a rude awakening

I am so excited to say that I have completed my final project.  The next step of course is to go get the calendar printed.  I walked into Office Depot and mentioned that I needed five copies (one for the class and four as gifts to the girls at Perry's Ice Cream) and I was shocked at the cost. 

The calendar is 12 pages so I would need 60 copies at .70 cents per page.....only $42....WHATTTTTT!
That cost did not even cover cutting the page or the actual printing.

The only other option I had was to get the calendar printed back to back and insert a binding of some sort.  The binding is "only" $2.30 per calendar. 

I understand that printing is pricey but as a college student I cannot afford to print out my beautiful artwork.  As a result, I have decided to only make one or two copies for my final presentation for the course.

YIKES!

The future

I thought I would take a different approach to my usual posts and write about what I am feeling right now.  I think that it is important to write down how we feel about the present and our future so that we can read it later in life.

I keep thinking about graduation day and finally finishing my college experience.  I have an overwhelming fear that things won't turn out the way I want or expect in the future. Although I'm not the only one consumed with these emotions, I wonder what will happen after May 12. 

I find myself thinking more and more about what the next few weeks will bring.  I would like to say that my final weeks as a senior at Buffalo State will be enjoyable but, the course load doesn't allow me to feel joy.  I have completed my calendar for this class, I just have to get them printed for my presentation. 

Since we are about to embark on the journey of real world experiences I have been asking myself the following questions:

1) What am I going to do after I graduate?
2) Should I move to Charlotte or stay in Buffalo?
3) Is grad school a good option for me?
4) Am I going to make enough money to pay back my loans?
5) Marketing? PR? or Advertising?
6) Am I going to be happy with my career?

So, I leave you with this thought...dreams are important, but, what are you supposed to do if you don't have a dream of the big picture?  I do not know where my future will take me but, I know the future is bright.  Whatever happens, will happen.  Fate is a beautiful thing.

Excitment about Final Project

Ok....So I have started my project and it will be a set of mini calendars.  It will look awesome.  I want to make a petit calendar so I can hopefully give them as part of my gift basket for the girls I intern for at Perry's Ice Cream.  The theme of each month will be my favorite patterns and scrapbook paper. 

I think that the only part I'm going to have trouble with is the numbering for the days of the week.  Originally I started out making a grid for a full sized calendar but that was a bust.  For some reason InDesign would not let me make a table.  Oh well!  If it wasn't for that idea failing I wouldn't have decided on making these awesome petit calendars.  Here is the link where my inspiration can be found.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81955364/2012-petit-calendar-colorful-print

Final Project ideas

Hey Everyone!

I wanted to share some of my ideas for the final project in COM 322.  I really want to make a calendar but I am wondering if that would be too advanced for me and if there is quite possibly a template available with adobe.  I was also tossing around the idea of making a CD cover and a mixed CD of my favorite songs.  (lol) 

If I was an amazing graphic designer I would want to make a calendar with cute kitty cats like this one...(just kidding).  In all seriousness I thought that a calendar would be a great idea since Mother's Day is coming.  My boyfriend's mother loves hand made or personally made crafts and such....She would probably cry if I made one.  My mom on the other hand might like to show it off at work and talk about what an amazing daughter I am for making her this great calendar....ANYWAY, If I were to make a calendar I think I would want to add personal touches of special days throughout the year that mean something to me and my family.  I would also like to make it sort of themed monthly depending on whose birthday or event is coming up.

If I were to design a CD case I would use this as my inspration...(just kidding again). So many fond memories of this album and this band.  haha.  This album came out on my birthday and I was beyond thrilled. 

In all seriousness...again....I want to design something that I can use in my porfolio or give as a gift to someone.  We shall see what my brilliant mind comes up with in class today.

muahahaha. 

Project 4

ok, So I found the greatest video series to help me with my tri-fold brochure....There's only one problem....only the first 3 videos are free.  Anyway...I have a grasp on how to format my brochure to ensure that the sizing of each panel is perfect when I print and fold.  The trick is to decrease the size of the fold on the left by .16 of an inch. 

Now that I have that settled, I am ready to make an awesome brochure about Habitat for Humanity.  I figured this would be a perfect topic because I am also working on Habitat for Humanity in my Public Relations Writing class.  I want to blow my teacher away with my graphic design talents....if you can call them talents.

Anywho, I am excited to work on this project and hopefully create a masterpiece!

For anyone who is interested, here is the link to the video series:

http://www.digitaltutors.com/11/training.php?pid=401

Also, I wanted to showcase an effective brochure that I saw.  Habitat for Humanity in Knoxville made this great brochure that has a natural feel.  I like the wood background and the trees.  Check it out here:

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Knoxville-Habitat-for-Humanity-Tri-fold-Brochure/903132

Project 3

Project 3 already?  This semester is just flying by!  Anyway, I wanted to discuss my feelings about this project.  At first glance,  I think that it is going to be extremely tough creating a poster that is as effective as the "Uncle Sam" or the Rosie the Riveter" examples.  I want to put my focus on either drunk driving or animal abuse.  Both have a lot of examples that can be helpful or harmful to my creative approach.  I want to create something that is not yet out there but I don't know where to start.  I think that I want to focus on a single image with a catchy tagline.  I just have to figure out what that tagline will be. 

All in all, I am decently excited for the project, I just hope I can create something amazing.

Instant Books

So, here we are again and today I want to talk about the instant book project....

I am sort of lacking in the creativity department but, I have some sort of concept in mind.  I started out by looking up "weird" words that being with the letter B.  I found some decent stuff.  This project would be much more fun for me if I had a brain that could do some creative thinking!! 

Today, I am hoping to work on my project further during class and come up with a solid plan of how to execute my ideas and hopefully create some new ones.

First Blog Post

Why is it important for communication majors to study design?  I believe studying design is a major aspect of communication.  Communication means exactly what it says, to communicate.  In this major we deal with every aspect of communication from public relations, marketing, media production, journalism, and advertising.  

In this area of study there is one common denominator: GRAPHIC DESIGNS.  In the field of public relations and many other facets of communication we are responsible for creating appealing press releases, brochures, flyers, and advertisements.  

If we want to attract a specific audience we need to understand graphic design and how to create an effective and eye-catching piece. 

Why does good design matter?  Good design is what draws people to look at something.  

For example, an album cover.  If the design is simple with basic black and white text I may skim it over and not notice it.  I

believe that a good design is created from hard working, dedication, and passion.  One must be very interested in that project to make it work and look great.  

Write about a favorite piece of design that you’ve noticed. This can be a poster, a package
design, a billboard, a menu, a brochure, etc. What do you like about it? Why do you think it can be considered good design? I LOVE the poster for the movie, The Ides of March.  Whoever came up with the idea to split Ryan Gosling's face and George Cloney's face is a genius. 

I think that the image tells you that these two men play significant roles that tie them together in some way, shape, or form.  

I think it is a good design because it is clean and different.  You almost have to stare at the picture to know that it is not a picture of one man. 

 

Any other impressions after the first class meeting? After meeting today, I must say that I am a little overwhelmed by the course load and the expectations for this blog. 

I do know that this is all in my best interest and since I know nothing about blogging, this will be a learning experience.  I hope to succeed in this class and become an intermediate graphic design upon completion. 

I am looking forward to this new and fresh aspect of communication that I have not yet mastered.