Name: Dominique Buffaloe
Course: Topics in Graphic Design
Professor Trofimova
Reflection # 2
For Today’s class session on February 6, 2019, we watched a 2016 Oscar-winning short film animation called Piper by Pixar Animation Studios. The animation was Written and directed by Alan Barillaro. To summarize the theme of short film, it is simply about facing our fears as not only students but as graphic designers about to enter the workforce. It may seem intimidating at first, but eventually we all will have to take those first steps if we wish to be success in our lives. Learning and sharing with others, understanding our failures, being ambitious and humble, handling criticism, and having a set of goals in mind are just some of the points the professor made to aid our success in the design industry.
Another topic we discussed in class had to do with the different types of employment for graphic designers. The professor’s powerpoint presentation shared with us in class was very enlightening and immensely helpful. It is a document that provides a detailed description and comprehensive list of most graphic design titles in the United States, more specifically New York City. The titles discussed during our class session was some of the following: Junior Graphic Designer, Graphic Designer, Production Designer, Web Designer, Copy Editor, Senior/Executive Designer, Art Director, and Creative Director, and so forth.
Before reviewing the next slide, we took a moment to discuss the salaries and our desired position in future years. Some students in class, including myself, were highly driven to become senior / executive designers, art directors, and creative directors. Other students preferred the responsibility and workload of a graphic designer, production designer, web designer, and so on. After a quick break, we thoroughly went through the different types of areas we could apply for depending on our interests and such. The most desired area for me, personally, was logo design and corporate branding.
Logo Design is one of my most significant activities outside of college when it comes to my personal time. It is an area of graphic design that I actively do whether it is for self-initiated assignments or clients. As a creative student who can produce design work that holds meaning and relevancy through a visual message, product, or experience. In addition to maintaining a strict and balanced grid and composition. Logo design and identity branding is my primary choice when searching for employment through creative and branding agencies in New York City.
In conclusion, the animated feature short, Piper, was a delight to watch. It holds relevancy to our situation as students and that our biggest enemies are within our minds due to fear and self-doubt. Inexperienced or experienced, it is something we all struggle to overcome, however, if you prepare yourself and conduct your own personal research. The fears and self-doubt will begin to fade as your confidence rise.
