Semester Reflection

I truly have learned a lot this semester, more than I thought there was even to learn about Graphic Design.  I came into this class thinking that by the end I might just be able to become adept at Photoshop and Illustrator, and that might help me for other classes.  But I was quite pleasantly suprised to actually (at least I think) significantly progress in my skills in them.  My favorite thing to learn, though, are the theories and principles of design.  I love to find out how the juxtaposition of two colors can completely change the meaning and feeling of a design.  I think this stems from my enjoyment of writing music; Design and music are somewhat intertwined in that way, even if you have the skill, if you do not know the theories to really evoke the emotion or thought that you want to, be it excitement by using complementary colors in a propaganda poster, or dwelling on a melancholy feeling by changing to a C6 chord and slowing down in a fast song in the key of F, you are not left with a truly meaningful or effective creation.  That is what i would like to learn more about next semester, the principles that you can apply to a design to augment its effectiveness.