The Final Post

This class far exceeded my expectations. I can say with absolute confidence that I learnt more in this course than in any other course I've taken thus far. Also all the lessons I learned are ones that can be applied to SO  many different courses, subjects, and careers. Taking this course really does make you look at everything in a new light. Whether it be advertisements, billboards, magazine covers, movie posters, suddenly I see everything differently. You feel like you know a little bit more about why certain things are placed in certain spots or why a type face was used. Although I'm FAR FAR from a graphic genius I feel I have a MUCH better understanding of the logic behind designs. Professor Hedges and Danya were both extremely helpful with all of the assignment. You never had to think twice about approaching either of them for help. I have never had a Professor or TA who were as committed to the students as they were -so to have them both be for the same course made it that much better. 

There really was no such thing as a pointless assignment in this course. All of the projects taught us something new. I came into the class having never opening InDesign or Illustrator and now feel very comfortable using both. I do think I'm still pretty shaky on Photoshop, but I improved a lot over the last couple of weeks. I think the greatest part about this course is that the skills we learn are ones we can carry with us always. We now realize we all have the potential to make a really cool poster or an impressive looking resume. I think everyone impressed themselves as the course went on with the ability to think of creative ideas to present material. Personally, I also noticed that as the course went on my way of presenting the ideas became simpler and simpler. I realized how you don't need to overdue it with special typefaces or really complex pictures. Instead a simple message should be conveyed with a clean and simple design. I think that my work definitely improved over the semester since Danya and Professor Hedges made themselves so available for guidance. 

My only criticism of the course is the labs. I think they should be optional rather than mandatory, because I really did not learn very much in them. Although all the of GRA 217 students had the same projects, different teachers had slightly different requirements and criteria so it was hard to have an instructor teach to all of those people at once. It did however, make you pace you work on projects so you weren't overwhelmed toward the end ( or at least not OVERLY overwhelmed.) 

I really enjoyed this class and have highly recommended it to many of my friends. I think it benefits you regardless of your major!