The Prompt
In my Digital Publishing Systems class (GRC 203), we were prompted to create a poster to submit for a contest held by the Printing Industries Association, Inc. of Southern California (PIASC) every year. This year, the prompt was to make a poster that promoted careers in the printing industry. Our very delightful lab professor Donna Templeton strongly suggested creating infographics for our submissions, and if we wanted a decent shot at winning the cash prize ($500 for 1st place) then we should follow the prompt as closely as possible.
Research
Design
I used Adobe XD to sketch out my ideas. It was tempting to design the whole thing on XD, but ultimately I knew I'd have to use Illustrator to create a print-ready document.
Creating the 1st Rough Draft
Getting through the first versions of the designs was tough but rewarding. I considered font pairings, hierarchy, image quality, and color combinations while making sure the information was accurate and persuasive. Working towards a print-ready document meant that every image needs to be at 300ppi and at the correct image size, which meant Photoshop and I needed to become fast friends.
Pre-Critique Critiques
Before submitting my first rough draft for class critiques, I consulted some fellow designers to make sure my design was on the right track.
Rough Draft v2 (Post-Donna)
It feels so close, yet so far..." -CJ Tio, January 30th 2020.