Blog 24: Last Presentation Reflection

Label: Presentation.


(1) Positive Statement
What are you most proud of in your block presentation and/or your senior project? Why?

I'm most proud of my activities that I conducted in my final presentation. I thought they both really connected to what graphic design means and what the designer goes through. I found that not only was it successful, but the other students had a lot of fun doing it!


(2) Questions to Consider

a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation?  Use the component contract to defend that assessment.

I think I deserved an AE because I kept the audience engaged throughout the whole presentation, I dressed and performed nicely, I used my time affectively (up to the very second) and was able to take control of the class. I felt like I had become an effective presenter and teacher.
b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project? Use the component contract to defend that assessment.

I would give myself an AE because I had worked super hard to get that grade. For both of my components, I have worked over 30 hours to complete the project, and I was able to do more than just two component projects for class. Graphic design had given myself the opportunity to utilize the talents I had developed in those few months for school purposes. From the bottom of my heart I'm glad that I was able to do this.
(3) What worked for you in your senior project?
What worked the best for my senior project was the fact that I was open to the graphic design programs, and used them for school purposes. I also liked that I was able to interview and have a Mentorship with professional graphic designers because the information they all shared was great for research. 

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your senior project?
Honestly, if I had the chance to change anything, I wouldn't at all. I liked how everything went throughout my senior project. I can't find a reason to fix anything I messed up on, which didn't happen!

(5) How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?   Be specific and use examples.
Oh goodness where do I start! I loved the fact that this topic has helped me settle on the fact that I do want to do something like this in the future. Graphic design is open and accessible to anyone and everyone. However there needs to be more graphic designers who have the best knoledge of this form of art, so I would love to continue this and teach others. 

Blog 23 : Exit Interviews

Label:  Exit Interview

Due Date:  Thursday, May 5th by 8AM

(1) What is your essential question, and what are your answers?  What is your best answer and why?

My Essential question is "How can a Graphic Designer create the reaction he/ she intends ?"
My answers are : Interviewing, Brainstorming, and Professionalism.
My best answer would have to be Interviewing, because I feel that gathering information about your client, and what design they need first hand is the first building block of any design process. A lot can be accomplished within a simple interview with a client, because that is the time the designer learns what the client wants if the right questions are asked. It is vital for the client to be as clear as possible when they have a clear image of their design. However since every client is different, then every interview will be different. The beginning process of creating a design can start in different paths, but generally speaking, it is important to gain the clients trust, and to get a clients 

(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer?
I had research lots about it, But even before then , I learned the importance of interviewing within my graphic design class. My professor put extra emphasis on why its important to know what the client wants. I also learned this from my mentor and other interviewees who talked about it. 

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?
I faced a few difficult tasks, but one of which was getting a reliable mentor. My first initial mentor was not very helpful to me in terms of information. He did not explain things to par with my research. I had understood at first, that he was new to being a mentor, after all, he was a main character designer for Disney. I found that his busy schedule and lack of explanations had begun to affect my work and research. I found out that researching on my own was a lot more helpful than his own words. I soon lost contact with him, but found an amazing mentor after.

(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why? 
BOOK SOURCE

ONLINE SOURCE

Blog 22: Independent Component 2

Label:  Independent Component
Due Date:  Friday, 4/22 by 8AM


I, Brianne Estrada, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 65 hours of work.

Creativebloq.com / Tutorial

Brush presets

Mixer brush help

Hair

Face

IC HOURS 

I have completed about 4 characters, and soon to come, 4 space ships. Each character was designed specifically for my board game that I am helping create for Mr Rivas's class. I wanted to design each character accordingly, making them unique to the type of game/game play. I decided to create a Traveler, a Technician, a Doctor, and Scientist. Here are some pictures! I shed my blood and tears, mostly tears. 

This component helped me answer my EQ because not only did it give me the chance that all graphic designers have to face, but it allowed me to teach myself that to impress a client, you have to go above and beyond what they expected. Yes, I had to teach myself how to use paint in photoshop, which every graphic designer needs (just in case) so that was definitely an experience I will never forget. Im sure other graphic designers were put in a creative spot like this, so this task was a lot more tough than my previous projects. As I got the hang of painting with this program, I began to play around with it, learning more neat tricks on the way. When i would show my work to my clients (essentially my group members) they were proud of my work! 

Blog 20: Fourth Interview Questions

Label: Interviews
Due Date: Friday, April 15, 2016



Who do you plan to interview?  What is this person's area of expertise?
I plan to interview a graphic designer that works professionally and has his own shop in Whittier!

2.  Post 20 open-ended questions you want to ask an expert in the field concerning your senior project. Your focus should be finding answers to your EQ.

1. Graphic design has a variety of genres, which genre is best for starting graphic designers 

2.What have you done to start off your business 

3. What is recommended today? Since times do change, so does the technology of graphic design.

4. Which program is best for you?

5. Which program(s) are easiest and viable to learn? 

6. What kind of research have you done for any project? (Experience)

7. What is most recommended to use when doing research for a client?

8. Can you give me advice on what to do when designing a logo?

9. Can you give me advice on what to do when designing a poster?

10. Can you give me advice on what to do when designing a flyer/pamphlet/cards?

11. How do you target your audience?

12. How does your client guide you through designing?

13. How do you go by when a client is giving you a hard time?

14. How do you plan any design?

15. What's your preferred plan to design any design? (Steps?)

16. What motivates you to finish a design?

17. How do you manage time?

18. How do you get jobs ?

19. How do you get yourself publicly noticed?

20. what do you do when you get creativity block?

Blog 19: Third Answer

Label: Research
Due Date:  Thursday, March 3rd by 8AM

• EQ 

How can a Graphic Designer create the reaction he/she intends?

• Answer #3 (Write in a complete sentence like a thesis statement)*

A graphic designer can create the reaction that the client he or she intends is by keeping constant communication to keep yourself on track and to keep your client on track. This is how any designer will polish their design properly.

• 3 details to support the answer 

Polishing your design is needed for any design, even if not keeping communication with your client for certain details. 

Experimenting is a way to polish your design, you can give the client different options to chose from (if they way it of course!)

Polishing your design also allows you to utilize different fonts, shapes, strokes.  This experiments allow you to find new pairings that lol good together. 

• The research source(s) to support your details and answer

(30, 40, 32, 45, 46, 50)  <- sources from WB. 

• Concluding Sentence

Graphic design is a job that includes critcing, communication, and constant revision. 

Blog 18: Answer 2

Label: Presentation
Due Date:  Thursday, 2/18 by 8AM

1.  What is your EQ?
How can a Graphic Designer create the reaction he/she intends?

2.  What is your first answer? (In complete thesis statement format)

A graphic designer can create the reaction that the client he or she intends is by meeting up with the client and discussing the main point they are trying to get across.

3.  What is your second answer? (In complete thesis statement format)
A Graphic designer can create the reaction that the client he or she intends by researching and brainstorming as much as you can before presenting potential designs to your clients.

4.  List three reasons your answer is true with a real-world application for each.
A. Planning always makes perfect, as they saying goes. This really applies to design. No design is perfect of course, but it has to be convincing enough for the audience to understand. the Apple logo is a great example.

B. Brainstorming allows the Graphic designer to organize his or her thoughts as they come up with the most convincing design. There are an array of ways to brainstorm in graphic design! I had this experience when I took a class last summer. I also learned more brainstorm tactics through the books I've read.

C. The outcome is always phenomenal if the designer themselves take the time to create various designs, because then the client has more options to chose from OR has the option to mix and match different designs (working with the designer to create one the client has visualized in their head)

D. EVERY CLIENT IS DIFFERENT! But the planning and brainstorming never change.

5.  What printed source best supports your answer?
BOOK SOURCE (I have the book on hand)

6.  What other source supports your answer?
14 ways to brainstorm
Ellen Lupton
How to make a mind map
7.  Tie this together with a  concluding thought.
Graphic design not only includes a very important and well informed interview, there also needs to be a lot of brainstorming to make the design convincing and visually appealing. 

Blog 17: Interview 3 Reflection

Label:  Interview

Due Date:  Friday, February 19th by 8AM

INTERVIEW #3

1. What is the most important thing I learned from the interview?  

The most important thing I learned from the interview was that I had learned that (as cliche as it sounds) communication is key when interviewing any client and onward. I learned different tactics you can use when you create designs for a client, without using the classic steps that I have read from the book! For example, Enrique uses pure communication and a portfolio that have templates for the customers to use and observe. Personally I think this is pretty clever, but it does lack creativity in some ways. He says he easily changes that by coming up with more than 6 designs from that design, detailed and all. "Time is money" Is a quote that really represents any media designer. 

2.  How has your approach to interviewing changed over the course of your senior project?]

My approach to interviewing has changed for the better as I continue to interview many graphic designers. I had full on conversations (That I had to cut because the interview was longer than an hour) with the designer, digging into their brains and pulling out every piece of information I can get. If I want to be a Graphic Designer, I would have to do a lot interviews with many clients. So, this is definitely going to help me out. 

Blog 16: Independent Component 2 Approval

Label: Independent Component
Due Date:  Thursday, 2/11 by 8AM


1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

Here is the deal, I do not know what I am going to be doing specifically for my second Independent Component. However! I have shortened to two different options.

OPTION #1 I could totally make a logo day, or per week so It gives me a whole week to properly plan each logo. I would essentially make 10 logos at the end of the time given to complete this project. However, If I would make one a day, I would have well over 10, and instead I would have 30 or 40 completed. Not to sure if that is the best judgement call considering how long it takes to properly make a logo.

OPTION #2 I could just spend my thirty hours commissioning for other peoples projects. For example, I could help Isaiah make posters for all his movies. Or I could help Victoria make posters, cards, etc. For her business! I would have to ask around for work, but I feel I would get more of designers experience if I chose this route. Because, I would have to interview them! (which is my first answer)

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

OPTION #1 : I would post all my completed logos, and work that came with each of the logo. So research, brainstorms,sketches, comps, and final pieces.

OPTION #2 : I would be doing the same for Option 1, except I would post all different kinds of pieces. (Depending on the art piece of course)

3.  Explain how this component will help you explore your topic in more depth.

OPTION #1 Gives me a better chance at learning branding, and how efficient it has to be. However, It lacks when this option is compared to the second option. The second option allows me to complete the full process which I need. I get to interview my client, ask them for what they want / need, then continue on with the process. I would like to gain more experience in that.

4.  Post a log in your Senior Project Hours link and label it "Independent Component 2" log.
Independent Component 2 log

“I, Brianne Estrada, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.”

Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component.

• https://www.wfp.org/hunger/stats 
• http://www.worldhunger.org/global.htm 
• http://endhunger.org/food-waste/ 
• http://www.stopthehunger.com/ 
• http://www.thp.org/knowledge-center/know-your-world-facts-about-hunger-poverty/ 
• https://www.wfp.org/hunger/causes
• http://www.unicef.org/mdg/poverty.html
• http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/01/150109-oceans-plastic-sea-trash-science-marine-debris/
• http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/human-footprint/trash-talk.html

•  Update your hours in your Senior Project Hours link. Make sure it is clearly labeled with hours for individual sessions as well as total hours.

• SENIOR HOURS

I have completed 4 posters about world hunger, and all the aspects that it shares. My mentor and I came up with this idea not only because the topic is important to learn about, but to also provide me practice on how to make posters. I also learned how to use photoshop on a more professional level, and have had my fair experience with Adobe Illustrator. Both Photoshop and Illustrator have helped me develop a better skill on how designing works. I also practice interviewing someone for this project as well, gathering as much information as I can. I also did an array of sketches and comps that have proved that I have made these posters.

• INTERPRETIVE 
  Defend your work and explain its significance to your project and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work.  

Photos

• APPLIED
  How did the component help you understand the foundation of your topic better?  Please include specific examples to illustrate this. 

This topic helped me refresh myself on the whole process of creating a poster, and how Important designing something can really be! 

Lesson 2 Reflection

Label: Presentation
Due Date: The day after your lesson presentation by 8:00 A.M.

1.What are you most proud of in your Lesson 2 Presentation and why?

Im most proud of my activity, as I heard people were enjoying the game. I worked extra hard on making these cards, and everything had worked out in the end. This took me almost 8 hours to complete.

2. a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 2 Presentation (self-assessment)?

       AE       P          AP       CR       NC

     b.     Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 2 component contract.

I would give myself an AE because I worked extra hard on making sure I used valid information, and said as much as I could about my first answer. I saw people nodding their heads as I spoke, giving me the signal that they understood what I was saying. I had practiced it enough to finish within 16 minutes, then leaving the rest to complete my activity. My activity was given a lot of attention and many people came up to me and told me they had fun completing the game. 

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 2?
The activity worked the best for  me in lesson two, I think I will be using it again, or even creating a whole new game, but has the same general concept.

4. What didn't work? If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 2?
Something I would have done differently was that I wish I hadn't stutter as much, I didn't like that i had done that because It probably made people think I didn't know my information about my topic.

5. What do you think your answer #2 is going to be?
My answer two will be the planning process of Graphic design. There are countless ways of going by this, so I will have an abundance of research to back it up. 

Blog 14: Third Interview Preparation

                                


Label: Interviews
Due Date: Thursday, January 14, 2016

For this interview, you will prepare 10 open-ended questions that focus on your newly approved EQ (in fact, your first question can be your EQ).  Remember, all interviews must be done in person unless they are specifically approved by your house teacher.  Additionally, one person may be interviewed a maximum of two times.

1.  Who do you plan to interview?  What is this person's area of expertise?
I plan to interview my uncle who works as a graphic designer and works in different graphic arts, and marketing media.

2.  Verify that you have called your interviewee to schedule an interview.  What is the date and time of the interview? 
I have called my interviewee last week, and we plan to talk over Skype this coming weekend on Sunday night (6pm).

3.  Phrase an open-ended question that will help you find research resources that would help to answer the EQ.

"As having graphic design experience, how to do you interview your clients when creating a design for them?"
(design can be a poster/logo/marketing media)

4.  Phrase an open-ended question that will help you think about other useful activities you might do to help you answer the EQ (IC2, possible experts to talk to, etc).
"If an average person tried to relate to a Graphic Designer, what would he or she do in a real interview with a client?"

5.  Phrase two open-ended questions that help you to understand your interviewee's perspective on an aspect of your EQ. 

"How would a typical graphic designer ask different questions to their clients if they are not giving the proper information that the designer needs?"

"Why do graphic designers need certain questions to ask their clients? are some more needed than others? what questions and why?

"whats your opinion on the best sent of questions to ask your client when you want to pull out the best information"

Blog 13: 10 Hour Mentorship Check-In

Label:  Mentorship
Due Date:  Friday, January 8, 2016 by 8AM.

1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?

In my mentorship, I am creating my Independent component and even practicing other side projects as well! For example,  If you look above, this shows how much Ive improved on both Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. My independent component is a surprise in a way, so I wont say much about it.

2.   Who is your contact?  What makes this person an expert?

My contact is LuLu, a government graphic designer. She has been working in this field for awhile, and has done so well, that she was able to work for the government to create more designs and such. She has created a various amount of projects, knows how to use more than once graphic software, and has meet all of her clients standards. 

3.   How many  hours have you done during the school year? (Summer Mentorship Hours and Mentorship Hours should be reflected separately in your Senior Project Hours log located on the right hand side of your blog).

I have done way more than ten hours of work on my own, If you look above, Ive spent about 30+ hours (check mentorship hours) with all the projects combined. Ive spent approximately 5 hours talking back and forth with her through email asking her questions / suggestions about the designs above.

4.   Succinctly summarize what you did, how well you and your mentor worked together, and how you plan to complete the remaining hours.

I have worked her less than what I would've liked too, but for her sake and I, I did agree to myself that I wanted to learn a lot of stuff on my own. Thats how Graphic designers work, independently and learning only when they need the help. So by doing this, it has helped me figure out more questions to ask her in the future (when she comes back from break) and how this can potentially improve my design skills. Although, working with her with the time we had has guided me to research more specifically upon my EQ, and has pushed me a lot closer to my answer. Her guidance was sufficient enough to make me work harder on the side, even if she wasn't there. I do plan to keep her in contact as my project progresses, and accumulate more hours of conversation with her. 

Blog 12: Holiday Project Update

Label: Research

Due Date: January 5, 2015 by 8AM

Content:

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you do over the break with your senior project?

I recently got a new computer for christmas, so all i've been doing is downloading my programs, and also researching more about the others I have recently found out! My mentor recommended me to use "InDesign CC" because she often uses it for creating simple graphs and tables for clients and such. I looked into it and bought it, so i'm excited to use it in the future! I have also kept up to date with "AIGA" a graphic design magazine, and also "Creative Bloq" another graphic design magazine. Ive been nothing but a busy bee!

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did, and why?  What was the source of what you learned?

I learned a lot about "InDesign" and how it is useful to graphic design. I also learned how to paint with more ease on "Photoshop". It did help when I decided to create a few paintings for my friends as their Christmas present. Learning the fundamentals from any of these programs is important to me and to this project.

3.  Your third interview will be a 10 question interview related to possible answers for your EQ. Who do you plan to talk to and why?

I plan to talk about more about the chemistry between the client and the designer itself. Then I will be focusing on the chemistry between the audience and the design itself, or the designers chemistry with the audience (who they may never meet!)