Then and Now: The Then
See also: My Portfolio
Recently, I’ve been given the opportunity to participate in a group exhibition titled, Then and Now, with a few of my fellow classmates. The premise of the exhibition is to reflect on how far we’ve come since the start of our academic journeys to where we are now as we approach graduation. In this blog post, I’ll talk about the piece I chose as my then.
Type as an Image
For the first project I ever created in a graphic design class, I was tasked with creating a piece that showed how type could be used as an image. When most people think of type, they don’t typically think of it as being something that can stand on its own as an art piece, and this project was about challenging that view. The idea that type could stand on its own and create a compelling piece was very intriguing to me.
Mind over Matter
The phrase I decided to use for this project was “Mind Over Matter”. To me, this phrase meant persevering and overcoming the obstacles in your way which felt appropriate for my first experience with graphic design. Armed with a very basic understanding of Adobe Illustrator, I began experimenting with type, shapes, and colors to create something that would represent my initial exploration into the world of typography and graphic design.
Creating The Design
The core challenge I faced was to transform text into something visually pleasing that could stand on its own. I manipulated the words “Mind Over Matter” to blend together seamlessly, forming a composition that was cohesive but also fun to look at. I also used a lot of brightly colored shapes and lines that filled in the negative space between the letters, helping turn it into a cohesive image.
Before and After Exhibition
As I revisited this project in preparation for “Then and Now” I couldn’t help but smile at the progress I’ve made since this first project. The experience of creating ‘Mind Over Matter’ honed my skills and introduced me to the world of graphic design. The basic concepts I grasped during this project laid the foundation for the advanced techniques and principles I’ve learned since.
It is for these reasons that I chose this piece for the exhibition. Being able to compare the very first graphic design project I ever did with one I’ve created as I approach graduation can show how far I’ve come as a graphic designer.
Looking Ahead
As I prepare to display ‘Mind Over Matter’ in the exhibition, I continue reflecting on my time at Southeast Missouri State University, and how far I’ve come since creating this first piece. This piece as well as the entire exhibition serves as a testament to my growth as a designer, and I look forward to seeing how much more I improve in the future.