-Please check out the links below for frequently asked questions (FAQ) or issues related to the SDA website.
-If you need additional help, please don't hesitate to contact webcomments [at] surfacedesign [dot] org
-Suggestions for other help topics are welcomed
-OUR APOLOGIES SOME AREAS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WILL BE UPDATED SHORTLY!
1. How do I log into the website?
2. How do I update my password?
3. What if I can't remember my password?
4. Why can't I save my password?
5. What if I can't remember my username!
6. Why doesn't my member number work when I try to log into SDA website?
7. How do I update my email address?
8. How do I update my mailing address and other contact information?
9. How do I upload my headshot to the SDA Member Directory?
10. How do I add an email link to my profile?
11. How do I upload my artwork to the SDA Image Library?
12. How do I update my images in the SDA Image Library?
13. How do I select more than one technique, materials, etc. for an artwork?
14. What size and format should my images be in?
15. How do I renew my SDA membership?
16. How do I upgrade my Profile page?
17. How can I purchase copies of the Surface Design Journal and/or DVDs?
18. Do I need a Paypal account to pay online?
19. I stopped getting monthly eNews emails. How can I get back on that list?
20. Affiliate Members - how do I renew my institution's SDA affiliate membership?
21. Affiliate Members - how do my patrons access the Institutions Members Only Area to see archived issue(s) of the eNews and Journal?
22. Affiliate Members - how do I get a new password to the Institutional Members-Only area?
23. What is the difference between an Affilate Membership and an Advanced Affiliate Membership?
1. How do I log into the website?
There is a quick link at the very top right corner of every webpage on SDA website. Click on "Log In" to go to login page.
Not finding it? If you see your name instead of "Log In" link then you are already logged into the SDA Website. Click on your name to go to your Profile page. On this page will be links where you can update your profile or account.
Still not finding it? Click here to go directly to the Log In webpage.
2. How do I update my password?
You must be logged into SDA website (See Question 1 above for steps to log in. After logging in to the site you should arrive on your Profile page. If you aren't sure you are on your profile page, click on your name (link in the top right corner of every page of SDA website.)
On your profile page you should see several links just above the green swatch with your name on it. Click on "Edit Profile Info & Headshot".
Go to your Account page. HINT: the link will be in black. If it's greyed out (see example below) click on it to go to that area.
Enter your new password and press "Save" (at the bottom of the webpage.)
PLEASE NOTE! Changes in passwords need no approval from SDA and are instantly updated. However your password is encrypted in the system and will never be displayed in the password field. That field will always appear blank. For more information on the requirements of passwords read Question 4 below.
3. What if I can't remember my password?
It's easy to get a new password on SDA website. Go to the log in page. (Please see Question 1 above for more information on logging into the site.) Just below the area where you enter your email address and password is a link that will take you to the Request new password page.
Enter your email address and press "E-mail new password".
An email will be sent to that address with a link that will take you directly to your SDA Account page where you can enter and confirm a new password. You can also access other areas of your profile.
PLEASE NOTE! This link is time sensitive! It expires in 24 hours. But, don't worry - if you forget to use it you can go back through the steps again.
4. Why can't I save my password?
Passwords used on SDA Website are encrypted using the most current Web standards. This is to ensure that your personal information is safe and protected. Because of these requirements, the site will "suggest" that you create more complex (and secure) passwords when you are creating or updating your own.
As you begin typing you will see suggestions appear in color indicating the strength of your chosen password:
PLEASE NOTE! This security feature is meant to protect our members - not frustrate them! The basic requirement for passwords is 4 characters. The additional suggestions are only that - suggestions.
5. What if I can't remember my username!
With the new website launch in March 2011, SDA began using email addresses for usernames on the website. HERE'S A TIP: if you are a current member and have been receiving SDA eNews via email each month email address is your username.
PLEASE NOTE! If you are unsure of the email you provided when you joined SDA, please contact administration [at] surfacedesign [dot] org.
6. Why doesn't my member number work when I try to log into SDA website?
With the new website launch in March 2011, SDA began using email addresses for usernames on their website. See Question 5. above for more details.
PLEASE NOTE! Institutional MEMBERS will continue to use their member number to log into the Institutional Members Only Area.
7. How do I update my email address?
You must be logged into SDA website (See Question 1 above for steps to log in.) After logging in to the site you should arrive on your profile page. There are a series of small links just above the green swatch with your name on it. Click on "Edit Profile Info & Headshot".
Go to your Account page. HINT: the link will be in black. If it's greyed out (see example below) click on it.
Enter your new email address.
Don't forget to press "Save" at the bottom of the screen!
PLEASE NOTE! Your email address (and other contact information) is not visible to the public. Changes in email addresses need no approval from SDA and are instantly updated once you press "Save".
8. How do I update my mailing address and other contact information?
You must be logged into SDA website (See Question 1 above for steps to log in.) After logging in to the site you should arrive on your Profile page. There are a series of small links just above the green swatch with your name on it. Click on "Edit Profile Info & Headshot".
Go to your Profile page. HINT: the link will be in black. If "Profile" is greyed out (see example below) click on it to get to the Profile area.
After you update your mailing address, phone #, etc. press "Save" at the bottom of the screen.
PLEASE NOTE! Your mailing address (and other contact information) is not visible to the public. SDA has a policy of approving all content submitted to the site (with the exception of email addresses and passwords which go into effective the moment you press "Save"). Your edits to your Profile page will be approved within 24 hours of submission.
9. How do I upload my headshot to the SDA Member Directory?
You must be logged into SDA website (See Question 1 above for steps to log in.) After logging in to the site you should arrive on your Profile page. There are a series of small links just above the green swatch with your name on it. Click on "Edit Profile Info & Headshot".
Go to your Profile page. HINT: the link will be in black if you are on the right page. If "Profile" is greyed out (see example below) click on it to get to the Profile area.
Scroll down to "Profile Image" and press "Choose File".
Locate the file on your computer.
Click on the file to select it and press "Open".
Next step press is to press "Upload"
If upload process was successful, you should now see a thumbnail of your image!
Don't forget to press "Save" at the bottom of the page.
Please Note!!! SDA has a policy of approving all content submitted to their site (with the exception of email addresses and passwords, which go into effective the moment you press "Save"). Your edits to your Profile page will be approved within 24 hours of submission. In the meantime, that area of your page will remain blank until your content is approved.
10. How do I add an email link to my profile?
You must be logged into SDA website (See Question 1 above for steps to log in.) After logging in to the site you should arrive on your Profile page. There are a series of small links just above the green swatch with your name on it. Click on "Edit Profile Info & Headshot".
Go to your Profile page. HINT: the link will be in black if you are on the right page. If "Profile" is greyed out (see example below) click on it to get to the Profile area.
Scroll down to "Links".
Under "Title", add some words that will serve as the link on your profile page. Under "URL", type in "mailto:" followed by your email address. Be sure to include the whole address.
Don't forget to press "Save" at the bottom of the page.
PLEASE NOTE! SDA has a policy of approving all content submitted to their site (with the exception of email addresses and passwords - which go into effective the moment you press "Save"). Your edits to your Profile page will be approved within 24 hours of submission. In the meantime, that area of your page will remain blank until your content is approved.
11. How do I upload my artwork to the SDA Image Library?
You must be logged into SDA website (See Question 1 above for steps to log in.) After logging in to the site you should arrive on your Profile page. There are a series of small links just above the green swatch with your name on it. Click on "Add Image".
This will take you to the Create Image page.
Add the title of your artwork.
Scroll down and click on "Browse" to select an image file from your computer to include:
Locate the file, click on it to select it, and press "Open".
Next, add the year the work was made (this is optional):
PLEASE NOTE! Many fields have "Tool Tips" that will pop up to suggest formatting!
Add "Materials", "Techniques" and "Category" that are associated with your artwork. See Question 13 on selecting more than one item per list.
Don't forget to press "Save" when you are done entering all your information.
After saving your artwork page, you should see a similar message:
PLEASE NOTE! SDA has a policy of approving all content submitted to their site (with the exception of email addresses and passwords which go into effective the moment you press "Save"). Your artwork will be approved within 24 hours of submission (it is pending publication). In the meantime, that area of your Profile page will remain blank until your content is approved. Once it is approved a thumbnail of your artwork (with link) will be visible on your Profile page and your artwork will automatically be added to the Image Library.
12. How do I update my images in the SDA Image Library?
You must be logged into SDA website (See Question 1 above for steps to log in.) After logging in to the site you should arrive on your Profile page. Click on the artwork (thumbnail) that you want to edit.
This will take you to that artwork's page. Just above the green swatch with your name on it is the link "Edit". Click on it.
On this page you can edit existing information, add missing information, etc.
Make your revisions and press "Save".
PLEASE NOTE! SDA has a policy of approving all content submitted to their site (with the exception of email addresses and passwords which go into effective the moment you press "Save".) Your revisions will be approved within 24 hours of submission (it is pending publication). In the meantime, you will not see any of your revisions until your content is approved.
MORE ABOUT IMAGES! Please see Question 14 for more information on preparing your images for online viewing.
13. How do I select more than one technique, materials, etc. for an artwork?
-On a Mac you select the first item then press and hold down "Command" key on your keyboard and click on more to make multiple selections from each list
-On a PC you select the first item then press and hold down "Ctrl" key on your keyboard and click on more to make multiple selections from each list
14. What size and format should my images be in?
One of the great features about the SDA Website is that it can automatically size your images for use on various parts of the website. That being said, there are also some limitations to the system, so we have some standard guidelines below.
Standard guidelines for images:
The SDA Website can accept a variety of image file formats including: png, gif, jpg, jpeg. It is unable to take pdfs, tifs, or psds.
To make the best use of space the width of your artwork imagery should be no less that 610 pixels across, the height will adjust accordingly on the page. Here's an example of how it works:
The resolution of your image(s) should be at 72 pixels per inch
To make the best use of space the size of your headshot should be 150 x 150 pixels
To make the best use of space the size of your calendar imagery should be no less than 600 pixels across, the height will adjust accordingly on the page (see example above).
PLEASE NOTE! In the case of headshots and calendar imagery, if your image is smaller than the suggest size above, they will automatically be resized to fit the page and will become distorted and pixilated.
15. How do I renew my SDA membership?
We are sorry - but this area is currently under construction!
16. How do I upgrade my Profile page?
We are sorry - but this area is currently under construction!
17. How do I order copies of the Surface Design Journal and/or DVDs?
Copies of the journal and educational DVDs can be ordered in the Marketplace.
18. Do I need a Paypal Account to pay online?
We are sorry - but this area is currently under construction!
19. I stopped getting monthly eNews emails. How can I get back on that list?
SDA uses Constant Contact (an email service provider) to send group emailings to members. We are working on a way to make Constant Contact communicate with SDA website so you can opt in or out of SDA emails through your account. In the meantime, you will need to go to Constant Contact's website to subscribe (or unsubscribe) to SDA emails.
There are a couple of ways that you can do this:
Use this link:
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001QOqrPM3hRDN_6cd1AYSIDw==
OR
If you have an older copy of the eNews, try opening it and scroll to the very bottom - where you will find links to "Update Your Profile" (this refers to your Constant Contact email address - not your SDA profile.)
20. Affiliate Members - how do I renew my institution's SDA Affiliate membership?
We are sorry - but this area is current under construction!
21. Affiliate Members - how do my patrons access the Institutions Members Only Area to see archived issue(s) of the eNews and Journal?
There is a quick link at the very top, right corner of every webpage on the SDA website. Click on "Log In" to go to the login page.
NOT FINDING IT? Click here to go directly to the Log In webpage. The log in for the Institutional Members-Only area is on the right hand of the page.
You should have received an email from SDA with your member number and password for the Institutional Members-Only area once your order was processed. Your patrons should use this information to access this area.
See Question 22 if you cannot access this area.
22. Affiliate Members - how do I get a new password to the Institutional Members-Only Area?
Passwords for this area can only be changed by SDA staff. Please contact webcomments [at] surfacedesign [dot] org with your request. Please confirm your member number in the body of the email.
23. What is the difference between an Affiliate Membership and an Advanced Affiliate Membership?
Click here to compare the benefits.
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