As I look back at my expectations for this visual communication class, I am quite pleased with how things have turned out. After a bit of stress and many hours spent staring at a computer screen, I understand the world of HTML and web design a lot better than I ever imagined I would. I have fine-tuned my layout-designing skills by creating a newletter, and I even learned a bit about photojournalism. I have developed an eye for good design, and understand why some things work and others just don't. Now that I know most of the rules of visual communication, I can enjoy the help they provide, but also have a bit of extra fun discovering creative ways to bend those rules. Instead of just buying into advertisements and layouts, I am able to look at them more objectively and understand some of the tactics the creaters used in the designing process. Most importantly, I have learned to be a critical consumer, a skill I will use for the rest of my life.
The stress is almost over as the semester comes to a close, but I'd like to highlight a few key points that I have discovered are crutial elements in effective visual communication.
- Tips to Live By:
- Be clear and consice - Whether you're designing navigation for a web page, writing copy for a brochure, or creating a catchy ad, clarity is key to get your message across quickly and efficiently.
- Don't lead people off the page - Create leading lines that draw the viewer in. Make sure photographs always lead toward the text.
- Perservearance is gold! - Things don't always come out the way you want them to so just keep trying and playing around until you find something that really works. Then the most important part: stick with it!
- Last but not least...SAVE every time you make a change!!! - I just happened to be extremely lucky and was able to salvage my lost material, but unfortunately for most people, they have to learn this lesson the hard way!
- P.S. Here are the links to a few websites that I found helpful during this class. You might find them just as valuable!
- HTML Goodies
- Digital Storyteller
- New York Institute of Photography
- Ron Reason: Newspaper Designing and Creativity
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