design it.
M/W 3:45–5:05 | section SIX | intro to graphic design | Renée Stevens
Author Archive
What I’ve Learned
I came into this class with a strong interest and small background in graphics and I am leaving with a renewed interest and a very strong skill set. I love looking around me and trying to figure out how things were designed or naming the typeface that is used. The most beneficial part of the course was the different types of projects we created. I feel like I have a strong start to a portfolio of projects to show potential employers. It shows that I can design various types of media but still stick to my own style. As far as improvement in the course my only complaint was the lab sessions. At time I felt like they were going too slow but at other times too fast. As a course I am very happy that I took graphics and would recommend it to anyone even slightly interested in the topic. As Renee said the first day, I can no longer go anywhere without seeing design. It has been a great semester.
Websites: The good, the bad, and the ugly.
First I’ll start with the good. I like the Apple website mainly because of it’s user friendly interface. I can tell exactly what I am looking it and how to get to where I want to be. The navigation bar at the top stays with me no matter what page I am looking at and gives me the option to browse any section of the website I want. I like the 4 column design but it doesn’t leave much room for large photos.
I love the Saatchi & Saatchi website. Their “About Us” page is so easy to use its incredible. The use a simple and clean typeface on top of interesting photographs to really capture the user’s attention. The best part about their website is the lack of clutter. The simple but elegant design is very refreshing.
Then we come to this. For my marketing class the book has us search through this website looking for product descriptions (I never found anything useful). The website says it was updated in 2008 but it doesn’t look like they’ve changed it since the 1990’s. The colors, typefaces, and layout are all miserable. There is little to no hierarchy and it makes the company look like it is being run by children. Apparently they sell novelty candy items for the holidays.
-Matt Smith
Sidebar
As I was walking through Newhouse tonight I found this copy of Zipped Magazine open to this page. Although I don’t think this is the most effective sidebar I’ve ever seen it still gets the job done. It is a bit text heavy which doesn’t help the overall design but it is definitely set apart from the rest of the layout.
-Matt Smith
Grid Design
This magazine design uses two columns and what looks like three to four rows. The columns are very important to the alignment of the visuals on both pages which creates a very structured and clean design.
-Matt Smith
Helvetica as Art
As I was searching the web for a unique use of Helvetica I came across this design using mostly Helvetica letters and symbols.
-Matt Smith
Poster Final
Matt Smith
Poster Roughs
-Matt Smith
What's due next on the blog
This week you will need to post a summary of the things you learned. In it we want you to include what you think was most beneficial about the class, what information you will use as you further your career, what you think could be improved upon, what you learned that stands out the most, and what you like most/least about the class.
>> due by 02nd May at 11:59pm---------------------------
Last week you needed to post an image of your favorite website. You needed to not only describe why you like it best in terms of design and content, but also explain how they lay it out and how it helps with navigation.
>> due by 25th Apr at 11:59pm---------------------------
design it. 
