reflection 3

This week's reading covered three areas of graphic design that are considerable to look for in the job market. It covered the book, music, and information fields. As I sat in my chair i was excited to learn about these fields, but as I read on I felt like I was entering uncharted waters. Each job proves to be most confusing than the next, and I found myself a little pessimistic about them.
In the book design, are split up into two different practices, and not all companies practice both of them. it is split into interior and jacket design. neither practice is simple, and have very little in common with one another. Further more, not all of them are designed by graphic designers. Sometimes companies would hire freelancer to put in charge of the design. in addition to the competition, marketing can also be an obstacle for designers. It is not enough for a book to be eye pleasing, they have to be able to sell. Marketing may not know what creativity, but it knows what sells. There must be a satisfaction for both worlds in order for the book to be successful. I honestly found myself intimidate by a book, something that i may find myself working on in the future. I am unsure if this is a field i can work in, and I have yet to prove myself on this long and graphic journey that I'm taking.
The music Business, as we know, is no walk in the park, and its art department is no exception. Designers are responsible for typography and imagery, and are limited to the size of a CD case. Like in book design, marketing dictates the development. Even if the art director approve, marketing can still say no if they believe it still wont sell. Sort of like the process of how a law is made. In addition, the artist (musician) themselves influence the design of the CD. This depends on how big a star the artist is. If that is the case they can not only chose who to give the job to, but possibly supervise the entire process of the development. As designer, one must not only be artistically skilled and have a love for music, but also be flexible. Balancing between artistic style, music style, musicians' drama and marketing drama, can be a strain on graphic designers. Nevertheless, a graphic designer must take on the project with confidence and pride, and pray that it wont be the one that gets them committed.
The last area that was covered was the information design. It covers pictorial sign symbol, which is what comes up with the signs to guide you to the right bathroom. This particular field chooses utility and function over creative design. Do not be mistaken, there is plenty of room for creativity, so long as the the work is informative. Sadly, that is as far as i was capable of understanding. After this reading I find myself intimidated more than ever. For every passage I read, I feel that limits tightening on me. I can only pray that with time I get wiser and a little stronger.

reflection 2

This week's reading was the first section of the text. As Usual my concentration skills proved to be an obstacle, and the reading seem to shift from one subject to the next. reading tend to concentrate design job possibilities, such as working for newspaper or magazine business, and to the inside knowledge of those possibilities. It even extended to the importance of logos. While it was useful to learn a little bit about these possibility, I had a difficulty learning anything well. all is not lost, however, I believe I mange to learn, what i think is the general idea.

The reading was direct about one thing. Specialization is risky. While doing what you love has its values, it also has its downfalls. Specialization tends to focus on one target within sight, and that leaves many designers to a disadvantage. For starters, it limits our chances to build our career. Specialization can mean having intense competition. If more than one person is after the same job, than it can get very difficult to even put your foot on the door. Furthermore, it limits your learning experience. If one solely focuses on one goal, then one can limit your learning experience to what that one goal is require to learn. Meaning that we can deny ourselves of a broad range of other skills and experiences that can later help us in a future task. Learning a broad range of skills is like knowing more than one language, the more you know the more you expand your chance for a career, and more importantly self growth. There are no guarantees that you'll get your dream job, but a Strong portfolio and a broad range of skills can just give you that edge you need to get you closer.

As i read on, the reading touched on subject of internship. It is true that several of then are thankless jobs (by which I mean non pay), and you may have to make a couple of runs to Starbucks from someone you may grow to hate, they are not the lowest of the low. You got to start somewhere, and you will not always like it. But if it gets your name out there, if it makes you a greater artist, and gets you closer to your goal, then whats wrong with that? I was greatly reminded of the great artist, Micheal Angelo. Micheal Angelo was known for his sculpting specialization, and don't care much for painting. Yet came the day when he was asked to paint the 16th chapel. Despite his indifferent relationship with the paint and brush, his reputation and education landed him an important Job. And it was his pride for his art, that helped him complete his master piece. Just goes to show you that there is no job is neither to humble or too low.

Becoming a Graphic Designer: Reflection 1

When the instructor, Jimmy Moss, announced that art 308 requires a text book I got very nervous. Having poor reading skills, and an attention span that burns faster than tissue, I was worried I would not be able to keep up with the material. Nevertheless, I had to buy and read the book. As I anticipated, I was having difficulty reading. While I made pass one word at a time, my mind was playing movies in my head. Despite the distractions however, I was made to make it through the 23 pages of the book, with a minimum understanding of the material.
The books clearly states that it is not a "Graphic Design for Dummies". That is what school is for. Instead, it is a guide or a navigator, to the working field of graphic design. This field is one that evolves, and as designers we must evolve with it. In other words, mere talent and technical skills are not enough. Change and adaptation, is the essential. As technology advances, it requires us to grow even more further. I does not always requires higher education, and has broader opportunities other than advertisement. It is a field that offers so much but demands just as much in return.
Graphic designs has come a long way from its early days. Before only a few low tech tools were all you need to begin your career. Now a days, an investment in expensive software is highly necessarily. Even though, advance technology makes it possible to unlock anyone hidden potential, Not everyone can become a great designer. Never forget, that graphic design is still an art. Despite being label as "commercial art", it does not make it an inferior one. In anything is is one of the most rigorous of arts, for it is a constant balance between selling, entertainment, and information. Further more, graphic designers must be flexible and must have a mastery of the essential tools and be familiar with its regions. from typography, to photography, to the history of design to the latest modern trends, graphic design requires knowledge and a will to learn. We must accept, promote, and even help change the standards of this art.

Animated Series of January: Jane and the Dragon

Animation of the month is Jane and the Dragon. Based on the children's book of Martin Bayton, Jane and the dragon has been turn to short animated series. Even though it was only two seasons, Jane and the Dragon is cherished cartoon with sophisticated animation.
The series follows the adventures of Jane, an adolesent girl in medieval times who is training to be the first girl knight, and her best friend dragon, a 300 year old carefree dragon (duh) who is in the search of his kind and his history.
The two friends started out as enemies but when they came to the realization that neither of them like to play the roles they are ment to play. While Dragon is expected to be cruel and vicious, Jane is ment to become a lady in waiting. From that point on the two not only become best of friends but they help each other out in achieving their dream. With Dragons help, Jane gets Closer to becoming the first girl knight, and with Jane's assistance dragon gets closer to unlocking his past and finding more about himself everyday. The serise is full of comedy and memorable charactors, that is sure to be a favorite among children and those who still think their children.
One of the biggest inspertion for this children's cartoon is the traditional fairy tale roles of female charator. While most of us grew up loving hearing stories of brave men saving the damsel in distress, Bayton hated them. He grew tired of female charactors constantly Cast as "the whimps", and so he created Jane and the dragon. A Heartfelt story that encourages not play the roles you were cast with, but to play the one you were born for.
While it is still unknown for why this show was cut short (at least it still is to me) one guess is the author wanted to focus on writing his novel. However that is still a guess. Nevertheless, you can still enjoy Jane and the Dragon on the kids' channel known as Qubo, and Martin Bayton's short stories.