I took a few variations of graphic design in undergrad. And I failed EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I managed to pass with a D my final semester, and I really think my professor just wanted me to graduate so I wouldn’t have to take the class with him again. I just didn’t get it. I initially learned Indesign on my own by practicing for the campus paper, but using it in a classroom setting made it way more confusing.
So, when I came to Newhouse this summer, and learned I would be taking design three days a week, eight hours a day, I was beyond nervous. But after I got the hang of things, I actually loved the class, which is why I’m taking it again this semester. I learned a lot, and I even finished the class with an A. Undergraduate Marissa was shocked. And relived. I proved to myself I could do it, I just had to work on things I was interested in. But the reflections blog post from last year’s class put things into perspective for this course too.
Don’t Get Stuck, Be Flexible
During the summer course, I would be dedicated to one idea and spend all week on it, only to be told to start over a few hours before deadline. I thought my ideas were just bad, so it was a little discouraging sometimes. But reading the blog post, I realized it happens to pretty much everyone. And while it helps to work on a subject your passionate about, it’s important to not get attached to a single design or idea. Things change, and that’s OK.
Sketch, Even if it’s Bad
I am terrible at drawing. TERRIBLE. But I did buy a sketchbook for this semester, and I’m willing to try again! I think even if the sketches aren’t great, it still opens your mind to more ideas, and those can always be translated on the computer, probably better than the actual sketches.
I’m glad to hear you’re willing and committed to sketching because that will make a huge difference. And here’s what else you’re going to do: you’re going to show me those sketches before you get too far, so you don’t end up having to change things dramatically at deadline, ok?