Starting this year, I was a complete novice in the digital design world. Coming from a background in physical design, I felt like a fish out of water when I first opened Adobe Illustrator. I barely knew how to draw a circle freehand... but with dedication, a load of YouTube tutorials and some very patient tutors… I've come a long way!
One of my most significant achievements of this year has been the expansion of my skill set. With a lot of experimentation, failures and a few successes, I’ve become fairly proficient in Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro. These tools have allowed me to create an array of motion graphics, a few intermediate illustrations, and even allowed me to explore web design. I've particularly enjoyed exploring the nuances of UI/UX design using Figma, looking into design theories and interaction heat-maps.
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
The toughest but most rewarding by far was the app design module. While the group work initially presented challenges, I've come to appreciate the true value of collaboration in design. Working with a diverse team of creatives has taught me the importance of effective communication, delegation, and design compromise. We faced many obstacles, but through various meetings, FigJams and perseverance, we were able to create a brilliant concept that I'm very proud of!
I've been lucky enough to work alongside a talented designer at my company who's a branding genius. I'd never had the chance to do much branding myself due to my inexperience and workload. But watching her from the sidelines, I thought I'd soaked up a few design methods and principles.
Given this initial confidence, I jumped right into the branding for the app module! In time, however, it was like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube with only one hand while blindfolded. It was way harder than I expected! But I took a step back, re-evaluated my initial ideas, and sought feedback from my peers.
Given this initial confidence, I jumped right into the branding for the app module! In time, however, it was like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube with only one hand while blindfolded. It was way harder than I expected! But I took a step back, re-evaluated my initial ideas, and sought feedback from my peers.
That's when the fun really began. I tackled the branding properly for the first time, learning about colour psychology, typeface choices, and how shapes can impact character design. I even drew the characters using Procreate, which I'd never used properly before. It was a trial-and-error process, but I managed to pull it off with a lot of YouTube tutorials and a bit of luck. I'm pretty sure I owe my degree to those tutorials at this point.
Beyond technical skills, this year has also been a journey of personal growth. I've gained confidence in my ability to present my work and think critically about design principles. Even though there's a long way to go, I've learned to start balancing perfectionism with efficiency, recognising that sometimes "good enough" is good enough. I've also discovered an itch to explore 3D design and am eager to make use of software like Cinema 4D, Spline, and Blender in the future.
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
I've struggled with organisation at times, which can impact the quality of my work. However, I've learned from these experiences and am committed to improving my critical thinking skills and efficiency. As I gain more experience in various software, I hope to structure my work better, allowing me to have more breathing space to think creatively and not worry about the ticking clock. I've also learned that I'm probably a bit too optimistic as a designer. I tend to have grand ideas and dive in headfirst without much thought. I'm working on setting more realistic expectations for myself and taking a more measured approach. On the bright side, I'm pretty good at picking up new technology. I can usually figure things out with a bit of tinkering, a lot of patience and a few late nights.
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
The feedback I've received has been invaluable. My peers and tutors have encouraged me to trust my instincts and not be afraid to share my ideas. It's helped me overcome self-doubt and believe in my design abilities.
As I look forward to my second year, I'm excited about the opportunities for further growth and development. I'm very eager to jump straight into UX/UI design, explore new techniques, and continue to hone my skills as a creative digital designer. I've learned more than I ever thought possible, grown as a designer, and discovered a newfound passion for digital creation. I'm grateful for the support of my tutors and peers, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for me.
