Summary of learning

 

 

For my summary of learning project, I decided to use Canva.com to create a playful infographic about PR Pubs. I decided to create an infographic because I felt that it would tell the story of my journey throughout PR Pubs.   I titled my infographic “PR PUBS 2015.”

My first graphic says that I felt stressed 75% of the time while working on PR Pubs work. I found this class to be very stressful! I do not like to try things that I am not good at because I hate failing and disappointing myself. I often struggled in PR Pubs when I was beginning to learn the adobe software. Truthfully, even after I became more comfortable with using the software I still felt stressed because I could never make my work look as nice as it could have been if I knew all the tricks of the adobe software. Pubs made me become more patient and more precise about my work.

 

My next box says that I completed 10 design projects. This semester I designed and completed

1)  1 business card

2) 1 letterhead

3) 2 direct mailers

4) 1 facebook cover

5) 1 instagram post

6) 1 twitter header

7) 1 facebook post

8) 1 newsletter

9) 1 summary of learning project (Canva infographic)

and lastly…

10) 1 portfolio

**if we count the Matrix, it is really 11 different projects.

These 10 projects were worth mentioning because each one taught me something completely new! Some projects taught me how to use a new program. Some projects taught me new skills on adobe programs. Some even introduced me to an unheard website called Canva which I love (if you weren’t able to tell). Each project was a learning experience and although I may have found them frustrating or stressful, they all helped me prepare for a job in Public Relations.

 

My third box discusses my increase in creativity. I never felt like a creative person ever in my life. I would never have considered myself to be artsy or creative. After completing PR Pubs, I now look at my creative side in a whole new light. Just because I cannot pick up a paintbrush and paint does not mean that I am not creative. I feel like I found my creative side and now trust my artistic ideas more now than ever before. I hope that my newfound creative nature is something that I hold on to long after PR Pubs.

 

My fourth graphic discusses the three all nighters that I was forced to pull due to procrastination and the amount of work and detail that goes in to each project. At the beginning of the year, I underestimated Croom and his assignments. I thought that I would be able to do them last minute and still get the end result that I desired. I WAS WRONG!!!!! Each project required a great deal of time and detail in order for it to look appealing and for it to represent me as a designer. This class has definitely helped me with my overall time management and I am forever grateful for PR Pubs for helping me become less of a procrastinator.

 

My fifth box says, “I asked 1 million (and one) questions.” I think Croom will attest to that statement as well. I feel like I had all the questions about indesign, photoshop, canva, target publics, design techniques, and so on and so forth. I was curious about these new programs and wanted to know more about them and how to use them. If I did not ask the questions that I did, I would not know a quarter of things I know today regarding materials in PR Pubs. I also think that this class encouraged me to ask questions and to not be afraid of receiving an answer that I did not want to hear. I often asked questions regarding my designs that I worked very hard. Croom’s critiques were always honest and he always showed me ways to improve my designs.

 

The sixth box is the most embarrassing, but it is also very honest. I can truthfully say that I cried over PR Pubs at least 9 times. I would feel frustrated and confused when using certain programs (mainly photoshop) and get so upset that I would shed tears. I also cried two separate times when I did not properly save my direct mailer and I had to start over the day before it was due. Yes, I know that is embarrassing, but I often allow my emotions to get the best of me. I felt emotionally invested in my projects that I completed for PR Pubs. When they did not come out as I had hoped, I would have to try and try again. It sometimes discouraged me, but once I wiped my tears I just kept going. Eventually I reached my ideal end result!

 

Going into this class, I had not used photoshop since my freshman year of high school, which is my seventh box states that I improved 90% on my design work. I say this because I could not have told you the first thing about indesign, photoshop, or Canva prior to taking PR Pubs. Throughout my journey through PR Pubs I became more comfortable and confident with the new programs and their tools. I feel like I made great improvements since day one and I am eager to learn more about these programs and keep improving.

 

My last and largest box sums up my journey through Public Relations Publications. It says “But…100% of the time I was learning and growing.” That is the most accurate statement of all. Despite the frustration, tears and three sleepless nights, I learned more in 14 weeks in PR Pubs than I could have imaged.  During those 14 weeks, I grew as a PR student, a designer and as a person. I am definitely grateful for this class and for Croom.