RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!!!!!!

It's over! My art history paper was due today. I worked on it non-stop this last weekend. I think it is safe to say I really don't want to write a 10 page paper again no matter if the topic interests me or not. It was one of the biggest assignments I had this semester, well actually one of the biggest I've had in a long time. With it over it almost feels as if the semester is over, but there is a couple weeks left and couple assignments to go. One of my internships begins next Friday, eeeekk, I'm nervous, don't worry I will definitely keep you all updated!

Vacuum Formed Letters

Over the past couple weeks in Sign & Exhibition class we were assigned a letter and had to create it out of anything with the idea of texture in mind. We then had to take it to the vacuum former and pull it out of plastic. What did we do with them then you ask? Made pangrams or sentences that use every letter of the alphabet. We may have got a lot of looks by passerby's, but it was a perfect day to be outside and make art!

  

AIGA's Portfolio 1on1

If I had to sum up my weekend in one word it would be AWESOME! It was super busy and exhausting, but such a positive and fun experience. Friday morning the van left for Minneapolis at 8am. We ended up getting there super early and with the time to kill we decided to wander the streets of the big city. We eventually headed back, got registered and had an amazing lunch provided to us by Solera Restaurant. After the welcoming announcements we split up into smaller groups and ventured to our studio tours. My group got to experience Olive and Company, Morsekode, and Spunk Design Machine. They were all very unique and gave out lots of free goodies, but Spunk Design Machine wins for their beer and brats! After everyone made it back safely, I say this because one group got stuck in an elevator, but everyone made it back eventually and the panel discussion started. I came away from the discussion with 3 pages of notes, that are just full of great advice for the future. Our group decided not to stay for the social because many of us were wore out and knew we had to be up at 5am the next morning. I woke up Saturday more nervous than I was for any job interview. My first review was at 9am, with  Brandon from Sussner Design Company. He definitely calmed the nerves, it was very casual and he gave me so much positive feedback and constructive criticism that will become the basis for my new portfolio. My second review was not as helpful, he basically told me that he liked everything and that everything looked great. Well that is nice to hear, but as I was sitting there I was thinking to myself where is the criticism? and what do I need to work on? That is what I wanted to get out of the weekend and he didn't help with that. The third review was much like the first, I met with a lady who is a freelancer and so she has experience in multiple areas of design and that really helped. She too gave me great advice on how to enhance my portfolio and projects. Last but not least, I was worn out and I think she was worn out as well. The feedback started to become repetitive and it became harder to explain my work without explaining what I knew I already wanted to change about it. In between the reviews I attended a workshop and got many free samples from the French Paper Company! The day ended with a prize drawing and it was funny because majority of the students from UW-Stout walked away with something including me!!! Overall it was an amazingly beneficial weekend. I have a lot to revise and re-work, but I'm ready for the challenge of the blank page, it is exciting and I can't wait to get started!!

Cardboard & Hot Glue All Over Again...

Most of us never wanted to see cardboard again after the cardboard animals, but here we go again, this time making letters out of cardboard. For Sign class we were assigned a letter to create and then use the vacuum former to make it out of plastic. Everyones letters will be combined in the end to make one large installation piece. I have the letter "Y" and have chose to cover mine in rubber bands! Many people have been running into some issues of their original letter getting stuck inside the plastic, I hope this doesn't happen to me. Wish me luck!!!

Procrastination at its best!!

I have yet to open up word to begin my 10pg Art History paper. I had all good intentions to begin it this morning, but my camera was dying to be let out of its box. I should probably put it out of sight until the semester is over, not to mention it is going to be worse once it's nice outside. I began a One-A-Day yesterday which I'm pretty excited about, I've always wanted to do one and I figured now with my new purchase was a better time than ever. Not only will it be neat to see all the different pictures, but also the progress that I make the more I get familiar with the camera. I'm pretty excited about my pictures today! After I was satisfied with a few shots I threw them in photoshop and messed around a bit! It's always nice to just sit down and create something for yourself no deadline or requirements.

Work Never Ends nor Does the Snow

This week was crazy busy. I felt like I never had a minute to sit and take a breath. Monday was my interview in EC for a graphic design internship. That night I also ended the long journey of researching and finding a DSLR camera to buy. It was a headache to say the least, all last week I had been looking around, but no stores had the one I wanted so I broke down and bought the more expensive one. I have not even had a chance to take it out of the box yet, but can't wait to get out on a photo adventure. Tuesday was an accounting test. Wednesday turned into ANOTHER snowy day, just what we needed! Thursday the sign project was due and another accounting test. And I ended the week with an Art History midterm! Most of the week focused on my sign project it called for many late nights, but considering we started over just a week ago, our group really pushed through and it turned out alright. But what was probably the longest and hardest week of the semester thus far really turned out to be o.k. I GOT THE INTERNSHIP! It cuts the stress of the week and the rest of the semester in half. I will be working at the Eau Claire Press Co. starting at the end of the month and for the summer and possibly into next semester. I could not be more excited, it was my goal for this year to find a internship and gain experience in my field. And what is more exciting than doing something you completely love for the summer and not having to go back to a boring old job! I don't think this post could have enough exclamation marks!!!!!!!! ...I would add another if the snow would disappear!

Spring Break Here I Come!!!!!

I have a week off from school, but its not going to be much of a break from school work or personal design work! I need to get my portfolio, business cards, resume, and thank you cards done and printed! On top of that the Sinage critique didn't go so well today and our group is starting over. 2 weeks to come up with a new design and mockups! READY SET GO!

Think I'll call it a night...

Sinage

Working on sign class for the night.

Check me out on Behance

I'm in the process of getting all my work on Behance! Feel free to check it out: http://www.behance.net/tmdesign89

FOR RENT Proposal #3

This was my final proposal for the "For Rent" sign. In addition I added a smaller sign to set at a different location for example close to a busy street. Enjoy!

FOR RENT Proposal #2

Apporached the 2nd proposal with a FOR RENT Flag.

Basketball Logo

A little freelance project over winter break.

CALL ME!

Last night while working on other projects I got side tracked by these letters and the forms they began to make!

FOR RENT!

I am super excited to be back in a design class for the spring semester! It is called DES 380 Sign & Exhibition which will fulfill my 3D design elective. Our first quick project was to carry our camera around for 48hrs and take pictures of signs. It wasn't hard at all considering our lives are full of informational, annoying, silly, misleading fun signs! Next we had to choose a sign and improve it so here is my 1st proposal of "FOR RENT" ENJOY!!

Hurley T-shirt Contest

Finally settled on a design... Here is a look at the process and the finalized design.

True Love

Some of the most unique designs may be inspired from everyday objects such as headphones. I find it interesting to give objects such as these headphones, a sense of life and character.

Sneak Peak

Here's a peak, I know it's not much but I don't want to give it away till I'm done.

In Progress

Been working on the resume all morning, it is starting to come together.

4:40pm