Blog 6: Second Interview

Interview Questions:

• What was your biggest inspiration to becoming a graphic designer?
• What did you have to go through, educational wise, to get to where you are?
• How long have you been in this career field and within those years, when did you realize this was the career you wanted to keep? 
• What do you think the most important characteristic to have when you're a graphic designer?
• What was the best design you've ever created or seen?
• What distinguishes you from other designers?
• What is your favorite thing about your job?

Blog 4: Working EQ

The Pentagon:

1. Positive Statement: What positive thing happened as a result of what you have completed so far?

• So far, I think one of the most positive thing that happened is that I've gained a couple of contacts that could potentially help me with not only my senior project but with an actual career if I do choose to go this path. 

2. EQ Content: Pick a piece of research or your interview. How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?

• I think the interview helped me so much because me interviewee, Clelia Hernandez, gave me so many examples and every time she explained something to me, everything was so in depth and she just made everything really clear.

3. What has worked for you so far in your senior topic?

• So far, finding research for this topic has been a breeze. I found a lot of great information and learned many new things about how to create an appealing design.

4. What hasn't worked for you so far?

• So far, finding a mentor has been very difficult. I've contacted several people but they told me that they either weren't looking for an intern or they only did printing which wasn't what my topic's about.

5. Finding Value:

• What possible question or questions come to mind regarding what you would like to study this year?
• I'm not exactly sure. I guess my only question would be how does any of the things I'm learning apply to real world situations?
• What is your end goal this year with your senior project?
• My goal is to create some sort of a base to a career. More specifically, I want to start my own little "company." Not going out to open up a shop or anything but I want to put designs out on the web, make business cards and give them out so whenever people need a design, they would contact me. It's a far-fetched idea but I would love to do that.
• Who would you like to talk to you next? Why?
• I would like to talk to a professor next. I think it would be a good idea to talk to not only someone who has the experience but also someone who knows about it so well that they could teach it.

Blog 5a: Problem Statement

1. Graphic Design (Problems):

1. Many graphic designers do not use their creativity to inspire others to change the world. "Changing the world" might be an overstatement but even make changes in their communities. People need to be inspired and what better way to do it then graphic designs? I mean, look around you, they're everywhere!

• Once I figure out a way to solve the problem I will try and put together groups of talented and creative artists who wants to see as much change in the world/community as I do. 

2. I currently do not have a second question. I do not yet have a mentor so I haven't had the opportunity to ask and see what problems he/she has faced. However, I am waiting for a response from a possible mentor and will ask and find out different problems as soon as she contacts me back.

Blog 3: Interview Preparation

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?

• I plan to interview Clelia Hernandez, an iPoly Alumni. She did her senior project on a topic that is similar to mine and she has experience with graphic design. I thought it would be convenient to interview someone who has experienced the project before. If she is not available, I plan on interviewing my summer mentor, Lidia Korinko from Art2ink Inc. I would interview her because she has tons of experiences with this topic and because it would make sense to ask her since she was my mentor for the summer.  

2. What additional questions do you plan to ask?

• What made you want to pursue this career?
• What characteristics do you think are required to become a successful graphic designer?
• What difficulties did you face when you began this career?

Blog 2: Topic Choice

1. What is your topic and why? 

• Graphic Design is the topic that I will pursue as my senior project. I have a great interest in both art and computer (mainly editing pictures) so since that is generally what graphic designing consists of, I thought it would be a great topic to pursue. I also believe that since I know people who are familiar with programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. (tools that graphic designers use), I would have a great advantage when it comes to figuring out how to use those tools.  

2. What do you hope to accomplish this year with this topic (connecting your answer to each of the 4 ESLRs)

• iPoly Citizen: I plan to use graphic design to be an iPoly citizen by creating positive and inspirational messages through my art. 
• Effective Communicator: I plan to welcome customers and greet them to make them feel comfortable. I also want to be able to discuss with them, and go into depth, about what they would like their product to look like. This will make me an effective communicator because I will be able to produce the best final outcome of the product.
• Effective Learner: I plan to learn how to look at images and, in my mind, visualize how to put the images together to create a new image. This will make me an effective learner because it will open my mind and help me learn to visualize things through a different perspective. 
• Effective User of Technology: I plan to learn how to use all the tools (Photoshop, Illustrator, Etc.) to the best of my ability. This will make me more effective as a user of technology because I will be able to make better quality artwork.