The end is near the end is near! The finish line is literally right around the corner! I honestly had a great time re-reading all my blog posts and reflecting on this semester. Boy have I changed as a student! My journey through PR Pubs started off with pure anxiety and confusion and ended with confidence and creativity.
Wow were the early days rough. I remember watching the Lynda videos over Photoshop and InDesign and already beginning to panic in my mind. I was completely overwhelmed and confused because I was having trouble just following the steps! Then came the first design project: the business card. I was honestly terrified to even begin a project because I was not confident in myself in manuevering around InDesign. However, I somehow made it through the first draft. After looking at other students designs, I was determine to step my game up. After re-watching numerous Lynda videos, I finally came up with a design for my business card and letterhead that I was proud of considering it was my time using InDesign. Knowing what I know now through trail and error when using Photoshop and InDesign, I know I could’ve definitely enhanced the design of business card and letterhead.
Then came the first Photoshop project: the direct mailers. I was the most anxious for this project because I started off not even knowing what a direct mailer was. Once I looked up some designs, I thought to myself there is no way I can create something like this on Photoshop. I was also extremely intimidated by Photoshop so that didn’t help the nerves. Thankfully, I came across a friend who was very familiar with Photoshop and was able to show me the ropes. After turning in my first direct mailer design, the nerves starting going away. I knew I could do this. The turning point for me in PR Pubs was definitely when I was creating my second direct mailer. I was extremely pleased with the execution of my design that I came up with. After completing my second direct mailer, I felt as though I could accomplish anything in Photoshop, which I have never felt before.
The last big design project turned into the most time consuming: creating a newsletter. After having completed design projects in both InDesign and Photoshop, I really wasn’t that nervous about this project. I had a lot of fun choosing my company, designing a layout and picking out what stories I wanted to show in my newsletter. This and the second direct mailer were the two projects that I was most proud of. I was proud of myself for putting together a four page newsletter that I thought looked great. Even though completing this project took me almost a whole three days, the ending result felt great. The only thing I would change about this project is incorporating my company’s logo throughout the newsletter.
I honestly feel like a new person after tacking all the designs projects in InDesign and Photoshop. My journey through PR Pubs has definitely led me to grow as a PR practitioner. I feel like I actually have the skills to go out into the real world and apply for internships and jobs because of the skills I have developed through PR Pubs. The confidence I have gained throughout this semester is what I am most proud of. I first came into this class beyond intimated and I am leaving fully confident in myself. I couldn’t ask for anything more!
