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.