Semester 2 Final Reflection

VALUABLE TAKEAWAYS:

TECHNOLOGY:
Over the course of my four years in e-Communications, technology has obviously and consistently been a huge aspect of every single thing I completed. Whether it was using it for research towards the final product of my project, or simply using the Adobe Suite installed to my computer, technology was prevalent and much-needed. I acquired the skills necessary to use this technology through my teachers careful and diligent instruction, specifically from Mrs. Burdolski, combined with many outside of class hours working on designs. This acquisition of technological skills is extremely important in order to successfully complete the many projects presented in the program, as well as give you an edge that your peers wouldn't normally have on other subject projects, such as powerpoint and poster presentations. Of course, technology can be pesky at times, and there were multiple times where I found challenges. Usually they were related to Adobe Suite malfunctions, but occasionally there was a server error and files would get lost or damaged. Luckily, Mrs. Burdolski taught us all how to correctly manage our files, which helped immensely.

COLLABORATION:
One of the key components to the e-Communications program was the collaboration that occurred within each classroom. From the start of the program, teachers both encouraged and required us as students to work together and utilize our strengths and be aware of our weaknesses in order to create a stronger, more successful product. This was seen when we had to work in groups on the branding of a fake product, working in groups of five to create a commercial, logo, packaging, and various other advertising for this product. This collaboration extended into my junior and senior year when I collaborated with Student Council, creating all their promotional pieces, as well as collaboration with clients from the MLK Program and individuals who needed specific work done for them. Collaboration is important because it is consistently seen in the outside world, in relation to both graphic design and other fields of work, to create a more harmonious, well-rounded, and strengthened work. Luckily, I did not face too many challenges regarding collaboration along the way, however there were times when personalities did not mesh and ideas were not being accepted or listened to, but we preserved as a group, getting over our differences, in order to unify the whole and make compromises.

COMMUNICATION:
Communication is everywhere, e-Communcations has specifically taught me how to communicate via my artwork, as well as furthered my verbal and physical communications with others in person. I acquired these skills through the continued projects and work ethic imposed on us as students, communicating if I ever had problems. If we were ever going to be absent from class, I had to communicate with both my teachers and my fellow students that I would be gone. Last year, we had to communicate with a graphic designer in the industry, and I chose someone who lived in Connecticut, very far away from Kansas. It is because of the communication skills I picked up in e-Comm that allowed me to successfully do this once again my senior year, with a different industry professional, in order to gain some feedback on my portfolio. While there are always challenges when it comes to communication, forgetting to inform people of your absence proved to be the most prevalent issue throughout my years. Luckily, Mrs. Burdolski pushed us towards better communication as a whole through consistent group critiques and open conversations about our work.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
One of the most important things I learned from e-Communications was project management. Through multitudes of projects, my work ethic towards a stronger, cleaner, and more efficiently done final product was cultivated into a professional level. Project management is something that was consistently pushed in our program, and thankfully it was, otherwise I would be no where near the organized designer I am today. There were times when I would be working on a branding project for class, two posters for Student Council, outside client work, and trying to update my portfolio all at the same time. Normally, a student would probably give up, or at least ignore one of these projects, however, due to the diligent program outlines provided to us, and guided help available when necessary, I was able to remain focused and calm in order to complete my projects in a timely and well-done fashion.

LEADERSHIP:
I was presented with many, many leadership opportunities throughout my years in e-Communications. Whether it be the group leader for a Powderpuff Football Game t-shirt, or one of the Graphic Design Leaders for the Senior Show Committee, I was consistently brought up to a standard of excellence in regards to leadership. While I hold many other leadership positions in our school, the leadership in e-Communications is different and unique in the way it incorporates creativity and collaboration, as opposed to a set-in-stone outline of what to do, and an overbearing presence above those not holding leadership roles. This leadership is important because it teaches one to collectively make decisions based on everyone's needs, and really get a one-on-one sense of understanding between departments. The only challenge I think e-Comm has with leadership is that there are too many people capable of being outstanding leaders!

STENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:
My strengths definitely reside in file management, typography, handwritten designs, t-shirt designs, and poster designs. These are things that I practiced day in and day out in order to cultivate my crafty into something fruitful and professional. I pride myself on maintaining a very organized, yet quite bulky server folder, full of unique projects. I also started to play with handwritten designs, using my passion for typography and calligraphy and applying it to the computer in projects such as my Beauty and the Beast propaganda, the 2016 Homecoming Package, and the yearbook shirt design. It has grown into something I am extremely proud of, and it makes my work unique compared to my peers. I have gotten pretty good at designing shirts for clubs due to the large amount that I have been asked to do, as well as poster designs, which I have designed too many to count. This all comes from opportunity and practice, and learning to actively communicate with the client, really understanding what they want out of their designs. My weaknesses as a graphic designer is staying focused. For example, while typing this, I randomly started marking through a dance I'm trying to learn. When I focus, I am really focused and can get my work done, but I sometimes will go off on a random tangent during class time. Occasionally it is purposeful to cheer the room up and give a little excitement to people's mornings, but other times it's just my overly-productive mind trying to do a million things at once. I will work on staying more focused, but I can't promise that I won't be dancin' a little every once in awhile.

APPLICATION OF WHAT I'VE LEARNED:
I have learned so much as a designer, as well as a person throughout my years in e-Communcaitons. I will utilize all that I've learned as a designer when I begin my freelance work out in Texas, and possibly even more so when I decide whether or not I will minor in graphic design. I will also continue to use the communication skills I've learned to effectively interact with everyone around me.

SUMMARY/CONCLUSION:
This semester was filled with it's ups and downs, but I loved the advertising for the non-for-profit organization project the most. The whole process felt so real-to-life and gave me a glance of what work outside of the classroom might really parallel. Projects take numerous hours, approximately 15 from start to finish, which seems exhausting, but I find it enjoyable. If I were given the opportunity to change something, I can honestly say that I wouldn't. I loved the way things fell into place this semester, and I see each projects failures and successes as ways to improve upon and cultivate my craft. The biggest take-away of this semester would be that there is always room to work harder than you thought you could. You can always be doing something to help better yourself. My one goal for the future is to design something that is so self-fulfilling that I would want to hang it up in my room forever. I have come from a shy, unwilling freshmen, and grown into a strong, independent, and hard-working senior who actively participates in all aspects of the program. I have built relationships with both my peers, and more importantly, with my teachers. Mrs. Burdolski is one of the most influential people I've met and I'm so thankful I have someone I can rely on whenever I need advice or help. So far I have liked almost everything I've designed, but never enough to hang it in my room. Overall, this semester has been a blast and I'm so sad that I never get to come back to e-Communications as a student.