Author Archives: Marlon Palmer

End of Semester Reflection

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ā€¢ Now that your (semester/college career) is over what are some goals that you plan to work toward this summer?

This summer I plan to relax, first and foremost. But when Iā€™m not relaxing I will be looking for work, working my portfolio, and making some music.

ā€¢ Looking back at (this past semester/your time) at FC,

  1. What is one of the best experiences you had working here?

The best experience I had working at FC was getting to work with such an amazing group of young designers. Their support and friendship gave me the confidence and drive to be a better designer, and I thank all of them for that.

  1. What is one thing that could have been done to improve your experience working here?

I really like the idea of having workshops to where we can share our skills with each other and also learn some new skills. I think one of these workshops should be held every semester.

ā€¢ For those graduating, what words of encouragement or advice would you give to the upcoming designers at Faculty Commons?

My advice to our new interns is this: Never be afraid to try something new. Take this opportunity to grow yourself as a designer and help your fellow designers to grow as well. Each project should be a new challenge you set for yourself to move forward in your design. Learn how to paint, or code, or animate, or whatever just donā€™t ever get comfortable. You should always be figuring it out. This is your education. Take advantage of it.

Spring 2018 Reflection

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ā€¢ Have you come across any challenging projects this semester, whether it was a class project or a project with FC? How did you accomplish the project?

So far this semester has not been very difficult when it comes to the projects. What has been difficult is balancing the quantity of work I have to do. Both Senior Project and Portfolio requires you to do a lot, but I am making my way though it.

ā€¢ What project(s) did you enjoy working on thus far during this semester?

The most recent issue of the Nucleus was fun to work on, and the Black History Month poster is one of my favorites.

ā€¢ How have the projects you have worked on in FC aligned with your professional career goals?

Working at Faculty Commons has afforded me the opportunity to do things, such as illustration and photography, that I probably would have not done otherwise. I feel like these skills make me a more well-rounded designer and will definitely help me in my career.

Workshop Day Reflection

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1. What is the one technique or skill you learned today that you can apply to the thought process of execution of your design work?

I learned many useful things today, but by far the use would have to be cutting figures out of the background. ItĀ’s a skill that’s an absolute necessity for working in Photoshop.

2. What source(s) are you receiving inspiration from for your work? (Websites, people, blogs, podcasts, etc)

My main sources for inspiration at moment are Pinterest and Instagram. I like the variety of design and the uniqueness they provide.

3. What is one thing you want to do to challenge your capabilities in design or communication this semester?

This semester I want to spend more time outside of my comfort zone. I want to try new styles and techniques and see how I can adapt them to my designs.

Mid-Semester Reflection

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  • Have you come across any challenging projects this semester, whether it was a class project or a project with FC? How did you accomplish the project?

I havenā€™t come across any challenging project this semester. The projects are as challenging as they always are, the big issue so far has been time management. This semester, by far, has been my busiest; and it has not been easy keeping up with all the work I have to do, but I am managing.

  • What project(s) did you enjoy working on thus far during this semester?

I really enjoyed working on the Black Solidarity Day poster. It was a great experience from start to finish, and I am grateful to have created a poster for an event like that.

  • Ā If there were no time constraints, what is one skill or tool you would like to learn?

I would like to improve my photoshop skills. I feel like as a Graphic Designer you need to know Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. I already have a pretty good hand on Illustrator and InDesign, so I would like to increase my Photoshop knowledge.

  • Make a goal that you want to accomplish by the end of the semester.

By the end of the semester I would like to have finished all my projects on time, be in good shape to take on Nucleus, and figure out what Iā€™m doing for senior project.

Mid-Semester Reflection

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  • Have you come across any challenging projects this semester, whether it was a class project or a project with FC? How did you accomplish the project?

As always, the Nucleus was the monster project this semester, but we got through it like we always do. The real rollercoaster ride was something I was not expectingā€”The Creative Arts Showcase. A couple of last minute title changes and incorrect titles made this project a lot more exciting than I thought it would be. Thankfully the all the professors involved were very patient, and in the end we got everything done on time and correctly. And I also learned that itā€™s a good idea to double check titles and other information with presenters.

  • What project(s) did you enjoy working us thus far during this semester?

I really enjoyed working on the BWRC conference poster, I got to sharpen a new skill and the final product came out amazing.

  • Make a goal that you want to accomplish by the end of the semester.

By the end of the semester I want to have all my projects done, so I can be recharged and ready to take on the Nucleus.

Fall 2016 Reflection

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Have you completed all your work (for the Fall 2016 semester) with your clients and closed all loops?

I am glad to say I have completed all my client work for this semester and have closed all loops.

Are you happy with your results with the work you completed this semester? What was your favorite project you got a chance to work on this semester?

I am very happy with the work I did this semester, mostly because the projects I got to work on this semester were so fun. I do have a favorite, however, and itā€™s the Science Fiction Symposium poster. It was so much fun to develop that project, to learn more about the source material more, and I really enjoyed improving my illustration skills.

How are you going to prepare for next semester during the Holiday Break?

Fortunately I will be returning next semester, so Iā€™m preparing by resting and starting to think about the Nucleus design. I need to ā€œplus it upā€ as prof. Davis says.

Spring 2016 Reflection

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Have you accomplished your Mid-Semester goals? How have you accomplished those goals?

Yes, I have. My mid-semester goal was the finish all my projects so I could focus all my energy on the Nucleus, and I have accomplished that. Now I set my sights on the Nucleus.

Have you completed your work with your clients and closed all loops? Are you happy with your results with the work you completed this semester?

Yes, all my client work has been finished and all loops have been closed. As far as work is concerned this semester has been good, despite a few small hiccups with scheduling, and one canceled event my clients and I put out good work this semester, so I am happy

How are you going to prepare for next semester during the Summer Break?

This summer I want to come up with a plan to better streamline my client work so I can hopefully avoid the problems I ran into this semester.

End of Semester Reflection (Fall 2015)

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1. Project Management

This semester I was working on the Scholars Exchange series and I was tasked with coming up with a new design for this series of talks. I met with my client where we decided in which direction the design would go, then a date was set for me to submit the new design for approval which was the 22 of September. After the design was approved there were several posters to be created for Tuesday morning talks, and those poster had to be ready at least one week before the talks. There was not a set date for me to receive content, because my client could only get the content to me after she got them from the speakers, and those times varied. Nevertheless, my client and I were able to get everything done on time.

2. Design Skills/Techniques

A challenge that I faced this semester was the Gen Ed redesign. I was tasked to create a new and fun way to present the Gen Ed flexible core classes. I settled on the idea that I would create symbols to represent the categories and it was working great until I got the category of ā€˜U.S. Experience in its Diversityā€™. I could find an image to represent it, I was completely stumped, but thanks to the help of my the design team and a great deal of internet searches I came up with a solution.

3. Work Relationships

I have been a part of the Faculty Commons design team for a while now so I have had a chance to establish a relationship with most of the people in the office. Being a part of design team is a blast; we have a lot of fun. Sometimes a little too much fun and prof. J has to come let us know when weā€™re being too loud. I Think the way we build relationships on the design team is by eating, out lunches together are always a nice part my day.

The way I communicate with my clients is mostly through email, except for Ms. Burke who I get to have numerous face to face meetings with because of our close working proximity.

The case the is the same for my coworkers. Iā€™m I get to work in an office with all these wonderful people, especially at the end of the semester when they bring all the food for the holiday parties.