That's It, Folks

Story's done, graphics are done, and everything checks out. Now it's just time to throw everything up on the website and do some design for that. Though I was pretty skeptical about the class to begin with, I ended up being pretty happy with the result. My grade isn't good. That's a fact. I missed a lot of work because I didn't take most of the class as seriously as I should have. However, I recognized from the beginning that I had an opportunity to do a unique story, and I've dedicated myself to it throughout the class. As long as I pass the class, I'll be happy with the final product. I'm not sure it's a great idea to make the final project only 10% of the grade when it's such a large project, but I'm satisfied with the results of my time in computer-assisted reporting.

Closing Time

Graphics are looking good. I've put together a map that features the locations of the last ten Metal Museum national metalsmiths of the year. The map is intended to give some graphical backing to the idea that metal art is strong all over the country (though it does seem to have quite a strong backing in Wisconsin...). Metal art is not concentrated. It's global.

Final Draft Looking Close

Put the finishing touches on my final draft last night. It reads nicely, and I think all of my information is properly attributed and super supportive of my story. Because the story is pretty experimental, it's really important that my data and quotes back up my information. I don't want to be making an argument; I want to be telling a story.

Finishing Up

The story has really come together in the past couple weeks. After starting as an amorphous blob of ideas (both good and crappy), the words started flowing like sweet cherry wine (which I'll admit I've never had, but I've heard good things). I'm planning on turning in my final draft in the next couple days. A couple more things to do with graphics and web design, but things are looking up.

Revisions

The first draft of my story has been looked over, and I'm very pleased with the feedback. While most of it was positive, I felt that the constructive criticisms were very helpful in creating a complete final product. I clearly need to be more precise about my attribution, and it is obvious that a lot of my story may be construed as analysis, which, as any educated reader knows, is not news. By taking care to ensure that the remainder of my work on this story is strong in regard to supporting my statements, I'll be creating a story that may actually make an impact.