5.07.2009

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.

1 comment:

chris klee said...

agreed that life happens. if anything our teachers presented all of us with another semester to take that next step and start designing with full force and full concept. i have a feeling that this next semester we are going to be seeing some real design from each other and i look forward to ourselves pushing each other to the next limits.