Mastery Journal

Mastery Journey for my studies at Full Sail University.

[iamtiffanyj]

As this is the third time I was enrolled in this course, I was determined to reach the finish line. This has been the hardest class so far, but feels like the most important. I’d like to be known for developing brands, so the tools and information presented in this class will be and IS very important in my business and personal brand. I value the information on the ZAG 17-step process, Brand Ideals, SWOT Analysis, Mood Boards, and what a brand is altogether. Hopefully, I will not see this course again, but I do feel I could have done a little better with this week’s video production.

[iamtiffanyj]

brand brief - square 205

This video is about brand brief

Here is My Brand Brief project from the Brand Development course at Full Sail University.

[iamtiffanyj]

4.4.4 Mastery Journal

When I began this class, I was not ready for it. I had just basically come back from a break from school which resulted in a failing of the class prior. I expected to return to Brand Development. I was immediately captivated by the opportunity to learn that copyrighting and copywriting are not the same thing. I enjoyed this course and here are the three points I take forward in my career:

Reflection post can discuss:

Tag lines - I am always asked to help my logo development customers create tag lines. I find myself pretty clever, but it’s hard to get it done when put on the spot. The tips provided on the external website and the shared pdfs will allow me to be of beer service to my clients.

Creating Target Audience Profiles - I loved revising this and getting the opportunity to do it myself. The handout will go handy for every brand development project I work on. I think this is necessary. Psychographic models.

Writing Print Ad Copy - Too many of my clients arrive with “whack” content, and I’d love to fix the copy at this point. I’ve gained enough knowledge to offer this as an additional service to my clients. Also, I operate several brands, so this is not only going to help me in my graphic business, but in my music career as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this course and all it had to offer. New information and concepts make me eager to continue this path.

[iamtiffanyj]

2.4.4 Mastery Journal Reflection

This course, Defining Client Needs, seems to be the most important class a graphic designer can take. If you aren’t able to understand a client’s direction or if you are not open to work outside of your design comfort zone, designing might not be for you.

There are several things I have learned in this course, but I’m only going to share a few.

One of the most important tools I’m taking away from this course is the experience using applications outside of Photoshop. I design EVERYTHING in Photoshop. This course provided me with opportunities to work in InDesign and  Illustrator. Growth is a must for my career, so the tutorials provided through the Lynda courses are very helpful. Check out my first non-Photoshop project:

Another important take away for me is the logo design process. Logos are the hardest for me because it needs to be timeless. If I had watched French’s video prior to filming my reflection video, I would have included the logo design process in my statement. Using the criteria French provided (simple, distinctive, enduring, memorable, versatile, and relevant), I am able to use it as a checklist.

Last, I’d like to take away the idea of the psychographic mapping. I included this is my video as well. The idea of developing the personality, values, opinions, attitude, interests, and lifestyle of a non existent consumer is brilliant. I can’t wait to implement this into my business practices.

I thoroughly enjoyed this course. I will always remember what Simon Sinek taught me, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” Check out some of my work below.

References

Adams, S. (2013, October 31). Foundations of Layout and Composition. Retrieved June 18, 2015, from http://www.lynda.com/Design-Design-Techniques-tutorials/When-how-use-golden-section/135095/153703-4.html

Chase, M. (2008, September 4). Branding from the Course Creative Inspirations: Margo Chase, Graphic Designer. [Lynda.com online course]. Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Design-Documentaries-tutorials/Branding/685/38838-4.html

Sinek, Simon [TED]. (2010, May 4). Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4.

[iamtiffanyj]

#youcandoit

[iamtiffanyj]

Mastery Timeline Goals

1.    Mastery: Personal Development & Leadership: My goal for this course is to be able to apply the concepts and strategies related to Mastery to my fields of interest. I will achieve this goal by

·      Keeping the book “Mastery” by Robert Greene as a life tool

·      Be honest to what works and does not work for my mind

·      Identify with a “Master” of the past and closely relate my life to their’s

 2.    Defining Client Needs: My goal for this course is to learn to better understand the needs of my current clients first and then implement a new way of brainstorming with new clients. I will achieve this goal by

·      Explore different designer-client relationships

·      Role reversal: Put myself in the client’s shoes

·      Learn to effectively communicate when a client’s idea may not be suitable for their progress

 3.    Brand Development: My goal for this course is to improve my brand’s presence so that I may be qualified to develop brands of my clients effectively. I will achieve this goal by

 ·      Research a few top brand company histories

·      Learn why certain colors are used for specific causes

·      Apply my new insights to my own brand

 4.    Effective Copywriting: My goal for this course is to learn to the best way to play with words to result in sells and interest. I will achieve this goal by

·      Studying top brand slogans

·      Finding designs with minimal wording and evaluate why it’s effective

·      Test new methods learned in my own advertising

 5.    Design Research: My goal for this course is to explore different design options for the same project and reflect on how each piece should give the same result. I will achieve my goal by

·      Study the design for an old product’s ad for 5 different years

·      Redesign an old ad with a new method of my own

·      Design an ad for different demographics for the same product

 6.    Organizational Structures: My goal for this course is to develop an organized workflow and set of rules for my company for the days I have a team. I will achieve this goal by

·      Get sample workflows from different small businesses in my area

·      Find apps that assist with project management and other collaborative activities

·      Begin training interns on the workflow and test its productivity

 7.    Design Strategies and Motivation: My goal for this course is to evaluate how well I am progressing and determine if I need to use other methods to journey to mastery. I will achieve my goal by

·      Evaluate how many new tools I have began to use since the start of the program

·      Survey clients on my improvement

·      Determine if my work productivity has increased or decreased

 8.    Design Integration: My goal for this course is to find multiple inspiration source that I may always be fresh and intuitive in my designing. I will achieve this goal by

·      Research the careers of 3 creatives in both media design and entertainment

·      Implement new brainstorming activities

·      Learn what fuels my brain activity

 9.    Multi-Platform Delivery: My goal for this course is to leave the class with an understanding on what the Apple platform offers more than the PC platform. I will achieve this goal by

·      Compare & contrast APPLE vs PC

·      Identify why certain procedures are better performed on the MAC

·      Incorporate MAC usage in my personal life

 10. Measuring Design Effectiveness: My goal for this course is to be able to understand the critiques of others outside of my own. I will achieve this goal by

·      Use a piece of work to get several opinions

·      Brainstorm concepts with friends and family to see how people generate different methods of working

·      Use different people to help develop initial design plans for projects

 11. Thesis: Presentation of Design Solution: My goal for this course is to be able to take a current client project and utilize all the tools and methods gained in this program. I will achieve my goal by

·      Review my Mastery Timeline to ensure I stayed on track

·      Review all capstone projects to use as the foundation of my new strategies

·      Use knowledge learned to carry out the project

 12. Professional Practice: My goal for this course is to continue what I did in the Thesis course. I will achieve my goal by

·      Repeating the steps taken to use the new strategies 

·      Always use this workflow in business

·      Create a timeline for after graduation to use in my career

[iamtiffanyj]

5 posts!

[iamtiffanyj]

How do you like my Mastery Journal Logo?!?!?

[iamtiffanyj]

https://feedly.com/i/my

[iamtiffanyj]

View Tiffany Wider's professional profile on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is the world's largest business network, helping professionals like Tiffany Wider discover inside connections to recommended job candidates, industry experts, and business partners.

[iamtiffanyj]

Check out my Diigo Resource Library

[iamtiffanyj]

Check out my Turning Point Video!

[iamtiffanyj]

When you are fresh and original, no need to worry about competition.

TiffanyJ

[iamtiffanyj]

My Road To Mastery

I am super excited to be a new student at Full Sail University! I have been debating the decision of going back to school after a six year hiatus, but after prayer and careful consideration, I discovered that the time was now.

I am pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree in Media Design. Currently, I own a graphic and web design firm called TJ’s Elements. I am also a singer, songwriter, sneaker creator, and all-around artist. I am big on inspiring others through my art. I’m very passionate about expressing myself through creativity. There is such a freedom there.

As I journey to mastery over the course of the next twelve months, I hope that it is evident that I have grown as an artist and business woman. I’d like to one day assume the role of either Art or Creative Director for several big projects and brands. My goal through the course of this degree program is to seek 2 or 3 companies or organizations that will allow me to take the role of Creative Director without any pay. I want to build my resume, and start to sell myself outside of just being a graphic designer, but I want to also provide direction and insight to my clients.

My best friend is a scriptwriter, and he has a new film he would like to work on this fall season. I have already asked him for the position of Creative Director. I’m excited about learning more about myself and learning more about my field. I’m self-taught, so learning the technicalities and lingo that I may have developed incorrectly will be exciting for me.

I am ready for my next level. I have a little ways to go in order to reach mastery, but I definitely believe that it is within my reach.