Graphic Design Semester 1
Semester Reflection
What did I do this semester?
Name Typography:
For this project we had to demonstrate the use of typography to represent a specific personal trait or aspect. In this project we used adobe illustrator and indesign to create this project. I used https://www.dafont.com to find my fonts for this project. This took about 2 1/2 weeks of our time. The link to the project is below.
This project was my first for the semester so some challenges arose. This being the first project i'd done since summer break, I faced memory loss I should say of how to use the software. The second challenge was that this was my first projects an upper class-man, so expectations were a lot higher than the past year. the last challenge that encountered in this project was that I had to find personal traits or aspects about myself and manipulate a font to look like that trait. Luckily I have multiple parts of my personality, however it was difficult to get all 12. It is harder to make something especially when its based of of your own self. I had to break some barriers I had on myself and really think what my personality was. I didn't realize that there were so many aspects of a personality. I always thought there was only like three parts of a personality. Through this project, I found 12 traits about myself! In this project I learned that taking your time is always a major key! This project wasn't necessarily hard, but the process of cutting and mounting took the longest for me because I tried rushing the process at first. Once I took the time to cut, I began thinking to hard on it, so I messed up more than I needed to. So I learned that patience will get you further than perfection. The feedback I got about the project really helped to stop and think about what I was making. when making my name I tended to use certain letters to get that trait or spect across rather than using my entire name to show the fell of the trait. This wasn't necessarily the worst thing, however if I took away that letter away, you wouldn't have known what the trait was supposed to be. so this project took me abut 3 weeks so I could go back and fix those small mistakes, because as a graphic designer you want your work to be clearly interrupted. If it isn't, then you aren't doing your job correctly. This project was an overall learning process for me, especially because I was coming back from sophomore year which was lower in expectations.
Hand Typography:
For this project, our goal was to manipulate type and create a card of our choice. In this project I used adobe illustrator and photoshop. I used https://www.dafont.com to find my font for this project. we could have chose to use our own personal handwriting. This project took us about 3 1/2 weeks. The link for the project is below.
This project was a small struggle for me because I tend to become a perfectionist in projects like this. Which actually helped me in the end result. In this project every small detail you put into your type, it showed up on the computer. So every time you messed up that one small line, it just made your process on the computer longer. the second challenge I faced was when I started. At first I had one idea for a card I wanted to do. I kept trying with my own handwriting. I even tried drawing my own picture to go with the type. However my original idea was to detailed oriented. this made this project a constant struggle because I was working towards something that would eventually fail. luckily I saw hat I needed to simplify my original idea. this goes along with what I learned. I realized that most graphic designers often aren't to detailed with their work, and that is what makes it good. So I learned that sometimes being more simple will actually give you a better outcome. this was what my feedback was. I was told that I had to much going on with my card and that the picture originally over powered the actual type. so after doing some peer evaluating I soon fixed my issue, and the final project looked more like something I would buy from hallmark. I personally liked this project because it helped me be more comfortable with Hand typography. I wasn't to familiar with it before this project, so I really enjoyed aquatinting myself better with the process.
Company Branding:
For this project we were assigned two letters, a number, an animal, and a mineral. And with these items we were to create a brand or company. once we had brainstormed and come up with and idea, we were to execute and design a brand that would be pleasing to customers or clients. This project took about one month of our time.The link to this project is below.
The brainstorming process itself did not take long for me, however executing this I way that would please a client as the hardest part for me. I had decide wether my company was going to be more serious or playful. I had to determine this quickly because it was going to determine what everything else in the company looked like. Once I established that it was going to be more playful I was bale to continue the process for making my company. I learned how to utilize photoshop more. I typically only used it to edit something quickly, but I was able to use it more to make some tings that weren't originally in the best shape to make them look more realistic. The most feedback I got was that I needed to go back in illustrator and photoshop and manipulate some things a little bit more. I did change some things to make it go with the feel of the company more. I really enjoyed doing this project, however I was not pleased with the outcome. I wish I was able to spend a little more time mocking up the company and making it look more like a real company. I also wish I could've played more with the color scheme. the colors seemed a little more California rather than something that is based in Maine. I do think I put a lot of thought into the company, just not enough in executing it how I envisioned.
How did you use your time in class?
When I wasn't working on a class project I was working on outside work or projects for the school. I spent time going outside my comfort zone to make things that I saw others doing in previous years or what my peers were doing. some of the things I worked on are below.
These are few things I worked on in class and outside of class. They aren't finished yet but I plan to use more class time as well as my own time to finish these and present them to their intended effect. I work on theses projects as well as others when I have time left in class when I'm done with a project. If I am done with a project, I always go back to see if there is anything wrong or if I need to go back an chance something. I am never really done with a project because something can always be better! I often stay after school to better projects we've done in class or to work on things I've acquired outside of class. I am doing a lot better in this category than I did previous years. I tend to get distracted easily, so occupying myself with outside projects has kept me from doing this as much as I did last year.
Areas of Strength:
My biggest strength in this class is utilizing my peers as well as my technology to help through difficult situations. This year we've had to practice using our resources and being independent. So this year I have done a lot of work on my own and finding things for myself rather than relying on the teacher. I found it successful especially for my personality because I am a social person, so having to be independent has allowed me to focus more in class and get my work done efficiently.
Areas of Improvement:
Yes, I have practiced focusing more and getting my work done quicker. But I still have an issue with getting distracted. If I draw my attention away from something it is hard for me to focus back on that thing. so this year I have given myself more outside work to do so that if I do get bored from one thing, I have something new to do. I do believe this has helped me to get more done. There is more room more for me ti improve! this class is teaching me the control certain aspects of my personality.
Summary:
The one thing I loved the most this semester was definitely the company branding project, as well as getting to know some of my peers a little better. I have found that projects such as the branding project enable me to use my personal creativity and do whatever is in my mind. The second thing I loved was getting to know everyone in my class. One thing I will take with me for the rest of the school year that I learned this semester is that you should utilize your surroundings. I have learned through my peers many new things as well as things that I have done in recent projects. One goal I have for next semester is to push myself harder on projects. I feel that when I was given an opportunity to be done, I was done. I didn't stop and try to fix whatever I thought needed work. So for next semester I will put forth the effort and give my best!
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