Lessons from a semester

Yet another semester has come close to an end and I have grown as a designer. Besides what I was taught technically including skills from the programs and all that, here are some lessons that I got for myself:

• Be organized! Put things you have to do in an order. Jot down the plans on the planner. Set up time to finish each task.

• Write. Writing is a good start. Write down anything you can think of. Keep a small note book and a pencil with you ALL the time. Sometimes, I write when I am lying on bed and half asleep. Most of my ideas come at an unexpected time. 
  

• Record. Any typefaces you have used for a project. Interesting fonts you found during the process, color schemes, formats might be used in a different project. ANYTHING, in fact, EVERYTHING should be recorded as a part of your process. You will be so grateful later!

• Reflect. What you feel about the process: thinking and transforming your ideas? Any struggling? Excitements? It does not hurt to record your thoughts. In reality, a lot of clients want to know more than just a portfolio. A story behind your work brings you an interesting talk with the clients and maybe a future job. 

• ReFresh. Worn out from work? Endless sleepless night and meals in the design lab? Good way to refresh then restart your mind is to rest. Then, talk to somebody about how much you can make when you get out of school and how much you love doing this. I suggest that "somebody" to be a stranger, somebody you have not met before but is in the industry. That way, your brain is fooled and it forgets all the pain and struggles graphic design major brings you. Your eyes forget how bad they are after a project. 

• Remember. You will be fine!