My fascination with Graphic Design started when I was in high school. I went to Chambersburg Area Senior High School, where I took multiple Multimedia courses, including: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and multiple others.
After graduation in May of 2017, I studied for two semesters as an Art Major at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. There I was enrolled in many courses on Art History, Art Appreciation, Drawing & Painting, and Sculpture.
After two semesters at Shippensburg University, I decided to take a different path and pursue an Associates Degree in Graphic Design at Hagerstown Community College in Maryland. It was here that I began to have a better understanding of graphic arts.
I use Adobe Photoshop for a vast amount of reasons, including image editing, retouching, creating image compositions, website mockups, and adding affects. I use Photoshop any time I need to edit a 2D image.
Adobe Illustrator has quickly become my go-to program for my graphic designs. I use it for a variety of digital and printed images, including cartoons, charts, diagrams, graphs, logos, and illustrations.
I find myself using Adobe InDesign when I need to create a layout with a combination of text, images and color, or with either text or images alone. I also use InDesign for Typography, as well as to create posters and business cards.
Between my time at Shippensburg and Hagerstown, I have learned a great deal about art and graphic design. Art is very subjective, but beyond that it is more than just "art." It is a portal into the mind of the artist, a viewport into their eyes, and a generalization of their lives.
Graphic design is the same way, but on a much wider form. Through graphic design a brand can be identified, an industry can be built, and a business can be presented.
After my graduation from Hagerstown Community College in May of 2020, I hope to pursue a career in graphic design, creating logos and designs for businesses and, just maybe, inspire others to pursue this career like those who inspired me.
Susan Kare
Interface Designer of the Apple Macintosh
Milton Glaser
Cofounder of New York Magazine