Semester Reflection

      Over the course of the semester we were given a total of six projects. We started with name typography where we had to pick 12 aspects of ourselves and create typography with our names. Then, we each designed a poster, flyer, and tickets for homecoming. After that we got into groups and designed t-shirts, the group I was in desired t-shirts for Junior Committee. Then, we did another typography project in which we were given the quote "Every great design begins with an even better story." and had to come up with a completely typography image that went across three pages. Next, we did a branding project where we got a random number, animal, mineral, and two letters. With those we had to create a company and brand it, giving it a logo, letterhead, envelope, business card, app, product, storefront, and billboard. Finally, we were given the task of branding ourselves, which we're still working on. All the projects that are finished are all posted on my Behance https://www.behance.net/AnnikaMessmer

      While working on these projects I came across some issues. I started off well, but once I got to matting I realized I wasn't the best at project management. When I was matting my homecoming poster stuff I got behind and didn't finish in time. Along with that my matting job didn't come out as well as I would have liked. I also came along another bump when I accidentally didn't print my billboard and full logo for my branding project. I know I have to get better at managing my projects and feel kind of disappointed in myself for not doing as well. But I have gotten a little bit better at that over the semester.

      Some elements that worked for me during these projects were thumbnail sketches, group reviews,  and . I found thumbnail sketches, which were a new thing to me, very helpful and fun to do. I got to explore a concept and see what I could come up with. I liked that they were fairly small so I could put more of them down one a page and compare and contrast them. I also think that group reviews are extremely beneficial. It is very helpful to have people to bounce ideas off of and get feedback from. It also helps to have a pair of fresh eyes to look at your work. Like when I was doing the branding project one of my main colors was a red, which I didn't really like that much, and someone suggested to change it to black and it looked so much better. However, like i said before, I had a bit of trouble matting and planning. I didn't really plan how I was going to lay out the pieces on my matt board for the branding project until they had already printed. I also didn't really plan the sizes of each piece and my envelope ended up being a little big. And those are some things I wish I did plan for.

      This semester have I learned quite a bit. I learned about the Gestalt Principles as well as some nice graphic design tips. I learned more about printing, matting, and the software in Illustrator. And I learned more about soft skills like communication, and time/project management. The Gestalt Principles are similarity, continuation, closure, proximity, and figure and ground. These are they principles that make up a good design. I did another blog post about them if you want to check it out http://4nniik4.blogspot.com/2015/12/gestalt-principles.html. I also learned that you should never put red on black. Before this class I had never matted and didn't know much about printing. But I learned how to space pieces on a matt board and how certain thing get printed and 1 color, 2 color, 3 color, and 4 color printing. I also learned more about Illustrator. Before I didn't know much, wasn't very good at it and preferred Photoshop. This year I feel I've grown a lot in my Illustrator skills and now I prefer it over Photoshop. But I think some of the most important skills, one which I am still learning about and hope to get better at, are the soft skills. I am learning the growing importance of communication. Communicating to classmates, teachers, and communicating through design. This has been something I have struggled with because until I get to really know someone I am a shy person. But i hope I get better at communicating in the future. I also hope I get better at project management, a skill i am still leaning. So overall I hope to improve in every aspect of graphic design, but more specifically project management and communication.