Semester #8

This semester hasn't been as hectic as semester in the past, academically. It also has been very different in a lot of ways. Before I jump into what classes I am taking I want to give a quick update. Over winter break I applied for and received an on-campus position at my university. I am doing graphic design and marketing for one of the offices. That has been a great opportunity to get some experience under my belt and a position to put on my resume. My co-workers and supervisors have really made my work a great place. I am thankful to be working with them. In all of this, I still have a few hours a week at my previous retail job.

However, things are looking quite different now than they did at the beginning of the semester. Starting this week actually, all school has transitioned to being online to 'flatten the curve' of the COVID-19 global pandemic. These are strange times to be living in! This means that in addition to doing home schooling, I am also working from home. This has been an adjustment. However, the semester is almost over! Just gotta push through for the last little bit!

#1 - Drawing for Visual Communication
This class is technically a graphic design course, but it is more focused on the discipline for illustration. It has been fun to take on more 'light hearted' projects and stretch my drawing skills. Some of the projects we have tackled so far are various posters and illustrations. An example is included below.

#2 - Sequential Media

This is my other graphic design class for this semester. It is a more traditional graphic design course. In this class we have designed CD covers and gotten a bit into web design with art blogs.

#3 - Professional Practices

I took this class last semester and will take it for my next two semesters. It is a one-credit course that teaches us the ins and outs of our profession. This semester we have learned about paper and the printing process. Occasionally, we will have guest speakers come and talk to us. Aaron Draplin (a famous designer) was going to visit and give a talk this April, but that had to be canceled unfortunately due to the restrictions we are currently experiencing.

#4 - Art History: History of Graphic Design

I have taken several art history courses before, but this one is special as it covers the history of graphic design. We started learning about illuminated manuscripts and are now learning about the Art Nouveau movement.

#5 - Honors Research

Nothing against this class, I just have a hard time motivating myself to get excited about it. However, it is the last requirement I need to fulfill for my Honors track. We are working on group research projects. My group is studying how technology affects different generations differently. 

Semester #7

     In a lot of ways this semester has been tough. This can be evidenced by the fact that it is now halfway done and I am just now getting around to posting what classes I am taking. But, now that I am taking upper division graphic design classes, maybe that is to be expected.

1. Typography II
     Similar to Typography I, we continue to explore type, typefaces, and typographical layouts. An example of a project was to design a brochure on a period in design history. I had Art Deco.

2. Package Design
     Pretty much what ti sounds like. We design packages, mostly in the 'box' range (haven't gotten into bottles or pouches or anything crazy like that yet). A memorable project was making a paper banana (pictured below). This was supposedly our hardest project of the semester. Good thing we got it out of the way first! As a whole, I am enjoying this class.

3. Explorations of Graphic Design
     My other main graphic design class of the semester. This one is more general in application, as we are exploring various methods of design. So far we have worked on logos, icons, posters, and now advertisements.

4. Professional Practices
     This is less of a regular class and more of a weekly 'how to' seminar. We have learned about resumes, assembling our portfolios, and other bits and bobs necessary to become a graphic designer. I am also somewhat involved in the local graphic design guild.

5. Intro to Marketing
     Funnily enough, this is the only non-graphic design class I am taking this semester. Marketing is connected to graphic design and it has been interesting to learn about some of the other sides of the coin. I enjoy my teacher and the class, but am not looking forward to the two papers we will have to write this semester.

Kora's Sloppy Joes

Kora's Sloppy Joes
     This recipe came from a family friend. 10/10 would recommend.

2 lbs. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1/2 c. celery

2 TB vinegar
2 tsp. lemon juice
3 tsp. worcestershire sauce
2 Tb brown sugar
ketchup to taste
1//2 tsp. prepared mustard
1 1/4 tsp. salt, pepper

     Brown and mix beef, onion, and celery. Drain extra fat and juices from mixture. Add additional ingredients to meat and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve on buns.

Note: For more versatility this recipe can be altered to become 'Taco Joe.' Now it can double as Sloppy Joe filling and also taco meat. Just omit the brown sugar, use less ketchup, and add some taco seasoning.

Spanish Rice

Spanish Rice
     This one pot meal is easy and delicious! Serve with tortilla chips and some freshly cut veggies or fruit to round out the meal. Bonus: it's great leftover as well.

1 TB vegetable oil
1  medium onion, thinly sliced
1/2 lb. lean, ground beef
1 c. regular rice, uncooked
1 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
1 3/4 cups hot water
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. mustard
dash black pepper

Heat oil in skillet. Add onions, beef and rice. Stir over high heat until meat is lightly browned. Add tomato sauce and remaining ingredients. Mix well. Bring quickly to boil, lower heat, cover tightly, and simmer for 25 minutes. Serves 4.

Mom's Chocolate Chip Muffs

Mom's Chocolate Chip Muffs
     These muffins were a staple in our household growing up. Now I regularly make them for breakfast and keep them in the freezer so they last. Just nuke them in the microwave and they're good as new!

1 egg
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 c. milk
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 c. chocolate chips

     Beat egg in a mixing bowl. Stir in oil, milk, brown sugar, and vanilla. Sift in dry ingredients and add chocolate chips. Stir until just mixed. Fill 12 muffin cups and bake at 375 degrees for about 18 minutes, or until done.

Mini Ground Beef Crescent Rolls

Mini Ground Beef Crescent Rolls
     This recipe was inspired by a meal served at my high school. It began as an experiment, but I would say it was a success.

1 container refrigerated crescent roll dough
ground beef. browned
Optional: other fillings such as jam or cinnamon sugar.

     Open can of dough as instructed. Use a small handful of ground beef as a filling before rolling crescent rolls. Bake as instructed. Necessity is the mother of invention - I didn't have a regular baking pan, so I placed the rolls in my muffin tin. They self greased themselves and came out perfectly! Serve with a dipping sauce or gravy.

     If you are feeling adventurous, try experimenting with other fillings. These rolls can be served as a meal or snack.

Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp
     Apple crisp is a mix between apple pie and a fruit cobbler. It's great because it's easy to make and it can be whipped up quickly, even quicker if you're a wiz at cutting up apples. Plus it tastes great!

1 TB lemon juice
2-3 apples, partly peeled and chopped
1/2 c. flour
1/3 c. sugar
1/4 c. butter
cinnamon
salt

Add lemon juice and sliced apples to pan. Mix together flour, sugar, and butter. Add a dash of cinnamon and two pinches of salt. Cover apples with mixture. Bake for 40 min at 350 degrees.