I learned new terminology such as the term “onboarding”. Onboarding process is the user’s first impression of your application. If the app is designed effectively, the user has a positive response during the onboarding process. Pagination is another word I learned which means the results per view. I also discovered the different categories of the application such as front end (user archive, pagination, search, sort, filters, alerts) and back end (dashboard/statistics/graphs, user management, messaging). It was cool to learn this new terminology while creating my app!

2. What was easy?

I thought the easy part was finding pictures and information for my customer relationship management application. I wanted to do a CRM focused on Broadway and found it fun to look for pictures and information related to Broadway. 

3. What was challenging?

I thought the challenging part was making sure all the measurements from the pictures and shapes were aligned correctly. I paid close attention to each page of my application to make sure everything was centered the way it was supposed to be and the spacing was the same throughout the page. 

4. How could your submission be improved?

I think my submission could be improved by creating a more detailed logo for my CRM. I like the stars that I have but I think I could make something better and more relevant to Broadway.

5. How could I improve the assignment for the next class?

You could improve the assignment for the next class by giving a more detailed explanation of the purpose of a CRM. I looked at examples from different websites to see what they were but I was still a bit confused. I think using an example of a previous student’s CRM application would provide a better understanding. 

6. How might you apply your knowledge in future assignments or work scenarios?

After this project, I have learned the importance of measurement and making everything look visually appealing. I understand the value that layout design has on applications. A lot of users don’t even take the time to notice the detail that is put into an application and now I have an appreciation for that. 

7. How did a specific reading or video inspire or help you?

The class recordings and seeing my peer’s work inspired me. As I already mentioned, I was still a little unclear with a CRM and by seeing how my peers approached their own CRM that inspired me to tailor mine the way I wanted to utilize it.  

I learned the difference between using the paintbrush in Photoshop and the pen tool to draw in Illustrator. When I began this project, I was using the paintbrush in Illustrator which was very time consuming and difficult to draw with since I was using the mouse on my computer. I felt like I was doing something wrong and when I talked to Professor Dunkle about it he told me to use the pen tool instead. The pen tool is one of the more powerful tools to use while drawing a portrait and it takes less time. Once he told me that, I did not realize how much easier the pen tool was while doing this project. I’ve used the paintbrush in Photoshop in previous classes but did not use it for this class since I drew the portrait in Illustrator. The paintbrush is more adaptable and easier to use in Photoshop while the pen tool is better to use instead of the paintbrush in Illustrator.

2. What was easy?

I thought the easy part of the project was going into Photoshop and picking a filter like we did in Lab 1 for my portrait photo. I found this to be the easiest part of the project because it was not time consuming and there were very few steps you had to take to pick a filter that you thought fit your photo. 

3. What was challenging?

The challenging part was using the paintbrush tool in Illustrator to draw my portrait. It took me some time just to draw and fill in a facial feature of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I was very precise and detailed with how I wanted the portrait to look and it took a lot more time doing that with the paintbrush tool. I eventually started using the pen tool which made it a lot easier. 

4. How could your submission be improved?

I think my submission could be improved by adding even more detail within my portrait. I think if I had more time, I could draw in more detail of her facial features by using shadows and highlights. 

5. How could I improve the assignment for the next class?

I could improve the assignment for the next class by using the pen tool in Illustrator which would allow me to have more time drawing in more details of her face. 

6. How might you apply your knowledge in future assignments or work scenarios?

I might apply my knowledge in future assignments by using the pen tool instead of the paintbrush in Illustrator. This would make me be more time efficient with my work and less stressful as well. 

7. How did a specific reading or video inspire or help you?

The modern illustration and illustrating people slides helped me with deciding what kind of portrait style I wanted to create. The illustration people slides gave me an idea of the shadows the artists used in their portraits and how they made them look so good.