My Passion For Studying Graphic Design
Attention to detail and creativity are traits that have always rooted in me throughout my life, I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in the design industry and use these characteristics to my advantage. I received a book about graphic design in Polish one Christmas, which covered everything you need to know for graphic design, initially this was the first thing that sparked my interest in this subject. And so, when I began my first job at a supermarket, I began noticing logo and packaging designs, being critical of how it could be improved in order to be more aesthetically pleasing, noticing the changes in the designs over time, how minimalist they became each time. My passion for art has stimulated me to create graphics; devoting a lot of my free time to develop my skills and widening my passion for this course - accessing tutorials, creating my own examples and so on. I'm admirable of how this subject has the power it has to shape popular culture through album covers, posters etc. Studying Graphic Design will give me a chance to be part of this and further my ambition of working in the design industry.
This summer I participated in Nottingham Trent's creative short course for graphic design, handing me the opportunity to share knowledge with a tutor, as well as receiving an essential introduction to Graphic Design: the psychology behind shapes and colours, how art movements over the years has influenced graphics, different artists and their famous works; which is where I first came across Jamie Reid. I was enthralled by the meaning behind his work and how he used graphics to voice his beliefs to the audience. The Sex Pistols: God Save the Queen cover as an example, a political product which at its time which was the centre of controversy, many found it scandalous as others saw it as meritorious. A piece which defined graphic communication and was a great marketing technique.
Marketing campaigns have the power to influence people's beliefs and behaviours, as well as people's decisions to buy products. Part of A-level media was studying the impact the 1960's Tide advert had on its target audience, hypodermically injecting expectations on women through the illustration and media language provided on the advert. This outlines the way marketing has the capability to place changes in society and underpin cultural norms, using graphics. I've applied this knowledge to my coursework creating my own life-style magazine. I've been engrossed to learn about the impact that marketing can have on an audience, which media studies has allowed me to do, gain knowledge that is essential for creating advertisements, logos etc. A-level Art has led me to develop an independent approach to my personal studies, as I'm solely responsible for my own work. I believe it is indispensable for Graphics, a subject acquired from Art, with the same principles that the responsibility of creating the work is on the student rather than the tutor. Never the less art is a primary subject to demonstrate creative skill and imagination essential to create graphics. For my own personal study for year 2 I settled on politically themed topic, "How Are Women Objectified As Meat" The influence obtained from one of my favourite artists, Jenny Saville, famous for her feminist works. My preference in art and graphics is parallel; disputed and contemporary. This sense of imagination I've further developed in studying English Literature, where there's a clear inextricable link between visual and verbal storytelling, fundamental for illustration. Besides, this subject has taught me how to frame narratives, become adept at arguing a point and analysing different levels of meaning. Skills which are practical not only for graphic design but in a work environment.
I'm flexible in my abilities, and open-minded, making me suited to the broad scope of your course. Committed and focused in my own efforts, I believe my passion for this subject will make me a valuable student.
