About Me

When I first heard about Graphic Communication I was a sophomore in High school. In High school we didn't have the new versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, or Indesign. We used PageMaker and Photoshop 6. The tools we had were very limited but GCom still sparked my interest. I loved to see my finished work after spending hours in a darkroom and using a light table to cut my litho tape. Printing was a huge part of that class, and I was very lucky to have the opportunity to see how a t-shirt is made or how a poster starts from an idea in Photoshop to being put on card stock. My first teacher was a huge influence on me and my design ethic. Mr. Steven Larimer was a huge reason why I started considering Graphic Communication as my major in College. As I entered college I had no clue what I should major in but Graphic Communication was always in the back of my mind. I found my self taking a few classes in the department and learning so much about these programs. I begin to realize that this is what makes me happy. In my junior year I realized that I need to find a job so that I can get some experience in this field. I applied at some local print shops but heard nothing back. Western's Spencer Student Recreation Center was hiring and began to look at that opportunity. I applied and was hired over the summer and through the fall and spring. That job has taught me so much about deadlines and people depending on you to make something that will grab people’s attention. Most of the projects I am given allow me to have a creative freedom and do what I think is going to attract people to upcoming events and activities. Graphic Design and Graphic Communication allow me to explore my creative side and being involved in this field has shown me how patient, involved, and critical of my work I have to be.