Defining Client Needs

Mind Maps

  • KYOTO MIND MAP
  • REYKJAVIK MIND MAP
  • MARRAKESH MIND MAP

Logo Sketches

What are the key takeaways that will have the most impact on your experience as a graduate student?

  • The one thing that I have found most refreshing and liberating about this Master’s experience so far is the concept that there is no one answer or one way to solve a problem. The emphasis is on independent thinking. There may be a good, better and best solution—but never just one solution. In the past, I have tended to feel “cornered” into doing things someone else’s way and made to think that my way was flawed. For me, the emphasis on innovative and independent thinking is key. 
  • Also key is the ability to make accurate self-evaluations and adjust accordingly.
  • Making clear and persuasive presentations is yet another great skill I look forward to developing during this MDMFA.

What are some questions and/or concerns that you may have about the program that may impact your future success?

My main concern is in committing sufficient time and concentration in my courses (and therefore myself). I must be able to do my full-time job and give my all to this program. My future and success depend on it.

 

Week 2 Live Session Concepts

This video shed light on my responsibilities as a media designer. In fact, before signing up for this Master’s program, I had no idea that what I already do is called “media design”. What we used to call brainstorming is now “mind mapping” (but with maybe a little more organization).

What is a Media Designer? As the media designer, my job is to express ideas intelligently, esthetically and across a number of different media platforms to the public, on a client’s behalf. Before even speaking to a target market or potential customers, however, there are many internal and external gatekeepers to whom I must “sell” my ideas and concepts.

Who is the Client? My initial client is anyone within my own organization to whom I must report and receive clearance, starting with those on my team. On the client-side, it’s my direct contact all the way up to the CEO and any shareholders. It’s anyone who has a voice in decision-making.

What is the Role of Research? Another job of the media designer is to become an expert on my client and my client’s product or service. The media designer hones her insights through careful and well-planned research. I must define the issues that must be solved. These issues may even differ from what the client thinks they are. Research defines among other things—Who is the target market? What do they think? What do we want them to think? (Back in the day, advertisers called it: Answering the “who-what-what”.)

 

Week 3 Live Session Notes

What the Logo Is Not

The logo is not the brand. It is a small part of the brand. The logo stands for and represents the brand in the same way that my name represents me. However, the logo should be very simple and is not expected to communicate all that the brand is. Rather a logo should be one thing, one concept—not a whole slew of concepts.

What the Logo Is

A company’s logo is its signifier. According to David Airey, it should be simple, relevant, incorporate tradition, distinct, memorable, work in small sizes and represent one thing. Almost everyone who sees our logo will see it briefly in passing, so it should communicate quickly, effectively and cleanly. In designing the logo, one should choose elements that are relevant to the overall brand in theme, style and emotion.

Kinds of Logos

Typographic logos use a font as the main visual element. Iconic logos feature simple graphics that represent an aspect of the company. Illustrative logos pictorially represent an aspect of a brand in the same way that a team mascot represents the team. Graphical logos fall in between a simple icon and a more complex illustration in detail. It uses a bold linear style to represent the brand and can be used across a broad spectrum of media while retaining its identity.

 

Week 4 Live Session Response

The purpose of critique is to make us better media professionals; and it is a valuable life skill. When done correctly, critique is instructional, supportive, reflective, critical, truthful and informative. Furthermore, it makes us better communicators. It helps us to give and receive evaluation of work that is near and dear to the designer’s hearts, advice that at times may be difficult to hear. But done correctly, critique advises and counsels without scarring or wounding the ego of the other person. Yet, it is honest and truthful.

Critique done right respects the designer and seeks to improve the design. This is key because, done incorrectly, it can cause the designer to shut down. Done with love and balance, critique uplifts and enhances the professional and his or her work. While critique is not to be solely negative, neither is it flattery. Its purpose is to give a truthful and honest evaluation of another’s work.

However, the critique is not a mandate. One need not change his or her work based solely on another person’s opinion. Critique is given for one to weigh and evaluate its validity, and then to act or not to act based on its perceived value and usefulness. Critique that is perceived as unhelpful or outright wrong, should be received with a simple “thank you” rather than a debate.

research paper

Lessons from What is Graphic Design? with Sean Adams

Action plan 

  • Get ahead of the curve by reading and digesting my assignments early on Mondays so that I can work on projects “in the background” like my computer does.
  • Be patient, be intentional and not settle for the easy solution or the first thing that comes to me (a bad habit acquired from always feeling pressured to get everything done).
  • Push myself to do more than is required on every project.

Expected level of commitment

I am all in. My entire life to this point has been focused on helping other people (my clients, my church, my family). This is my time to do something meaningful and lasting for ME. That’s huge! For once, I am fully committed to making me the best that I can be.

Long-range goals as a professional media designer

  • Apply for free-lance jobs that I once considered beyond my skill set.
  • Present myself to the world as an expert in branding and marketing.
  • Have a stand-alone company that can hire and mentor others in graphic design. 

Reference Sources

What is Graphic Design? A video by Sean Adams
https://www.lynda.com/Graphic-Design-tutorials/What-Graphic-Design/614734-2.html?org=fullsail.edu

Inspiration:
Creative Inspirations: Margo Chase, Graphic Designer: 
https://www.lynda.com/Design-Documentaries-tutorials/Introduction/685/38830-4.html?org=fullsail.edu

A Great Book on Logo Design: David Airey’s Logo Design Love: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities
https://ce.safaribooksonline.com/book/branding/9780133812589

Creating Sketches:

Fonts and Typography:

Creating Vector Files From Sketches:

The Design Process & Critiquing