Interview with Graphic Designer + Reflection

1.What is the most common mistake people send/request in a graphic design?

Most people do not realize the importance of image quality of pictures and/or logos. They see the items on their computer screen and feel that if they look good on the screen then that is the way it will print. NOT TRUE! Computer screen resolution (72dpi) and good print quality resolution (150 dpi for large format printing to 300 dpi small format printing) are very important to ensure optimal print quality. Logos should be Vector for best results and HIGH RESOLUTION images.

Reflection: Vectors should be ALWAYS be used and considered when creating designs in a disparity of sizes/resolutions (such as a logo), and should have a flexible format. Although, I would need to outweigh file size vs file quality when creating designs.

2. What do you think is the most important aspect of a graphic design?

Listening to the client. The job is to get the clients message out as they intend in the actual design.

Reflection: Clients often know what they want and need, so always weigh their requests over your ideas on a design. Interpersonal skills and communication is key.

3. What do clients often look for the most in graphic designs.

• Trends

• Knowledge

• Professionalism

Reflection: People should consider their design in the context of the client/company, modern day associations, and possible meanings/usage of the design in the future. I should delve into as much research as I can when creating concepts and thumbnailing.

4. What do you look for the most in a graphic design?

I always try to use simple, clean fonts in my designs. Easy to read fonts get the message out better and just overall are more appealing.

Reflection: Fonts are very important since they are the essence of giving details and information! If the audience has a hard time reading/interpreting text, the purpose of the design will be thrown completely off course. Some fonts may seem dynamic and/or unique, but ALWAYS prioritize legibility.

5. When creating designs, can you summarize the concept-creating process?

• Speak with the client or get their notes on their vision, colors, images, size of piece, etc.

• Rough draw out any or all basic elements.

• Go to work on the actual layout on the computer. Some ideas will work, others won’t. adjust ideas as needed.

Reflection: This is similar to the process I use now! My graphics teacher also encourages this process, and it is often repeated that the steps should not be skipped and/or rushed over to create optimal, quality designs.

6. How do you determine what the audience/client would appeal to the most in a design? Examples?

If you have initially listened to the client, you should have most of the design covered and and the client should be happy. There may be some elements that need edited or omitted. There are however some clients

that are difficult. Some have ideas in their head that they didn’t communicate and when they see a proof, they are not happy with the design. In that case, let them know that you need to know what they expect so that you can deliver for them. They came to you for your expertise and with everything communicated properly, you can give them what they are looking for.

Also, go online and search various design sites for trends, cutting edge designs and others layouts. It opens up other ideas for you to explore.

Reflection: This is another thing to consider when dealing with interpersonal skills and dealing with clients. I should be ready to deal with possible difficulties and mistakes that I'll need to overcome throughout the entire process.

Additionally, research research research!

7. Do you have any tips when communicating what you and a client want in a design?

The tip I have as far as the initial meeting with a client is to let them be aware of your time.

Many people think they are the only client you are working with, when in reality they are just

one of many. Just be sure to let them be aware of the timeframe it will take you to give them

the initial layout. Be up front with them about your proofing process. If for example, you are

are charging them a lump sum for their project, let them know that they will get one (1) design

and two (2) revisions in that price or whatever it may be. A lot of clients want to nickel and dime

you and going into their job to make multiple edits here and there costs you more time.

Reflection: I must consider possible outcomes/options through the production of products should be communicated to the client so that they are well-informed and expectant.

8. What is the most challenging design you have faced?

I haven’t had one most challenging design, I have had several.

As I mentioned prior, some clients do not elaborate on their ideas or just don’t exactly

know what they want in a design, but just know they want something and when you present

them with the initial design, they are not happy with it and can’t give you any input as to why,

but just know they don’t like it and want to go in another direction. That type of thing does

happen and it makes you have to go back and try a new vision based on not a lot of info from

the client.  

Reflection: Try as much as you can to ask for necessary amounts of info to complete a design, but be ready if you have to work with insufficient info.

9. Does anyone ever get onto you for copyrighted fonts, logos, etc...? If so, how do you avoid this?

I haven’t had any issues with copyrighted material. If you use fonts that were purchased by you and use your own work, there won’t be any issues with it.

Reflection: I will continue to look up copyright rules on fonts I pull off online and ones that have already been purchased.

10. Do you ever need to communicate with other graphic designers over a certain design? How should this be handled?

I never have communicated with other designers on a project that I was designing, so I can’t give any input on this.

Reflection: I personally experience this in graphics class whenever we recieve clients. We often give one another constructive criticism and bounce back ideas on one another. This may be different in a workplace setting, though.

My Essential Question

How do I develop a graphic design that is memorable, effective, and changes the audience?

* Why did you select this as your essential question?

Graphic designs have been known to inspire movements, propaganda, ideas, and other grand changes in society in history, but they can just as easily become plain and forgettable. Since I wish to grow and work at the best of my ability in the field, I hope to learn how to exceed standards.

* What excites you most about finding the answer to this essential question?

I would not only be able to apply it to all my designs and creative process, but also using to make visual communications that reaches the audience in the best way possible.

* Do you feel that this question accurately reflects a desire/need that you have to find out more about this topic?

Yes, with all given factors that could be incorporated to design, I've wondered if there are a key set of attributes that make a successfully memorable design.

Nov 28 Reflection

Article Source

The youth of today may have received limited knowledge of situations they may approach in a work place due to their educators having a flawed and/or inflexible to what is realistic. Additionally, beginning in a new field leaves an empty vacuum of where previous experience and memories should be, because like muscle memory, taking action leaves a better impression for future events. Social intelligence is crucial when working with a variety of clients and coworkers and getting the best impressions and conversations out of them. This form of intelligence helps an individual know the etiquette of a work setting, along with a clients' personal needs, such as physical language, verbal language, impressions, attitude, and more. I personally need to apply such skills when explaining to clients the complications of certain aspects of visual communications in different scenarios.

Partner in Education Q&A

• In regards to your internship site, explain how you feel they are a "partner in your education"

At Brandywine, they keep me busy and do their best to make my internship experience involved and useful. Whenever I visit, they find jobs and tasks for me that best fits my skill level, and they gladly assist and educate me whenever I have questions and/or problems. Each member of the facility work together to accommodate my needs in this educational experience by telling me what they know best and referring me to each other.

• What have you done that has made your supervisor's life easier?

I try my best to finish any printing processes Mr. Brooks is working on, such as setting up tools, supplies, among other things. By completing more products and speeding up the process, I hope to cut the time and effort needed to produce quality orders before their deadlines. When other tasks are unavailable, I file and organize clients' proofs.

• What goals have you met so far?  Have you changed any of your goals?

I have established myself as a novice, but reasonable graphic designer, and I have already worked with one real-life client's needs. 

Oct 24 Q & A

• How has your perception of the internship/organization changed since you started the internship?

At first, I was unsure how being in an internship at a printing facility would reinforce my graphic design skills, but now I have been enlightened with the process behind graphic design, and how printing requires certain aspects that should be considered when designing.

• What is surprising you about this internship?

There is a various array of printing mediums that I was unaware that graphic design would be needed for, and I learn and observe a new type each session. Additionally, with each type I also learn the various protocols and precautions when designing specific products, including re-sizing quality, bleed, and so forth.

• What have you learned from the routine or boring parts of the internship?

I often observe how my manager handles customers and process orders, proofs, and production. This often includes the process of filing data for proofs and orders, and collecting customer info through email communication.

Jairus' Mentorship Write Up

My Profile:
I have been passionate in visual arts as long as I can remember, and after being introduced to graphic design by Forsyth Central High School's splendid art department, I knew it would be a field I could delve into.

As a high school junior who has taken 2 years of graphic design classes, I have put out many designs for the school, such as a poster for the drama department's most recent act, Pippin. Additionally, I have taken part in assisting my fellow graphic design students. I strive to do my best in the subject and build upon improvement, and I have taken the responsibility of enrolling in an internship program provided at my high school to achieve this.

My Mentorship:
At a local business which provides graphic design and printing services, Brandywine Printing Inc is where most of my internship takes place. My manager and mentor Mr. Brooks instructs me on all the protocols and functions required to produce the best quality in his business.

In my time there, I observe several different mediums of print, and I learn how files created in a graphic design are interpreted by the machines and programs. By this, I have become aware of rules and techniques to follow while designing whenever I put what and how an order is printed into consideration.

My future: 
I plan to apply this experience as credentials to any possible graphic design jobs and/or education, alongside being able to know how to react in a real-time business environment. Next year, I hope to get into a higher graphic design course and an additional marketing principles course to reinforce skills in my preferred field of work.

(Reflection) "Graphic Design: Fine Art or Social Science?"

I delved into this source to find out what graphic design is and why so crucial in business and society. This passage by Jorge Frascara, professor of visual communications and chairman of art and design, focuses on graphic design's socially understood definition, its fluid usage and interpretation throughout history, and its flaws and misunderstood assumptions. The article, covering information collected in 1984-2010, is a short excerpt from a volume of Design Issues. The 12 pages of the excerpt are extremely descriptive and provides several accounts and figures as examples to prove the author's point. For instance, a figure of a design for a product, which failed in its purpose due to the graphic being loosely related to its product and purpose (Frascara describes this as an inefficiency in communication). Inevitably, the example given proves graphic design's importance in properly reaching its audience. Other than marketing, Frascara also provides examples of propaganda and typography which also hold important roles pertaining to the purpose of graphic design.

Overall, the main points of the article are the importance of influence of visual communications on its audience. Not only is there an artistic aspect, but also the incorporation of sociology, marketing, psychology, and other important ideas needed to effectively change an audience.