GDES end term assessment essay

Ok just to get this out of the way, and I’m kind of assuming you already know this based on all the emails/awkward conversations I’ve already exchanged with other faculty, BUT, in case you don’t already know, I won’t be back at St. Ed’s next semester.

I’ll be at UT as a rhetoric & writing major. The leaving St. Ed’s is a money thing. Re: changing majors, I’ve realized that while I do really enjoy design, I like to do academic research and write long papers more and I want to get a Ph.D. and be a professor when I grow up. There was a shift somewhere during the semester where I went from working on my design homework first to putting off my design projects till the end and started editing my papers or doing my readings first. So I took that as confirmation that I should change majors, which I’d already been toying with before. But I’m still really glad I took these design courses! I’ve learned so much about layouts and typefaces and I’m sure the knowledge I’ve gained will be nothing but beneficial.

Alright, now back to the gdes essay.

1 How many hours of practice time per week would you consider excessive? How many hours would not be enough to create sophisticated work? Where are you situated?

1,000,000 hours per week would be excessive. All to say, if you’re motivated and you’re moving forward and you have the time to practice for a massive amount of time, no amount of practicing is going to hurt you. I don’t think it’s possible to practice excessively. However, there’s a point around 42hrs/week — so 6 hrs/day — where practicing becomes less effective. But up till then, if you’re that motivated to practice, then you’re probably good.

Anything less than 6 hrs/week would not be enough to create sophisticated work. I think I’m around 10 hrs/week.

2 What does the “next level” look like? What would the next level in the designs of your maps look like?

The “next level” in regards to the map project looks like more varied color scheme choices… a larger variety of typefaces… more attention to the size of the text as related to readability. I used a whopping total of two different typefaces between the three maps. Also I wish less of the background of my maps was the white of the page. The other maps that were completely covered in ink looked better.

3 What was some meaningful feedback you received about the maps and what did you do with that
feedback?

Some meaningful feedback was to visualize more of the decision map, particularly the pro and con lists, and to use less text. I took that feedback and 1 visualized the pro/con lists and 2 considered what else that was text could be visualized or given a color that would offer a deeper meaning. For example on the final decision map, all the colors correspond to each other — starting from the thermometer-looking graph on the bottom left, locations that are <500 miles away are green, 500-1000 miles are yellow, 1000-1500 miles are red; then on the flow chart, lines leading to each location match those colors; on the pro/con aspect, pros are consistently green and cons red. 4 Describe what level of challenge you encountered in the creation of your maps. What was the hardest part / what was the easiest part? What was the most enjoyable part of the process?

Creating the maps was more challenging then creating the symbols from the first half of the semester. I think because the map required so many more choices: color, typeface, concept, layout, etc. The symbol was difficult in the sense of combining different elements to make one simple sign, but there were less to decide. Choosing colors was the hardest part, which is probably why map 2 and map 3 have virtually the same color scheme. The easiest part was the determining the layout of the elements on the page. Map 2 was definitely the most fun because of the annual report vibe. I like really logical less artsy for the sake of being artsy things. What does that mean? I like when everything in a map has an identifiable purpose. The most enjoyable part of the whole process was doing the math/designing the charts for map 2. I love pie charts almost as much as I love real pie.

5 Did you do anything else outside of class, extracurricular, related to art, design, or creativity?

I continued working at the Riso and got waaaay better at printing on that thing. I made this spreadsheet to keep track of all the orders between Jimmy, Justin, and I even I think I might have been the only one who used it. For my final in my feminism/LGBTQ-themed rhetoric class, I made a zine/booklet called “A Pocket-Sized Guide to Feeling Empowered” aimed at pre-teen girls using all the skillz I learned in visual studies and type 1. My professor thought it was the coolest thing — “oh my gosh I love it” — and gave me an A. That was neat to combine everything I’ve learned in all my classes into one project. The typefaces might look familiar…

This is another gif (!!) clearly obsessed. If it’s not playing, click on it.

6 Whether positively, negatively or neutrally, how has your life outside of school impacted your school work?

Homework is what I do to get away from my personal life. So if things with my friends or family was getting stressful, I would just work on school work more to avoid having to think about the thing causing stress. I guess it’s a coping technique. For example, when my parents told me that they couldn’t afford St. Ed’s anymore after mid-terms, I had a big research paper due a few weeks later, so I worked significantly more on that paper and other projects than I probably would have otherwise simply because I didn’t want to have to think about what to do about the school/financial situation.

7 What does the most ideal classroom environment look/feel like to you? What does it mean to be part of a class? This semester, what was your part / role / contribution to this ideal vision? Looking back in the semester describe the physical location you think you were at your most optimum and flourished the most.

The ideal classroom environment is very relaxed. It’s nice to look at. Low-stress, yet productive and high-achieving. To be part of a class means to be prepared, bring your work to class, show up to class. This semester, I think I contributed to the low-stress feel of our class. I always came prepared, even though I’m definitely not a big talker. But I always had the work we were supposed to have, or at least my best attempt at it.

The physical location that is my favorite/best to work in is the second floor of the library in the morning or around 6 at night; definitely not mid-day in my apartment. It took me probably half the semester the figure that out. I like how everyone else in the library is also working on homework and the open-ness of the huge wall of windows.

Visu Final – Sequence Book


This is a gif. If it doesn’t play, click on it.

My sequence book was based on the Austin-American Statesman article “As South Congress Redevelops, Will the Funky Survive?” published in January 2017, which discusses South Congress’ transformation from a unique area to an increasing commercialized one.

“A wave of upscale shops, restaurants, offices and boutique hotels is headed to the area — displacing some of the homegrown businesses that many patrons and merchants say have given South Congress the eclectic character that has become synonymous with the city’s identity.” Shonda Novak and Lori Hawkins – American-Statesman Staff

Through cutouts that slowly reveal a dollar bill where the “homegrown businesses” used to be, my book reflects the changing landscape.

Enjoy.

Blog Post #11

Part 1: Based on the notes you took during class, write a brief description and response to each of the Faculty presentations.

BOB
Bob’s first love was the Fireball pinball machine. After exploring business reporting and film, Bob discovered the video game industry and began working for companies like Mattel and on products like “My Interactive Pooh Bear.” As technology advanced, the industry shifted into console and PC games. As a lead tester, Bob was able to “green light” his first love into pixels as he brought the electronic version of Fireball into the world.

ALEX
Alex really loves her kids, even though they forced her to reconfigure the way she works. Yet, from laborious installations to dining table drawings, Alex has remained focused on perspective, play, and purpose most recently creating drawings based on morse code. I’m going to go look up a free .gif maker.

JOE
Joe’s unapologetic portraiture of his Ohioan, blue-collar family which “doesn’t believe in abortion and doesn’t really practice birth control conscientiously” over the last twenty years documents perspective of relationship, masculinity, and femininity. As the viewer peals back each layer, the deeper meaning is revealed; that isn’t just a large lady with a tiny dog, that’s a woman holding the only thing left of someone she loved. The images prompt dialogue about lineage — what it means to be a father to a son to a mother to a daughter.

Part 2: Reflection on this semester and course. Feel free to write any and all comments here. We want and appreciate your feedback (both positive and critical).

This has been a pretty relaxed, low stress class. It’s been really neat to hear from people actually working in the different industries and be able to ask them our questions. The faculty presentations have also been really interesting to see what it looks like to both create your own work while also being a professor.

Sequence Book Prototype 1

things I learned from doing the first prototype:

Having the same pattern on the left side pages is boring.
My staples are going to have to be closer to the center because of the cut outs.
The cut out action has really precise and I should cut in better light.
I need to think of a title.
I need to make sure I set it to print bleed.
The orchid color is probably not the best choice for the covers.

Sequence Book Progress 2

Sequence Book Progress 2

My book is going to be 4.75 inches wide by 4 inches tall. Here are the spreads. Title is TBD. Each page will have one additional building cut out revealing the money sign landscape. The left page patterns are supposed to represent buildings, I think. Those colors might/will probably change. Maybe the pattern should run off the page. Maybe the patterns should smaller, less distracting. We shall see.

Blog Post #10

Part 1: In class Friday we had visiting speakers who work in the local video game industry. Write a short response to our visiting speaker presentations. Who were they? What do they do? Did you learn anything new through their talk?

Our class was visited by Nate, a game programmer, and Annie, a game designer, who together with a small part-time team created “Wildermyth,” a “character driven, randomly generated tactical RPG” game that is both “whimsical and serious.” When they first decided to make this video game they knew that they wanted to incorporate tactical combat and a fantasy setting with embedded character stories. They emphasized team alignment and financial resources as keys to successful game development. Nate and Annie broke down the “Indie Game Development Journey” into sections: tech, environment, characters, storytelling, game design, UI/UX, being a company, launching. I am not a gamer at all so pretty much everything was new information to me – like the insane amount of work it takes to build the “world” and the different levels of development like pre-alpha, alpha, and beta. I think their emphasis on team alignment – “who is on the team? what are they good at or excited about? what do they want to void at all costs” – is important and relevant to any creative field.

Part 2: Next class we will have some faculty presenters. This is your chance to ask them anything, no matter how absurd. Post at least one question on your blog. You can post more if you like. I will collate and choose some of the common questions that come up.

Who were/are your mentors? What makes a good mentor?

Sequence Book Progress

Here is what I’ve done thus far on my sequence book project:

Here’s a super rough sketch of the book’s layout

For the text for page three, I’m going back and forth between these typefaces.

I’ve started collecting some inspiration for the pattern pages, still not sure if each page will be a different pattern or if they will all have the same pattern.

Here’s my first iteration of the collaged landscape situation. I used the quick selection and mask tool to cut out the actual buildings, leaving the sky, cars, street, and lamppost in tact and put in parts of buildings currently on South Congress. I added a really saturated filter to them but I’m not totally sure how I feel about that.

so yes here’s what I’ve got so far.

Blog Post #9

Part 1: Based on the notes you took during class, write a brief description and response to the Alumni presentations.

Alejandro Ura aka Alex, ba gdes
Alex shared his experience working for SXSW Gaming in the marketing department. He emphasized the importance of identifying your audience and engaging in dialogue with them. Answer the questions what should the message be and how do you visually communicate it? He gave the example of the “Go Noobs” campaign that showed visually that it’s okay to be new at something.

Anthony M. Zubia, ba gdes
Anthony is an art director and freelance designer who got his start creating posters for Student Life events and then moved on to “real life” creating an ad campaign for the Testicular Cancer Foundation which raised awareness through witty posters, social media posts, and postcards. He discussed the rewarding fulfillment of the non-profit sector as well as the inherent unpredictability of relying on donations and external funding that eventually led to the elimination of his creative director position. He touched on the start-up media publication company Latinx Spaces he created with his wife and how a persistent presence results in acknowledgment. Additionally, Anthony has taken advantage of passive income by posting his designs to t-shirt printing websites and creating a channel on SkillShare.

Edith Valle, ba gdes
Edith is strongly inspired by her traditional Mexican upbringing and heritage and the nuances of navigating both cultures. When her dream discipline, cultural anthropology, wasn’t offered at St. Ed’s, Edith explored illustration as a her anthropological venue, eventually traveling to Mexico with Jimmy. An internship creating concert posters and a mural-making senior project launched Edith into her position as the Risograph Lab designer-in-residence which compliments her part-time job at the City of Austin, which highlights water and environmental issues.

Part 2: Many of our successful alumni say that their internship was one of the most valuable experiences they had. By searching the web, find at least 3 potential internships that you are interested in, and post the links on your blog. Many art galleries & non-profits, design firms, photo studios, and game companies have internship information on their websites.

Chameleon Cold Brew, social media content & graphic design intern
http://www.internships.com/social-media/social-media-content-graphic-design-intern-i4730047

New Sky Pictures, social media intern
http://www.internships.com/social-media/social-mediamarketing-intern-i6757838

AMS Pictures, social media intern
http://www.internships.com/marketing/social-media-intern-i3826175

Blog Post #8

Part 1: Based on the notes you took during class, write a brief description and response to each of the Faculty presentations.

Jimmy discussed his work in the Riso Lab, emphasizing the analog look possible with the copy machine-screen print combo machine. He transitioned from discussing the practicalities of making a publication with the risograph to discussing the word PUBLIC, a place, by definition, with no restrictions. He touched on the Publication Studio in Oregon that says that a publication is the book and everything that surrounds it – the events, the responses, the comments, the background, etc. He finished up by introducing the Riso Lab’s designer-in-residence program and lecture series.

Bill let the work speak for itself. Literally. For about six minutes we sat in reverent silence as we watched slide of Bill’s photography of ordinary objects manipulated by Photoshop flip by.

Tuan noted the future opportunities to work as an assistant for professors and highlighted work done for the department in collaboration with student assistants. He took the auditorium on a tour of his portfolio, pointing out various media like sticker printing, die cutting, patch embroidery, and Instagram projects. #whitecollarnovember.

Kim gave an engaging presentation on three aspects of her career path thus far: curiosity in a corporate setting, passion in service of a cause, and wonder for the sake of wonder. She emphasized the importance of becoming interested in the work of your clients, such as infant mortality, childhood obesity, and power usage. She also works as an experimental filmmaker, collaborating with her singer-songwriter husband to create audio-visual pseudo-collages of a hollywood musical.

It was so great to hear from faculty in different disciplines about both their personal work and the work they do within the visu department.

Part 2: Create a 5-year plan. What are your long term goals beyond college? What do you need to do to accomplish those goals?

Year 1: (This year) work hard in school, find a summer internship or job
Year 2: (Junior year) work hard in school, get involved in Student Life, find a summer job/internship or study abroad
Year 3: (Senior Year) work hard in school, make a really great senior project, find a job or apply to grad school
Year 4: (Real Life or Grad School Year 1) work in-house for a company’s design dept or first year of grad school getting a master’s in something
Year 5: (Real Life or Grad School Year 2) keep working in something interesting or working on a master’s degree

My Book Idea

I decided I wanted my book to be about South Congress since that was the subject of the previous two projects and I love a good pattern.

I wanted to learn more about the history of South Congress so I did some google searching. I learned about the gentrification that is happening on South Congress and that inspired my book. My book is going to be in the style of Eric Carle’s “The Hungry Little Caterpillar.” It will start with some words about South Congress opposite a collaged landscape of shops on South Congress. Every page will have one more building cut out than the previous page, revealing the final page which is a collaged landscape of businesses that epitomize gentrification – upscale, sleek, and shiny.

Because of the nature of the cut out effect, the left side page won’t be able to have a picture on it, so it will have a pattern that I plan on creating.