Graphic & Web Design Student in Montreal
Hi, I’m Felicia, a Graphic & Web Design student at John Abbott College in the Montreal area. Currently, I’m studying graphic and web design and exploring the different areas of the field to see what interests me the most. I’m also building a portfolio that shows the type of designer I want to become.
I’m 20 years old and live near Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. Fun fact: I was actually born in Moldova and moved to Canada when I was four years old. After living in Montreal for a while, I moved to the suburbs, where I’ve been living since. Driving to John Abbott for school has made the West Island a big part of my everyday life.
My path to design wasn’t exactly planned. Before GWD, I spent about four years in college trying different programs with the intention of graduating with a DEC sans mention. About a year ago, I decided to change direction and started Graphic & Web Design instead. I’ve always been a creative person who enjoys crafting and making things, so design ended up feeling like a much more natural fit for me.
What Am I Doing
Outside of school, I’m interested in music, fashion, beauty and photography. I’ve always been drawn to things that are visual, which is probably one of the reasons why I enjoy design so much. Working with my hands and making things from scratch is also something I enjoy doing. Making jewelry, especially earrings, necklaces and bracelets, is something I really enjoy. I like experimenting with different shapes, materials and combinations. Collages are another thing I enjoy making, both digitally and by hand. Putting different images, textures and elements together lets me see what I can create from them.
A lot of my creativity also comes from being outside. Spending time in nature, especially at my cottage, is one of the places where I feel the most relaxed. It’s where I get some of my best creative ideas. Being away from my usual routine gives me the space to think, take pictures and come back with new ideas.
Why Graphic Design?
What I like about graphic design is that it gives me a way to turn those interests into something visual. Taking an idea and figuring out how to communicate it through typography, colour, images, arrangement and layout is something I really enjoy.
At John Abbott, I’ve been able to explore different areas of the field, including branding, typography, logo and pictogram design, photography and web publishing. Each project has introduced me to something different and has helped me understand what kind of work I enjoy.
While I’m still developing my own style, I’m naturally drawn to designs that feel expressive, interesting and have personality. Since I don’t want everything I make to look the same, I’m always interested in trying things out with different approaches and seeing where an idea can go.
How I work
Most projects start with looking for inspiration and collecting ideas. Moodboards, photography, textures, colours and other visual ideas help me figure out what direction I want to take. From there, sketching helps me decide what the final design should be. Sometimes, I know exactly where I want to go, and other times the project changes completely as I work on it. That part of the process gives me room to discover something I wouldn’t have thought of at the beginning. I’ve also learned that the first idea isn’t always the best one. Trying different possibilities and getting feedback is a big part of how I develop a project. For me, the process of exploring is just as important as the final result.
Where i’m heading
After graduating, I’m currently leaning toward entering the job market and gaining experience in the design industry. Building my portfolio, working on real projects and learning what it’s actually like to work with clients and other designers are things I’m looking forward to. University is still something I could consider in the future, but right now I’m more interested in getting real experience and continuing to develop my skills. Getting a better idea of what working in the industry is like will help me decide whether going back to school is the right step for me.
Entertainment and music-related design especially interests me, including artist visuals, concert posters and promotional material. Movie posters also interest me, along with areas like beauty and perfume packaging. In these areas, visual identity can have a huge impact on how something is perceived.
I don’t have my entire career figured out yet, but I know I want to work in a creative environment and keep exploring different areas of design.
From School to the Real World
In my final semester at John Abbott, I’ll have the opportunity to complete a three-week stage.The opportunity to experience what working in a real design environment is actually like is something I’m looking forward to. I’ll also be able to put the skills I’ve learned in school into practice. The stage will also give me a chance to figure out what kind of workplace I enjoy and what areas of design I might want to pursue after graduation.
I also see it as a chance to figure out what kind of workplace I enjoy and what areas of design I might want to pursue after graduation. School has given me a place to experiment and make mistakes. A stage will give me the opportunity to see how those skills translate into real projects and expectations.
Want to see more? Scroll down to read my latest typography articles and follow me on Instagram. And if you have a stage opportunity or a project in mind, feel free to contact me directly.
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