one week/three classes left in graphic design

I get more and more excited as my time at Keiser is ending. I am excited that I will finally be done and have my degree. On the other hand though, with graphic design you have to make sure to stay up to date with all the new improvements and tools and such because things change everyday in the computer world. You can always learn new things in graphic design. I have to remember to constantly be playing in the programs and doing new tutorials online so I can always be improving my skills and the time it takes me to do the skills I already know. I do have the ability to audit any class I have already taken which is nice because it will help me with staying up to date and learning new things. I am excited to learn more and use my knowledge that I already have in the programs to do bigger and better things in my future. I am really looking forward to having more time for my design business. It will be nice if we can get our name out there and start bringing in some decent amounts of work. Looking forward to putting my knowledge to work! :)

Nearing the end.... of my associates degree at Keiser that is.

So I have four classes left until I am done with my graphic design classes. I have one more mandatory general education course which ends May 28th and then I have no more schooling here at Keiser. I am going to miss all the great times with classmates and all the fun and interesting projects we did in each class to teach us the ins and outs of every program. I do plan to continue my education in the near future at the Art Institute of Tampa (they have a bachelors program there). I want to take a break though for a few months to get my life in order and enjoy my new home that I will be moving into May 1st and hopefully do some work under LEON GRAPHIX since we havent really had the time to do anything as of yet. Being out of school and having my nights free will give me time to work as a designer with our business. Once all the dust settles and everything is in order I will go back to school. I am super excited that I have reached this accomplishment in my life and I am happy about the things I have learned that I will get to walk away from this with. I must admit these last few months I struggled to stay motivated because I was starting to feel burnt out, but every bit of frustration and every minute of those late nights doing projects was worth it. Thanks to Ms. Gilpin and Mr. Williams, along with Mr. Gonzales and Ms. Stanton. Cant wait to move forward with my graphic design and look back at all my "FIRSTS" that I did while I was in school at Keiser, when I was just being introduced to the programs.

The best thing about going to school for graphic design and co-owning a design company...

So...my dear friend Zack and I own LEON GRAPHIX together. We have had a little bit of business but being as we both work full time jobs and go to school we havent been able to do a lot. We have been discussing the fact that one of the best things about going to design school is that you know which one of your classmates is the best at which program and who you can ask to help you when in crunch time and need more help. We have been in all the classes now and both finish up after this class. The good thing about asking for help from someone in our class is that A they understand that we are just starting out...as are they... so we aren't going to have to pay a million dollars for outsourcing they will just tell us how much they want to get for the job and we will adjust the pricing accordingly on the invoice. It also will help our classmates expand their portfolios if they want to go elsewhere. We are hoping that once we graduate the business will get busier and we will have time to go out and get our name on the streets and in the businesses local and in surrounding areas. I cant wait to be done in May. I hope we can truly get this going the way we want it to.

Decisions-Decisions

So when you work full-time (mon -fri 8-5) then go to school Mon Tues and Thurs night (6p-10p) and play in a softball league wednesday nights and soccer league Fri and sat night... when do you find time to do work for your personal business. My classmate/coworker/business partner Zack and I have started getting work offers lately and it sucks because we cant find time to do them in the time frame people need them done in. I dont know if I should give up my sports and do this work and have absolutely no "FUN TIME" for myself.... or just wait till I graduate in May to accept any offers on work. At least then i will have time when i get out of my daytime job to work on it at night because i will no longer have school at night. I feel like if I give up my sports (which are my only relief during the week) right now I may just lose my mind working all the time. Its crunch time though and I need to make a decision, I really dont wanna let these customers go by but then again I dont think it is healthy to be all work no play either.

How an injury can affect your job? :)

So...To make a long story short I had to get a spot on my arm cut open last night at the hospital. As I was laying there waiting for the woman to come in with the tools and start carving into my arm I had time to think. What if I would've waited even longer to get this done? What if it got so bad that they had to amputate? How would I work as a graphic designer, after going to school for this long, with only one arm to use while manoeuvring around the computer. I stopped to think about the project I did last class on accessibility and realised how truly lucky I am. I give them props for being able to (despite their disabilities) still find a way of using computers, and getting around other difficult challenges in life that they have to face. I sat and thought about how much I would have to adjust if I did have to lose one arm one day. I just wanted to get this out there that sometimes those of us without disabilities take A LOT for granted.

So I am blogging about professionalism today

Sometimes younger graphic designers have the mind set that they can wear whatever they want because they are behind a computer screen. Truth is it all depends on what kind of clientele you are looking to do work for. The more professional you look the better chance you have of working with "BUSINESS" people. Someone that owns a lawfirm is a lot more likely to hire a designer that comes in a suit and tie that has a so so portfolio then a person in street clothes that has a good portfolio. Most people unfortunately do go by first impressions. Sometimes the chance to make a second impression doesn't come along. If you want to stick to working with family and freinds and tattoo shops etc. then sure where whatever you want, but if you look forward to making good money in the feild one day, you might want to think about your wardrobe when going into an interview.

Another thing that goes along with professionalism is language and attitude. People in the business world do not want someone with a bad attitude that swears like a sailor. They want someone who gets along with others in the workplace, doesnt bring or start drama, and knows what it means to speak to people in a "professional" manner.

Web Design PART 2

Today was the second day of our new class, for the projects we are to write up a Proposal, Contract, and Creative Brief. I have always known that I needed to do these things but never actually had to do them. I looked up the samples online and adjusted it to meet my project. As I read through them and made the changes that needed to be made, I realized how many things are involved in the creation of a website that need to be accounted for when charging someone for the work. Also the contract made me realize all the different angles that needed to be covered when dealing with someone on something regarding money for work. We discussed third parties being brought in and how it has to be agreed on between both parties before it is allowed. There are a lot of things that I have already learned in the two days of class that we have had already. I look forward to the upcoming projects and am excited/nervous because this is my last class before I graduate. Hope I can learn all this in 8 weeks. :)