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What is graphic design?
graphic design, to me, is the most important way of life. it's the reason why this world is how it is. all the time i feel as though graphic designers are way too under-appreciated. that these people around the world have no idea how much we get into their head, and they don't even know it. every symbol, logo, gets stuck in their head, and that's what represents that particular business. nike. what is your first thought? i can only assume that it's the nike swoosh. people create maps in their heads based on that businesses logo. I would love to have somebody under-appreaciatedly tell me that graphic design is just another stupid form of art. just so I can rattle on all of the important aspects of why this world would look like crap without graphic design. every business would look the same. and as an example, i'd explain a picture of what all the products in the grocery store would look like without graphic design. the cans of carrots would be orange, and say the word carrots. the cans of corn right next to the carrots would be yellow, with the word corn in a simple font. then i would continue my way up and down the isles illustrating each product without graphic design until they were proven wrong. and if they still didn't believe me...i would just take them right outside the door and tell them to look around, as i would point to each sign, logo, and design and tell them none of this would exist either.

What is typography?
the other 50% of visual communication. without type, communication would(fail.)

Granted. there are many symbols that have been created to visually communicate a message without typography. but i can guarantee you that the number of messages that require type far exceeds the successful symbols. but personally, i think the most successful symbols are those that don't require type. but getting away from symbols, type is still that other half of communication required throughout the world. obviously type is easier element of the world that isn't under-appreciated.

what are your responsibilities? society, school, personal?
as a student: i'm here to learn everything i am taught about graphic design. i want to learn everything i can about graphic design and typography (while of course maintaining my general knowledge of a bunch of other random subjects within this University that I will later forget as the 50% controlled by graphic design will take it over assuming it isn't really that important. sorry geology. but there are those interested in you to keep me safe from earthquakes and such. i already know you happen, so i don't care how you do. (margins and faults between the tectonic plates of the world.)
society: be a responsible citizen. do the right thing, help people, and what not. but one thing i actually do. and wish others would do also, is recycle, don't litter, pick up litter if you see it, and just all around, try to conserve your resources and energy.
personal: i have my goals. and so far, i'm not doing to bad. i won a few competitions since college. (and yea bruce, i know i'm not supposed to enter competitions...but i'm a poor college kid. and i really need the money. plus, if i win, it doesn't hurt my portfolio.) i still want to start my own business. i really don't enjoy taking commands from people. especially when all i'm going to think is...your in my spot. your doing the job I should be doing. that's the majority of my personal goals. personal life on the other hand. be true to those i love and those who love me. don't fall too far away from my family.

what can you do to make your VisCom classes more valuable to you?
simple. do the work assigned each week. plus, throw on extra designs, drafts, and what not onto each project. continue to relate the material taught to me to my projects. make sure i don't ever miss an assignment. and most importantly. when i do the assignment. don't just do it because i want the grade, do it because i want the knowledge. do it because i enjoy doing it. because it's what im going to be doing for the rest of my life. so i better put in all the talent that i actually have, and not half ass it. i learned that last semester. i didn't give the type and visual concept projects what i really have, so i got b's. and i also made myself look like just another student in this batch of selected few. i should show these graphics teachers that i have a little bit more than them.