Second Semester Reflection

So, this year in graphic design is just about over. Now it's time to reflect over all of the works that I have created throughout the second semester of my Sophomore year. 

Milton Glaser Poster

We started off the seamster by continuing on with our graphic designer we chose. We made a poster that advertised a new exhibit for our artist. I wanted to incorporate the iconic Milton Glaser swirls and the iconic shuttlecock from the Nelson, so I combined the two into the image you see on the right. I really liked this project and how it turned out. It got me interested in simplicity and creativity, as well as color and font. We were only allotted a few days to work on this project, so I barely got it done on time. Our next project expanded upon font.

Typography

The typography project focused on bringing out the art in fonts because fonts are art in themselves. We found quotes that we liked and then studied font psychology to find the perfect font to fit our quote. After doing this, we explored color psychology. We also learned about color schemes and how they can transform a graphic. I enjoyed this project and how it turned out, especially after seeing the progression from peer feedback and revisions.  This project took the rest of third quarter because of the many different aspects. However, it was very hard for me because it was difficult to find fonts that fit my needs, and I felt like it could have been even better. 

Combination Mark Logos

Next, we had our company rebrand assignment that took up all of the fourth quarter. We started by sketching many combination mark logos. Next, we chose are favorite six and created them in Illustrator and then added multiple color schemes to them to find the best look. I liked all of my logos, but I could only choose one to continue the rebrand process. I went with the top right logo because I liked the color combination and the hidden image in the name. I liked creating all of these logo. However, it was very time consuming and took a lot of patience and rain storming. 

Letter head

A letter head is a piece of paper that someone can write a letter or note on. It has the logo and company information on it, as well as appealing graphics.  I wanted to include electricity because it is an electric company. I added geometric shapes in the corners diagonal to each other for visual interest and included the plug from the logo on the back. I am not too thrilled with how this turned out because I think it's boring and sloppy, but it works as a letter head.

Business Card

Business cards have the same contact information as a letter head. I wanted to continue the theme of the lightning and gray background. I also put the plug on the back just like i did on the letter head. In the lightning bolt, I put what the company does. I like the way my business card turned out, but I still think it has room for improvement.

Envelope

Unlike the other two creations, the envelope does not require the contact information because that is written in the empty space. I left space in the center of the envelope for this very reason, but I still included cool graphics, being the lightning bolts. I strayed away from the gray theme I had going on because I thought that the white would pop more. I made the back yellow and continued it over to the flap to make it cohesive and have the front be more visually appealing. I also have my logo at the bottom. I really like how the envelope turned out because it is balanced and eye catching.

Time Management

I always used my time efficiently during class. I didn't wan to get behind, and, of course, I was excited to create stuff in Graphic  Design, so I wasn't going to slack off. When I finished early, I completed extra credit in Adobe Illustrator. An example of which is one of my favorite quotes (to the right). Outside of class, I was constantly looking at posters, commercials, logos, etc... to evaluate the graphic design elements.

Strengths and weaknesses

As a graphic designer, I really evaluate the meaning of the assignment. I look into the different form of psychology: color, fonts, etc... and I evaluate a message. For example, in the rebrand project, I made the abbreviation of All Current Electric into a plug to represent their electric company. However, I need to work on making my work look more professional and  learning more areas of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. 

I had a lot of fun this semester, and I really expanded upon my graphic design abilities. I wouldn't change anything about how this semester went because it went so well. I learned a great deal about color, type, shapes, how to use different tools in illustrator, the process of design, and much more. I am not taking graphic design next year, but I did enjoy learning about everything in it.