For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed creating and sharing both my own artwork and designs, along with that which I found interesting.  Drawing has always been a favorite pastime of mine, although I could never share my creations with the world.  On this blog, any art and design enthusiast can not only discover work that I have created, but find inspiration to make their own work.

Along with reading the first chapter of the book “Animated Storytelling”, my class was given the first chapter of the book “Motion Graphic Design” to read.  This chapter, although completely different from the first of “Animated Storytelling”, was no less influential to me or effective in showing how motion design is equal to print design, web design, typography, photography, and animation.

The book aided me in understanding the connections between classes I took in my final years of high school, like animation and digital design, and those that I am enrolled in currently in college.  Beyond referencing animators, like Winsor McCay, that I was already familiar with from previous classes, “Motion Graphic Design” summarized the detailed and surprising history of motion in entertainment, described the contributions design pioneers had on the medium today, and even provided a look at the many ways in which motion design has developed.  Beginning with the ever – popular thaumatrope, the first chapter of the book led up to today’s successful movies like Tron and The Black Hole.

Not only was my class given books like “Motion Graphic Design” or “Animated Storytelling” to read, though.  While materials like these have helped me in grasping the concept of motion graphic’s history, the SocialMediaToday online article shows just how prevalent the art form is in modern society.  Throughout the reading, facts like “Brands are now realizing that in order to maximize discovery, they need to produce high-quality, long-form content, rather than the kind of clickbait marketers once churned out” enable the reader to see that motion graphics are important in both entertainment and business.  Without this type of visual communication, I believe after finishing these readings, the spread of information that is almost instantaneous today would not be nearly the same.

Along with the, extremely valuable, lessons the professor has given my class thus far, the informational “Animated Storytelling” book she recommended us buy has helped in cementing what I now know about the motion graphics area of graphic design.  In a similar manner to the class itself, I have only begun to explore what lessons lie amongst the pages written by author Liz Blazer.  Despite this fact, though, the steps provided have given me a reliable and professional way in which to go about making graphic designs with a degree of motion that, before, I never could have imagined producing myself.  From what I have read, Blazer approaches the reader as if she is accompanying them on their journey in learning the aspects of motion design the class has focused on, and gives them a clear, easy – to – follow method on how to make the most professional pieces of work possible.

At this point in the 2019 – 2020 school year, I have attended several of my newest graphic design classes – “GID*301*01 Motion Graphics I”.  Beyond the fact that the lessons taught in the course involve the creation of material that is, today, used throughout various social media platforms, text messages, emails, and websites alike, the class has opened my eyes to the idea that a graphic design major allows one to pursue any one of multiple careers that have, recently, only increased in importance and popularity.

While the Typography, Web Design, Photography, and Visual Design lessons I was taught prior to beginning Motion Graphics each showed me how to become a professional in one of those design areas, my newest course has, so far, shown me how to make some of the most modern and widely appreciated creations to populate the internet.  Although I have only attended a select number of class sessions, my professor has so far discussed the multiple ways in which motion design differs from animation, how my peers and I can use our knowledge in daily life, and what separates GIF animations from other digital designs, such as cinemagraphs and stop – motion features.  As this class has already proven itself to be too much fun, I am now anxious to see what information I will acquire by the semester’s end!

I meant to post this before, but hey! – time just gets away from you, right?  It’s still relatively recent, though, so….I think you’ll enjoy reading about it.  On my birthday (which is October 6), I went to a glass – blowing studio called “Hot Spot Glass Studio” in Fairfield, Connecticut.  I had never done anything like that before, so I didn’t know what to expect.  Was it going to be boring?  Was it going to be really exciting?  Who knew?

When we pulled up, (I went with my parents), the place looked pretty sketchy.  I decided right then and there, sitting in the car, that it wasn’t going to be any fun.  But MAN!  Was I wrong!  The one person that was working there when we went toured as around, and showed us samples of what we could make.  My Dad and I both paperweights, and he helped us make them.  My Mom decided not to make anything, but she said it was awesome just being able to watch.  At the end of the day, I was able to learn a lot about the process and bring home something that will always remind me of this unique, interesting, and completely one – of – a – kind birthday gift!

Above is an image of the workshop, called the “Hot Spot Glass Studio”

Here’s my paperweight, which I think came out great!  It will always help me to remember this birthday present.

At the annual Quinnipiac Involvement Fair on Wednesday, September 5, I signed up to join A.I.G.A., or the American Institute of Graphic Arts.  As this club deals with the subject of my major, I think it will help me to become the best graphic designer possible!

 

Click on the link below to check – out this news segment, which aired on Sunday, September second of 2018 on Fox News.  It shows the room that was built in my basement via the Make – A Wish Foundation.  In this room, I am free to create my own designs while surrounded by some of my favorite works.

Link to my news segment

 

Hello and welcome to my Graphic Design Blog!  In the coming weeks I will be adding  new content; my thoughts, ideas, and creations, along with lots of other cool stuff.  Please be on the lookout and let me know what you think!