As I finish out my final degree I am coming to the realization how much I am going to miss this place.  I know I still have until May 2016 to enjoy my time here, but even with those thoughts, I can still am feeling my heart breaking a little.  Over my time at Iowa State University, I have had many professors and had almost all the graphic design professors as my instructor at some point.  There are a few professors that stick out in my mind more than others for very good reasons.  

One of my fvaorite professor's has been one of my favorite professors since the beginning of my digital media degree and all the end of my masters in graphic design degree.  That professor is Paula Curran.  I have always looked up to her as a hero or as someone to aspire too.  

Her education is 

BA, Westfield State College, 1976
BFA, Parsons School of Design, 1982
MFA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1993

She is a wonderful typographer and it is one of the reasons I adore her.  It took me a long time to understand typography.  She helped me on my journy to understand it.  Sung Kang was also a major influencer, but Paula started my love of typography.

I am currently in her bookbinding class. She is also highly recognized for her book binding techniques as well.  I need to learn to not inturrpt her when I am book binding though. hahah I get so very excited, I forget myself. 

Recently in class I took a few photos of her giving us a lab lecture about creating a clamshell box for our project.  Enjoy the photos, because she is awesome. 

On Sunday I am going with one of my favorite professors Bernard Canniffe to go pick up East London University.  As a surprise for our guests I decided it would be fun to make something sustainable for them as a welcome to Iowa State gift. My mom paid for most of the supplies.  Thank you mom!! #shoutout 

Yesterday (march, 16th) we got together and worked on the books for the students.  We ran out of a few supplies and I finished them today.  The book cover is made of fabric and the binding is made of elastic.  The signatures are made of three kinds of paper.  Watercolor, construction paper, and black paper. 

Here are some images of the inprogress work and the final products. 

This past weekened I attended a conference at Iowa State University's Design on Main. To go to the conference I wrote a short 300 word essay to win a scholarship to attend.  I won the scholarship and was very luck to have the time to attend both days of the conderence. 

Some highlights of the conference were seeing one of my favorite professors speak on the first day. Always blowing peoples minds and opening their eyes, it was a pleasure to be present for his lecture.

Another highlight, was the potential to work with a gentalman by the name of Edward Soenke. More about Edward, can be found here: http://www.nibs.org/page/meettheboard/Meet-the-Board.htm  The project that I was extended to attend the first meeting on is Nevada Community Design Program charrette.  Super excited to go to the first meeting in April. May be a big oppritunity for me.

One of the highlights of the conference was being complimented by the main speaker Bryan Bell. At the end first lecture that was by Zach Mannheimer of the Des Moines Social Club, I asked Zach a question. The question was, "How are you measuring the positive success of the social interaction of your business, so that you know it is doing what you intended and to help you move forward?" Zach replied that it was a great question in his response to me.  Byran Bell asked a question after mine and also included that my question was a great question.  Later after lunch Bryan stopped me and again told me what a wonderful question I asked.  I told him I asked because I truely wanted to know and measuring sucess is part of my thesis.  We then went into discussion about my thesis. He truely seemed interested! 

At the end of the conference and after I had finished my certification exam, Bryan met me at the door on my way out and told me, congratulations, thank you for coming, you have a great start to your thesis and good luck on my work.  How awesome is that?! To hear from someone who is working in the area of your thesis to compliment you that much!

Below are some of the photos I took while at the conference. Don't mind the nerdy first time photo of my conference badge.  This was the first conference I was not a vollunteer at.  First real conference as a graduate graphic design student! How exciting! 

In advance type we were given the assignment to design a public service announcement with kinetic typography.  For my assignment I decided to create a video that related to sex trafficking.  I wanted to get parent's attention, shock them, and create grundgy video that represented the topic.  

The project took many forms.  In the beginning it was going to be type as image, and then I decided to create a video when the text created images in the viewers mind.  So in essence a lot of mythdology was used to make a point rather than images and text as image.  

Update! 3/10/2015

Recieved permission from LOVE146 to continue to use their logo in my video.  They also said I was talented! How cool is that!