Module #1

The reading assignment for Module 1 is to look at every picture in the book. After doing this, reflect on your initial thoughts and observations.

This book was massive when I got it in the mail! Reminded me of the art history class I took and the huge book I had to carry around. I'm assuming all art textbooks will be quite large as well. Flipping through the pages and looking at all the images was fun. I was a little worried in the beginning because I didn't recognize anything. The hieroglyphics were standard. I loved The Horse in Motion (1883) on page 160. The sequence photography really captured my attention. I also just love the motion to it. I did recognize some art nouveau pieces. Like in any history book my attention gets drawn to war propaganda, especially the Nazi Party. I have quite the fascination with Nazi Propaganda. Yes I'm a horrible person for being fascinated by Nazis but they're just so interesting I can't help myself! I also try to imagine how these words and posters persuaded people into thinking genocide was a good idea. Overall, I enjoyed the textbook and thought it was very well put together.

To be honest I don't think I knew what graphic design really was. Yes I've heard it before a million times but I didn't know the definition and what it was all about. I just imagined graphic designers as people who work on designing and creating websites. I always connected graphic designers to the internet and online design but after my first week of graphic design classes my views have changed dramatically.

As a journalist I know all about visuals and how infographics can add to your story or just be your entire story. I'm a sucker for infographics too. I can read articles and look at infographics all day. I even was the art director for our magazine class and I kinda loved it. I've always considered myself an artistic person. My father has always influenced us with art as young children. My father absolutely adores Salvador Dali and he has a couple prints lying around the house. I use to look at them for hours as a kid and try to find as many scenes as I could. Even sometimes creating a story to go along with it. When my sister was studying abroad we even went to Italy and visited all the museums. Even had the chance to go to Rome and visit the Vatican and the ultra beautiful Sistine Chapel. Easily one of the most beautiful things I have ever laid my eyes on. Yet never made the connection between the art and graphic design.

Never thought as photography as graphic design either. All those clever marketing campaigns and logos? All graphic design. Packaging at supermarkets and department stores? All graphic design. The countless items that I bought because the packaging was cute and my favorite color? Graphic design. All those times I've spent $50+ at Mac Cosmetics because their packaging was so cute I couldn't pass it up? Graphic design once again. I was so naive to what it really was. And yes the textbook showed different forms of art but they all have graphic design aspects. I also feel a little dumb while writing this because how could I have not noticed all along! Everything in front of your eyes is graphic design. From the street signs to the movie posters to the covers of books and magazines. All of it! I could call this my graphic design awakening. And no I'm not trying to be an over achiever and just write anything to get an A. I am being completely honest. I'm really happy with my decision to take some graphic design classes. You can never have too many degrees and while I'm applying to grad school for journalism I do plan on continuing with graphic design. Possible career choice? Definitely maybe.