My name is Jerry Pico. This is my first semester at City Tech. My major is Communication Design. My reasoning for choosing this major is because I’m interested in learning the basics of graphic design. Although City Tech doesn’t have a specific graphic design major in it’s curriculum, this communication design major focuses on certain aspects that I have found beneficial in taking the necessary steps towards becoming knowledgeable in the field study of graphic design. This is my first time taking this type of course at any school. I previously took a typing class in high school, but that’s about it for me in terms of taking computer-based classes. I took a few art classes in high school and college. In high school, I took Art I and Art II. those classes focused on drawing and painting. In BMCC, I took Art Studio I (I believe that’s what it was called). In that class, my professor caught us the basics of painting and how to use those techniques for our own use outside of class. As I stated in class a few weeks ago, I wanted to pursue a major in graphic design because I am fascinated by the process of making video games. I’ve been gaming all my life and am curious as to how one can start a career in the field of work. One of my all time favorite game series’, called God of War, has been a great influence to me, I feel. It’s story, the design of the characters, how incredibly thought out the overall world they created for this game makes me want to learn how to make such stories and bring them to life on a screen. I discovered this game from a magazine that’s all about gaming called Game Informer. I was subscribed to this magazine in the past, from 2011 until 2015. I unsubscribed from it because of money issues. This magazine showed all its readers the latest in gaming, such as the newest games, consoles, and PCs that this magazine wants its readers to discover so that we can buy them. This magazine also did an annual rundown of E3, the biggest event in gaming that happens every year around June. A few artists that influence me are Eminem, Big Pun, and Michael Jackson. I’ve listened to these artists all my life and the music they’ve made has influenced me greatly. My favorite Eminem song is “Lose Yourself”. It is arguably the best song he’s ever made. The beat me made, the lyricism he utilized, the emotion he invoked in those who listen to the song, all make this song utterly perfect. I find myself daydreaming of how I would seize the day and make a better life for myself whenever I hear this song. My favorite Big Pun song is “Beware”. I love this song because I feel like I can fight anyone and will always come out winning. His delivery of lyrics and how heart pounding the beats and melody from the song make it so poetic, but in a “hit me and I’ll hit back harder” type of way. My favorite Michael Jackson song is “Smooth Criminal”. Michael Jackson is hands done the greatest artist of all time. His music has changed how we think of music and he has been an influence to any artist that has come after him. The song itself is great but the music video is fantastic. The iconic outfit he’s wearing and the leaning dance move he does impacted me when i was younger and it still impresses me now whenever I look at the music video. Those are some things that have influenced me growing up and I am sure that I’ll find more things as influenced later on in life.