Month: November 2022

Although it has only been a couple of months in the program thus far, I have learned quite a bit already. The Visual Media-centered modules seem like a joy to work in. My first module was Interaction Design, and I am just now getting into the Narrative Filmmaking module. The knowledge gained from these classes I think will be beneficial to my skill set. I am fascinated by motion design and learning the various other modules in the future. The photography/videography field definitely goes hand in hand with Graphic Design. Learning even the basics can transcend your skills as a designer, leading to more creativity in your own designs. I have been dabbling in photography a little bit so I can learn how to take my own photos and repurpose them for my own designs. This just gives my own designs that extra ‘oomph’ that makes a design that much more special. I tend to try and do everything myself when it comes to art mediums. I rarely let other people do the work for me, which can be a blessing and a curse I suppose. All in all, There is much to learn about the Visual Media side of the program.

Getting more into motion design, I think this area could really catapult me to a new level with my designs and ideas. Motion design is not as common with graphic designers and can really bring energy to a piece of work. It is also important to take note that the visual hierarchy is important to learn first before jumping into motion design. The movement in a piece can affect the visual hierarchy in a piece, so it is crucial to understand the complexity in which motion design can hold. Even if the movement is very subtle it can take over a piece and draw in the viewer’s eye. I am unsure of what the other modules hold, but hopefully, in the After Effects module, I can build upon this new area of design. I have some prior knowledge of After Effects, but very little. A struggle I had on my own is my workflow in these unfamiliar programs. I was quite slow, so that is another area I would like to excel in.

So far in my Narrative Filmmaking class, I have learned so much about the different shots that movies and shows will use to convey certain feelings. Previously, I was unaware of this going on in movies and shows until now. That really struck a chord with me and see it as quite a fascinating field to learn about. Initially, I would not think much about the film side, so I am glad to be exposed to this field in a way I can take and use for conveying an emotion even in my own design compositions. The idea of merging these two programs together I think is interesting and when I looked into the Graphic Design program, it was one of the times when I felt like this program specifically could help me grow and become the person I want to be.

The first example of a leadership principle I exhibited would be “Bias for Action” principle. This principle states,

“Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk taking.”

I exhibited this leadership principle when I was working as an electrician. You have to work with speed and efficiency and be effective with the time given. It was also important to do the job right the first time so you did not have to go back and waste time on re-doing the given task. It was ok to do this the first time or two just to get an understanding of the task at hand when being an apprentice, but it was expected for me to learn from my mistakes and get faster with repetition over time.

Another leadership principle I have exhibited was the “Deliver Results” principle. As this principle states,

“Leaders focus on the key inputs for their business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion. Despite setbacks, they rise to the occasion and never settle.“

An example of this leadership principle would be my time working as a Real-Estate mover. Deadlines were set for staging houses to put on the market. Often times there were times when I had to work overtime to make sure my job was done efficiently with my team and able to deliver in time with the given deadline.

The final leadership principle I displayed was “Strive to be Earth’s Best Employer”. The following principle says as follows,

“Leaders work every day to create a safer, more productive, higher performing, more diverse, and more just work environment. They lead with empathy, have fun at work, and make it easy for others to have fun. Leaders ask themselves: Are my fellow employees growing? Are they empowered? Are they ready for what’s next? Leaders have a vision for and commitment to their employees’ personal success, whether that be at Amazon or elsewhere.“

Whatever work environment I am in, I think it is crucial to keep a positive and good relationship with everyone as much as possible. It is important that everyone can feel like we are all on the same page and can communicate effectively. If this principle is instilled in everyone on a team, it pays huge dividends in the end. It is also important to have empathy for others if something goes wrong with a co-worker. It is my mission to help my cohort back up if facing some kind of adversity. We should be there for each other when going through struggles in life. If this is built in a workplace, it will help everyone grow and succeed as a collective.

The leadership principle I personally have a hard time adapting to is, “Are Right, A Lot”. Which says,

“Leaders are right a lot. They have strong judgment and good instincts. They seek diverse perspectives and work to disconfirm their beliefs.“

This one gives me trouble because I find myself asking for reassurance from a higher-up in work settings and it is something I want to improve upon. Being confident in my abilities and knowing a lot about the job I am currently doing would definitely be beneficial to my leadership qualities and my ability to excel in a job field.