Neufang | Final Thoughts

This, honestly, was one of the most interesting, fun and frustrating classes I have ever taken. I now know that being a designer isn't in my blood (I never even gave it thought, so I'm not taken by surprise here. Still, it's good to know). I have discovered that I do have a deep admiration for people that design; designers of typefaces to websites, concert posters to magazines, product packaging to store fronts. It is everywhere and I have always taken it for granted; no longer!

Designers make our world go 'round... well, at least it goes 'round smoothly without people stopping to wonder, "what the f-bomb am I supposed to do with this?" At least most people. I suppose designers are always stopping to analyze whether another designer got their point across. Or to steal business cards or posters.

I suppose learning the technology was the most valuable thing I will take away from this class. A good software package can help even the lamest of designers (like myself) pull off something that will allow them to communicate somewhat effectively. With some more practice I may even stop being so critical of my design skills. I have to say, it is amusing to see how I can manipulate a piece of information, and oddly fulfilling when I conquer the machine.

Being handicapped with the technology helped me learn that less is more. With almost every project I came up with these amazing ideas (at least they looked amazing in my imagination), and then I would have a mini-break down whilst trying to execute it. After wiping the slate clean, I would come up with something simple and much more effective than the original idea. So there's something: don't be afraid to wipe the slate clean. Hard work means nothing if it isn't good work; throwing away the first idea only makes room for something better.

I also grew a passion for Starbucks this semester. I was always a regular coffee kind of girl, and I never won one of those elusive gift cards, but working on these projects late into the night was always better with a caramel macchiato.