Graphic Design - End of Semester Reflection 2017

This semester of graphic design, as a junior, has been one of my favorite experiences I have ever had in school. I enjoyed last year's class, but the projects and overall environment have been exactly what I had hoped for. I've done a few projects this semester; they are shown below.

Name Typography

the full post can be found here

Our first project was to utilize typography in expressing our personality traits. This seemed fairly easy until I started sketching. The idea that type, without graphics, could appear a certain way was something that I had to learn through this assignment.

This assignment emphasized that all design is a solution to a problem. In this case, the problem was the list of adjectives I had come up with, and the solution was to figure out how to express the words through type. I was proud of this assignment, because I managed to minimize the use of graphics, which I found that others had a hard time with. In the end, I felt as though some solutions were weaker than others, and I could have found a better font or way to manipulate the type. However, the ones that I spent the most time on turned out just as I had intended them to.

the full post can be found here

Greeting Card

Our next assignment was to create a greeting card using handwritten typography. This happens to be one of my favorite things about graphic design, so I enjoyed this task. It was a process, though, because I had never experienced sketching and re-sketching type before transferring it to the computer. It had to be drawn and refined, and then finally digitized.

Additionally, the feedback I was given was due to the font on the inside of the card not being handwritten to match. I had picked another sort of brush font, hoping it was close enough, but I knew it didn't work. Eventually, I used the sans serif that I had put on the front, and it looked much better. Overall, this project allowed me to use one of my favorite skills, and it helped me grow as a result.

the full post can be found here

Branding

This was by far the most in-depth assignment we did was our branding project. We began with almost nothing; just a few words. We took these and did research, creating names and symbols, until we had a brand. I also found that using Pinterest to create a collection of aesthetics was extremely helpful. I created Aureus, from the Latin word for gold. It is a high-fashion clothing company located on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

After the brand was created, we designed various products they would use, such as letterheads and business cards. Following that, we created the interior and exterior of the store. This was challenging for me, mainly because I had to create my own mockups from a regular image. The lesson here is that there isn't going to be a mockup for everything. It taught me some valuable Photoshop skills, which I can definitely use going forward.

Repertory Theatre Posters

This one wasn't an in-class assignment, but a project I took on as a member of ONW's Advanced Repertory Theatre class. Our rep shows are coming up in January, and we needed posters to advertise. The two shows, Student Body and Diary of Anne Frank, are vastly different, so I made a poster for each one.

Student Body was the easier poster to make, because the show itself is very minimalist, with almost no set pieces. It deals with the sexual assault of a young girl and the following events as the group of teens tries to figure out what they should do with the knowledge of it. I wanted to create a serious poster to reflect this, and it only took a day or two in class.

The Diary of Anne Frank was more challenging, in that it doesn't have an obvious symbol and it is more complex. When I did some research, the only pre-existing posters I could find were covered with Nazi symbolism. Obviously, I wanted to avoid this. Eventually, I decided on the image of holding hands, in order to emphasize the love and unity instead of the hatred. Overall, I'm proud of these posters, and they will be used around the school to advertise.

Time Management

During class, there are periods in which I don't have an assignment to work on. I use this time to expand my skills, particularly in weaker areas. Recently, I have been using my drawing tablet to animate, frame by frame, a clip of a music video I like. It has been challenging, because I've never been great at animation, but it's been a good side project to keep me busy.

Additionally, in order to avoid time without work to do, I often ask my friends if they need me to do anything for them. I created a portfolio cover for a creative writing class, and I'm continuing to work on my friend Olivia's cover for her upcoming EP. Some of this work has been done outside of class as well.

Outside of class, I mostly work on handwritten typography, because that's what I enjoy the most. I've been using watercolor, and eventually I hope to incorporate it into designs.

Strengths and Weaknesses

I am very passionate about graphic design. I intend to do it in the future, and I feel as though this passion is reflected in my work ethic. On the technical side, I can use Illustrator very well, and my Photoshop skills have improved. InDesign is still new to me, but that's only because we haven't used it much yet.

I could definitely improve on being bold and making choices in my designs. I tend to make small changes and continually ask if the client likes it, rather than taking initiative and making a bold decision. This is a problem I'm aware of, and I plan to work on it.

Summary

This semester has been a lovely experience and has opened me up to so many possibilities. Before this year, I hadn't really considered going to school to be a graphic designer, but now, I can't imagine anything else. I loved branding, and I still enjoy handwritten type. I wouldn't change anything, except maybe I would have brought my drawing tablet in sooner.

I've learned so much on the technical aspect of this year, from creating mockups to sending files to print properly (I learned that the hard way). I've also learned how great it is to be in an environment where everyone is doing the same thing, but in so many different creative directions. It's inspiring to be able to sit next to designers who create so differently than I do. Next semester, I'd like to be bolder in my designs and find more of a voice or a style, something that I can be identified by. I'd also like to take on more personal projects and client work, so I can expand my horizons even more. Overall, this has been an extremely valuable semester, and I can't even imagine not being in graphic design.