store and organize your projects?  When I record something, it goes onto the desktop and on to my phone. When I listen back to it later, if it has potential for release, I put it in a “Release Candidates” folder. Otherwise I throw it in the archive, probably never to be heard again. When it’s time to compile a release, I go through the “Release Candidates” folder and pick out my favorite stuff.

How do you take care of studio ergonomics?  I work in software, so my physical studio setup is very minimal. I have a motorized standing desk, so I can easily switch between sitting and standing.  Tell us something about your daily routine, how is your day structured, how do you make room for creativity?  I work at a day job four days a week to make a living. I have Fridays off and focus on music. I’ve found that mornings are best for detail-oriented tasks like programming and critical listening related to the mix/mastering of my system. Afternoons seem to be best for improvising and recording. Sometimes I wonder if all this music stuff is just an elaborate excuse for me to play with computers. Having said that, I am always thinking about music, listening back to recordings, taking notes on my phone, and making small adjustments throughout the week. I don’t need a big chunk of time. I am able to work in small bits here and there. Also, sometimes while working my day job I set my system to auto-generate new music every thirty seconds. Occasionally something really good will happen and I’ll run over to my computer and hit “Save” so I can perform with it later.  Share a quick producing tip.  (1) Don’t start from scratch every time! Build your instrument. Practice with it. Develop your muscle memory so it becomes fast and intuitive. This approach helps you to develop your own voice, and it’s much more fun than laboring over a DAW for endless hours until you hate your own music! (2) Always level match when doing A/B comparisons. If a plugin is increasing gain by as little as 0.1 db, it will sound better to your ear, even if it is actually damaging the sound. (3) Process as close to the source as possible. Instead of putting it on the master, put it on a bus. Instead of putting it on a bus, put it directly on the track. Instead of processing the track, fix it directly in the synthesis.  Share a link to an interesting website (doesn’t have to be music related).  I just discovered the Solarpunk movement and I think it’s really inspiring. Here’s the ➜ Solarpunk manifesto.  List ten sounds you are hearing right this moment : )  Cicadas Airplanes Cars in the distance Computer keyboard clacking as I type My own breathing That’s all I got. The cicadas are too loud!

Thank you William! Any other mad sound scientists out there?

[tuyetanliu]

Just wondering but what Christmas gifts did you choose this year? Do you have any advice on how to choose good gifts? I give gift cards every year but it doesn't feel special or wow people. I want my gifts to be memorable :(

hello nonnie!

i think you're asking about what christmas gifts i chose for others and while i would love to tell you, i have about thirty-five people on my list. that's a lot of gifts to run through (but i'll tell you under the cut the best gifts i've ever given that people still bring up to this day.)

but i can give you advice on the art of gift giving from my perspective (even though... in my opinion, getting a christmas gift after cyber monday is a little dicey to me timewise but december is a packed month for me in terms of school and work.)

a thoughtful gift requires care, time, patience, and detail but it's not a difficult task if you're organized and prepared. so there's a few ways you can go about it but like i said, bundles make a gift unbelievably thoughtful. you can also never go wrong with a handmade card/letter.

general recommendation: get the person to create their own wishlist with about fifteen items. you can buy gifts through this method and then, with your own judgement, get them small items to supplement the bigger item.

the tuyet an liu method: you remember everything about the person and make notes about them in a notion template whenever you stalk their instagram, twitter, etc. (in this notion template, you also keep track of the gifts you've given them so you're not a *gasp* gift repeater)

more under the cut!

once you've got all the information you need, it's time to create a plan of what you’re going to buy, a theme, and where you’re going to buy it. i prefer to do most of my shopping between july - november and wrap everything up by december 10th at the latest. black friday and cyber monday are when i buy the bulk of my gifts (handmade gifts are bought throughout the year because i don't believe in purchasing those on sale). while it’s good to shop small business and local creators, don’t feel bad if they’re out of your budget and you need to rely on big box stores.

and remember, bundles are always more thoughtful!

now, you might ask, what in the fuck do you mean by bundle?

here are some examples of some standard gift bundles/packages i like to create that usually add up to less than 100 if you're a sale hound.

for the coffee addict: a french press/pour-over set, coffee bean sampler from a local roaster, a cute mug/on-the-go cup, and a milk frother.

for the book lover: a book or two (stalk their goodreads), bookmarks, cozy socks, a blanket, a bookstand/book holder, and a book journal.

for the new cook: a silicone kitchen set, a cookbook, a cookbook stand, recipe box, swedish dishcloths, and an apron.

for the skincare junkie: a skincare set (from a brand they love and you'll know because skincare junkies like to share products like they're religious revelations), face masks, jade roller, and gua sha tools.

do you see why it seems so much more thougthful when you create bundles even if you don't spend more money than others? it's because you create the illusion of having put a lot of thought into the gift.

if you have a good friend of the friend you're buying a gift for, try to get their opinion.

so, as promised, here a list of gifts that were absolute hits for more ideas.

new to journaling friend: handmade pen, a new blank journal, a guided journal, stickers, and washi tape.

fountain pen geek friend: handmade fountain pen, new ink, fountain pen friendly notebooks, and a fountain pen case.

coffee addict hipster friend: handmade mugs, mug warmer, five vintage records (i had to go to a lot of stores for this one), and a vietnamese coffee set.

newbie baker friend: matching apron and tea towels and oven mitts, a set of books about baking, a cookbook stand, and a spice organizer!

book friend who didn't want books: vintage tote bag, framed art prints, bookmarks, and handmade bookends (i made them by hand!)

art as a quarantine hobby friend: artist pencils, sketchbook, mixed media paper pad, gouache paint set, and an art reference book.

vintage decor obsessed friend: a vintage mirror set (it could've been haunted because the man selling them was very enthusiastic but she thought it added character), a refurbished set of chairs (i refurbished them), and thrifted dishware.

when it comes to people i care about, i usually make handmade cards and write letters explaining why i got them the gift as well.

and if all of this sounds extremely exhausting to you... honestly, you can never go wrong with asking three months beforehand and hoping they forget because life gets busy.

my friends attempt that with me since i'm difficult to get gifts for (i never forget but i can pretend to). i know every present i'm getting this year from my friends which are journals from notebooktherapy, a beaker set, some books, a new tote bag, etc. and i will be immensely grateful for it all even if it's not the surprise most people intend for gifts.

gift cards are great! especially if it's for people you don't know well but there's nothing quite irreplaceable like a thoughtful gift.

[amberviernes]

Remaining Tasks for the Web Building Process

Hello everyone! It's very surreal to me that April is here and that this is the last month we have to work on our senior capstone. Since I just finished the initial build for the website, I thought it'd be good to outline the remaining tasks that I have to do (and be specific about it). So without further ado, what I'd like to accomplish:

BY THURSDAY, APRIL 7TH, 2022

This is when the students for capstone will meet up, and I believe that we will be presenting what we have on this date.

Create a responsive version of the website. This means updating the seven initial pages (home, research, survey results, analysis subpage template, conclusion, about, and further reading) to be compatible with tablet and mobile forms. (Timelapses may be recorded for posting on Tumblr.)

While making the responsive version of the website, proofread the content. Since phones have a smaller width than tablets do, I believe that it will show what text is redundant/could be removed.

Update any assets. Some assets may not look all that good on the mobile version (the header for the homepage immediately comes to mind); make adjustments as necessary.

After making the website responsive, build the fourteen analysis subpages based on this template. This means adding as much real text as possible, updating the blank images, and also updating the pagnation links. No timelapses will be recorded for this (probably).

Once the above tasks are complete, create a video walking through the 20 different pages on desktop view. This will be similar to my video of the second website prototype.

I will also make a recording from my phone to showcase what the website looks like on mobile.

Ask for feedback from peers and my capstone advisor. They will be sent a link to the website, and the temporary password.

Close the survey (modifying it from April 3rd to April 7th).

AFTER THRUSDAY, APRIL 7TH, 2022

Incorporate feedback provided by my peers and/or capstone advisor.

Create a PDF of the survey questions for the survey results page.

Create and export the real assets for the survey results. This means two pie charts, and fourteen bar graphs. I will be using the process mentioned in this post.

Update the text for the fourteen subpages based on the real survey results.

Sketch assets and/or layouts that can be used to summarize the overall authenticity ranking of the fourteen pieces. I am thinking of a rank list, but I am also considering adding a "line graph" to show how authenticity scores change throughout time (in respect to when the pieces were published). These assets will be used on the conclusion page.

Update the text of the conclusion page to reflect the survey results. This may involve revising the sections, and changing it so that the call to action has it's own distinct section. I may also do a deep dive into the spreadsheet results to make note of any trends that aren't available from the summary.

Write a privacy policy for the website. Technically, I don't really need to do this but I'd really like to be transparent about this and I think it'd be good practice (since real websites use these, it's important for SEO purposes).

---

And that's the tasks that I have to do for the remainder of this project! In all honesty, I can't provide concrete dates or estimates on how long this will take me. So I thought that the next best thing would be to divide my tasks into phases (either before or after the capstone student meeting). I anticipate that the fourteen pages will be quite the doozy, since there are some repetitive elements, and I also need to write content for fourteen pages.

There may be some tasks that I have not accounted for, but I will be sure to document them as I remember. Sometimes, I don't even know that I should be doing something until I actually work on it! The specific revisions to the conclusion page are a good example of that.

I'm definitely excited to see how this project pans out during this last month. Design-wise, I'd say that the hardest part of this project (in my opinion) was the sub-analysis pages. This is because of the information that needs to be conveyed, and also the fact that there are fourteen different pages!

But anyways. I believe that many good things are in store and I can't wait to see how the project evolves! Can definitely tell that I'll have a lot to write about in the 6th bi-weekly recap. For now, everyone take care. Thanks for tuning into my project, I look forward to sharing it with all of you!

[busybby]

hello everyone! no one asked for this but notion is now my guilty pleasure so i wanted to join in on creating some notion content (you have no idea how much time i've spent watching notion youtube videos, on notiontwt, and messing with my own notion). honestly i wasn't able to find a notion setup or template that i felt was perfect for me and it took me a long time to acknowledge this and be okay with it (lol this sounds so dramatic). i wanted to use it because it seemed so helpful, but for so long it was so frustrating. i'd spend so much time trying to make it work and then never return to any pages i set up. ultimately, i had to be very intentional about notion: what i wanted to use it for, how often i wanted to use it, etc. the problem was that i felt too overwhelmed to try to just make a set up from scratch. that being said, in this post i'm going to go over not only my own set up but how i got to it.

i actually found notion via @noodledesk​ back in the spring! their posts and set up inspired me to start researching and watching youtube videos. at this point i was just using notion's built in templates. i wanted to make them more personalized, but i was still confused about notion so it didn't go well and i eventually abandoned them. then, over the summer, i rediscovered noodledesk's task prioritization template and began using that. i ended up using it for a longggg time, probably from july to october! i altered it a teeny bit and over time added a few things to personalize it more. here's a pic of how it looks as of the last time i used it!

as you can see it's basically a big grid organized by days and amount of time the task will require. there's some less organized stuff at the bottom and on top is my morning routine, a random motivational picture, a quote i like, and links to things i use daily like my google calendar.

this set up worked really well for me over the summer when i had absolutely no structure in my life, but once i was back in school and working two jobs, i found i don't need so much help prioritizing my tasks but rather a big space for me to see everything. and when i say everything, i mean literally everything.

around this time, i discovered notiontwt (notion twitter) and found sooo many beautiful spreads! they were so cute and inspired me a lot. this is one set up i attempted to use (i especially liked the weekly spread) and this is one that i made myself using a 'pack' of graphics as a kind of theme.

like i said the graphics (header and calendar) are from the artist i linked above. the fanart of harry styles is by this artist. also just something that i think is important and could be a helpful reminder is to always put sources/artists for any images or art you include at the bottom of your pages! even if you're the only one seeing the page!! also of course ask if the image is okay to use!

so i tried to use that spread for october and again... it was abandoned. i also was using it in conjunction with the priority page and an 'assignments masterlist' database i have but things were just not working. i think this is the point that i decided that i would just be creative, let things flow, and do what i wanted. i took pieces from set ups that i liked, made my own little pieces, and added them to a blank page that i titled 'my brain.' 'my brain' really helped to free up my mind. calling it that made me center the page on myself and only use things that i liked and that worked for me (& ignore all the aesthetic stuff i was seeing). i felt free to delete some things and add others even if i didn't know exactly how i wanted them to look or function. in addition, i even added a little section to that page where i wrote, "i want this to be a space of fluid exploration so i can move things around as i figure out what works best for me," as a reminder of what that page was meant to be. i also started bulking up my 'essentials page' which i'll go through another time, but it was important in creating this page and keeping it focused on my daily needs.

going into this 'project' there were a few elements i knew i liked from things i'd tried and things i'd seen. these were: images, a grid layout (from noodledesk's priority page), a full page, quotes, organization by weekday. so, the first thing i did was make these elements in my page. then i arranged them into a layout that i liked (loosely inspired by, again, noodle desk): list on the left, image on the right. this is what it looked like:

at the top, there is a callout that says "today" and it's meant to overview everything that should be in my head on that particular day or... every day. underneath there are three columns, one for tasks (check list), one for events and random thoughts (reminders) and one for general inspiration. the inspiration column has the callout with the goal of the page that i already discussed, a painting by my favorite artist, and a quote that i liked from a book i've read recently.

underneath all of that is more of a future look-ahead. i have a grid-style weekly planner and then a linked database that i use every day. i learned how to make this database from @blacklinguist​‘s post.and under all that i just have some other stuff.

so this is basically what i began working with! since, i've added sub sections to organzize my to-do list, a goal section, and a cute picture next to my weekly grid. i just added these as they came to me. for example, i wanted to do this one reading challenge but I always forget about goals because i put them deep into other pages and then forget about them. so i made a section on my main page for them!

also if it's important, the assignments masterlist is sorted by due date, but in the weekly grid i put the tasks under the day that they're due. so you can see my falling man reading is due on dec.1, but i need to actually do it before then so in the weekly grid it's under the monday heading (and tuesday but that's because i doubt i'll finish it monday). i also try to add the dates of the week to those headings so i don't get confused but usually i forget. i at least try to bold the current day. random note but that's one thing i had trouble with in a lot of the templates i was trying before. they usually only organized things by due or 'do' date, but my brain really requires both so i made sure to include that here. BUT i wasn't aware of that before. i honestly just put that into words and realized it now. that's why it's important to just add absolutely anything that you think might help you even a little bit. anywho, here it is in its current state:

and that's pretty much it! another time i can go over the other pages i use, but this is my version of what a lot of notion users call a dashboard and this is what I've put the most effort into making work for me. i hope this helps you in some way whether it's using this format exactly, taking some inspiration, or just realizing that notion is super flexible and can work for you (even if it's intimidating right now). also i'm so sorry if this is overwhelming but i think it's super satisfying lol. let me know if you have any questions or ideas and please message me about notion because i love talking about it.