In this project I mapped the best places for me to get a chai tea latte on the way to school. I mapped my way from home to school, and marked each place I knew of to get chai. Once I did that I created a rating system using icons to represent different factor in my decision of where to stop. In order to map all of this out I had to construct a map of Austin, considering what a map is and what it is required to have on it. The implementation of icons was a challenge as my icons started out far too simple and not very clean. After paying closer attention to detail I was able to create far clearer icons.

This project was helpful in learning a good process to create icons, or symbols. By hybridizing the marks, by combing a made up, and a known object, we learned how to create a unique yet recognizable mark. The process of this was very important. From creating a unique mark, to creating a stylized mark, to simply just tracing a photo, we used two or more of these methods to come together to create three harmonized symbols.

this project was effective in teaching us about when and how to use not just different typefaces, but different weights and styles within families of typefaces. In creating this reader we had to choose appropriate typefaces for different purposes. This project was helpful in building my knowledge of typefaces and when to use them.

In this project we learned how to use a grid as a way to layout a book. In creating spreads we had to clean up the natural position of the type to fit the page appropriately. We had to choose an appropriate type face and type set all of the content. We also had to create quote pages to highlight important point in our speeches we were given. This was very helpful in learning how to type set a book and prepared us for the wiki reader we created next.

Continue reading →

In creating this typeface I was given a dark, ominous quote to work with. I wanted to create a typeface that gave off a warning. I did that by creating protruding spikes from each letter. The spikes also serves well as tails and breaks in certain letters. I enjoyed creating this typeface, and feel that is successfully conveyed the message I intended.

In building this monogram we were given many different pieces and were instructed to create a monogram of our initials. In putting the pieces together I tried to keep the ‘typeface’ consistent. The letters were difficult to create given the restrictions of the shapes provided. Overall it taught me how to construct letters, prepared me for creating a typeface, and taught me how to work under the limitations given.

snoisiced-xm582t

datata-2jvxsso

mapmap-178bfw8

snoisiced-2cwsph9

mapmap-24pzd1e

datata-2cd48af

1. I believe that dedicating enough hours to your graphic design work, that you do not have enough time with people you love, to get enough sleep, or worry about your health, or to do other things you care about. I’d say that would be around 70 hours a week (based off how much my dad worked as a kid and how much his life sucked). I’d say to get sophisticated work accomplished you would have to commit around 20 hours at least, depending on the level of work you are doing. In this way I feel I’m closer to the minimum hours you would need to complete sophisticated work, at about 25-30 hours, with some weeks getting very close to the 20 hour mark.

1. I believe having more branches coming off of each question of my decision map would be good. More ways to tie negative answers back to still being a vegetarian. As far as my information maps go, I would like to incorporate the symbols in a different way than I did. For the personal geography map I would make my map more detailed.

1. I was told that my symbols were very good on my decision map and lacking on my other maps, so I made time to create what I thought were much better symbols on both my personal geography and info graphics maps.

1. I loved doing most of the map project. The decision map was definitely what I poured my heart into. I enjoyed making the symbols which set a precedent for the rest of my maps. I also challenged myself to make it available to be riso-printed as I enjoy the way riso-printed designs look. I struggled the most with the infographic map however I enjoyed making the symbols for it.

1. I have been attempting to come up with ideas and designs for t shirts for my job (chuy’s) If I were to come up with something they liked, I would get paid for it, get as many shirts as I want and get my design sold and displayed at all chuy’s around the country.

1. I think in some ways, work has a negative impact on my school life, but it is how I put myself through school. Without work I couldn’t afford to be in school. I also have had some mental health issues that have gotten in my way this semester, but I am working through those things the best I can and hope they resolve eventually.

1. I honestly loved our classroom environment this semester. It put a lot of responsibility on us as students, which I appreciated a lot. I believe I contributed well to the climate of the class. I speak up alot, not only when I agree with something, but also when I disagree or don’t understand. I feel it’s my responsibility to myself to know how and why things are happening in class. I also think that we had some great conversations I contributed to. I honestly think being in the lab while working on my decision map I felt I was flourishing the most. I am so proud of that map and it kind of took me over as I worked on it. I was so happy at how successful it was.