Welcome!

Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future.

— Robert L. Peters

My name is Kira Cheshier. I am currently studying Art, International Studies, and German with a minor in Women’s Studies at the University of Wyoming. As the title of the blog suggests, I will be recording my progress and development of my graphic design work as I intern for the Cultural Programs at the University of Wyoming. To begin, I will give a brief overview of what I will be doing this semester as well as how I plan to go about designing.

This semester I will be designing the promotional work for the artists who will visit the University through the Cultural Programs. Mainly this will include postcards and the occasional program, as well as anything else I am asked to do! My plan at this moment in the semester is to listen to each artist or group who will perform and get a feel for his or her work and his or her performance style. This, of course, is the initial research step in any good design. Next I will focus on the concept for each performer’s promotional pieces. And last I will sketch, doodle, and find inspiration from my research and experience to create the actual piece. In order to evaluate myself before I turn in the postcard or program, I have created a list of questions to ask myself to critique the pieces. The evaluative questions I have created are:

1. Does the piece speak to the artist? When the audience views it, does it give them a hint about what they will experience at the performance? Does the piece make them excited for what they will experience?

2. Are the design aspects of the piece coherent with the concept and performer? Is the hierarchy easily identified? Does the typography work (readability mixed with concept)? Is the composition pleasing? Does the color pallet represent the concept and compliment the overall composition?

3. Does the piece target and speak to the appropriate audience?

4. Does the piece incorporate the appropriate information regarding the performance in a readable and easily accessible format?

5. Does the piece match the restrictions and guidelines of the Cultural Programs and any other organization involved?

So, with these aspects in mind, I continue forward with the task of designing pieces, which will be viewed by a larger population and audience than I have ever designed for. Gulp.

Please stay tuned for the exciting adventures of a graphic design intern! I hope you enjoy the following posts!