Wrap -Up Post by Hua Xin

GRA217 is my first graphic class, and probably will be my last graphic class. I heard so many rumors about how crazy and frustrating this class can be. I still remember one of my friends told me her own experience with this class: you went to professor’s office again and again, and the professor would like none of your designs. I always thought that design is something highly depends on personal preference, and I was also afraid of the grading system will be intangible and obscure.

However, after I had my first graphic design class with Greg, all my concerns and worries were gone. Greg made the whole class so organized and everything is so clear. I like the way he speak, the way he organize his lecture, the way he present his slides, the way he express his opinion. I think most of my classmates must already mention the page-long comment, which is stunning. The first time I got the feedback, I was shocked for a few seconds, and I even told my mother I wanted to frame my professor’s feedback and hung it up on my bedroom wall. My mother said, “You must like your professor very much.” I replied, “I think I will never be able to see a more responsible professor. And Grey is much more than helpful, he is intelligent yet amiable, he is professional yet humble, he is ingenious yet patient, I cannot believe he is such a great person and at the same time happen to be my professor.”

As to the class, I think the most significant influence on me is not only the graphic design concept, but how to think like a designer and generate ideas. I never thought about I could know so many professional terms and concept in an introductory course. When I talk to my friend about font and using of white space, I felt like I am an insider although I only had a few class of graphic design. When I looked at the world around me, I am so proud to say that I am able to look at it using a way most people don’t use. I understand the way why things are organized in a certain way. I understand the importance of hierarchy which may hide in a single bread shelf. Graphic arts is not only about designing advertisement, covers or posters. It is more about the way people look at the world and hope it to be the way they want, it is about express your opinion using an indirect way, it is about communicating with people and getting response. Greg gave us all these amazing information within only one semester.

I am not sure about whether I will continue my interests on graphic arts, but the concepts I learned from this class has already mixed into my mind and become a part of me. However, one thing I am definitely sure is that I will frame Greg’s critique and hang it up as soon as my flight landed.