Reflection of Learning...

In my Web Site Design class, we are to write a "Reflecion of Learning" paper. It is supposed to "Reflect upon your past learning and implementation of projects. Include your aquired expertise, experience, and qualifications."

Back in 2004, I was attending Elgin Community College to earn a Computerized Graphic Design Associate degree. I was in Illustrator II and QuarkXPress II classes (I didn’t take Photoshop I and ll until spring and fall of 2005). Also, I was seeking a graphic design job. Of course, if you have never done the kind of work (in the real world) that you’re seeking, they will not give you a chance. But, I got lucky! I got hired in the marketing department of a company as a Marketing Assistant. I was happy and scared at the same time.

That company used older versions of Photoshop and Illustrator and for page layout they used QuarkXPress 5. At school, we were using QuarkXPress 6 and Adobe CS. Then, the after the next two or so semesters, the ECC graphic design department upgraded to Adobe CS2 (but still used QuarkXPress).

A majority of my job was as the Graphic Designer. I would work on projects such as brochures, ads that went into trade publications, post cards, fliers, handouts, PowerPoint presentations, etc. Many times, for some projects, I would try to utilize the knowledge I was learning in my design classes at ECC.

After that job, in 2006, I got hired at a different company (more money). It was also in the marketing department as a Marketing Assistant (which a majority of my job was as the Graphic Designer). The job was almost basically some of the same tasks as the previous job, but one thing I got to do at the new job were e-mail blasts using Microsoft FrontPage. I had never really used Microsoft FrontPage before. Great thing was they already had templates for the e-mail blasts, for notices, and so on. That was exciting for me because I got to utilize my basic HTML knowledge (through FrontPage) as well as my ImageReady knowledge (for GIF animation) and by then; I had already had the Photoshop classes.

Times have changed in the graphic and web design field these days. Not only do they want you to be a graphic designer (print) but they also want you to have web design skills too. It could be having knowledge in either front-end web design and/or back-end web design. So, I sent myself back to school the fall semester of 2010 to earn that Web Design Associate degree (which I will receive May 2011).

Just a few years ago, every now and then, people would ask me if I did web design and I’d say “No, I don’t know how to do web design.” Now, I can say “YES! I’m just starting out, but I know how to do some web design.”

It’s nice to have gotten some experience with Dreamweaver through my Web Site Design class and Flash through my Computer Animation class. Dreamweaver and Flash are something I have wanted to learn for the last few years. The thing I need to do now is to start looking into and start learning HTML5 and CSS3. Just a few more years and HTML5 and CSS3 will then be the norm.

While I have learned a lot at school, I know that in order to stay on top of things, I will have to keep learning on my own. Whether in between classes and/or once I no longer attend classes, I will need to take classes here and there for refresher and updates.

I don’t think print will ever die out. Web is, of course, a tad bigger than print these days. The other thing that is almost a tad bigger than web is Apps. I’d like to learn how to design and create apps for cell phones, pads and so on. But, there’s just not enough time to do and learn what I would like to do/learn. Maybe in my next lifetime!

On top of all the graphic design and web design bookmarks I save to look through and e-mail newsletters I scan through here and there, one way I learn about what’s new with graphic design, web design, packaging design, software, etc., is that I subscribe to publications (which come through snail mail) such as PC World, Website Magazine, GD USA, Deliver, Brand Packaging, Food and Beverage Packaging, CRM (Customer Relationship Management), etc. Nice thing is, most of the publications I mentioned are free. So, I take advantage and sign up to receive them. I prefer actual hard copy publications then having to be stuck to my PC almost 24/7.

I also, at times, get information through snail mail such as samples, posters, idea books, etc., from Sappi (a paper company), USPS and other companies (also free). It’s great stuff to look at and get ideas from.

Going to school part-time while working full-time has been tough and there have been sacrifices made. In the long run, I’ve learned a lot and I hope to keep on learning.

Classes Canceled and.....

I had planned on going to classes to learn web design but, that will now have to wait until the 2010 fall semester. With my mother in the hospital and my trying to find a job, no 2010 spring semester for me. Once you're in school, you need to put lots of your attention on your classes and your class work. Things right now are not the greatest.

What I should do, in the meantime, is read up on web design myself and see if I can find any mock web design projects to work on. I know, maybe I should try and redesign my blog page. I have thought about that in the past. Thing is, where do I begin?...LOL Nah, I know where to start. I just have to take the time to "DO IT".

Another thing I could do is to go to some of the meet-up groups I've joined on Meetup.com such as Chicago Advertising Professionals Meetup, Chicago Media-Marketing & Advertising Meetup Group, Chicago Stompers, Chicagoland Webmasters: Elmhurst & Western Suburbs, Digital Media; Marketing & Web Professionals in DuPage, Fox Valley Computing Professionals, The Chicago Dreamweaver Meetup Group, The Chicago Graphic Design Meetup Group, The Chicago Photoshop Meetup Group and B 2 B Business Networking Group to learn new and exciting things and to network. Networking is always good.

Only thing is, most of those groups are a bit of a ways out. Right now, I don't have the extra money for (travel) gas and food and/or to go downtown or any other suburbs, it's a little tough. If some of those meet-ups were in my town or no more than some 20/30 minutes, that would be great!

GRAPHIC DESIGNER vs WEB DESIGNER

I've always read that it's easier going from Graphic Desginer to Web Designer than the other way around. I think I agree with that. Anyways...

There is a great difference between a Graphic Designer and a Web Designer. A graphic designer designs for print such as magazines, catalogs, brochures, postcards, fliers, etc. A web designer has to know HTML & CSS, designs banner ads, flash websites, creates e-mail blasts, etc.

LET'S EDUCATE!!

So many company's out there need to be educated on the differences and how they're two different jobs. Even though they both have to know the elements of design and they both have to design good, effective layouts, again, they're both different types of design jobs.

It would be so nice to find a job where I can use my graphic design knowledge along with learning web design on the job. I do have basic HTML knowledge so, that kind of gives me a bit of a head start. Also, I'm a quick learner, and enjoy design. It wouldn't be like web design was foreign to me...LOL

Making Myself More Marketable.....

One thing they say, in order to get a job today is to "Make yourself more marketable" by taking classes and learning new thing's. You might not even have to pay for that new training or classes.

For example, learning new thing's in the company you're already with. If you're lucky enough to be working with a company that has training, you should really take advantage of it. It's just like working overtime. Usually, that's only for a short period of time. That's extra money that you could put into your savings account.

In the long run, the training won't just help you with your current job, but you'll have experience that you might be able to use elsewhere somewhere down the road should you happen to change jobs. And, all the software and experience's are good to add to your resume.

If you take classes, you should take classes in something you enjoy doing. If you enjoy what you're doing, it won't seem like work. Most people find that to be very true!

TWO ASSOCIATE DEGREES

Currently, I'm seeking a great job opportunity with a good company where I am allowed to take ownership of my job. I have two Associate degrees, one in Graphic Design and the other in Office Administration Technology-Executive Secretary.

I think that sometimes, to get employment, it doesn't really matter how many degree's you have or what degree's you have. It all depends on what skills and knowledge you already have. It for sure also depends on the company and the person doing the hiring. Do they feel you have what they're looking for? Are they willing to give you a chance to show what you can do? Are they willing to hire you and assist you with more training?

One thing I just don't understand is, how some people have the job's they have and they don't even know how to correctly format a business letter, they're not organised, etc. In past job's, I've seen letter's, mailing's and more go out that I thought "How can they send that out?" I sure wouldn't, but I have no choice. Because, when I've said something, they're like, "ehhh, just send it out"...Ughhhh!!! Anyways.....

For most any job, I do feel you should have knowledge (at least the basics) with MS Office no matter what field you're in. Especially Outlook, Word and maybe some Excel. Also, you should have some knowledge in whatever software that relates to whatever your field is. Once you've been hired, most companies will teach you their software and will give you the chance to learn other software's they use.

WHAT JOB'S DO I WANT TO DO?

My first pick for a job is a Graphic Design opportunity. I really want to design and create ads, brochures, postcards, flier's, etc. I want to see my work out there in magazines (although, I have had ads placed in trade publications in past positions), in newsletter's, etc. Maybe even someday on TV. Utilizing my Adobe CS2 knowledge to the fullest is what I want to do.

My second choice a Marketing Assistant position similar to my two past position. They were more like a combination of Graphic Design/Marketing Assistant. I was able to do graphic design as well as assist with trade shows, etc. My MS Office skills were used to work on and/or create Word, Excel and PowerPoint document's and slide shows.

Finally, my third choice would be an Administrative Assistant position. I have a big administrative background. I've temped in the past with some big name companies. I maintained executive calendars, scheduled conference rooms and meetings, did internet research, etc.

While I don't mind being an Administrative Assistant, I just don't like the types of jobs where a majority of the job is on the phone, like, Receptionist or Customer Service. I mean, like, a position where you're the front person. That's just not my thing. I don't like spending all my time on the phone. I want and like to do computer work. Let me work with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Adobe Acrobat.

OTHER WORK

I'm not a pro, but 0ther work I can do (but, I don't think I would get hired) is home construction. It would be cool to build houses. I also like the interior decorating part of it too. Of course, as you know, that field is not doing very well right now. But, I think it won't be long before things get going again with the home construction field.

In the past, I have put up drywall, put down floor tile, taken down and put up ceiling fans, tiled my bathroom walls, etc. I like using all kind's of tool's like hammer's, screwdriver's, power tools, etc. My very first job out of high school, in fact, was on an assembly line building toaster's. There I used screwdriver's, hammer's, rubber mallet's, screw's, nut's, bolt's, etc. Even before then I'd use tools to fix things at home.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is one of my fave shows. I also enjoy practically anything on "HGTV" except the gardening shows and stuff like that. Gardening is just not my thing.

I'M MARKETABLE

Yeah, there's other stuff I need and want to learn. But, right now, looking for a job feels like I have no time for anything else. I want to take some classes, but without a job I have no cash to pay for my classes. So, I'll have to wait a while.

You can bet, once I have a job, if the company that hire's me has classes that I can take or if they pay for classes, I'm certainly going to taking advantage of it!!

Even so, I think I'm pretty marketable in a few fields. All I need now is for a company to see I'm an excellent worker and that I have the skills and knowledge they're looking for...LOL