What I did this semester?
Over the semester I have picked up a lot of new information about graphic design. I have learned how to communicate with the public using posters, how to use type and shapes to make unique art- boards, and I also learned how to rebrand a company.
11x17 Poster
The first project this semester was to create a poster to advertise an upcoming event to the public. we were given certain information to work with and we had to incorporate a certain artist or movement into our poster. I had the movement modernism. I wanted to use the three primary colors (blue, yellow, and red) in my poster as wells as simple shapes and lines. I also used white all lowercase type to make it have contrast against the bold bright primary colors. This project took about a week to complete. I had a hard time including my movement into a poster without it looking terrible. I wasn't sure how I could add interest to such a simplistic design style. I learned that by moving shapes around and tilting type it could add some visual interest to the poster. I was told to fix the spacing in the top square to add some breathing room. I fixed the spacing of the type to allow more space for the type to breath and that made the poster a lot stronger. Overall I somewhat enjoyed making a poster based on a movement from the past, however, I feel that I would enjoy making different types a posters.Typography Project
The next project that I completed in this class was my typography posters. For this project we were told to go on the internet and find 4 quotes that had significance to us and make unique posters for them. This project took the rest of third quarter. I had some difficulties getting the spacing right and making sure I didn't leave anything with to much negative space. I also had problems with adding too much to a posters and making it look cluttered and unorganized.throughout this project I learned a lot about how important balance is when creating graphics. I got a lot better in the end and I feel as if I created quality posters with good balance. One piece of feedback was to change the stop sign to the red/peach color, however, when I did this in Adobe Illustrator I preferred it the wait was with the blue instead. I really enjoyed this project because we really got to be creative on our own and we had little to no rules or restrictions on what we could or couldn't do for our posters.
Combination Mark Logo
The next project was by far my favorite project in graphic design so far. For this 4th quarter project we were asked to find a small and local business that needed some (or a lot) revamping to there logo. I chose a small Kansas City business that sells soap. The Kansas City Soap Company did not really have a logo to begin with so in my case they needed a lot of work. I basically had to start from scratch and for my way up. I wanted to bring a fun spin on the owners' old fashioned roots. I also wanted to introduce bubbles in a different and modern way. I incorporated bubbles into all of my design. I first sketched roughly 30 symbols and word marks. After this was done I took my designs into Adobe Illustrator and then I selected my favorite one. I had a difficult time using bubbles in my designs without making them look unprofessional and childish. I ended up choosing a logo that had one bubble as the symbol. I presented my logos to my class and a lot of people loved the use of the bubbles soI didn't really change a whole lot on this combination mark in particular. Overall I enjoyed making logos for a company because it really showed me what it would be like if I were to pursue branding as a career.
Business Card
After I chose a logo I wanted to further the branding of the company by making some business products that they could use. I started off by making a business card for the company. I again wanted to implement bubbles into the design as well as the logo. The challenging part for me was trying to find space to fit everything necessary for a business card in such a small card. I eventually got everything to fit and made it look good. Not a lot of people said anything about my business card other than add a zip code. After I added the zip code I went on to create a letterhead.
Letterhead
The next thing I knew I needed to create was a letter head. I integrated bubbles into the design and continued to use the bright blue. I had some trouble finding balance within the front of the letterhead. I fixed the spacing problem by adding a line to divide the information from the writing part of the letterhead. I was told to space the bubbles to to the end of the letterhead and this made it look a lot better.
Envelope
For the envelope I decided to take a different approach by decorating underneath the flap rather than on the flap itself. I also added the wave of bubbles from the other products to the other side of the envelope along with the logo and information on the business cards. I also left enough room for the person to write who the letter is going to and a place the stamp. No one said anything that I needed to adjust on the envelope so I did not change anything about the envelope during revisions. Overall rebranding a company was my favorite project this year. I really enjoyed revamping a logo and using my own unique style to help improve the business. I have fell in love with rebranding.
How did I use my time in class?
I feel that I used my time in class really well. I have gotten things turned in with good quality and on time. If I ever got done early I would use my graphic design skills to create other designs. I would also look at my assignment and add improvements if necessary. Being in graphic design has made being out in public a lot different. Although I do not have any Adobe software at home I am constantly looking at products in stores and looking at the packaging and creating new ideas for branding in my head.
My Strengths
I feel my strengths as a graphic designer are that I am focused and I am good at project management. I know when to be on task and to not talk. I will answer questions when people ask me them but other than that I am looking at my computer and working on the assigned project. I am also good at project management because I get things turned in on time.
My Weaknesses
I would say that my weaknesses are leadership and communication. I think that I would want to improve my presenting skills.I have never been the best at presenting so I would want to practice that and make myself more confident in my work. I also want to be more of a leader in my classes. I want to be approachable and people feel that they can ask me questions and that people can count on me.
Overall
Over this semester I enjoyed learning more about graphic design as a whole. I think after this semester that I enjoy graphic design a lot more than I did at the beginning of the year. If I would change one thing it would be to make more things outside of school. I have learned that I should be more confident in my work. Next year I hope that I will be a better presenter than I was this year. I really enjoy graphic design and I am looking forward to using the skills I learned this year to elevate future projects in e-Comm.