Life on the Outside...

...is very relaxing. I still don't think it's quite hit me yet that I've graduated. I'm both excited and nervous about my next step, but I really have no idea what to expect now out in the "real world." What I do have is a GREAT portfolio and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. I also have an interview with a packaging and branding firm in New York City and several more leads from the portfolio show at Lubin House! Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I decided to move back home after graduation, so I'm living in PA for the time being. Despite being a different state, it's actually easier for me to get to NYC from here than from my apartment in Syracuse. It's been very nice to be back, but it's also been difficult staying motivated about personal goals, and I'm getting rather antsy. Luckily, a few fellow CMD-ers asked me to start up a design + life blog with them about our experiences as new graduates (I think everyone's itching for something to do now that we don't have CommDesign). Hopefully it'll be up within the next week and I can post the link for you :-)

Be sure you can expect plenty more from me in the future, so keep checking out my portfolio work at www.jessgaito.com for projects and updates!

Yours In-Design,

Jess

Olympic-sized Potluck!

Tonight is the opening ceremony for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, and to celebrate, my house is hosting a potluck dinner! The theme is multicultural, so everyone is bringing a dish from a different country! I'm representing Greece (I think?) with a salami, cheese, & olive board (complements of Sam's Club). Allie is making Horchata, a delicious Mexican rice drink, and everything else will be a surprise :-)

I'm also going to a wine & cheese party (for the seniors over 21 ;-)) this weekend at a friend's house, and we're planning on buying tickets to the drag show, in which our friend Tim is performing. Looks to be an exciting week!

Now to think about how homework is going to fit in....

Communication is Key,

especially when living with in the same house.

As some of you may know, I've opted to live off campus with three friends this year. Now, luckily, we all get along wonderfully (for the most part), but this weekend I was very much ready to kill one of my housemates.

The issues began when he first informed me that he was moving back to the house Monday. Then, as it happens, Monday became Tuesday and Tuesday became Friday. However, when he said he was coming Friday, I was under the impression that he meant Friday at a REASONABLE time and not Friday at 11:59pm, when I'm half-awake and vegging on the couch. He also neglected to inform us that his entire family was coming with him...and that they were planning on staying in our house overnight (which I assumed anyway after they showed up at midnight).

Now, when I said he brought his entire family, it's not a figure of speach. He literally rolled in with his mom, his older sister, his younger sister, and his dog. And then they stayed from Friday night through Monday morning, waking up at the crack of dawn (7-8 o'clock in the morning for us college students) and banging around in the kitchen, creating noise, chaos, and extra dishes.

I can tell you, the homicide would have been completely justifiable.

Ducks in a Row

I am definitely ready for Thanksgiving Break, but in order to enjoy it, I really need to make sure several of my projects are finalized.

CS Infinity (a.k.a. CommDesign the Musical)

• Finish Warehouse Set by Saturday (Lasercut clock, stairs, and arch & assemble, also print or spraypaint base)
• Take pictures of students in studio
• Create CD and booklet

Beefcake

• Vacform Trays
• Create web presence?
• Build POP

Momosa

• Print Labels
• Print 4 packs & assemble
• Create Ads
• Photoshop InStore Display

SPAM

• Press Kit
• Booklet?
• Spam Mobile
• Jingle & Ads

GNN

• Logo
• Flash Intros
  

Ground Control to Major Tom...

Hopefully my journey to the Twilight Zone is over. I've had just such an "off" week, and I'm more than ready to get back to some normalcy.

Tonight is reserved for damage control:
1. Clean my living room (and my bedroom...and the rest of the house)- I prefer to do all of my CommDesign work at home instead of the Warehouse, but it looks like Hurricane Jess blew through the place this week
2. Go Grocery Shopping- I literally have NO food and have been making due with take-out & leftovers all week
3. Re-write my WTBI paper on the RIGHT book!
4. Get the door to my car fixed
5. Return unused supplies to Michael's

I think the oddness of this week came from the fact that it was Midterms. For me, it was mostly the same as any other week, so I actually think that the LACK of Midterms is what threw me off. It was especially noticeable in Comm Design this week, as most of the students in 450 were scrambling to get their projects done. My professor, Ken Hine (the mastermind behind the Comm Design program at Syracuse) runs his class a bit differently though, and we did not have a midterm. Evaluating my own work for this week, I know it definitely was not up to par (a problem I intend to fix in my next presentation).

On the bright side, I have identified the problems I had this week (second guessing myself, redoing things before the original designs were complete, etc.) and I now have two weeks to correct my approach!

Onwards and Upwards!

There is a fifth dimension,

beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call...


So, I've been living in the Twilight Zone for the past week. First, someone broke into my car and stole my GPS and phone charger. (Granted, stuff like this doesn't usually happen in Syracuse, but when it does, it always seems to happen to me!) Anyway,I had my window fixed, but now the passenger side door will not open from the inside. Then, in driving to the apple orchard this weekend, our directions were wrong (oh, the irony), so we just ended up just driving in a big circle. Now yesterday, I spent the morning writing a "book report" on a 300 page book, only to get to class and realize that I had been reading the WRONG book. GAH! I felt like such an idiot! I've never done something that stupid; it makes me crazy!

On the plus side, work on my CommDesign projects is going quite well *knock-on-wood.* My roommate Marco helped me cut the masonite pieces for my musical's set design, then I spray painted all of the pieces, and now I'm just waiting for the glue to dry. Casey is also doing some illustrations for me for the book, so hopefully I can get a few of those from her today to start scanning and organizing :-)

I also created a mold for my packaging project and learned how to vac-form objects! Hopefully today marks the end of my stay in the Twilight Zone...


Work to Do:

1. CS Part I
- Finalize Playbill
- Create tickets
- Create poster
- Get illustrations from Casey
- Scan illustrations
- Take pictures of built set

2. CS Part II
- Finish building
- Take pictures of set
- Take pictures of "actors"
- Photoshop set into setting

3. ModBod (LB Plus)
- Cut Vac-formed packages
- Determine Logo
- Create Meal Guide

4. Fujin
- Logo studies
- Capabilities brochure
- Nested brochure

Catch up

I went home to PA last weekend, and it was awesome! It was so relaxing and fun to just hang out and not have anything to do. It also means that a lot of work has to be completed this weekend.

On My List for this Weekend:

1. CommDesign Projects: Need to finish designing the theatrical synopsis book for my musical, create a CD booklet, and build sets. Also need to design logos and packaging ideas for "Beefcake," come up with 3 more "big ideas" + research, and start a 450 blog for the class

2. Soccer: Home game this weekend vs. ESF

3. AIGA: Meeting Sunday at 3pm to discuss membership and Stefan Sagmeister trip.

Tonight I'm taking people grocery shopping and then having a small feast with Simi (whose making potato pancakes) and Sam (who will be bringing fresh applesauce). I'm supplying the chili :-)

Let's get it started...

Earlier, I had mentioned how great it was to have an easy schedule this semester, but I'm starting to regret those words a bit. On the one hand, it's great. I' m relatively unstressed, and I have a ton of free time. On the other hand, having a large amount of free time and a minimal workload for most of my classes is setting me a bit on edge.

On the plus side, soccer season is starting up again, and we have a full schedule this semester! Try-outs for the Women's club team were this past weekend, and we had a GREAT turnout. I think there were over 70 girls who signed up at the club involvement fair. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to play all that much at try-outs, but as a senior, I was asked to observe and keep track of potential new players. At least it got me up and out of the house early. :-)

I'm also considering joining the Swing Club. The first meeting is tonight, and it's something I've wanted to do since Freshman year but was never able to because it didn't fit into my schedule. I sometimes seem to have a problem with taking on too many extracurriculars, but I'm somewhat bored with my lack of activity this semester. Maybe I should volunteer to work in the woodshop as well....

Practice safe design: Use a concept.

One of the great things about being in the CommDesign program at Syracuse is that we get to pick our own projects. From start to finish, our projects are something that we've created ourselves--from the initial idea to the eventual physical form it takes. When I graduate, I know that I'm going to be coming out with a portfolio full of projects that I love and that are unique from any other graduating senior. Yet while this method is a fantastic exercise in thinking, it can be quite frustrating in actual practice.

We're already two weeks in and I'm struggling a bit with my first project in CommDesign. I think I'd be more worried if I wasn't unsure because then the challenge would be gone (and the fun with it), but at the moment it is proving somewhat troublesome.

My idea originally came from an article I recently ran across with the headline"Male birth control pills soon a reality." Awesome! Now, what to do with it? Realistically thinking, it would be a pharmaceutical; therefore, I wouldn't really be able to brand the name (A friend of mine worked at Pfizer and said they name prescription drugs by throwing a bunch of letters together and checking with legal to make sure the name's not already taken), and the packaging wouldn't be that important since it's not over-the-counter.

After going in circles a bit this week, I think I've decided on 1 of 2 ideas:
1) A program that has teens who have had experience with teen pregnancy coming to schools and talking to other teens about the consequences of unsafe sex. (meh? or yeh?)

2) A cross-media campaign specifically directed at males, promoting responsibility and the use of contraception.

Thoughts are welcome. I need to hash this out before Monday so I can get cracking on the design.

Weekend Review

Friday I... worked in the morning, went to my kickboxing class in the afternoon, and then checked out my friend Travis' "rave" later that night. (Truth be told, it wasn't that great)

Saturday I... took the roomies grocery shopping at Sam's Club and Price Chopper. We later ate delicious grilled cheese sandwiches (our friend Sam makes them with bacon, apple slices, and Gruyère cheese, YUM!) at Carl's house, and rounded out the night be stopping by Tracy's birthday party for a bit.

Sunday I... grabbed some coffee at Recess in the late afternoon and then helped (and by helped, I really mean watched) Margaret make vegetarian chili for Derek's Chili Cook-Off. Margaret ended up winning second place at the Cook-off, and I bonded with some people by killing them in Mortal Combat on the PS3 :-D. Casey and I later met up with Travis & co. for game night at his girlfriend's house.

Monday I... did a lot of nothing. I relaxed on the Quad for a bit and tried out my new bubble recipe. I can happily report that I now know how to make 15-foot bubbles :-) I also stretched my legs a bit and played catch with Margaret & Casey. We later watched the Harry Potter Musical online and Empire of the Sun (Christian Bale's first movie).

All in all, my weekend mission of relaxing and having fun was a success.
Let the new year of CommDesign commence!

The Start of Something New

I'm nearing the end of the homestretch this week, and some big changes are happening! A lot of my summer plans are still contingent on whether or not I have an internship this summer, but JPMC is still looking promising!

To recap:

The last class of 2D went well. The students all seem ready to move on and start classes in their respective majors, so it was really exciting to see the transformation in their work throughout the semester :-D Best of luck to them all & hopefully I'll see a bunch of them down at the Warehouse next semester!

The Final Critique of Fiber Arts also went very well. I ended up making a wearable costume that was the companion piece to a sculptural hat I had made towards the beginning of the semester. The class was a definite change of pace from my CommDesign classes, but it was a nice break.

I still have to finish the paper for writing and turn it in, but my plans are to write it today and get it done! It's the last assignment I have to turn in, and then I'm home free! I think I've been procrastinating on it though because I'm not ready for the year to be over :(

CMD 352 (Project Management with JPMC) went really well for me. I think it's the one class where I learned the most about myself, and I really grew into the role of a design project manager. Plus, my professors recommended me (and two of my classmates) for the internship in NYC this summer! I already had one in-person interview, and I have a phone interview later today before they make their decision (I want it sooooo badly! wish me luck!)

CMD 450 is also finished. I had my final review on Saturday. It turned out about how I expected. Looking back on my projects I can see a lot of things that could be improved upon, and I'm excited to maybe take another crack at them over the summer so I'm in a good place for putting together my portfolio next year...
_________________________________________________________

My friends are also back from Italy! One of my friends, Travis, is living in our house over the summer and taking classes at SU, and another , Casey, already lives in Syracuse, so if I end up staying here for the summer, I'll get to see them all the time :-D

I'm hoping to keep updating my blog over the summer, so keep a look-out for exciting things to come!

Ciao Bella!

Summertime, and the Livin' is...

...Easy (?)

Well, that's what I hope, but in order for that to happen, I need to plan in advance!

As of right now, I'm planning to take 2 Maymester classes at Syracuse after Spring Semester ends. I need 2 more studios to graduate, so I can either take them over the summer or as a Senior. The benefit of taking the classes over the summer is that, as a Senior, I will only have to take 12 credits, and I can focus solely on CommDesign.
So summer classes are definitely going to happen.

However, that also means that if I am going to get an internship, it needs to be in Syracuse. Luckily, JPMC is offering two paid graphic design internships to continue the work our CMD 352 class is doing for them, so if I could work for them in Syracuse, I'd be set!

If that doesn't work out, there are a few other design opportunities in Syracuse that I need to start applying to.

List Time!

Summer:
Classes (2 Studios & need to register)
Apply for Summer Financial Aid (take out additional loan)
Apply & Secure an internship in Syracuse
Possibly have workstudy job at VPA *crosses fingers*

I can make this work!

Midterms (dun dun dunnnnn!)

Before I can get to enjoying myself on Spring Break, there is one obstacle that needs to be overcome...midterms. I'm lucky this year in that I don't have tests; however, I do have some pretty massive projects due by Thursday. Don't be alarmed if you don't here from me in a week. I will be living at the Warehouse constructing my massive bus exhibit. It's going to be awesome (staying positive).

So, since I'm a firm believer in making lists, below is everything I need to do this week in all of my classes.

Fibers (Tuesday):
Read Ch. 3 & id main points
Creat 6 Samples of dye techniques
Knit (2 sets, 8 rows of my own purl-knit pattern)

Writing (Tuesday):
Read Parts 4,5,6,7 (approximately 200 pages)
Create a "remix" video using a passage from one of the readings
Remix 1 page write-up

CMD 352 (Wednesday):
Questions for speaker
Go forward with designing for JPMC (can't say much more)

CMD 450 (Thursday): THE BIG ONE

SPAM-
Redesign labels
Spraypaint cans
Print & Attach labels
Design & Print SPAM Mobile
Create Newspaper Advertisement
In Store Promotion?

ECOBUS-
Better name, descriptor, & tagline
Buy TONS of Foamcore
Fix Interior Design of the bus
Print at EPC/DISC, I need to do this by Monday
There are 3 rooms, I have to build about one room a day
....There's too much to do to list it all

It'll be okay. I always get everything done. It's just a matter of how much sleep I'm going to get this week. At least I don't have a class on Friday. Spring Break will be a much needed vacation.

Getting to know....me!

Hello, Hello

My name is Jess Gaito and I am a junior in the Communications Design program here at SU. I’m originally from Perkasie, Pennsylvania (about 45 minutes North of Philly), but when I'm at SU, I live off-campus with 5 other girls (all of us are in VPA) and my housemate’s black lab, Midnight.

This is my first year working in the VPA office, but I’ve been involved in a number of other clubs and activities on campus since my first year. I am a member of the Women’s club soccer team, a sister of the Pi Beta Phi sorority on campus, a peer advisor and tour guide for VPA students, and this year I was elected Co-President and Director of Communications for Syracuse’s AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Design) student group.

In addition to being in CommDesign, I am also (trying to be) a Writing minor. This semester I am taking WRT 426: Digital Writing, which I’m super excited about, and I am also a TA for the Foundation Course 2D.

I love talking about VPA and CommDesign in particular, so if you have any questions at all about what it’s like being a VPA student at SU, please feel free to leave a comment or send an e-mail!