1. Further my understanding of graphic design from a marketing perspective
It was great to have the opportunity to produce collateral items for a brand because I have never done that before. Most of my graphic design experience has been used for a presentation standpoint, with focus on line weights and opacities, so it was fun to use the programs for an actual design from beginning to end. I was able to think about the marketing items at multiple scales and across several platforms which was great experience.
2. Experiment with three-dimensional design techniques that can be applied to a potential logo
I never really dabbled with using three-dimensional design techniques like I wanted, but I am still pleased with my design outcome. I imagined the logo in a three-dimensional, active space while I was designing it, but I never applied three-dimensional techniques to the text.
3. Become completely comfortable with running and updating a WordPress site so that I can apply these skills to an outside project
Maintaining and updating my WordPress site was one of my favorite aspects of this class. I came in with little experience in WordPress and now I feel confident to run multiple websites and even build one in another interface, which I implemented in AAD 550 for my field guide using Weebly.
4. Learn how to create marketing materials for a webpage using pixel-sized canvases
I never got around to creating media items for my collateral, but I understand the methods of creating an artboard or canvas for a profile picture or cover photo size.
5. Explore and experiment with the best possible graphical means to apply a brand identity to an arts organization
The creation of a logo, collateral, and graphic standards for a brand was a great way to experiment with personal style and methods of representation. I wanted the brand to reflect the building in which the organization is occupied, which is very industrial, blocky, and vertical, and I feel like all of those elements were apparent in the final logo. I also wanted the brand to appear modern and fun, which I believe was represented successfully through the use of the magenta color and subtle representational elements, such as utilizing Japanese dots rather than traditional dashes to indicate margins on collateral items.