Semester 2 Reflection

Technology 

Throughout this last semester of my junior year,
I have grown in my knowledge of technology. Through the assignment of projects that involve new tasks and exploring on my own, I have learned a lot about the programs we use such as Illustrator and, especially, InDesign. I would say that I have learned most about inDesign this semester because we have had many projects that required that program. From the menu design to the non-profit advertising campaigns to the client project I received of the ONW Literary Magazine, I have had a vast amount of experience with InDesign the end of this year. This was an important takeaway for me as it allowed me to grow as a designer and realize that each program really does have a special purpose. I grew as a designer and learned how to properly use columns and grids as well, which is a very helpful tool to designers. Early in the menu project specifically I realized that there really is a right way to use columns and grids and that none of us knew what it was. Through lots of questions and detailed instructions through Mrs. Burdolski, I had learned how to properly use this skill and have used columns and grids on many projects since then, including the Literary Magazine. 

Collaboration

This semester has brought to my eyes the importance of having mentors to look up to and learn from. I did not realize how much you can learn from an older/more experienced peer until this semester. Between the countless times Jaqcuelynn and Kacie, two seniors in my class, came over to visit with me, Jaqcuelynn creating the typography for my prom poster, and the amazing critiques that our class conducted, these older students have taught us all so much about graphic design and collaboration. This was a very important lesson for me to learn because I have never been one to take criticism well, nor have I ha an experience that I have been able to learn so much from a peer. This experience has allowed me to grow as a teammate and collaborator and I know it will greatly impact my experience in my later career.

Communication

Our class has conducted many critiques this year and this last semester and I think that we have all grown in our abilities to express our thoughts to one another. I know that I have been able to ask others for help, take their criticism, and give my suggestions in a much better manner than I did at the beginning of the year. Being able to speak more respectfully but still provide honest feedback and suggestions is a vital skill that will last a lifetime. I would not say that this lesson came with many challenges, it just allowed us to grow throughout the year without even realizing it. I know that learning how to correctly communicate with one another will allow us to be even better employees and even friends as we grow up.

Project Management 

I was given the client project of designing the ONW Literary Magazine, and in order to do so I worked with the staff of this publication and their instructor. While working on this project, I learned a lot about Project Management. I first met with them to discuss what vision they had for the magazine and show them some cover ideas. The meeting went very well and we agreed that the next step would be to send me all of the entries art and writing and I could start entering them into an InDesign document and begin designing. I was under the impression that they would send me the first semester's pieces right away and this second semester's would come later. However, this did not occur and I was sent all of the entries at a much later date and was given a two week timespan to complete the publication. This was an outside project that I had taken up on top of my in class work and study for AP Exams. Once I was sent all of the works, I sat down and scheduled the next two weeks of my life. I worked out how long I would need to work after school each day to complete this project while still allowing myself time to complete all other goals. I learned a lot about working with clients and time management through this experience, and I am happy to take this knowledge with me into the rest of my life.

Leadership

In this class that was mixed with both juniors and seniors we all held a different role. The seniors clearly taught us a lot and we juniors respect them a lot. As for us juniors we all took more of a place of students and allowed our minds to soak up all of the vital information we could from the seniors and Mrs. Burdolski. This semester taught me that being a good leader does in fact require leading by example and that every good leader also had to be a follower at some point. For next year we will be the seniors that the new juniors will be looking up to and learning from. And in order to show them good examples we need to be good leaders and show the same work ethic that the seniors showed us this year. I have always felt that  have a leadership personality and I like to hold that role. I feel that each of us held that role at some point this year, whether through leading a critique or aiding others with their projects or teaching them something new. Through each of us having that experience we each came to realize what characteristics we possess, and through witnessing the seniors, we all were allowed to witness solid leadership and collaboration.

Strengths and Weaknesses

I feel that a few of my strengths are time management and organization. I have always been very organized and always been able to prioritize and manage my schedule. Through this very busy and stressful junior year, I have learned that organization is just as important as I thought that it was. I learned this through any time that I attempted to have a link saved in an InDesign file and the moving the location of the image in my server, inevitably affecting the file. Time management has also been proven to be a very useful skill through my aforementioned Literary Magazine project and many other experiences this year. I would say that one characteristic I would like to gain or grow in would be being able to push myself creatively and not need to rely on the aid of others, especially now that the seniors are leaving I would like to gain confidence and allow my mind to wander through many different and new ideas for each project.

How This Will Help Me

It is evident that I have learned a lot throughout this semester and the entire year and I am very glad that I have. I am excited to use these newly found and developed skills throughout the rest of my e-Comm experience and bring them into my college life and later career. I cannot wait to put my growth in collaborating and communicating to the test with other groups of people and in other projects.

In Conclusion 

Throughout my experience in e-Comm I have learned a lot about each strand and working in this type of industry; however, I can say that this year is when most of that learning occurred. I grew as a collaborator and communicator, in my knowledge of technology and what being a leader means, and I was given amazing opportunities to work with clients. I am very thankful for the seniors and all that they have taught me. I am very excited to see how all of this helps me in later years.