Coming into Graphic Design Principles I did not know what to expect, but I was open to new techniques and ideas. The first few projects were intended to teach us how to control space using various black shapes. This was more difficult than expected because we had to figure out how much space was the right amount for a shape. The high contrast between the shapes and page made weaknesses easier to see, so a shape had to sit perfectly on the page. This exercise taught me more than how to control negative space, it taught us that perfection comes through trial and error and that you don’t know what works until you try it. We were also introduced to the group critique, at this moment I knew that this was the class I had hoped for. It was a class that taught the art of design and not just software. The group critiques were interesting because everyone displayed their projects in one place for comparison. We have learned a lot about design so far. On day one we saw the world through the eyes of a consumer, and the designer. The group discussions inspired me. Seeing the theory of design shown through real world examples was a great way to learn what worked. While working on the projects that we were assigned we learned that balance is key and less is more. These concepts are important to me because they can be applied to many aspects of design, anything from typography to images needs balance. After learning these concepts, I see them applied in all forms of media.
This class has inspired me to dive deeper into my interest in fashion. Clothing is just another medium that I can use to show my vision. I use the concepts I’ve learned so far to design my clothing. Although clothing is three dimensional controlling space and perspective are key factors in the design process. Clothing has to appeal to a person just as much as the ad it is in. While designing the challenge is to create an aesthetic piece that is still different yet wearable and functional. Because I understand what the consumer wants, I can now create it. Because of this, I have already seen improvement in my designs. I am eager to learn more so that I can become the best designer I can be.