Category: Uncategorized

This Easter Break was seriously one of the best. I got to spend a ton of time with my family, and it reminded me how important it is to slow down and enjoy those little moments. Around one, we went to my brother-in-law’s grandparents’ house for a big meal. The food was so good — I left feeling super full and totally satisfied. After we ate, we all sat around and watched a bit of basketball, just relaxing and talking. Then, we did an Easter egg hunt in the front yard with my two nephews.

---

After the food settled, we headed outside to play kickball. I didn’t have the right shoes, so I ended up being the scorer, which turned out to be just as fun. It was great to keep track of the action and cheer everyone on. After we were all done at his grandparent’s house. We went back to my sister’s house, there my newphes had another Easter egg hunt. My brother-in-law joked about it being their third one in 24 hours, which made us all laugh. Nonetheless, the kids didn’t seem to mind one bit they were having the time of their lives, and honestly, so were we.

---

Spending the day like that reminded me how much I value family time. It wasn’t anything big, just good food, lots of laughs, and simple fun. That’s what made it so special. This Easter was full of those moments that stick with you, and I walked away feeling grateful and happy. Days like that are a reminder that the best memories usually come from just being with the people who matter most. I love my family very much and appreciate every moment with them.

As a design student, creating a strong portfolio is one of the most important steps in preparing for a successful career. Your portfolio is a reflection of your skills, creativity, and growth, and it’s often the first thing potential employers or clients will see. Whether you’re preparing for a Portfolio Show or just starting to build your collection, there are some key steps to take to ensure your portfolio stands out. So here are some ways on how to create a good portfolio for yourself.

---

1. Select Your Best Work Start by picking the best projects you’ve worked on. It’s better to show a few strong pieces than to include everything. Think about the types of design you want to focus on in the future and choose work that reflects that. Whether it’s branding, web design, or other projects, pick the ones that show your skills the best. This way, you’ll create a portfolio that highlights your abilities and sets you up for success.

3. Make Your Portfolio Easy to Navigate The presentation of your portfolio is just as important as the work you include in it. Whether you’re creating a physical portfolio or a digital one, make sure it’s organized and easy to navigate. Group similar projects together and if you’re creating a website or digital portfolio, make sure the layout is clean, intuitive, and user-friendly. Employers won’t want to waste time looking for specific pieces, so a well-structured presentation will make a good impression.

5. Keep It Updated Your portfolio isn’t a static document—it should evolve with your skills and experience. As you complete new projects, continue to refine your portfolio by adding fresh work and removing older pieces that no longer represent your current skill level. An up-to-date portfolio will always reflect your most recent and relevant abilities, showing potential employers that you’re growing as a designer. Be sure to also update your portfolio’s contact information, resume, and any other important details.

---

Building a strong portfolio is a crucial step in establishing yourself as a designer, and it’s an ongoing process of growth and refinement. As you continue to develop your skills, your portfolio should reflect your evolving abilities and showcase your individual style in design. With a carefully selected collection of your best work, an organized layout, and a commitment to keeping it updated, your portfolio can serve as a powerful tool in launching your career.

Time has flown by, and now the real final stretch is officially here. It’s hard to believe that in just two weeks, everything will be wrapping up. As the school year nears its end, I find myself excited and a little nervous as I get closer to the Portfolio Show. The work I’ve put into this semester is finally coming together, and it’s all about putting that final polish on my projects to make sure they’re ready for presentation. The countdown is on, and I’m determined to make these final weeks count. This blog is just a quick look into what I’m doing and feeling.

---

Starting last week, I began planning how to make my board for the Show. Designing it has been a fun yet challenging process, trying to figure out how to showcase my work in a way that flows naturally and highlights my skills. It’s one of the most important pieces of my Portfolio, as it’s the first thing people will see. After finalizing the design, I’m now focusing on the content I’ll display—choosing which projects to feature and how to arrange them for maximum impact.

---

As the deadline approaches, I’m finalizing everything for the board, making sure each piece fits perfectly. The pressure is definitely on, but I’m excited to see it all come together. It’s rewarding to think about how far I’ve come since the beginning of the year and to know that all the hard work is about to pay off. The Portfolio Show is a huge milestone, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve created with others. These last two weeks are going to fly by, but I’m ready to give it my all and finish strong.

Like I have mentioned before in these blogs. I have learned a lot from my time here at Southeast Tech, especially in my design classes. I have learned how to make magazines, campaigns, how to print, and much more. Some other things that I have learned in my Design Classes that I think are blog-worthy are different miscellaneous things we have learned in our production room making different projects.

---

In the production room, we learned how to cut, score, and staple. These miscellaneous things have been used in quite a few of our projects and the reputation has helped me to improve and get faster at doing them. They are all pretty self-explanatory but to quickly explain them. Cutting is done by using a machine that cuts off margins and papers apart. This is the only machine-operated one out of all of these. To use it you have to input a number on a keypad of how much you want to cut. Scoring is used with a tool and a ruler. This helps to create a fold line to make folding a paper easier. Stapling is easy but technical. The stapler is also not your normal stapler, you just need to make sure it’s all lined up and that all your pages are correctly together and lined up.

---

The reason why I wanted to blog about this, is because I was new things that I have learned. I want to mention and document all the things that I have been able to learn in my time here. I think little things like this are also just as important as knowing and learning how to do other things. Honing your skills and being able to be an all-around person is very important, in this industry and for me as a person. I am very proud of myself and I can’t wait to learn even more, even after graduating.

Have you ever bought something just because it looked pretty? I sure have and it’s honestly hard not to. Design has a way of pulling people in, especially during holidays like Valentine’s Day. One of my favorite examples is the classic heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. They’re not just candy — they’re an experience. It makes the holiday and the gift all the more special, even before you open the box.

---

Using this kind of design makes the boxes instantly stand out. This makes you feel something and turns a simple treat into a thoughtful gift. Even if the chocolates on the inside are the exact same as what you’d get in a plain box, the heart shape makes it feel more romantic and fun. That’s the magic of design — it adds emotion, makes a connection, and can influence what a person chooses to buy. It’s not just about looks — it’s about the feeling that comes with it.

---

To me, this is the kind of design that really sticks with people. Something as simple as a shape can tell a whole story — about love, care, or just wanting to make someone smile. I think it’s so cool how packaging can carry so much meaning. It’s a sweet reminder that a great design isn’t just nice to look at, but it makes a person feel something as well.

I think that typography is one of the most underrated parts of design. It plays a huge role in conveying emotions. Different fonts and styles help establish a visual hierarchy and guide the user’s eye. It also plays a crucial role in communicating brand identity. It’s more than just picking a font that looks nice — it’s about creating structure, flow, and personality in your content. Whether it’s a website, a flyer, or a social media post, the way text is styled can make something feel modern, playful, elegant, or professional. When typography is done well, it often goes unnoticed — it just feels right. But when it’s off, it can make even the best design feel messy or hard to read.

---

When I manage fonts, I start by choosing a font pairing that reflects the overall tone of the project. I usually go with one font for headings and another for body text, making sure they complement each other and don’t compete for attention. This may involve choosing a san serif for the body and a serif for headings. I also pay close attention to details like font size, line height, and spacing to ensure everything feels balanced and easy to read. A big part of font management is consistency, so I like to use guides in my software when designing to help keep everything aligned, if not I use auto-snapping.

---

For fonts, I like to explore DaFont.com or Adobe Fonts because they offer a huge variety of creative and unique styles that help me match the vibe of each project. I always make sure to double-check licensing and make sure any fonts I use are allowed for commercial use when needed. Once I choose my fonts, I make sure they are installed and that they work. I also try not to overdo it. If you use too many fonts that can make a design feel chaotic, so I usually stick to two or three. At the end of the day, good typography blends design and communication, helping people not only read content but enjoy the experience of reading it.

Right now I am in a marriage and Family social class. We mainly talk about things like marriage, children, and relationships. At first glance, you wouldn’t think that any of those things would be related to Media Design or the design industry but one does. Relationships are a key part of this industry and it is very important to understand them. So in this Gen Ed class, I was able to learn more able relationships and how to improve them.

---

As I mentioned, at first, “relationships” and “media design” might not seem like they go together. But even before I took this Gen Ed class the more I grew in this field, the more I realized how connected they are. Design isn’t just about making something look nice — it’s about communicating, connecting, and creating something that people can understand. To do that well, you need to understand people, how they think, and how they feel. In other words, you need to understand relationships.

Whether it’s designing a logo, building a website, or working on a video, everything we create in media is for an audience — and the goal is always to form a connection. That means listening, observing, and being able to empathize with others. In client work, it’s about understanding their vision and building trust. In team projects, it’s about strong collaboration and communication, and so on.

---

In summary, when you think about it, design is just another way of building relationships — through visuals, sound, text, and interaction. The better you understand people, the better you can design for them. That’s what makes media design so powerful. As designers, we are to interpret information in a fun and readable way that others can understand and want to take the time to view it. This ability to bring ideas to life in a way is what connects people and helps build relationships. And to me, I think that is most important.

Design is everywhere! From the clothes we wear to the buildings we walk through, design plays a significant role in shaping the world around us. It’s more than just aesthetics, design can also be deeply tied to culture. In many ways, it reflects the values, history, and innovations of a particular time and place. Whether it’s the sleek lines of modern architecture, the vibrant patterns in traditional textiles, or the minimalism of Scandinavian design, every cultural group uses design as a way to express identity, creativity, and practicality.

---

Incorporating cultural elements into design isn’t just about copying traditional styles, it’s about understanding the stories and values they represent. For example, in many Indigenous cultures, design is often used to convey deep spiritual beliefs or historical narratives. From the intricate beadwork of Native American artisans to the symbolic motifs found in African textiles, design becomes a language that communicates cultural heritage. As cultures evolve, so too does their design, adapting to the modern world while maintaining connections to the past.

---

Design’s connection to culture is also evident in how it influences consumer behavior. In today’s globalized world, people are more aware of the cultural implications of the products they buy. Brands that incorporate cultural sensitivity into their designs, whether through packaging, advertising, or product development, often create stronger emotional connections with their customers. This has led to a growing emphasis on culturally inclusive design — ensuring that different identities and traditions are respected and represented. As the world becomes more interconnected, design continues to play a pivotal role in bridging cultural gaps and fostering understanding across diverse communities.