I genuinely believe people come into our lives at specific times to teach us lessons and help us discover the depths of our personality. In High School, those people are vital when choosing the future you want to pursue so young. Without my High School graphic design teacher, I do not know where I would be.
“Digital design is like painting, except the paint never dries.”
Neville Brody
I found my personal passion in my Graphic Design class. During my Sophomore year in High School, I first took the class because it seemed like an exciting topic to explore. Graphic Design grew much more and led to me devoting my time as a TA for my Junior and Senior years, and now my major choice in college. The class teacher encouraged me to explore new territory and constantly demonstrated the job opportunities using these skills. I’ve created my brand, designed packages, 3D printed models, made posters, printed stickers, heat-pressed vinyl onto clothing, laser burned wood, applied car decals, and so much more, all thanks to the opportunities he offered in his class. Helping me adapt to and understand minute differences in programs from Adobe and many other developers required a profound level of devotion from my teacher. However, all of the skills I gained combine to not only create something unique but also practical.
Timeless Quality
The most indelible lesson my teacher left regarding graphic design is that it is at the forefront of every well-known business, person, or place. Whenever you go to a store, drive down a highway, open your phone, or even sit at home, the psychological influence of design influences you. Varying audience moods tend to pick styles and colors that resonate with them. The difference that sets apart your design is its timeless quality. To elaborate, like an image, low quality may work on a small scale, but as soon as you put it on a billboard, its perception changes to pixelated and unprofessional. However, if you make an image high quality, no matter the scale, it will be timeless. An example of this is the quality of the design I made for my school my Senior year. This design not just was able to be printed on merchandise but also made into a mural as a “class gift.” With the proper amount of devotion, the quality of work will allow customers to have their ideas timeless and recognized for generations to come.
Broadening My Skills
Outside of class, my brand designing custom prints for local businesses also was fueled by my teacher guiding me. Learning to handle situations professionally from a business perspective encouraged me to be independent, surrounding every process factor. I explored not only graphic design but all mediums surrounding it- such as painting, drawing, writing, web design, ect. This encouragement led to me broadening not just my soft skills to a more diverse group of people but also my hands-on experience.
Permanence of One Teacher’s Voice
You rarely find a teacher who can impact every student with the subject they teach while also inspiring you to find that same passion they have for their work. He went the extra mile time and time again without fail. He knew every one of his students- their passions, home life, even the slightest change in mood. He asked how you are daily, ensuring you are telling the truth. He believed in me when I did not believe in myself, and even when I gave him a hard time, he put up with me. At the end of every day, that mattered. It told me that I matter. I truly could not have asked for a better teacher to inspire my future occupation. And despite the impermanence of the time I had in his class- he has permanently impacted the way I see opportunity in my future for the better.
Author: Savannah Schultz
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