Fall 2018 Term Review
Finals wrapped up last week, and I am finally almost over being sick so I’m taking a little time to reflect on what I learned and accomplished this semester.
I learned a lot of interesting things this semester and worked on some cool projects. Video recording and editing was the overwhelming subject of this semester closely followed by prop-making.
Video for Photographers
I’m so glad I took this class. Not only did I learn a ton about a subject I knew very little about, I also had the pleasure of having Doug Clark as a professor again. Mr. Clark was one of my favorite professors in undergrad and this class was a fresh reminder why. Mr. Clark packs a ton of material into his classes and demands a lot which results in students learning a ton — as long as they’re doing what they should be. But the thing I love best about Mr. Clark is how he weaves real-world advice and examples into his lessons. He’s the type of teacher I aspire to be.
In this class, I learned how to shoot video with my DSLR and how to edit video in Adobe Premiere, along with a ton of other principles and techniques. By the end of the class, I had produced four main video projects: two instructional videos, and two profile pieces. I added complexity to my video production by using multiple cameras and studio lighting for all my shoots. I also recorded audio separately using Voice Recorder Pro on my iPhone.
I was interested in taking a video class because I wanted to be able to make my own videos in the future for various personal purposes, but I can now easily see myself incorporating video work into my career.
Adv. Contemporary Media
I signed up for a second round of Contemporary Media because I wanted more interactive projects for my portfolio. The semester got off to a very slow start but it paid off in the end. I created an instructional video showing students how to use a Canon Pixma Pro printer, poster and postcard designs for a social awareness campaign that incorporated an augmented reality component (that also included my first stop motion video), and an app design featuring various games for learning family history.
Design Tech (Prop-making)
I signed up for Design Tech because I needed an elective that wouldn’t be too intense, and because of my interest in cosplay and working with different types of materials. I was super pumped to get an introduction and a little bit of experience with 3d-modeling in the class, in addition to a ton of experience creating molds, and working with thermoplastics and other common prop materials.
I’m looking forward to incorporating my 3d-modeling experience into some of my future design endeavors. And I’m super eager to work through some of the negative and positive mold making techniques and materials at home on various personal and cosplay projects. As I continue to experiment I hope to find other uses for these techniques and materials that might complement my art and design skills.
Senior Projects
I had the best time helping to teach the Senior Projects class this semester. I gave presentations on how to work smarter, on digital asset management, and on digital portfolios. I also helped with critiques and other smaller demonstrations. It was both an honor and a pleasure to work with this semester’s graduating seniors, and I am so proud of all they accomplished. Their senior show turned out great. As an added bonus, I also learned a ton from Professor Seth Johnson. It was a great experience all around.
Extracurricular
JSU Art Alumni Chapter
At the very beginning of the semester, I hosted my first big event as president of the Art Alumni Chapter of the JSU Alumni Association. I helped plan and host an art alumni reunion and art show that included short talks by both the department head and myself, a tour of all three art department facilities, a photo booth, and an art show and reception. Our turn out and reception was great, plus it was such a pleasure to meet so many other alumni and hear about their experiences. I also worked on updating the alumni mailing list, and on some initial plans for an art department newsletter that may or may not happen. Plans are currently underway for the next alumni reunion and show which I am hoping will become an annual tradition.
JSU Photo Club
This was my third and final semester as President of the JSU Photo Club. We now have a small but strong core group so I am passing leadership off to one of the undergraduates. I’ve put a lot of work into reviving the Photo Club, especially this semester, and I’m very proud of all I and the other members have accomplished. Aside from planning and leading bi-weekly meetings that included presentations and critiques, I also planned and led several special events. We partnered with APO for a photo shoot in the lighting studio, set up a Halloween photo booth for Artoberfest, went on a photo excursion to a fair, and hosted an online print sale to raise money for attending SPE Cleveland.
Planning meetings and leading activities was very time consuming but I’ve found extracurricular leadership activities to be extremely valuable experiences, and learning opportunities. I also adore working with students, especially other photographers with both similar and varied interests. I will still be involved with the photo club next semester but I’ll just be serving as treasurer, helping with a silent auction, and helping to coordinate the trip to SPE Cleveland.
Related Posts
About The Author
