Arts246 Course Reflection
Arts246 taught me to design letters and visuals that delivered the intended message effectively. That was what I thought Arts245 would mainly be about when I signed up for it, but certainly, that course was quite an unforgettable experience, and Arts246 has been a worthy continuation. There were a lot of things that I learned. Design-wise, I learned to utilize different digital applications to create things that I wanted to create. Part of this lesson pushed me to look at my vision of a final product from the angle of consistency, versatility, and accessibility. When I designed a new logotype for the Soda City Market, my professor encouraged me to go to the market in person to understand the vibe and purpose of the place. Same thing when I designed the poster of the same subject (same thing for any poster, really). There were a lot of elements going on to think about: the texts, the photos, the visual hierarchy, etc. The question is how to pull the viewers in, keep them hooked, and make them want to be there. I needed to know how to keep the visual style consistent, where my poster would be hung, how the logotype could be adapted to new media, etc. The questions and suggestions my professor provided were helpful, as they helped me think and look at the problems from different perspectives.
Along the previous line, there was also my enduring struggle with trusting the letters. The communication potential of such static symbols was at least peculiar to a designer like me, who's primarily interested in shapes and imagery. I tried to do a collage graphic for my Soda City Poster and an illustration for a poster I submitted to a competition. I had to abandon both of them eventually because, besides turning my schedule upside down, they drowned the presence of the supposedly main element, the type. Throughout this course, I have learned to trust the letters and type as entities capable of breathing, having a voice, and adapting to artistic needs through countless alterations.
As for personal improvement, I have gotten better since Arts245 at seeking and receiving feedback. My tendency to take the path of least resistance when it came to pushing for room for improvement was a major problem I had in Arts245, and it did not go away, at least until I was halfway through Arts246. In every single project, I was required to print things for critique, actively engage in any feedback opportunity, and push through the final design as well as I could. I learned to go the extra mile, that is, doing the extra work and jotting down questions, before meeting up with the professor for critique.
Arts246 was a major step towards the goals I set for myself coming into this field. It drew my attention to the world and its problems and strengthened my passion to bring forth messages that promised diversity and unity. With only a few moments away from the GD+I application deadline, I want to say thank you to both Professors Nace and Valdes for being a valuable part of my journey, and whether or not this journey will end here, I regret nothing, for I have grown so much both personally and professionally thanks to my classmates and you both.
