Senior Project Blog 3: Research, Research, Research
Tim was out of town this week, so I won’t have an update on my flyer insert project until we meet again next week. That means that along with starting my internship at Sadie Sarti Design Co, I got to spend the week doing my own research and working on my personal branding project. With this branding project, I essentially want to develop my own brand through a logo, name, brand book, etc. It will be a great way to take everything that I’m learning these 10 weeks and apply it into my own little side project. So far, I’ve worked in color trying to figure out which combinations I like and could use for my brand’s color palette.
I started by watching a Masterclass by a famous graphic designer named David Carson. He is known for being a “rule breaker” in the design world. In his class, he teaches about the thinking behind graphic design, how to make it your own, and so much more. Probably the most impactful concept that I took from the class is that the goal for a graphic designer is to be effective over looking good. I personally don’t love everything he’s made (it tends to be messy, hard to read, etc.), but I cannot deny that he achieves his purpose by being unconventional. Which magazine cover are you more likely to take a second look at? The even, cookie cutter cover or one with a close up picture and letters that don’t line up or match? It may not look the neatest or prettiest, but it’ll certainly grab one’s attention.
I also read more from a book called Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon, which essentially teaches how to be influenced by your heroes and get better in your field, particularly in the art field. One of the main ideas Kleon emphasizes is to always be learning and increasing your influences. The more people you have to learn from and admire, the more people you can implement into your own work. With that in mind, I decided to start a list of graphic designers I like by starting to learn about some. I researched a very famous designer named Saul Bass who revolutionized the world of movie posters/credits with his creative and entertaining spin on it.
Lastly, I started my internship at Sadie Sarti Design Co, and much to my surprise they’re already giving me a project to work on. They want me to redesign their company sign that goes outside their building, so I am making three options to choose from or evolve further. I am working on one of their computers, so I don’t have any pictures yet, but I will send my designs to myself this week and share them in the next blog. I was only there for three hours, but it was all very exciting and intriguing. I’m not quite done yet with this project, so fingers crossed that they like what I come up with!
Kleon, Austin. Steal like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You about Being Creative. Workman Publishing Co., Hachette Book Group, 2023.
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