Technology
One of the most valuable takeaways
that I’ve learned while in Graphic Design is technology. When I first came into
the Graphic Design strand my sophomore year I had never even used an Apple
computer. I had no idea how to use anything and had to ask my friend how to do
the simplest of things like getting onto the internet and moving around
folders. But by the end of my sophomore year, through practice and usage I got
the hang of just using the computer.
I also learned how to use industry
programs, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, mostly through just using the
programs over and over. I learned the basics of Photoshop first, learning
mainly from online tutorials, and spent little time in Illustrator. So for a
while I wanted to do every thing in Photoshop and almost hated Illustrator. But
after continuous use of Illustrator in my junior and senior year Illustrator
has become my favorite program to use! At the moment I’m still a bit iffy in
InDesign, but I’ve defiantly learned a lot more about it this year. The last
project I did this year, our non-for-profit brochures, really helped me get
more comfortable with InDesign. Working with grids, columns, and just how to
work with the different tools was a great learning experience for me. I’ll try
to use it more in the future, but my go to program is still Illustrator.
This skill I’ve acquired over the
past three years is truly important to me, because I would never be where I am
today without learning how to use the programs of the Graphic Design industry!
My knowledge of the programs has helped me in every project I’ve done.
Collaboration
Another valuable takeaway I’ve learned is
collaboration. I’ve learned this through projects I’ve done in groups like our
Homecoming project. This was where we chose a partner to create a poster,
tickets and infographic for my schools homecoming. My and my friend Katie split
up the work between us, she doing the poster and tickets and me the
infographic. While doing this project we had to collaborate and make sure the
designs we were making fit together and felt like they belonged together.
This aspect
is important because there will always be projects where I have to collaborate
with 1 or more people and learning how to work with different types of people
is defiantly a needed skill.
Leadership
Leadership is another great takeaway that will
follow me through out my Graphic Design career. While I am not the type to automatically
take on a leadership role, I only do when no one else will, I have learned its
importance. Someone has to take charge whether it’s a group of two or a group
of 20.
Communication
Communication is also really important, but
something I’ve struggled with. When I started in this program I barley asked
any one for feedback. As I progressed I started getting more comfortable and
feeling better about the work I was putting out. So I started asking for
feedback more, but only from my friends/Katie. I know I need to communicate
with more people and that is one of my main goals as I go on to college and
beyond.
This aspect is important because I
not only need to communicate with the people and peers around me, but also in
my designs.
Project Management
From the start I have developed more and more
project management skills. I know I’ve struggled with this some, especially in
my homecoming project, but I think I’ve gotten better about managing my time. I
learned how to manage my time by juggling multiple projects at the same time, class
projects and client work.
This
takeaway is really important because every project I do will have deadlines and
it’s important to be able to get them done on time. As well as allowing your
self time to get your designs in a good spot for the deadline.
Strengths/Weakness
I think the
greatest strength I have gained this year is to push myself or determination. I
knew that I didn’t do any outside of class projects my junior year, besides
e-magine, so this year I tried to take on as many projects as I could. This resulted
in a decent amount of time spent after school and in seminar working on
projects like my real estate business card and the Christmas slides I did for
my church, which I loved to do. One of my greatest weaknesses is communication.
I really need to get out of my little bubble of people to ask fro feedback and
get more opinions and views of my work.
Future
After I graduate from high school and the Graphic
Design strand I will be attending The University of Kansas and major in Graphic
Design. And I plan on taking everything I’ve learned in this program with me. I
plan on using everything I’ve learned about technology, collaboration,
communication, project management, and leadership and apply it in every project
I do to become the best Graphic Designer I can be.
Change
In all
honesty I don’t think I would change a thing. The mistakes I’ve made have made
me who I am to day and I’ve learned from them. Without blunders and slip-ups I
don’t think I would have learned as much as I have. Mistakes and regrets are going to happen
whether I like it or not, so I might as well learn from them. Like how to get a
project done on time and use the time I’m given wisely. One of the reasons errors
are there is to learn from them.
Conclusion
From all my time in e-Comm I really cherish the
relationships I’ve made. My friendship with my future roommate Katie, getting
to be taught be a wonderful teacher, and getting to communicate with other
Graphic Designers like Laura Berglund and Tyler Galloway. Whenever I start a
project I never think about how long it will take. When I started to log my
hours for endorsement I realized how long one project could take. I could spend
15-20 hours making a logo and business card. It all adds up: sketches,
concepts, final concepts, revisions and final tweaks. All of this has been a
blast and I will defiantly remember my time here fondly.
