The Semester in Review

This semester had many things. I think the highlight for me was the DSVC show which wound up being a very career-affirming experience. Especially to see the similarities and differences in other programs. You hear a lot about the "community" of design but to actually experience it is the only way to really learn the concept. I hope that we (Chris, Cat, Jovan and I as well as anyone else willing to participate) can carry this over to Prototype and the role that it plays for design students.

Second, I find that I keep thinking about the good.is website. I want be more involved in design that matters. That sounds very generic. I like the idea of desiging for the sake of pushing a message that the designer personally believes in — I mean one you can really stand behind — as well as bringing awareness about a problem or concern be it local or global. Somehow the purpose behind something like that goes a little further than exploring 400 birds...

Finally (and this one's important on the eve of review) I'm dissapointed in myself that I seemed to be treading water all semester. Just trying to keep afloat and not pushing myself to finish a project strongly or intelligently. Today, hanging my work I was a little ashamed at how many projects just died after the due date. Rather, how quick I was to drop them since I'd already met the minimum requirement. And I hate the idea of making excuses for how busy I've been with family things because life happens right alongside work. That will never change and I've got to find a way to (I hate the word "juggle" here) harmoniously weave the two successfully. I hope that I can be disciplined enough to refine many of the things that seem so unfinished this semester. Check back with me. I'll work on it. I guess the bigger issue is, I want to be great. And while I feel that some of what I did was great, much of it was mediocre at best. This summer I plan to really consider that idea as I plan for next Fall. How can I sustain a level of excellence in my work? Is that unreasonalbe? Is it practical and who serves as a model of this in the design world?

As I say, check back with me, I've got some thinking to do. It's going to be a busy summer.

Oh and ps - Damn you, Paul Renner, that Futura is a crutch. Get rid of it, Brian.