Reflection on Capstones.

This being the first time I've ever been to Capstones, it was a very interesting experience. I really enjoyed being able to see all of the hard work people put into their projects.

One big thing that I learned when going to the Capstones, was that I really need to get started on my project! Time is a blessing and a curse, I just need to realize that I need to start right away & not push it off. It was also really nice to hear that almost everyone changed something about their Capstone, I mean-- it will probably happen to me.

Also, having business cards, telling your friends and family to come, and just spreading the word is going to be something that I really focus on when giving my Capstone presentation.

Capstone Questions : N420 Final

For this Capstone Assignment, we interviewed three of the students presenting at the Capstone on Friday. We interviewed Jesse Praeuner, Kenny Van Velzen, & Santiago Casar -- all of which did an amazing job & had wonderful projects to present.


1. Why did you choose this for your capstone project?
     - Jesse : Had no idea what he wanted to do, but decided he wanted to take a shot with it & write audio.
     - Kenny : Has an actual entrepreneur dream to create an urban company & took the actual LLC, and used the dream of that. Then took my 3d skills and used them as well.
     - Santiago : I'm applying to different jobs in LA & all of them seem to be asking for a reel roll. I thought it would be the most logical step.

2. What are some of the changes that you had to make between your original idea and what your are presenting today?
     - Jesse : Nothing really.
     - Kenny : My actual idea was to create a video, to show the company. But decided to go with more text and print & can be used for other means. I didn't want to sacrifice what the company actually was.
     - Santiago : Changed the idea of what I was doing, I was doing a documentary. But changed it to the reel roll, so that was one change. Another one was the scope of it, but then realized that I wasn't going to be able to pull it off.

3. What is your opinion of the timeline for your capstone? Was it helpful or a waste of time? Why?
     - Jesse : Wrong person to ask for that, I'm probably the worst procrastinator in the world.
     - Kenny : I think its helpful, but you have to stick to your own plan no matter what.
     - Santiago: Waste of time.

4. If you could change anything about your capstone, what would it that be?
     - Jesse : Would have started working on it sooner.
     - Kenny : Probably continue it more, and would have started earlier.
     - Santiago : I would get a lot more feedback, from people and the faculty. Feedback can only make it better.

5. What advice would you give me in planning for my capstone?
     - Jesse : Schedule yourself an easy semester for yourself, so you have more time to work on your capstone project.
     - Kenny : Start right away.
     - Santiago : The learning process, not so much the product. By investigating- I learned tons, it was like a class that I learned the most.

Midterm Capstone Details.

When creating my timeline for my Capstone Project one thing that was really important to me was having extra time at the end to do the finishing touches. 

At the beginning I want to have enough time to get familiar with the software, so I can use everything it has to offer for my project. We still are in talks of what softwares we are going to use. I was suppose to talk with my client this past week, but due to a death in the family- they were out of town & won't be back until Thursday. I have though told my mentor about what is going on. So, we still don't know if they want me to make it compatible with iPhone, Android, Blackberry, etc. 

I did push myself to get half of my project done, half way through the semester. So any changes that need to be made- are done. 

Towards the end of my project I want to meet with my mentor a lot, just for final help and final touches. 

Peer Capstone Support Group.

I think the general category for my capstone would be app design/web. Because I'm wanting to create an Application for my work- but I want it to be like the website (which I already work on).

I'm not really sure what kind of software I will be working with, I figure XCode & PhoneGap. But that is something I wanted to talk to my peers/advisor about. Obviously I want to use something that will better benefit my project.

look at the big picture outside yourself.

During class we got into "pairs", my partner was Alex Nelson. He gave me so much insight on my capstone project. He kind of had a similar but obviously different idea for his capstone- that it was nice to get a few tips from someone else. He gave me a few ideas on which softwares would be best and gave me some really good ideas on different approaches I should take to accomplish my project. 

It was really nice to hear from someone else about my capstone- because for a while I was feeling so overwhelmed and it was nice to hear someone else's point of view & it was nice to hear some comments. Thanks Alex!

Capstone Ideas.

I've had a couple of different ideas on what I would like to do for my capstone project. But one just really keeps coming back to me. An iPhone Application. 

Just a little re-cap, I work at a wine bar called Tastings: A Wine Experience - located in the Conrad. We are the only Tastings as of right now, but I have talked to the president of Tastings, Penny Maso, and they are in talks of expanding. Either sooner or later, but I do know that they want to start asap. 

I've worked for Tastings for 3 years, since the doors open. Currently I take care/help with their website, but we've been talking about me making a iPhone app for the wine bar. I think that would be something challenging and something I would really want to do for my capstone. 

I talked to Penny & she thought it would be an amazing capstone project for me, and something that could benefit Tastings. I was really inspired to do this because I just think it needs to be done sometime, so why not I just take control and do it myself. 

General Idea --> main screen, wine list, specials, art, wine cellar (so you can mark your favorite wines, know which ones you had when you come back), and eventually a locations tab (to choose which Tastings, and be able to load the certain stores wine list)

Tastings: A Wine Experience is on board with my idea, and I'm ready to get started. :)

What Is A Capstone?

A Capstone to me is being able to give your one last "whoo-rah" & really do something that you've been itching to do. If you honestly think about it, this is the only project you get to do where it's 100% you, and no teacher can tell you No, or judge what you are doing/done. 

I also would say that it is a very large last hoop to jump through.

I think that you want us to work on a Capstone for two semesters, because you really want us to do our best & final project at IUPUI. I'm really excited to start thinking about and working on my project, I just hope that it's everything that I want it to be & more. 

:)