Project 1 Update

Website Design

I setup with fat cow web hosting in February.  I have now started the design process and hope to have it completed by next week.  The color scheme and typography will stay the same.  Here is a link to my sitemap: http://writemaps.com/sitemaps/shareMap/ex1ff94yj185275iaeavqekbonj641po9w5k3e5syp4mb6cni4.

Project 3 Update

Printer Tour

Garner

Today we went to the Printer Garner in Des Moines.  Since we were such a large group, we got divided into 3 groups.  I never realized exactly how big a printer can be and the process it goes through.  The printer was enormous!  Even though there is a progression towards digital printing, it was neat to see they still had letterpress.  I wish we had gotten a chance to try it out.  Along with the embossing and foiling accents.  One process that I was curious about was the bindery. Most of the booklets can be put through the machine, but other times people would be hired to put them together.  I was also surprised by the whole size of the entire printer building.  I have never seen one that big.  I hope to learn more about the entire process of the printer.

Project 3 Update

Chad Owen

Guest Speaker

Chad's presentation today was a breath of fresh air.  Unlike the other presentation he told us the good and the bad of Graphic Design.  I really appreciated that he didn't fluff anything and was very blunt.  He also gave some new advice that I hadn't thought of asking.

The biggest key was not to job search during the summer.  In the Graphic Design world, it can be the slowest time of the year and companies may not need that extra help.  In one of his job experiences at an Ad Agency, he said it was very hard to have connections with clients and people.  All you do is stay on the computer all day.  For him, this wasn't the ideal job.  Personally, I want to have interaction with people.  When he mentioned this, it gave me a red flag to be cautious of Ad agencies.

Chad also mentioned, that awards get you places.  Awards also look good on resumes to potential employers.

When interacting with clients, it is important to know when to stop trying to convince.  Chad tried presenting a spectacular idea for the company and they weren't convinced.  The company wanted something generic.  Once Chad had tried to convince 2-3 times, he stops.  This was helpful to know when working with employers.  Another suggestion by Chad was to have people pay up front.  Many times new companies will start up and then run out of money. Leaving the designers with nothing.  In the same aspect, best pieces that are designed may never fully happen.

Sometimes when these situation occur, designers can get disappointed or depressed.  Chad suggests to make up fun little projects to keep yourself motivated.  I think is was very important!  Designers will always have good and bad days, by continuing motivation, great pieces can still be produced.

Chad's presentation today was very helpful.  I thoroughly enjoyed the bluntness and sense of reality in his presentation.