Conference Spark

So I was just in a conference with a very high profile level of speakers and they were speaking about avatar sustainability.  In other words, what will actually bring back avatars to a space after they have seen it?  People and change.  Change is the big one…  When you visit a website and pretty much cover its ground, why go back and keep visiting it if it never changes?  Sites like youtube, facebook, ebaumsworlds, forum sites, they work because the content continues to draw people in everyday. 

So it occurs to me that perhaps I can draw that back into the architectural environment in SL. Since education is presently taking a backseat to other advancements, perhaps the SLSA can run a program of architecture/per week.  Perhaps the best designers in SL can be given a space to build on.  Each designer gets a chance to display their work or architecture and use it in whatever fashion they wish.  Therefore, the space holds some advertising/economical weight as well as design.  I will expand on this later…

New commercial!

Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r45g1lgY1s

ArchTeque and SLSA Official

Well it was quite a move, just shows you the extreme amount of pointless stuff you have. Anyways, now that the internet access problem has been fixed, the SLSA and ArchTeque will go full time on Tuesday, May 19th at 9AM.  Therefore I will be able to fully commit my time to both the school and its parent organization. 

 For those that may be unaware, ArchTeque is an innovative technology firm that will focus on web design and digital marketing for architecture firms.  This will also be the parent organization for the SLSA.  My hope is now that I am full-time and can commit myself to the education and innovation, that the SLSA classes will be completed as soon as possible. 

Stay tuned for several updates, and an answer to the comments of the previous post.

SLSA Classes and Certification

 

Just wanted to update everyone on the status of the classes.  I am in the middle of a big ‘move’ in my life this week but I should be fairly settled around the 20th or so.  I had scheduled the classes to be ready by June 3oth because I knew that my life was a bit hectic in the following weeks. 

Since the classes will take a heavy time commitment to produce, I feel as though I may be able to have TWO of the classes available before June 30th.  I would quote the completion of these two to be on or around June 10th.  My goal is to the have ‘Basic SL’ and ‘Oddity SL’ classes available at that time. 

The ‘pricing’ for these classes is something I have discussed with many people and have put a great deal of consideration into.  As of right now it will only cost 7,000L to become SLSA certified (assuming you pass the final requirement).  Some have said that it should be free, whereas others have urged me to charge a great deal more.  I have decided that with all the time I have invested and will invest in the classes and in the school, that the school should not be free.  I think the entire certification should cost around $40-50 US or about 15,000L.  Personally I feel that with the education you will recieve at these classes, and the time put in by myself and other professors is worth that kind of money.  Basically you will recieve quality information and skills for the price of about 1,042 Sq. m of land. Seems fair to me…

I would also like to hear more feedback in the comments section of this blog.  If you have issues with this type of pricing let me know.  

           My hope is to have the certification become a staple for designers and architects in Second Life.  That way people can load up theSLSA.com and look through a list of ‘registered’ Second Life architects and what specialties they have, experience etc.  It may give the designers more credibility and give clients better access to a database of quality Second Life designers (not prefabricators).  I also want to hear some feedback on this as well… post it here!

Upcoming Architectural Endeavors

 

Since this blog is not only about the SLSA but also the ‘professors’ of the SLSA, I thought I would post some of the upcoming events I am involved in. 

     First there is a Second Life competition being put together by CtrlShift07.com which is the first Australasian Student Architecture Congress in New Zealand (Island above).  They are running a very interesting architectural competition deemed “world’s first virtual land grab”.  Basically everyone will get a free 512 sq. m plot of land to build on.  When it is all over the jurors (myself included) will choose the best design and the winner will recieve an entire Second Life island! I for one am very excited about this and I can’t wait to see the rush on May 21st.

    I am also going to be talking some Second Life theory for a Design Museum in London for RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects).  I will be giving a tour of the SLSA and consequently talking about Second Life architectural theories.  My objective is on the 24th of June, but the event spans June 15th-24th.  IM Fraser Fonda if you wish to learn more.

 The classes for the SLSA are coming along.. It is difficult to fit in everything that must be brought up in such a short amount of time, but I am certain you will find it to be extremely educational and it may expand you’re architectural strata.  My hope is that once the classes are completed the school will come alive and be more interactive.
          I would like to thank everyone who decided that they want to give the 10-prim challenge a try.  You’ll find that it is not so easy to create an interesting occupiable space in only 10 prims (just make sure it’s not 4 walls and a roof).  Can’t wait to see what will be created. 

The Official SLSA Blog

Welcome to the SLSA! This will be the official blog for the Second Life School of Architecture.  There will be semi-daily updates about everything regarding the SLSA and my involvement in Second Life education and architecture.  Stay tuned for more!