The first musical I remember seeing was Phantom of the Opera when I was eight-years-old. Although I was a tad frightened by the Phantom, and I didn’t quite understand the story-line, the musical still warmed my heart with its poetic lyrics and the angelic melodies. I was mesmerized by how this form of entertainment swept me away from reality and into this tragic love-story. My love for theater didn’t stop with simply reveling in this magic world of the arts, but rather motivated me to be part of it. I took acting classes, voice lessons, and auditioned for several roles I was less than qualified for. Despite rarely receiving the lead role or even being cast in a production, my love for theater has only continued to grow because theater isn’t just about expressing myself as a bird or a tree but, instead, connecting with the message that is presented.
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The Value of a Technical College Education
06/12/2019
I have been with Composure since graduating from Waukesha County Technical College in 2005.
I was a somewhat lazy student. In high school, I did exactly enough to get decent grades. I used art classes to fill the majority of my extra curriculars until graduation. I enjoyed creating but, as far as school was concerned, never more than was absolutely necessary.
Continue reading …Pinterest is the WORST
05/30/2019
Pinterest is the WORST!
Ok, not really… when it’s used properly, it’s just fine.. Pinterest has been around for some time and is a great place for inspiration and instruction. I very often go to Pinterest when searching for information, even before I use Google. Why? There are visuals. I can see what I am looking for. Most anyone will find it useful.
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I love art—old art, new art, street art, illustration, photography, upcycled, deconstructed, architecture, sculpture, murals, patterns in pop culture, botanicals and so on.
Continue reading …Design Inspiration: 2019 Wedding Trends
05/15/2019
photo by dfrolovXIII/Shutterstock.com
It’s officially spring, aka “wedding season”. All the brides out there, including myself, are digging through wedding binders and Pinterest boards to plan their perfect dream wedding.
Since every year brings new trends, it’s easy to panic and feel overwhelmed… I know I did. The panic was short-lived. I quickly found out just how fun and exciting wedding planning can be. 2019 is the year to make a statement with a special nod to tradition.
Continue reading …WCTC Career Outreach Experience
05/02/2019
When Mark Rzeznik, the Associate Dean of Graphics, Engineering, and Diesel Tech at the Waukesha County Technical College reached out to industry professionals about the opportunity to speak at area middle schools about their specific career path, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Kids are hilarious in their own innocent ways. Being given the opportunity to be the “face” of Graphic Design for a day, to be able to teach and showcase what the industry is about and the kind of work you can do, was an extremely worthwhile and special experience for me.
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One very important aspect of being a graphic designer is to evolve, infuse new design trends and make sure to keep our designs fresh without falling into the pitfalls of running with the crowd on whatever is new and shiny.
2018 brought many great styles into the playing field; some of my favorites were “ruined” or grungy effects, double exposure, and gradients! But will these styles stand the test of time or will they fade back into obscurity? I’m very excited to see what 2019 holds as tried and true, as opposed to what emerges as new and fresh to steal the limelight for a while.
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