Minas Polychronakis Professor: Nicolaou
Graphic Design Principles 1 3/11/15

My Semester Experience

My experience as a designer has grown and expanded my perspective of the field this
semester. My class experience has enabled me too visually and take in more knowledge of the
field. The approach of the given projects has progressed me to think more critically and
improve on my skills.
In class experience has showed me how to improve and how the design field works.
While in class I have been amazed on how design works in a magazine and why they design
them the way they do, An example is how one set of pages the background is black and the
main focal point which is the product or message is a high value contrast, getting the consumer
to focus on the product; thus form follows function. One more example when advertising
apparel like jewelry or clothing, the model is not being fully shown, just once more the main
product that’s being advertised. I understand from this example because the idea is to not only
to make a nice design; but to avoid too many elements that’s not focus on the product to
be shown to the consumer. Learning not to use any kind of distraction such as TV, Music
players, or any other devices, have helped me to become more focused with my given
projects and create improved results. Discussing projects issues in class with both
classmates. and the professor, have expanded my knowledge of how to tackle the approach of
the assignment. Brief example, an understanding of how to use the pigma and prisma pens
for the black and white projects; One more example of this case is learning how to layer the
shape to acquire a flat surface. Another important factor was learning a new set of vocabulary
in the classroom, such as asymmetrical, radial balance, and Rhythm; thus professional words
that we will use in the field. One of the most important lessons I have learn in class was how to
present myself and my work to a group of individuals, the experience made me feel as if I was
in a actual Project Presentation to a board or a client. A final example of my class experience
was sharing ideas and techniques among fellow classmates.
The projects given to me have reshape me in the way a design functions and improving
on my draftsmen ship. To begin I have learn the difference between a 32 and a 16th of an inch,
same time taking note that all sketch pads regardless of company, measurements are never
exact. During the semester I have tried several ways to make the lines on the Bristol pad and
have improved on it. Example measuring the margins from the top and side margins ends of
the page to make the alignments perfectly straight. I have discovered an alternate way when
using certain tools for the project, for example we are to use the white tape for our
gouache, it has come to my attention that the use of Frog Tape which is another type of
painters tape has been more effective and has proved better results for sharp lines and corners
for the projects. My focus towards the draftsmanship has improved very well, one good
example is when using the pigma pen and the ruler as a guide to make the perfect lines of the
shapes. I find that it is a great opportunity for us students to figure out and make our own
decision’s for the given projects; and that we are learning decision making on each of
the projects.
In conclusion I find that the experience overall in the semester has made a massive
improvement to my skills and understanding of the design field. The experience that
i have learn in the class room lectures have prepared me to understand visually and mentally
of how the design field works. The experience from given projects has had a
great influence and shown me a new kind of perspective and draftsmanship towards my skills.