What is Design? Is it different than Art? All I know is that they both complete each other. The way I see these two concepts is that they are connected and they cannot detach from each other, because they complete each other. You cannot have one without the other. My definition of Design is that it introduces Art with a purposeful message that solves a problem inspired by society and given to the designer from a client to solve. Thursday was the last day of class and the best is yet to come. Thank you Professor Jimmy for another great quarter and I am sure there are going to be many more. I would appreciate it if you stay honest in your critiques, because it really helps with learning and becoming better.

Words of the day: Furtive: Secretive.
                             Sedate: Calm.
                             Voracious: Really interested with something.

As a designer, the process of creating is the most important part of a design. Many may think that it should be a contemplation or a brainstorming session in order to get the best outcomes, but it is the process of doing and not thinking. A designer must be asking questions, making, doing, and talking to others. A designer has to do his or her research before creating a design. Concepts are expressed through development and not brainstorming.

Words of the day: Collateral: Second option
                             Ajar: A little open
                             Symptomatic: A sign

Creativity is definitely needed in design.  Numerous of designers have to practice their thought process and how to get new creative thoughts. The class played the What if game. Students had to think of a what if situation that would leave others thinking. The game's purpose is to find something imaginative that can lead other people's thinking to another world. As a designer, the purpose is also to find richness in the designs we create to emotionally lure others.


Words of the day: fanatical: Zeal
                             grandiose: Something that looks magnificent in style and appearance.
                             nostalgic: Wanting something from the past.

...And if you do not fight for what you need in life, then you are missing out on a lot! Your experiences, communications, and passions are lost. Similarly, If you are going to argue a position just because it is easier to argue and prove rather than argue and prove what you believe in, you are on earth for a wrong cause! When the class had to split in two groups, each group had to convince the other the answer they chose to the question that was given to class. The situation was challenging since we also had to convince the group we are in the answer we think is best. In a group, designers should listen, analyze, then speak. A Lebanese philosopher, poet and writer, Kahlil Gebran, once said: “You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts.”
 Designers should not overwhelm others with their explanations but help others by giving and receiving information. When designers show their work to their client or audience, they must prove every step made in their process of designing that will convince the client or audience fully. Designers should influence their audience by having rational, clear, and logical facts that back up their design.  If the audience or client is not assured that the design is worth being put out there, then there is something wrong. Just like I have mentioned, design is math and when you don't solve it, the problem still exists!

Words of the day: Relic: Something from the past that only exists by the idea of it.
                             Scrawny: Thin.
                             Exultant: Happy.

In design, you always have to be specific. Who's the audience? What is the subject? How will people react? Does it solve anything? Design is like a math problem that is waiting to be solved, and if it is not solved right and you use the wrong equation, then the solution is going to be wrong. Therefore, the problem still exists. In order to create something effective, one must focus on what is important. The less but adequate information you have on a design will ignite the audience's senses and their reaction effectively. Just like they say in french, "Simplicite est la beaute".

Words of the day: Evanescent: Memory
                             Deranged: Make someone crazy.
                             Husky: low voice

As I have discussed earlier, to create a design you must plan it at first. It starts with the process of thinking thoroughly what the message of the design is, what it should say, who are the targeted people, and what do we want people to act, feel or do. Therefore, to begin with my final project for this course, I have to recapture everything that I learned in this class and link it to the Graphic Design/Visual Communication program in California State University Los Angeles. The final project is a one minute video, and for me to refine my thoughts and connect them together, I am going to make a storyboard. I will sketch the scenes out and that will help me get an idea of how the video will be. As a designer, it is always good to ask for help from others. There are connections everywhere from the students in classes to the friends designers have. Designers should explore and communicate with others because it helps them with their thought process and creative thinking.


Words of the day: Exultant: To be happy from accomplishing something.
                             Cynical: Being negative.
                             Zealous:  Excited for a goal or cause.

We can all draw and design perfectly using our tools and softwares, but what really makes a design stand out than the others is the message it is portraying. A design can only be valued if it is giving effort to communicate to people. Psychologically, the colors, shapes, words, tones of a design can boil or sooth your Hormones by making you react differently. There is always a message in a design that the designer wants to show. If designs weren't made without wishful thinking, then all designs would be heartless and emotionless. A good design is one that grabs you and your attention. They make you think and analyze. Before starting with a design, you have to think of the problem and how are you going to solve it. Design is the clear, concise, and logical way of capturing people without letting them actually solve the problem, but identifying the message and solution. In order for a designer to touch people's hearts, they must be in love with what they do. Designers or other working individuals must feel devoted and passionate about their work because if they don't, then they'll feel empty and not motivated.


Words of the day: Arbitrary: Randomly chosen.
                             Colossal: Very large.
                             Auspicious: Favorable.

Communication is important in our lives especially how we perform it. An interesting way for a class to communicate is by sitting in a large circle. The teacher told us to talk to one another about the GAUGE event that took place last Thursday. I enjoyed the assignment even though I didn't participate much. It was interesting because we all contact each other on our class Facbook group, but we do not say much to each other or connect verbally in class. I even realized that numerous of people stayed quiet and did not share what they think about the event, but they are active in discussing subjects on Facebook. I hope physical and interpersonal communication does not ruin society from an early age. It can hinder the emotional aspect of words and body language. We can become robots. When we were done with discussing the event, we played a game. It was about holding two objects and asking the person next to us what it was and at the same time confirm what it is while passing the object to that person. The game can be tough because we lose the ability to focus at some point of the game, and we become confused to what we are saying or to where the object is headed to. The game helps us realize that in order to communicate successfully and be aware of everything that happens around us, we should focus. If we lose our focus then we cannot function properly and we become confused and lose our ability to manage the situation. In communication, we should listen to what others are saying and then answer back. If we listen, focus, and analyze situations, it will be easy for us to understand what is going on and take the best choice for handling it.

Words of the day: Bewildered: Confusion
                             Zealous: Enthusiastic
                             Delirious: Excited

The more students presented their game concepts, the more the class learned something new. In the end, it is always good to hear criticism because it will make designers and presenters better in what they do. As a designer we should always think about what our concept is going to make people think, feel or do. A great designer will convince the audience with his or her ideas in his or her special way, but it is best to remember that designers should acknowledge the fact that their audience will not always know what they personally know. So, if a designer describes his or her ideas in a clear and presentable manner, more people are going to enjoy their concepts.


Words of the day : Opulent: Rich
                              Gimmick: Something used to trick or deceive.
                               Hoax: A funny deception.

Presentation. An eye-opener to what graphic designers should look into. As each student in class started to present his or her idea and concept of an original game, all the focus was on the presentation. Body language is key to how a person will introduce himself or herself. We all have the idea, but what we need is a drive that will allow us to take the idea and let people connect to it. The only way this is done is through presentation. Some people should be careful of fidgeting while presenting even if they are nervous. People's mind and body should be in a balance. If you are thinking too much then your body movements are going to increase and make the audience nervous and distract them from what you say. If you are too calm then you may have a closed body language. You may stand up with your arms crossed, or your hands in your pockets because you may be self conscious of the audience and want to protect yourself by building a wall. Some people may joke with the audience first which is a good thing, but remember that if the joke is stretched way too long in the presentation then the audience will not take you seriously. In brief, a person should not be perfect to make a successful and precise presentation. You have to be humble and think that the presentation is like talking to a friend. Show your true personality, be confident, have a right posture, speak clearly with a harmonious voice and the audience is going to be intrigued. Every person is unique and your own special self is going to sell your ideas.

Words of the day: Discreet: Careful of one's actions.
                             Plausible: Reasonable.
                             Spiteful: Intended harm.

This week was a struggle, and all the students in class agree. The assignment was to create 9 original game sketches and make them connect with the audience visually. Problem number one is actually thinking of the concept, and problem number two is how to apply it on paper using visual communication. It was a struggle but the class did its best. The teacher was tough on our sketches, but he is honest. He expects a lot from us. With the frustration, I discovered the true meaning of design and how to accomplish it, because whenever there was a problem with one of the sketches, then there was a lesson learned for all of us. We all had the idea or concept but it is how we develop it. First, in order for the concept to be understood visually, the visual components should interact with each other and have a purpose. The sketch or design must portray what is intended in a simple and adequate way. Second, the presentation. A concept must be more understood by the way the designer will explain and describe the presentation clearest way possible. It should be to the point and precise. If these three important parts, the idea, the presentation, and the visual sketch, are not balanced and connected with each other then the design is not going to be successful.

Words of the day: Cloistered: To keep it safe.
                             Exacerbate: To increase anger or make the situation worse.
                             Juvenile: Young.

What is a game? What is a purpose of a game? What is the goal or story? What is winning? My teacher started asking all these questions when finally he said to bring games to class. We all played with different games such as board games, card games, word games, etc... It made us think of what the game's goal is and what are the reasons behind why it is like it is. Looking at the colors used, the way we are playing and the theme. The most important part of a game is the way we react to it. The emotions and feelings we experience when we lose or win. People may laugh, others may feel sad or others can be competitive. As my teacher, Jimmy Moss, says:" For a game to be interesting it has to be a challenge and to be fun". There is a purpose behind each and every game we play, and a purpose for the colors, objects, and drawings they use on it. We also gain benefits while playing. Games can boost our memorization, critical thinking, math, and thought skills. Just like design, there is a purpose behind the design created that will trigger people's emotions. It will make some happy, sad, angry, or motivated. Similarly, the famous quote says:" Form follows function". - Louis Sullivan.

Words of the day: Context: What the object or idea purposefully contains.
                             Dynamic: Has lots of activity and change.
                             Habitual: Adjective of the noun Habit.

When the teacher asked the class to pick a title for a pie chart on the board, it was tough for all of us students. Some people were talking about their opinions and others were quiet. Based on our character, we have a special way to handle group situations. Some students were dominant by only proposing their opinions. It was tough for the whole class to pick one title that each student would agree on. That is when the teacher stepped in. He made us realize that other students, other than the dominant ones, have an opinion as well. The people who do not speak are the ones who are most intelligent, because they are listening, observing, and analyzing. They may have better ideas but are not taking a chance of saying it aloud. Therefore, we must consider that when we are deciding about something in a group, everyone has the right to decide. A leader is not about being dominant over others, but joining them side by side. Remember a leader is nothing without his or her followers who he or she must listen to. Decision-making is also based on an iterative process. The more we try, the better we get. As I have mentioned previously in my blogs, trial and error is part of achieving a great design. There are many definitions for creativity. After watching a presentation by Sir Ken Robinson, he explains that innovation is the business word for creativity. He has many excellent insights about being creative and talented. He says that some people don't know what they are capable of. It is about finding our purpose of life and talent. He adds that talent is not obvious on the surface and we have to discover it. He believes that talent cannot be totally discovered by education since it uses standardized testing. It is about being in your element; to do something in your natural capacity.

Words of the day: Iterative: Comes from the word Iteration which means the repetition of a process.
                             Inhibition: Someone knowing he or she is uncomfortable and cannot relax.
                             Dualism: Being divided.

A process is a set of steps taken to reach a goal. Every step is important and the order of the steps is critical to reach the goal successfully. Just like design, there are steps to take to form great art work. Creativity is also a part of the process. The design process is a way of listing and organizing our creativity and ideas. It is also important to share our ideas with others. Words can have different meanings to people. Based on our emotions and experience, words have personal meanings to us. In this case, it is a benefit for designers to share their ideas because it allows them to explore more definitions for their words. This helps with designers' creativity because it expands their thought process. It is also best to connect with others to know other ideas because it may not be the same. In the middle of the design the process, it is significant that there be only three designs that designers present to their client. Designers must be able to sell all three, but presenting four or two designs is not quite right. My teacher explains that "three is the magic number." The number three is a balance. If designers have three designs then one of them is good, the other is best, and one is neutral. If two are presented then it is not enough, and if four designs are presented, then it becomes confusing to pick one. So, a design process should be followed thoroughly to have a successful design.

Words of the day: Prototyping: The basis or original model of something.
                              Discipline: To stick to the rules.
                              Concise: To be clear.

You cannot reach a destination unless you have a map. There must be directions to what your goal is. It is like methodology. Methodology is a habit. It is a set of methods used in a specific study. In design, every step is well thought out. Artists cannot begin working on a project before writing all the necessary steps needed to achieve the goal. Artists must take emotion and thought into consideration in their project. An artist must be able to successfully change the thought of a picture and how people feel towards it numerous of times. In this case, it takes a planned process to succeed with what is intended in the project. If these steps are not written down and followed methodologically, then the artist will be confused. Creativity is a process and it should be planned.

Words of the day: Pun : A joke that plays with the definition of words
                             Branding: To distribute a product with a specific image and idea.
                             Nomenclature: Specific group of names used in art or science.

The teacher asks :
Have you experienced fear based reactions to your creative career choices?
Yes I have. My fear reactions are mainly me being disappointed with myself because I always think maybe I could have done better. I also lose a little bit of self confidence. I try to choose the best choices, but whenever I do I still feel like it wasn't my best. I get afraid and start thinking that what if there is something more creative that I can get and that I should get and I missed my chance of obtaining it.

How are you successfully overcoming these reactions?
I build my confidence up with positive thinking. I also think that if I made a bad choice now it will be compromised later. I think positive thoughts. I also think that whatever happens it is not the end of the world. It is a journey and I will learn from it.

Today's focus is about creativity! Design is not only the placement of shapes and text to create visual communication but a written expression of a thought. Writing is important because it helps us focus on our thoughts and organize them to be clear and precise. It is a description of our creativity and a creative basis of the description of our thought. The more we write, the more we analyze and the better we become mentally and emotionally. It is like critical thinking. What connects design and writing is presentation. We have  to present our designs best way possible in order for it to be credited. Therefore, presentation is critical in design. For example: Elizabeth Gilbert, who wrote the successful book "Eat, Pray, Love", is a great presenter. She connects with the audience by joking and being humble, but she also talks about creativity. She says that creativity does not always behave rationally. We can lose our minds creating a design or writing an idea by pushing our minds to get new ideas, and if we fail it is still the process of trying. We will not always get the best ideas or create the best designs, but it is a process of trial and error that will lead us to our divinity and praise it. Our thoughts can fluctuate, and what may be a good idea today can be a bad one tomorrow. As long as we keep trying we will at some point reach our peak of creativity, and as soon as this peak is over and done with, the journey of trial and error will come back and allow us to reach another peak again. Be patient !

Words of the day: Divine: Being of high standards.
                              Mule: offspring of a donkey and a horse.
                              Uncanny: strange.

Sometimes when we deviate ourselves out of our individual world we notice many aspects that are calling for our attention. When people start to communicate, work and interact with others, they will finally realize that being an individual with only one opinion is not the basis of society nor an agreement between people. Society is built by many unique individuals. When these unique individuals start to interact with each other conflict may occur, because each one takes a role according to his or her character. Some people may take charge, some may step aside, some may be a mediator, and some may help as much as he or she can. Even though we are all different, we all still fit together. When you start working with others, you will learn how to deal, adapt, compromise, and understand how others think, feel, and work. It is all about being mindful of others.

Words of the day: Concise: Giving information out in a clear way.
                             Conjure: Something unexpectedly happening.
                              Procure: To get or obtain.

Words are important in life, but what we do not realize is that sometimes wording can make a big difference on how we perceive things.  Words can connect with the emotional and intellectual part of a person.  For example, the difference between test and game.  They both portray the sense of competing to gain or lose points, but one can be more favorable than the other.  Words are important in design.  The perfect word or description of something is what moves people emotionally and mentally.  Designers have to find the perfect design method or word that can reflect what is intended.  It is a tough job, but as my teacher, Mr. Jimmy Moss, says: "Designers are problem solvers".

Words of the day: Anarchy
                             Sinister
                             Vivid

The Beginning

           Sometimes a regular Art class starts the quarter with the teacher's explanation of the syllabus and his or her expectations of the students, but my art class, concept development, was unique.  What began with the teacher's story of his experiences ended up with a goal: become successful artists and own our achievements! The teachers explains that, as artists, we are problem solvers. Not only do we have to base our ideas on what is asked from us to do but also direct others toward critical thinking. We all may have different views but through art we can connect to each person with the same idea that artists intend to give. Therefore, students,like me, in this class should start working hard to develop the best concepts and ideas we can to motivate whoever is out there.