Target & current expert hours: 500 hours per year for 2 years/ at 281 hours
Expert experiences: none

The social emotional development of my work over the semester should be scored as young. Social/emotional development is defined as the combination of learning diplomacy and truthfulness to interact with individuals or groups in a manner that contributes positively to members of society. Based on these standards, I believe my social/emotional development has improved since the start of the semester.  Since this is my first class focusing on introductory graphic design I didn’t know how to effectively interact with others in relation to the scope of my work at first. However, I’ve learned that social emotional development within the setting of a design graphics course is heavily focused on being able to maintain a perspective of critical thinking towards feedback provided from critique after critique. Efficiently transitioning from the exchange of ideas that will benefit one’s work from student to student is the social aspect pertaining to development. Being able to sustain a clear rationale and an open mind towards any kind of advice relates to emotional development. I found that I’ve learned how to approach classmates and professors about relevant questions pertaining to my work that will guide my social growth. In terms of emotional development, I’ve always been good about keeping a calm and collected demeanor. Thus, I look forward to critiques in that I’m able to make an informed decision about how to proceed with my work by analyzing all suggestions, ideas, issues, etc. that are brought up.

The sophistication of my work is adequate, but it has remained relatively steady throughout the semester. As a result, I have kept up with good consistency of work quality throughout this semester. I maintain that I exhibit a high level of sophistication in the process of my work, rather than in the actual final product. In my opinion, the end result of my work is only of medium sophistication. It is the minor things such as kinks in symbol designs, misuse of negative space, or lack of proper font usage that prevents my work from reaching its full potential. Therefore, in order to improve I would have to be more meticulous throughout my design process.

Using feedback has not only helped improve my assignments, but it has also helped me grow as an individual. For example, Maria’s feedback on my final three symbols allowed me to envisage the possibilities of where my assignments could go, giving me the motivation to add the finishing touches. Gaining feedback in Graphic Design I has allowed me to recognize that my designs have no limits, and that there is no finality. However, my use of feedback has been sparse. I haven’t effectively used suggestions from other class mates to disinter the full potential of my projects. For instance, I acknowledged and even implemented some of what Maria suggested toward the design of my symbols, but I could have reached out to her to get a more complete picture of how to improve them overall. In other words, taking advantage of my classmate’s perspectives is something I would do to holistically improve my utilization of feedback.

I have challenged myself moderately throughout the semester so far. Getting acclimated to the Illustrator program has been extremely difficult for me, but I’ve managed to get used to some aspects of the program. However, I do challenge myself when it comes to managing deadlines. If I set a deadline in my head, I will make sure the assignment is done by that deadline no matter what. This forces me to manage my time even more wisely. Over all, I can challenge myself more by not playing it safe when it comes to the complexity of my designs. Taking risky chances and trying new techniques over the course of my design process is essential.

I contribute moderately to the class room environment. I’m not afraid to ask questions or share my ideas with others, but most of the time I’m so invested in my own work that I miss out on opportunities to contribute. For instance, sometimes I don’t acknowledge group discussions or critiques because I’m focused on my main project; I tend to pay attention to only one thing at a time. Even though I don’t contribute much, when I do contribute, it matters. I’m receptive to other’s opinions and when I speak I take that into account. I also speak with conviction, providing worthwhile information that I’m actually passionate about. When critiquing Emily’s symbols, I made sure that she understood what I was telling her while reflecting on what I had learned in class. I got really in-depth with her critique just to prove a point. Later, I discovered that she took my suggestions and she actually understood how I was trying to help improve her designs. Hence, I believe that when I do choose to contribute, I can be influential. Despite this, my contribution is sparse and I would rank it as room temperature. Paying attention and developing what to say at a quicker pace would help improve my contributions significantly.

I’ve gone through minimal practice time, but my use of practice time has been consistent. I don’t get as much time to practice Adobe Illustrator as I would like due to a busy, hectic schedule. However, if I’m working on a project for three hours or so outside of class in the library, I’ll dedicate about thirty minutes of those three hours to practice time. This is a system in which I can manage my time efficiently, learn a little about Illustrator, and get work done simultaneously.

I’ve changed profoundly through this class. Because of the diverse environment, I’ve become a better communicator, a better artist, and most importantly, a better designer.  Now that I know more about graphic design, I’m that much more respectful of it. I’m more aware of its implications and have a greater understanding of its accidence. My work in this class has improved, but only slightly. My skills still need work. If grades are based on work quality, I wholeheartedly believe I deserve a B in this course. However, if based on learning (which I believe should be so), then I deserve an A. The benefits of learning are invaluable. Every professor’s top priority should be to help students learn something new. I have done just that in Graphic Design. I’ve learned perspectives different from my own, allowing me to understand diverse opinions. I’ve learned about specific design techniques. I’ve discovered intriguing terminology that can only be applied to the vocabulary of a graphic designer. I’ve gained so much through knowledge. Hence, I believe having learned something is best “grade” of all.