Friday, August 7, 2009

Last Psych Post

Discussion Question #1:
· The Comedian: He constantly faces dilemma of facing the brutality of the world. The Comedian does care about peace and stability in the society. While trying the maintain peace, the Comedian has a hard time maintain ‘peace’ to himself. He too kills people without any hesitation. Thus the Comedian came to a realization that the world cannot come to a stable level, and any unfortunate events have to be perceived as a joke. Also another dilemma the Comedian faces is his true identity in front of Laurie. He knows that he is Laurie's father, but decides to keep his image as the person who raped Laurie's mother. Yet the biggest problem Blake faces is after he uncovers the true intention of Ozyamandias. Blake knew that the knowledge of only he himself knowing is too much to bear so he decides to share it with Moloch, but as a drunk status, Blake doesn't make much sense of himself. 

· Rorschach: Rorschach has a dilemma of reinforcing the law but finds himself breaking the law itself. However the biggest issue for Rorschach is after he learns about Ozymandia's true intentions and plans. Whether to kill Ozymandias and expose the truth or just watch and keep in silent while millions of lives are dying yet are waiting to be saved. He later asks Dr. Manhattan to kill him because Rorschach knows that he will eventually speak out the truth. One can say that he sacrificed himself to save millions of lives. 

· Ozymandias: Ozymandias too wants to create a stable, safe Utopia. However he realizes that this can’t be achieved without sacrifices. His cognitive dissonance can be paralleled to that of Rorschach but Ozyamndias realizes that it must be done with sacrifices.  Thus in order to create the ‘perfect’ world, Ozymandias decides to create a monster to nearly destroy the entire humanity. The monster will take hundreds of lives but at the same time it will save millions of lives. 

· Dr. Manhattan: Dr. Manhattan juxtaposes himself by expressing himself as, “a dead person and an alive person has the same amount of particles, why should I care..”. Yet he somehow creates a caring relationship especially with Laurie Jupiter. Later in the novel he constantly finds himself distant from humanity and eventually distant from Laurie. Not to mention that he already cheated on another girl! But the larger problem was his decision of letting Laurie go. He already knew Laurie has forgotten him and her mind is with Dan. Eventually, for Laurie's happiness, Dr. Manhattan silently lets go of Laurie.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance

b) Narcissistic Personality: Ozymandias constantly thinks he is globally connected and only he can bring stability and order in the society. This makes him to think that he is almost a god-like status. Even though he is already lifted up as a hero and accepted as the world's smartest man, Ozymandias, (okay from now on I'm going call him Vedit), wants to become more than what he already is. He later builds golden monuments of himself and brings himself attention as a all-star athlete. Furthermore, golden monuments are enough but wouldn't having toys of Vedit himself be too extreme? This clearly proves that Vedit is absolutely in love with himself, further proving his narcissistic personality. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality

c) Meglonmania: I don’t believe that Vedit is obsessed with wealth, but I do believe he is obsessed with power. Yes, although he gives away millions of dollars without a single second of hesitation, Vedit is more engulfed with 'power-hungry' mind. He believes he revolves around everything and because he is known as the ‘world smartest man’ and one of the richest, Ozymandias believes that he is omnipotent. He comes up with the best technologies and the best services in his own territory. He wants other people to feel his power and his greatness through luxury and wealth. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalomania

d) ‘The Tales of the Black Freighter’ closely resembles Ozymandias because in the end of the graphic novel, Ozymandias describes having nightmares that closely resembles the pirate ship that comes out from “The Tales of the Black Freighter. The story begins with character like Ozymandias tries to warn the people of Davidstown, (presumably the monster Vedit has created). The boats made out of dead human is probably parallel to the millions of lives killed by Vedit's monster. The couple he tries to kill are perhaps Rorschach? I don't know why they've put a couple but the only character killed closely related from Vedit's action is Rorschach. Even though not directly killed from Vedit, Rorschach was killed because of Vedit's action. Later in the end, when the main character climbs onto the ship to his doom, the story lines along itself with Vedit and the rest of the world coming closer to the doomsday.  Both the antagonist and Vedit are people who want to save the world from perishing. However this cannot be done without sacrifices and will not be done without someone bringing the news of doomsday.

Discussion Questions #2:

a) Reading “The Watchmen” allowed me to see that even though there are villains and heroes in every novel, distinct lines that shows a villain and a hero is always vague: A hero to someone maybe a villain to another. What Ozymandias imposed may seem brutal and inhumane, making many readers to think that he was the villain for the entire time. However on the other hand the logic behind Ozymandias may have a better advantage, which leads him to be a hero. Thinking himself as a godly like status because of his narcissistic personality and megalomania character, Vedit thinks that with his wealth and power he has brought an end to world's suffering. But Dr. Manhattan disputes that idea by saying, "In the end? Nothing ends.." Thus in our society there are no people who are in a black and white side. No one can always be a hero and no one can always be a villain. Simply it is those who have better moral standards than others, are called heros. However even these people have flaws and mistakes which proves the fact that even heros can sometimes fall, and even the villains can do goods.

b) Allan Moore didn't combined the characteristic of heroes from all different types of medias. Though this is a wrong assumption that Moore didn't do a good job at making the perfect characters. Rather we can see that Moor took an entirely different approach to characters we see as " super-heroes". Characters like Night Owl can be compared to Spiderman, who works and serves for the goodness of humanity. While other characters like Ozymandias can be linked to characters like Magneto, where one believes they can bring justice and peace to a bitter torment. However each character has his or her own flaws which descends them down to a non-hero status. Few specific examples can be given from the novel. First group Crimbusters had similar intention to an actual super-hero like the Dare Devil. They wanted to create peaceful and stable society. Rinse out the filthy diseases within the world. However after the introduction of Ozymandias and Dr. Manhattan, the target of the Crimebusters begins to change. The pure motivation of saving humanity began to take a different direction. Characters like Ozymandias believes that he can save humanity by killing millions of people. By adding characters like Ozymandias Alan Moore was able to prove his point and his purpose within "The Watchmen". 
Moore decided to take an approach to these heroes as normal beings who live normal lives. Rather than making them perfect and alien-like, Moore made the characters in "The Watchmen" with normal traits. Perhaps his intention was because he wanted the reader to actually feel with the characters. Making them more human and without any "super strength" or "flying ability", allows the reader to make more of their own personal connection. Anyone can be a hero, and anyone can be a villain. It's just a matter of decision whether you can be the one to bring people up to hope, or bring people down to their dooms.

c) The smiley face definitely refers back to the smiley face of the Comedian’s badge. The smiley face acts as a type of an ironic message in a way that the society is ruined and tainted, and even a smiley face won’t bring much meaning. Also notice how the smiley face was tainted with blood. The blood’s position closely resembles the doomsday clock, which refers to the nearness of total destruction of humanity. Through out the novel, although I don't think it was ALAN MOORE's intention of putting it in, illustrator Dave Gibbons drew some hidden smiley faces that closely resembled the Comedian's smiley face. In chapter 12 page 1, the Pale Horse concert sign has a blood smear which is identical to the blood splatter on the Comedian's badge.  On page 6 in the same chapter, the outlet of the fire hydrant on the ground has a splatter of blood which the two key holes makes the eyes of the smiley face. The most significant smiley face would be when Rorschach is killed by Dr. Manhattan. On chapter 12 page 24, the disintegrated Rorschach's blood is on the bike. Which leaves a trace of the smoke to climb in front of Vedit's fortress. This resembles a smiley face. I'm sure Dave Gibbons left these hidden pictures to constantly remind the reader about the near end of the doomsday. 

Dicussion Question #3:

a) This quote generally describes those who are in the dream world and those who are already facing the harsh reality in this world. Many characters like the Comedian or Rorschach realized the harsh reality of the world. When one looks inside to what’s really happening and what can happen, they will soon realize that the world isn’t pretty. And to realize this truth many of "The Watchmen" characters had to look inside themselves. Reflect on their past motivations and thoughts, the characters of "The Watchmen" had to rationalize themselves so that they can realize who they are. This quote proves the fact that Carl Jung is keen psychologist who knows why people act as they are. 
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/jung.html

b) The quote William James presents to us is very common to every human being. "Ready to become savages to some cause" is actually what most of us will do if we believe in something passionately. This quote makes us to realize that nobody can be morally perfect and right. Everyone can be right  or wrong some point during their life. James' assertion can make a hero into villains, and villains into heroes. Particularly it can be applied to Ozymandias. Throughout the novel, we unravel this true intention and his goal to save thousands by killing hundreds. Ozyamndias' action let us realize that to someone who believes in something really passionately, nothing can stop them from succeeding in their own personal goals. "The Watchmen" as the entire novels makes us to realize that even the most good hearted people are capable of doing something violent and gruesome. Whether its for a moral standard of a lawful standard, violence will always come into challenge those who tries to use it for the good of mankind. 

Friday, July 3, 2009

Week 2 of Watchmen

Discussion question 1:

  •   Described by Jung’s persona, Rorschach does match many personality profiles Jung presents. Rorschach is one of the few individuals in a society whom he feels that his true identity is impotent and worthless. Because of who he is, Kovac feels as if he can’t wield any power. This of course is Walter Joseph Kovacs, not Rorschach. Kovacs’s blindness and helplessness is what forced him to forge a new identity, Rorschach, in order to help him to wield power and status in his society. Because Kovacs is able to see that bringing out his ego, Rorschach, allows him to have control, Kovacs soon loses his own identity and drifts into Rorschach’s world. Like I said in my first AP psych posting, the relationship Rorschach lies within Kovac is similar to Jenkyll and Hyde. Hyde doesn't like Jenkyll because Jenkyll is weak and impotent. Hyde believes he should replace Jenkyll himself; however, the relationship between Kovac and Rorschach is somewhat different. Kovac needs Rorschach to open his eyes and give Kovac the courage to face the brutality of the world. This can be seen in the scene where Kovac is consulting with Dr. Mal, Kovac states, " It is Rorschach who opened these eyes again." 

  • According to the Oedipus complex, Rorschach doesn’t pertain into this theory. Although a woman does remind of his mother, Rorschach says it in the most uninterested way. As if he despises his mother for what she has done to him when he was young. Looking closely into the novel, Rorschach, as a child, witnesses his mother engaging in a sexual activity which leaves him scarred. During his childhood, Rorschach is constantly hated by his mother, which probably left him to detest his mother throughout this entire life. I will also have to say that no son would love his mother if all his mother gave her son was harsh criticism and hatred.  When it came to his mother's death, it is clear that Rorschach detested his mother because all he said was, "Good."

  

  • Rorschach does show some symptoms of OCPD. He is constantly obeying the law and determines to catch even the tiniest offense. For instance, when Rorschach visits Moloch for the second time, Rorschach confronts him by stating that Moloch’s gun is unregistered. Also it seems like Rorschach has his own sense of self—justice that causes him to see evil with no mercy. However, Rorschach wasn't always good with the law before his encounter with a case of a kidnapped girl. We can see in the novel that Rorschach didn't act as coldly he is right now. He described himself as "soft on scum. Too young to know any better. Molly-coddled them. Let them live.". But after he uncovered the gruesome murder of a young girl, Kovac decides to become Rorschach forever, and became a person only dedicated to stop crimes: even if it went against the national law. This can be shown when the Keen Law forced all masked adventurers to quit. Rorschach, however responded to this by constantly pursuing and capturing criminals
   
  • Rorschach does have a symptom of PPD. He shows constant signs of mistrust of the commoners. For example, every time he walks into a certain place for information, Rorschach will never give in to his guard, and quite possible breaking at least a person’s finger for the information he wants. Another interesting fact about Rorschach is that he always tries to catch out even the most pettiest crime. His encounter with Moloch proves that because Rorschach always tries to find the minor crime Moloch committed. Rorschach's early childhood and environment adds up to his mistrust to other people. People around him hates him and continually despises him, this treatment will lead to a person becoming unconfident and lower his or her self-esteem. However, thanks to Kovacs alter ego: Rorscach, Kovacs is constantly able to stand against the society and continue to pursue his life of catching criminals and murderers. 

 

Discussion Question 2:

  • The fire between chapter five to seven is important in the aspect of when it came and from whom it came from. In chapter five and six, we can see that Rorschach was the one who was responsible for the fire. In chapter five, Rorschach uses the fire for his own self-defense. Wrongly accused of a murder, Rorschach similarly uses the fire to bring justice by his own decision, which was getting away from the police. In chapter six, Rorschach uses fire again to bring his own sense of justice. After keenly searching for a kidnapped girl, Rorschach finds out the girl has been gruesomely murdered. Rorschach brings his decision onto the murderer by setting the murderer and the murderer’s house on fire. Thus showing that Rorschach again used fire to bring his self-justice. Another instance was in chapter 7, when Laurie was exploring Dan’s spacecraft she accidentally triggers Dan’s flamethrower. This accidental trigger is what likely sparked Laurie and Dan to try the era of their ‘hero’ days. Also this signifies the increasing bond between Dan and Laurie. Throughout the novel, the relationship between Dan and Laurie are constantly getting stronger. Later after Dr. Manhattan leaves Laurie, Laurie became more closely in bond with Dan and it is seen that Dan and Laurie truly found one another in the end of the book. Another interesting relationships growing is the fire rescue between Dan and Laurie. After saving the people from the apartment, which was on fire, both Dan and Laurie knew that their days of being costumed heroes were born once again. This is alluding to a much larger world where even the smallest good deeds can bring joy and happiness to millions and a much more fulfilling helps.

 

Discussion Question 3:

  •            The title of the chapter: Fearful Symmetry, is as perfect example of the on going juxtaposition in the novel. Through out the entire chapter, the story presents itself with a cause and effect relationship. In the beginning of the novel, Rorschach is seen interrogating Moloch with few informations about Edward Blake, Moloch's illegal gun, and his unregistered medication. Then comes back again to visit Moloch, but Moloch is found dead with a shot to his head. Then the journalist is found worrying about his daughters because of nuclear war, then lost his concentration because of Rorschach. Dan's and Laurie's relationship also has a similar effect: Dan lets Laurie to sleep over his house and later Laurie settles in as if she lives with Dan. This cause an effect is particularly important because Alan Moore portrays super-heroes in "The Watchmen" as normal human beings. In the end of the chapter it is written, " Tyger, Tyger burning bright, in the forests of the night, what immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?" What comes around goes around. The world is like an endless karma. Even super-heroes will deserve the consequences with the actions they have performed. No one is perfect, thus making no one invincible. Alan Moore presents this theory with a wise illustrations, killing off the heroes in the novel one by one. 

Discussion Question 4:

  •   The Kitty Genovese gave a new psychological term to scientist because it showed the conformity of people. The more the people are present; less help is likely to come to you. This is very interesting because it shows how strong social pressure can be. When a large group is doing a certain action, the rest of the people will follow to do the same thing. Bystander Effect does signifies Rorschach’s characteristic because the majority doesn’t swindle him. Rorschach believes that humans are already cruel and apathetic. He states, "I knew what people were, then, behind all the evasions, all the self-deception. Ashamed for humanity, I went home.” After the incident of a kidnapped girl, he began to see that people don’t really care for one another. Rather joining into a cold heartless group of community, Rorschach is willing to be isolated and bring justice into the community. He views himself as somewhat a non-human. Rorschach states that he created the face of Rorschach because he cannot bear himself to look into his face in the mirror, which concludes that Rorschach knows he is a human. In order to make himself a non human he must make a non human appearance. This decision also makes Rorschach to be merciless to the criminals because he knows that in every depth of a person, evil awaits and lurks to come out. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitty_Genovese

 Discussion Question 5:

 

  •             I think Dan had a fixation toward his flying machine: Archie. Not in a sexual way(as someone did on Dan) but in a way to think the Archie is a person. Perhaps Dan was lonely of his old way of life  fighting and saving people. To the most trusted equipment Dan has used, Archie became this memoir, this legend and this legacy. To give a non-animated object a name does really signify something about the person's past. Of course we know that Dan was once a costumed hero and he does miss that part of his life. To further prove Dan's fixation, later in the novel in chapter 7, we can see Dan's past coming into his life again. When working with the tools he once used, Dan becomes more confident. After saving few people from the fire with Laurie, Dan becomes more confident in his speech. Later he ends up singing with delight, which proves the fact that Dan did have a strong fixation with his tools. Also the fact that he left some tools untouched and left alone may suggest his sexual relationship with Laurie. Perhaps relating to the fact that he was a virgin before his sexual encounter with Laurie. We cannot make any conclusions for because we do not know much about Dan's past life.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixation_(psychology)

Discussion Question 6:

 

            The progression of the psychologist can be described as from being naïve to understanding of the true world. In his status, he is rich and well off. Making enough money to keep a family, the psychologist thought that he knew how people felt and what they were going through. However after hearing Rorschach’s story and life, the psychologist began to understand that the world is just lonely and full of hatred. Happiness cannot last forever, and sadness will always prevail. 

Before his encounter with Rorschach, the psychologist was confident in curing Rorschach. Sounding as if he had numbers of worst patients than Rorschach, the psychologist causally called Rorschach by his real name. Believing in Rorschach's poker face and lies, the psychologist happily gives a boost of confidence to Rorschach that there are only few problems within him and he will soon break out from this 'false' fantasy. Going back to his house, the psychologist says to his wife that he's, "too fat and contended" to give up. Going back to Rorschach again, Mel, the psychologist, begins to realize the truth. Rorschach now opens the truth to Mel and begins attacking him that, " fat and wealthy people like you wouldn't know," don't have even the smallest grasp on how cruel the world is. Mel constantly finds himself frustrated and confused because Rorschach is not like any patients he had treated before. Finally after Rorschach gives his encounter with the case of the kidnapped girl, Rorschach opened Mel's eyes into reality: humans are the pain, they are the cause, they are the diseases, they are the true factor to the misery of their own lives. After realizing the truth about human mind, Mel becomes increasingly insecure about himself and his wife. He now sees the world in a different view. No more happy, delight, and joy, but sadness, misery, and pain. Near the end of the novel Mel tries to make a blot test to look like a tree, but ends up thinking of dead cats. By the end of chapter 6, Mel states in horror. " We are alone. There is nothing else."

Friday, June 26, 2009

Ap Psych part 1

Discussion Question 1:

 

            The character Rorschach carries a significant meaning just by his existence. First Rorschach’s name is actually a type of psychological analysis that is able to determine the person’s mental state. Thus Rorschach’s costume comes to a play with his name. As seen in the comic book, Rorschach wears a mask that has an inkblot on it. This inkblot is significant because over the course of the novel, the inkblot constantly changes. Whether this inkblot is directed toward the character Rorschach is talking to or describes the mental state Rorschach himself is in, we will never know. However I do believe that the constant change in Rorschach’s inkblot shows the mental state Rorschach is in. Thus showing that even though Rorschach maybe portrayed as being cold and emotionless, he still has change in his mental attitude. Another assumption we can take is that Rorschach is Kovac's alter ego. Another person within Kovac himself that allows Kovac to do somethings more than what Kovac himself cannot do. Thus Kovac believes that Rorschach is the one who can give him strength, thus making himself to a status Kovac cannot reach. Juxtaposing to Jenkyll and Hyde: Jenkyll is a small weak person who can only perform banal tasks, yet releasing Hyde within himelf, Jenkyll (or Hyde) is able to do things that he himself could've never imagined. (source: http://watchmen.wikia.com/wiki/Watchmen_Wiki)

 

Discussion Question 2:

 

  • The Comedian is somewhat who always gets to see the bright side because he doesn’t care to see the dark side. He’s the minutemen’s and the watchmen’s ‘prankster’ who always tend to believe in annihilation and give little remorse to humanity. Yes, some may say that the Comedian, or Edward Blake, is a sadistic character who feels no sympathy in killing other people. From a brief moment we see that the Comedian is often driven my sexual desires. Yet after his encounter with Dr. Manhattan in Vietnam, the Comedian's true desires and  His impulses derive from pleasure seeking to social restraints, believing that humanity is already doomed and cannot be saved. 
  • Hollis Manson can be seen as one of the ‘few good men’ in the Watchmen. He is driven by the society’s immorality and evil. Manson is frustrated by these evil deeds passing by blind eyes. Seeing that evil and injustice is passing by without getting caught, Manson, as once a cop, became inspired by the Hooded Justice; whom became his mentor. Conclusions can be made that Manson is one of the few characters who have strong possessions of the 'id'. 
  • Dr. Manhattan is a more toward of a puzzle then a being. According to Freud’s psychology, it seems like Dr. Manhattan doesn’t have any specific purpose. He sees no point in humanity and acts as if he doesn’t care about human beings at all. After his accident in his laboratory, Dr. Manhattan returns into the human realm with god-like powers. He perceives the past, present and future as happening simultaneously, but at least believes that he cannot act on that knowledge since his own actions and reactions to occurring events are already determined. Although the military and the U.S government commemorates him as a hero. He grows disinterested in humanity and soon becomes unable to connect with the others, even the ones he has loved. 

Discussion Question 3:

    I do believe that Alan Moore closely sticks with the archetypes that Carl Jung presents. Mostly, the members of the Watchmen resemble the archetypes. We can see that Dr. Manhattan closely resembles the father, such as he acts with strict orders and everything must be done of his will. What I've learned in the past English literature class, novels or any type of story is driven by three factors: money, power and sex. And Carl Jung's persona do mention these three factors. Sexual pursuits are constantly seen in the novel, and power is another big factor in "The Watchmen". Status corruption is constantly seen in the setting within the novel. Because of these clear evidences, Alan Moore does stick closely to Carl's persona. 

 

Discussion Question 4:

 

            a) The alternate history presented in ‘The Watchmen’ is that the Americas won the Vietnam War. From the help of Dr. Manhattan, the Americans were able to win in the Vietnam War, which led to the reelection of President Nixon. And the impact of the original costumed adventurers was that they weren’t able to do much in terms of civil service. Within the group, the members began to detest each other and soon they had hard times maintaining as a group with one another. Finally on 1949, the Minutemen no longer existed. However after the introduction of Dr. Manhattan, America began to change. Using Dr. Manhattan as a secret weapon to protect the United States, the U.S began to gain respect from its enemies. Dr. Manhattan became the United States' military asset. Also because of Dr. Manhattans' existence, the United States began to change more toward in an aggressive fashion during this period. His advent of bringing U.S the victory from the Vietnam War distorts the American political process. This leads to the repeal of the 22nd amendment, which leads to Nixon's second term as the president. 

   

b)The disturbing part of Hooded Justice’s costume was his mask. He never came to reveal his identity, which became a mystery for all American people. This secret that the Hooded Justice held probably reveals that he wants to hide a particular reason about himself, and later on the Comedian does gives us a hint of what the Hooded Justice is like. After Hooded Justice stops the Comedian from sexually assaulting Silk Spectre, the Comedian states,"This is what gets you hot huh?". This statement reveals that the Hooded Justice might've been homosexual. 

 

Discussion Question 5:

            a)The story ‘Watchmaker’ is relevant to the character Dr. Manhattan because Dr. Manhattan perceives everything happening at the same time. There is not even that follows another event; everything works together at the same moment; which creates events like the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the Vietnam War. Dr. Manhattan's powers allow him to perceive the past, present, and the future all at once, but cannot stop himself from altering the future because they are already predestined. The title is somewhat relevant to Dr. Manhattan because a watchmaker is similar to a person who controls and makes time. Thus, with Dr. Manhattan's power, he is able to control time that is happening to himself although he cannot control the future of other's fate.

            b)Talking about the Comedian, the reoccurring motif in the book, which is a smiley face, is important because the Comedian states, “everything makes sense once you become the comedian.” What he’s implying here is because everything is in chaos and cannot be controlled, just watching them as a comedy and a joke is the only thing that makes sense to a catastrophe. Also the smiley face is alluding to the doomsday clock, which may actually have been counting down the death of the Comedian. Perhaps the badge may represent the last thoughts of the Comedian: everything is just a joke.

  c) What the Comedian saw was the true face of the twentieth century. This means that no one in this world carries a true face anymore. Rather than consciously knowing that each person is carrying a false face, they are rather conscious to hide their true faces. The society was longer stable and safe, in fact it was never safe from the start. Hatred, crimes and death is now what the world in engulfed in, and the Comedian saw this as an opportunity to parody the world's seriousness: only way to see death and hatred as normal is to see them as jokes. And that is what the Comedian did. 

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Artist Interview (rough)

Paul Kim

3-D Design

April 22, 2009

 

Section 1:

Three careers: Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Theater Designer

 

  • Graphic Designer

 

  • Initially I thought that graphic designers work specifically on posters, visual posters. Now that I research more about this job, I’ve figured that graphic designers range from making visual posters to media communication. In a general idea, graphic designers come up with a solution to make the most effective communications with their target audience. Mostly graphic designers specifically match with their client’s need.

 

  • Most graphic designers need their bachelor’s degree to move into advance positions. While some positions to require associates degree, a bachelor’s degree is most likely the only degree most designers need to have.  

 

Salary:

    • Salaries of graphic designers may vary. Beginner graphic designers may earn an income of $30,000 per year. Well experienced graphic designers with 3 or 4 years of experience earn an average income of between $50,000 to $60,000 per year. Design managers  or creative directors in the field of graphic design may easily earn $90,000 to $100,000 per year.
  • However in the distant land far far away there was a galaxy. 
 

Monday, January 19, 2009

Q&A

Q&A Article
Paul Kim
Writing 11

Q&A Interview
I. Today we are here with Mrs. (Sun-Young) Yoon, who is has come to answer some few questions about her college life. Marrying at a very early age of 21, Mrs. Yoon had to encounter with many difficulties with her studies. Graduated from Hong-Dae University, Mrs. Yoon decided to major in design. Through this interview we have learned how Mrs. Yoon what was her difficulties, and how she came to apprehend them.
l Q: How did you come to decide to marry while you were still a college student?

A: Well, even I don’t know the exact reason why I came to marry during my studies, but things were very complicated to me. While I wanted to pursue my design career in my college, my parents enforced me to marry at a very early age. In the end, it came to my parent’s choice to marry me while I was still a college student.

l Q: What was the most difficult time you had to go through during your early period of university life?

A: Basically it was when I had to move to the states for my husband’s studies, because I’m a very socially reserved person, and I don’t like interacting with new people and places. Because the states was culturally diverse and varied, I had a hard time adjusting to the American life, since I lived in (South) Korea nearly throughout my entire past life. I had to give up on my college education; however, as time passed on I began to see that America was a diverse culture and had many opportunities to succeed. That’s when I decided to pursue my design career again in America.

II. Mrs. Jenny Chai is a college student currently attending RISD (Rhode Island School of Design). She talked about her first new experience in college and the different aspects she began to notice from high school to university.


l Q: You are now officially a college student. Any difference from high school?

A: Yes, definitely a lot of difference. First, you have to draw a lot in college, and I’m talking about basic drawings. You actually learn how to draw, which is a new thing for me because I never learned to draw when I was in high school. Also freedom is definitely a new term for me, ever since I came to college. Because I’m able to have more free time of my own, I was able to experience the social life in America.

l Q: You know that RISD is in fact one of the top art school that exists in the states, so competition must be pretty fierce. How do you withstand all of these pressures?

A: Well, it is true that a lot of people in RISD are far better than those who are average. Yet I think that competition doesn’t hinder our social interaction. After all I have to say that in an art school everyone helps each other out because, if you are left alone, then you can only expect to get loads of stress and pressure just by yourself. In high school, we couldn’t learn much from each other since everyone had to same material to produce; however, in college, it is the different interactions with different people’s ideas that allow you to create your own world. Because of this small benefit, competitions in college are not big issues to worry about.

III. Jean Park is a senior high school student who currently attends an international school in Korea: KIS. She received her acceptance letter from New York University, which she will embark on pursuing an art career. In this interview, we have learned how she feels about her new road ahead, and why she has decided to embark onto the journey of art.
l Q: Now that your high school life is nearly over, how do you feel?

A: I feel a bit giddy, but at the same time I think I am going to miss my high school life. I’ve had so much memory here that is going to last with me forever. However, I am really looking forward to the new type of environment I will be in when I go to New York. I’ve always wanted to live in New York, ever since I visited New York University for my college tour.

l Q: Can you tell me more about your major and why you have decided to go into that specific major?

A: I’m deciding to focus on theatrical art. I love acting yet I’m really into how live acting comes alive through visual props and representations. Ever since I’ve watched the actual musical of the Phantom of the Opera, I wanted to become a part of something that is both visually entertaining and awe striking to the people. Also

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Let the Issues be the Issue

To those people who said race was an issue during the 2008 presidential election, they are lying. No matter where you go, who you are, and what you become, race will always be an issue to the inner conscious. However, looking at this unoffical advertisement, we should shut off our minds to racial issues. To me, race should've been the least issue during the election. America's economy was drastically going down, and America needed someone to guide America out of the failing economy. Although this advertisement does portray some logical fallacy, this should've hindered the American's decision on their votes.

Friday, December 12, 2008


3D Foam Plaster
My plaster form takes a shape of a whale. Although not intended from the beginning, I began to see that it took a shape of an animal. My plaster is also decorated with vivid use of colors and lines. I started out by using a simple recycled foam board, which I carefully shaved it to make a rough form of my plaster. Then I used wrapped it with a cast, from which then I used a liquid cast to make the form smooth overall.
Through certain forms and shapes I was able to create few of the principles of design and the elements of art. My painted patterns were able to create emphasis, contrast, balance, and overall a general unity. My colored lines also created movement and emphasis along with the texture of the plaster form. Overall I was pretty satisfied with what I made. Although I do regret on the part where I decided to choose my color scheme, it came out as a decent 3D form that looks very much like an African sculpture.