Reflection

Compared to typical in-studio projects, how did the realistic nature of this project (for the united way, viewed by the public, a budget, etc) impact your work? (for example, were you more motivated to do good work, or less? were budget and other constraints good or bad?)

Having to keep in mind that the nature of the project was not simply for a portfolio ( a student driven goal) but rather, for the community, was challenging and rewarding in its own nature. As a group of student graphic designers, not used to a budget or public viewing, we had to keep an open mind and remember that we were designing to benefit the community. Their needs and wants came first to ours. And honestly, I loved that feeling: helping others through design. Having the budget put the work, time, and production into perspective. Having to problem solve pushed limits and showed us just how much we could learn to "think outside the box."

How did the content impact you, compared to typical in-studio content? Did Erika’s involvement have any effect on your content understanding beyond your usual research process?

I loved having to approach this project with an open mind - a mind that really was new to the subject. I had to really dig deep to understand the information for myself, to then better communicate to others said information. It was a learning process in more ways than one. 

Having Erika's involvement had a large effect on the content understanding for it created a block to push off of. Her direction was exactly what we needed to better grasp the goals of the project. 

I do wish that perhaps we could have heard from others who were also involved, but overall, having Erika's input was very helpful!!