What to blog?

At the beginning of the quarter I was glad my professor gave us topics to blog about because sometimes it is hard for me to choose a topic especially about design. There is so many topics in the design field, some which I don't really feel I know that much about, yet I am not really motivated to learn, I know graphic designers work with logos, and some work with advertisments, but I know there is more things out there that graphics designers work on. I feel I need to learn more of the shortcuts. Aside from graphics, this quarter I took painting and I really enjoyed the class, it relaxed me. I would really like to do both once I graduate. I just need to figure out what I really enjoy to do, stick to it and keep learning more and more.

Class

I am so glad yet uneasy about finishing the quarter. The time goes by so fast that I really didn't have enough time to redo some assignments I felt I could have done a little bit better. Plus my blogging. The truth is I am on the computer for so long trying to make changes to my work, hoping that I've improve it in some way and it meets my professors standards, that taking just a couple of more minutes to write a blog is the last thing on my mind. I am really looking forward to giving my eyes a break from the screen, however I am glad that I learned a lot of new things from my class and I have nice works of design to go into my portfolio, that plus even though I did not redo my assignments for class I could still redo them for my portfolio.

Magazine Spread

Lately I've been working on a magazine spread for my class, and ever since then I've been looking at so many magazines and really focusing on what it is about them that intrigues me. I've notice that simple spreads catch my attention,spreads with vectors, and soothing colors. The image is something that caught my eye, it looks so simple and the text clearly follows a grid, but yet the image and the color seem unique. As for my assignment this by far has been the hardest, there were so many different layouts I tried before finally settling on the three that I would work on, and even then I moved the placement of the title, the color and different types for my typography. And when it came to the image that was another obstacle, how big should my image be? should it be in color or black and white?--Seriously this assignment could take me up to another week or so.

Steven Heller's

In class we had the pleasure of having Steven Heller give a presentation about his graphic design career. Steven Heller worked on Stargate, and he compiled a couple of logos for the WB like Supernatural. Hearing him say that some of his work had to be done in four hours was a shock because it is scary to know how creative and diligent a graphic designer has to be. And then he went on to discuss his logos, and the time limit given to him, which was about three hours. Last time I wrote that I had to design a logo for a class assignment and that took me about two weeks and even when it was due I was not completely satisfied with my work. However it was good to hear that even though none of his logo designs were used that he did not give up, and he continues to work as a graphic designer and a professor.

Lately I've been catching myself paying more and more attention to graphic design, whether it is on logos, books, ads, etc, I really enjoy the typography. It is interesting to see how letters, due to their shapes can be used to create interesting images. Aside from just simple letters, changing the size, the color, the background, showing the whole letter or just part of the letter, can really make something interesting. Even though I find it interesting, applying typography to my work is still a little difficult to me, because their is so many types of fonts out there, and finding just the right font can be a little nerve wrecking at times.

Style Sheet

Recently in class I've been working on a magazine spreed sheet. I've looked at magazines before but not as closely as I thought, because now I'm noticing that some words are more than one, even more than two spaces apart, which gives the text an awkward look plus it makes it a little difficult to read. Besides the magazine spread my teacher went over style sheets, which I am so glad she did because it makes it a lot easier to complete my magazine spread and have the right amount of spaces between my words. Plus I also learned that while in a school report, it is said that double space is needed between a period and the beginning of the next sentence, in a magazine article it is not necessary.

Logos

Creating logos is harder than you might think. I've worked on creating a logo for one of my class assignment a couple of quarters back and just recently I was given another logo assignment. Creating logos for me is really difficult because you don't want the logo to be obvious; however you don't want your logo to give the wrong interpretation either. Here are a couple of logos send by a friend that shows just how interpretations get lost.

Graphics in Politics

When it comes to politics, I believe a persons choice is made partly by their environment, and believes. And the other part by graphics. Political graphics intrigue us, especially if it is made abstract and simply because simplicity is attractive, it catches our eye in a pleasant way. As Americans we don't want to be told what to do or who to vote for; however without knowing it when we see something simple and American we tend to sway in that direction because it is who we are, it is who we want running our country.

So many designs

Last week in class three initial comps dealing with an AIGA design piece was due. I really enjoyed seeing everyones ideas because even though we all have the same assignment, everyone had different comps, and not just different but great ideas on how to go about with the class assignment. I also enjoyed the fact that letting other students see your work, can give you a better understanding on what needs improvement on your own piece, and what is not working.

25 Years of AIGA

For a class assignment we have to design a piece that celebrates as well as educates the community about AIGA. After visiting AIGA LA's website I found some useful information. AIGA was founded in 1914; however in 1983 it was founded in Los Angeles by Deborah Sussman, Saul Bass, Jim Cross and others. The president of AIGA is Michael Lejeune who currently works for Metro creating the ads, maps, wesite, and environmental graphics.

AIGA also has a Fellow Award which was founded in 1999. The award recognizes mature designers who raise the standards of excellence within their local or reginal design community. The organization now represents more than 22,000 design professionals, educators, and students.

Having Connections

Yesterday was the first day of school at Cal State Los Angeles, and the professor decided to have us answer the comment of the importance of having a sense of connection within the design community. Communication, I felt has always been important with connections in the design community but also in any type of career community. The more people that recognize your work and the type of person you are, the faster or better it is in getting your foot in the door. Not only that but more doors open to people that have connections, you hear about employees, and the opportunities offered. Another reason why I believe having connections is important is that their is so many careers out there, careers that you might not even have heard of, and having these connections open your eyes to what is out there.