Today was the last class before final projects are due. In Advanced Graphic Design I there are no final exams per se, although the last project is worth the majority of the class grade. Students were to bring their final assignments as close to finished as possible. Most brought color mock-ups folded but not fully assembled. At this point students have nailed down their concepts, refined their artwork but continue to tweak the copy and heading type. In a general statement to the whole class, Prof. B. expressed his disappointment regarding the craft of each students work thus far shown. He went so far as to say, “You might as well just write the F on it for me.” As tough as it sounds now, the context was more light-hearted. He was trying to catch their attention and bring focus to their floundering efforts of craftsmanship. He did couple his comments with encouragement of their design overall, but reminded them that if it looks and feels like junk that the client would be blind the design regardless.
Design craft is a talent that must be fine tuned for designers attempting to impress potential employers. Craft of a finished piece can be the finesse that brings it to the next level, or the flaws that distract to its detriment. If a student doesn’t have the capabilities to create a quality piece either due to patience, attention to detail or experience then it is their duty to find someone who does. Learning folding techniques using the proper design tools such as a bone (http://www.michaels.com/Martha-Stewart-Crafts™-Bone-Folder/pc0735,default,pd.html?cgid=products-scrapbooking-marthastewartcrafts&start=1) or a burnishing tool (http://www.artcorridor.com/metal-tooling.html?psps_page=3) can greatly improve the finished product. Having the right tools such as a rotary cutter and a cutting surface that can handle the project will also yield better results. With so much work put into the design, it would be a shame to short change the final piece.