My Coding Journey

Welcome to my blog I'm Kawsar and this is my journey from Designer to Full-stack Developer, enjoy! 

[designertodeveloper]

Pantone Colour of the Year 2021  

RGB 147 149 151

HEX 93 95 97

[mikelikesscience]

Computer Science Is A Lot!

In case you didn’t know, I went back to college for a Master’s in Computer Science. My original degree is Fine Arts. 

But before I can start the Master’s Program, I have to do a bunch of Math and Computer Science Undergrad courses. Calculus, Data Structures, Object Oriented Programming, and so on.

How hard could it be? I’ve made so many Science Raps and watched so many Education Channels–it should be a piece of Cake!

OMG. I was so wrong! Studying Computer Science is so difficult! For me it was not Cake. It was more like Brussels Sprouts.

And just like my experience with vegetables, the discipline for Computer Science is an acquired taste. I had to dedicate a lot of time to studying and doing homework. I got help from tutors, mentors, peers, and professors. I had to make a lot of mistakes in order to succeed.

Now I’m about ¾ of the way done with the Undergrad requirements. I’ll be starting the Master’s Program in the fall!

So if you were wondering what the context/inspiration for my latest video was–now you know!

[designertodeveloper]

The Art of Solving Problems Permanently

This video is very good he breaks down how you could live a Balance, Fulfilling Successful Sustainably Happy Life. Enjoy!

[designertodeveloper]

Learning Javascript:

Learning vinalla Javascipt in the beginning was exciting & fun however it turned into something challenging, some days was harder than others but I pushed through because I’m driven by my end goal and I was excited to learn React which is what I’m learning currently. Which is much more my style as I’m a visual learner and REACT is making the webpage more dynamic ...   Front-end/API (user-interface), which is my strong suit plus I’m a creative thinker so the amount of creative ideas I will learn is going to be so much fun. The light at the end of the dark javascript tunnel is FINALLY here. (Please note: This is all my Personal opinon/preferences: don’t be offended Lol).

Alhamdulillah this Dua helped me a lot, hopes it helps you. Enjoy!

Follow for more: https://designertodeveloper.tumblr.com/

[designertodeveloper]

I am that Girl.

You are that Girl.

TOGETHER we change the WORLD.

Credit: Inspiration behind this post this week was my Mentor :)

[designertodeveloper]

Islam + Design

A comparative study on Islam principles  with Japanese, German & Nordic design. [Read: https://medium.com/@aliahmed/islam-design-f2135fc345d7]

Personally I really love this image. Because, of its simplicity. 

And as a magnet it cycles from dawn to noon; 

And bustles come hither and tether themselves to the rope of the moons;

This Lunar Diety cycles in booms,

As crowds whoosh ‘round the magnet, cycling through.

// By Ali Ahmed

Dieter Rams is famed for his ten rules of good design 

1. Good design is innovative. 2. Good design makes a product useful. 3. Good design is aesthetic. 4. Good design makes a product understandable. 5. Good design is unobtrusive. 6. Good design is honest. 7. Good design is long-lasting. 8. Good design is thorough down to the last detail. 9. Good design is environmentally friendly. 10. Good design is as little design as possible.

// By Dieter Rams, BRAUN

Original Source: https://medium.com/@aliahmed/islam-design-f2135fc345d7 

[designertodeveloper]

Book Review

Book Title: The Art of Coding: The Language of Drawing, Graphics, and Animation

Author: Mohammad Majid al-Rifaie, Anna Ursyn, Theodor Wyeld

Publication Date: 2020

Pages: 291

Format: Paperback

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: I have been reading this book leisurely for the past 3 months now and I don’t think I can praise this book enough. It’s my new all-time favourite. I would definitely recommend it if your a student of the arts or your a creative person who is learning how to code. This book explores the concepts of drawing, graphics and animation in the context of coding. It really shows you how your imagination & creativity can be conveyed into your code projects.  which I find  so fascinating and cool. Another aspect I really enjoyed about this “Art of Coding” book is how it includes art, poetry, and other forms of writing while pondering difficult concepts in programming it looks at how we use our senses in the process of learning computing and programming.

Its a book I will always refer back to, I’ll keep it for a long time. Lastly, I’d personally like to Thank all the authors for writing this amazing, creative book for students like myself.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Coding-Language-Graphics-Animation/dp/1138629642

[designertodeveloper]

Muslim Women in Tech

I attended this online event yesterday of many Successful women in tech. It was sold out. I benefited so much from each talk that the speakers did. One constant thing about technology is thats its always changing, and having the ability to adjust to situations & conditions with a positive mindset is good to have. 

When learning a new skills set (Eg; Coding) Imposter Syndrome may come through a bit, a way to deal with that is:

1. Build upon your Strengths

2. Learn to love Feedback & Criticism 

3. Stop Fearing Failure

4. Align your Work with your Values

5. Be aware of “Glue Work”

6. Have Courage

7. Stay Curious

Muslamic Makers Website - https://muslamicmakers.com

[designertodeveloper]

This week I have been getting more familiar with Git & Github and I’ve really enjoyed finding out the large scope Github can offer for developers like myself. for instance something new I learned is “Gists”  which are these smaller repo’s but mostly for shorter code the way it set up is kind of like word document. My first gist post was my Open Processing sketch code and in the comments of that I posted a image of the creative coding it was 25 lines of code but you get the general gist of the work ... get it “gists” 😂I plan to post more in there like poems etc ...the possibilities are endless. Back on topic, here are a few Git terminal terms I learned along the way these past weeks.  Early on I’ve noticed a pattern when learning about Git so I designed & created this infographic to make other beginners benefit while on their program/code journey. 

Follow for more: https://designertodeveloper.tumblr.com/

Bonus:  Here is a Cheatsheet to Git https://education.github.com/git-cheat-sheet-education.pdf Enjoy 😁

[designertodeveloper]

Be a Leader, not a Boss!

Leadership in 2021 is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence. 

I watched the Anna Wintour Creativity & Leadership Masterclass across three weeks to complete and overall it was amazing & beneficial. I learnt a lot through her Masterclass one quote that stuck with me was “Watch the world, study shifts in culture, and listen so you can make choices that speak to what is happening in a wider context. That, to me, is what a leader does.” I agree with that we are living in uncertain times and the only certainly is this present moment.. prioritising what you do with your time is the difference from a to z (you know). 

After completing Anna’s masterclass I became the team leader to my group and lead them to present. We prepared  and a few days later presented without any technical issues and it went smoothly we worked well together as a team. I say this because I don’t think I would have stepped forward without watching Anna Wintour Masterclass so I’m grateful I had this opportunity and I took the initiative. Also I read the Vogue magazine and I see it in a new light now. 

(My first time Leading I learnt so much...See Below)

What I learnt from being a Leader was;

-  Patience! (patience to listen to other people perspectives/Ideas etc)

-  Ask Leading Questions (don’t ask yes/no questions, don’t say ‘why’ try to go around the main question)

- Listening skills (builds soft skills)

- Compassion/have empathy for team members (Working with people with a  lot of feelings & emotions just be aware of that too, as that can affect their workflow)

- Be prepared for all of your plans to be ignored ;)

- Don’t take anything personal, its just business.

- If there is a problem/issue with the team’s work the team leader takes responsible for team faults. And if there is a good results then the team did a good job & its a team achievement. That makes a good Leader.

[Source: www.masterclass.com]

[designertodeveloper]

Creative Coding: Code graphics

My first Sketch on Open Processing inspired by the beach Link below

https://openprocessing.org/sketch/1093426

[designertodeveloper]

BD #1

Did you go about your work believing that if you work hard you will be rewarded? With a new or better job or a promotion/ more money and recognition?

Gargi Sharma speaks on society as a meritocracy and the myth of meritocracy. Yes I did expect it, but I feel like managers have not known of my past experience and hobbies awards that I have achieved and won because I have not come upfront and boosted/brag about them. So in a way I didn’t get that raise or job promotion because they just saw me as just a regular employee. 

Has your expectation been met?   

After watching this video It has proven to me that I have to be more forward and brag about my work and achievements because I have worked hard to get where I am! My expectations have not been met because I have high standards. 

How can you start to make your work visible? 

I have made a coding journey Blog 

https://designertodeveloper.tumblr.com

My Blog documents my highs and lows of me learning how to code. Coming from a Graphic Design background to becoming a Developer. I’m proud I have made this and its one thing to look back on when I’m done. 

I was learning so much each week and I wanted one place to put all that information to digitally log my journey. So I created a Tumblr study blog to document my coding journey. I realised being real with my audience though my posts is much more rewarding though my real own images & commentary also more positivity posts do well. If I can help other women get into tech though my Designer to Developer blog then that is a bonus :)

I’m proud I took initiative to lead my team this week. I saw an opportunity and went for it. Being able to listen to everyone and delegate roles & tasks, and motivate my team members made me happy.

*Post your achievements on LinkedIn*

I was extremely happy when I was told I have passed the fundamentals stage and got through to the Full Stack Web Dev course.  I found some websites challenging however overcoming that barrier to get where I am now is very sweet. 

Additional Information: 

Programming:

In a world that's uncertain I made a list of things I CAN control this helps me stay on track of my tasks & goals:

What I Can Control; 

Improve on my skills; e.g. currently I’m learning Javascript as a visual learner - I am always looking to learn it in a visually stimulating way.

How I spend my time: e.g. Scheduling, planner, timetable etc

Who I surround myself with: If I want to be a software developer I need to attend Tech (online) events, network (LinkedIn) Listen to tech podcasts, be up-to-date with the current tech 2021 trends. 

Wellness eg; Health & wellness - your body is a Top priority especially in this current climate of Coronavirus. 

Self-development eg: reading books in my spare time to improve myself.

Source Video: https://yougotthis.io/talks/so-good-they-cant-ignore-you/

[designertodeveloper]

A Day in the Life of a Trainee Software Developer  

Short Flip Book Animation 

directed by: Kawsar Ahmed edited by: Kawsar Ahmed Art by: Kawsar Ahmed  Movie maker skills: Kawsar Ahmed  total budget: £0 + dash of my creativity.

[designertodeveloper]

Lessons I learnt from this week:

1. I can do a lot when I set my mind to.

2. My time-management has improved immensely. I value my time so much because its so precious and its a valuable commodity.  Hence this week I bought a 2021 year planner to assist with scheduling my work.

3. I’m disciplined and my work ethic has strengthened more.

4. Taking short regular breaks during long hours of studying its good for you. 

5. Sleep. Staying up being a Zombie won’t help, so listen to your body and get that beauty sleep.

6. Writing notes, revise.

7. Read booking, listening to Podcasts on this subject helped get a different perspective. 

8.  When I get stuck I simply asked questions. Just ask

9.  Persistence:  I had 7 Zoom meetings across this week, being persistent and focussing on studying while having a busy week - I can’t believe I made it.

10. Last but not least be compassionate with yourself. 

Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmXYK9TC6SQ

https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizabethharris/2017/08/30/study-shows-time-is-the-most-valuable-commodity-so-heres-a-smart-way-to-value-time/

[designertodeveloper]

Stressed + Art

Hi everyone,

Today has been one of those days where the work takes over the person. So much so that I feel stressed about deadlines and I have such a high standards for my code I just want it to be perfect that I just think about it and procrastinate for hours... next thing you know its 3 hours gone by of me ‘thinking’ & worrying what to do but not doing the work. Like nike says JUST DO IT!

Practice and take action - Procrastination is the enemy of success. What I did was draw because when I’m feeling stressed and unsure I go to Art its my happy place :)

In the process of me sketching my Charcoal drawing I took a photo, I want to show the ups & downs of my coding journey so please follow my blog. Personally I’ve learned that I am more productive in programming in the evenings. The pro is it is quieter so I am able to concentrate more on the task at hand.  However the con is I have a short window before I rest so cramping all of the work in the evenings is difficult without a detail schedule. 

Now my plan is to do an Evening Study Schedule for this week. Similar to what I did during the holidays (Study week) but this will be targeted in the Evenings. 

[designertodeveloper]

JavaScript: Objects

This week I’m learning about Objects in JavaScript. In this gif that I created you can see javascript have properties & things they can do (methods)

Objects can contain many values.

The this keyword refers to the object it belongs to.

Follow my blog to keep updated https://designertodeveloper.tumblr.com/

I was watching this YouTube video the other day and he explained it very clearly so I wanted to share it here if you want to learn more on this topic the link is below:

YouTube: Modern JavaScript Tutorial #5 - Objects

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0ipw1k7ygU

[designertodeveloper]

The Importance of Soft Skills

Savoir-vivre: is French word meaning knowing how to live. 

Soft Skills is very important to have recruiters are increasingly interested in Soft Skills personally I would argue Soft Skills are more important than Hard Skills as they can transfer to all aspects of your life and if you lack experience and have great soft skills an employer will most likely prefer you over another more qualified. 

A soft skill expert will secure their position more easily and will maintain a good relationship with his company over time. 

Communication 

Adaptability

Humility

Initiative

Teamwork

Emotional Intelligence

Value your personal soft skills and if you lack a certain skill then practice and  nurture that soft skill. Your technical skills will get you the job but your soft skills is what will make you last over time in that job. You will always be able to acquire more and more technique, however, it will be difficult to change the person you are and it is what will differentiate you from others. Take the time to identifies these skills and learn how to highlight them.