Open Mic

Hi everyone! I am bummed that I couldn't be there for the last class. I reeeeally wanted to see how everybody's posters turned out. Will they be hanging in the hallway next semester?

Since you're probably wondering, I gave birth to the sweetest little baby boy on Dec. 2. His name is Henry Sawyer Cochran and I just love him to pieces. I've already started designing his baby book. :)

I know it's all because of the hormones, but I'm not ashamed to admit that when I read Don's blog, I totally teared up. I felt touched by Don's words because I, too, have enjoyed the camaraderie while watching myself and others grow in our work. His reflections on his career path and progress also made me reflect on my own experiences. I think that I've always loved design but I didn't know it until two years ago when I discovered that designing rather than writing is what totally engrosses me unlike anything else. This program has given me the confidence to not only to make a career change but to call myself a designer. A big part of that has been the support and inspiration from peers and professors. What I appreciated about this course, in addition to the intimate size, was the breadth, depth and scope of the projects. They truly were more advanced and complex than most of the other straightforward projects for other classes. 

It's been a blast, you guys! I'd love to connect with all of you on LinkedIn since next semester will be my last. 

Happy Holidays (spoken in a "deanly" voice, haha)! And Happy New Year! Hope everyone enjoys their break!

Open Mic

Thank you guys for a great semester. This class almost surpasses words and images in terms of how much I have learned. I've learned about resources, and different ways of using design for the greater good (recycling, renewing signage, re-branding). You guys have taught me a lot about resources for ideas, organization and presentation. The weekly post and discussions have been somewhat of a news segment for design every week. As a result I have dedicated myself to keeping up with design on a weekly basis. I hope everyone has a great winter, and I'll see most of you guys in the spring.

Re: Open Mic Night & Save the Fonts

Open Mic Night:
I guess I will share how I got to the program, then reflect on the class itself. My undergraduate degree is in marketing with a visual arts minor. The idea was to work for a branding department, but I hadn't narrowed down exactly what I wanted to do. In my last year there, I realized that I really enjoyed design, but it was too late to switch majors and I didn't want to get a second Bachelor's. After graduating, I struggled to find an entry level job that was in the right field, so before my loans kicked in, I accepted the first opportunity offered: a recruiter at Aerotek. I spent 1 1/2 years there, doing a job I really didn't enjoy without any path towards my ultimate goal. I made a very tough decision to quit and go to graduate school.

It was by far the best decision I have ever made and an invaluable, humbling experience.

Any who, I've learned the most through my peers during critiques and have had some eyeopening feedback from a few professors who I admire greatly.

Save the Fonts:
Erin gave me the idea to look at my hometown's logos, as I never had before. Like Erin, I come from a very small town. Here are a few:

Re: Open Mic & Save the Fonts

Open Mic

My favorite part of this class and UB as a whole, is learning from my peers/instructors throughout the entire design process. Before grad school, I never had this – aside from one close friend who also designed on the side without a real design background. And let’s get real – your husband, parents and one of your best friend’s aren’t going to give you the real truth feedback you need to get, ha ha. My work superiors have no design background other than your design gag-reel of, “Ew, white space, make it pop, and I’d really like to see that logo bigger” feedback. People who I respect but would tell me that I’m the expert, when really I just felt like a fake. I was one of “those” people that really wanted to be a designer, but had no formal training.

I really wanted to come to design school to make a solid step in that direction. I ultimately came to this conclusion when interviewing for jobs that would make me lose all creative elements of my current role, and realized that strict corporate communication/PR wasn’t where I wanted to continue my career. The program has been awesome at helping me integrate my comm background with design and I really hope it gives me better direction when I make my next career move. Going to art school is something I have always wanted, but made excuses for not doing – and one day, after one interview, I said to myself – if not now, then when? (Cliché, but so true). And that is how I got here and I’m so glad I did it. I’ve grown more confident and I’ve learned much more about the art and design field in general just through class talks, which has been awesome.  I would have never called myself a designer before this, but now I am getting more comfortable saying so and even (gulp) added it to my LinkedIn recently. 

It’s been awesome getting to know all of you throughout the semester!  I share Don’s sentiments!  As for me, I don’t have a master plan for myself and I hate hate, hate,  “where do you want to be in 5 years, 10 years, etc.” question because I never know and my path is constantly changing and never moves (ever) where I think it will, ha ha. The small class dynamic has been unique and I am grateful for our roundtables and laid-back discussions…and hope to stay in contact with all of you.  :)

Save the Fonts: Small Town Signage

I come from a small town, so Mo’s post got me looking at some icnonic places in my hometown, Camden-Wyoming (yes that’s two names, they are so small they must share a post office…sigh), Delaware. (Cue Wayne's World reference)

I think it is interesting to look at type throughout history and how it serves your communities. I'm not sure I feel strongly about her charging for use one way or another (Regarding Mo's example). But I can say my town's typography isn't as cool as what she dug up --although, I'm sure these have been reworked and I couldn't find older versions via google. Here’s a glimpse at some businesses that have been around since at least the 20's, below. Not that these are shining examples, but I definitely see a resurgence of "old" typefaces - especially in hipster culture, as discussed in class.