I learned a great deal in this course. Each week, the assignment provided me with valuable resources and insight into digital graphics and design.
In week 1 assignment, I learned about the four basic principles of graphic design: contrast, repetition, alignment and proximity (C.R.A.P.). At first, this concept was foreign to me, but the readings enlightened me about C.R.A.P. Soon after, I began to analyze billboards, posters and other commercial advertisements and observed these principles in action.
Week 2 assignment taught me about creating a logo or personal branding. I normally use a smiley face after my signature. However, I never thought of it as a brand until I read the articles and blog on personal branding. After writing adjectives to describe myself, I realized that a smiley face was just OK but didn’t capture it all. I searched for different objects and images until I found one that captured both me and my career.
Creating an animation during week 3 was the most entertaining and exciting lesson for me. I enjoy animations but felt intimidated about creating one. Using Scratch was very easy, and the tutorials helped ease my anxiety about creating my animation. I plan to use it with my students as a class project in the near future.
Week 4 helped to tie-in everything I learned in this course. I have prepared newsletters for my classroom before but never included a personal branding or included an animation. My school is big on sending a classroom newsletter as an important tool of communication between the students, parents and me. After creating my newsletter, I had a colleague give me positive feedback on the content and layout.
Through this course, I received valuable information that will benefit not only me, but my students and colleagues in the near future.
