Final Reflection

So first off - I feel like this semester was WAY too short. Part of that is my own fault. I really want to graduate in December, so I decided to take 3 classes over the summer. That being said, I am forever grateful that the projects had soft deadlines, because I really needed to push off projects until the other two classes were over.

I enjoyed this class. My undergrad was art/animation, so I *love* design projects and get really angry when people don't take a little time to make something look nice. Obviously with these projects it's also important to make sure that your users are getting the information you need them to get.

The software aspect of this course was pretty easy. There were a few projects where I used something I already knew - or had recently gotten to know - like ActivePresenter and Canva. I did get to try out Prezi and Audacity, and I really like both. I don't think I can go back to PowerPoint after Prezi.

Doing the instructional design plans was probably the hardest part for me. I am not good at planning. While I know why I want to make something, I don't necessarily think of for whom, so trying to spell all that out was difficult. However, this part of the process is probably what I learned from most. While it's fine to make something that looks nice, there also has to be thought and intention behind it.

Really thinking about your audience should be the core of anything you make - whether it's a flyer or presentation. While doing programming for the library, you target specific audiences you want to attract, or ones you know already come to programs. The same should be for the material you use to advertise them.

I look forward using this course to put more forethought and intention in the materials I produce.