Application Essay

Jennifer Sacher

Graphic Design Emphasis

I came into college with an art background that started and ended in kindergarten – in other words, none at all. My “kindergarten” background is the basis of my current art-practice: not being able to sit still, being scattered in layout and design, shortage in communication. At the same time, this lack of background also inspires me to set goals and do my best. One goal is to have the ability to communicate my thoughts to an audience through graphic design, to visually motivate people. Having goals allows me to be open to and absorb as many influences as possible.  

Many of these influences have come from my professors in the Department of Visual Art and Design. I learn a lot from seeing them “in action” and having face-to-face discussions with them. My experience in the Drawing-1 was especially instructive. The professor went above and beyond in helping me understand perspective. I can now create objects to be realistic, abstract, or a mix of the two styles with just how I choose to represent it. This new-found, deeper understanding of perspective has helped me translate perspective into my designs. To go beyond the typical one-point perspective is to give depth and life to a design; that is an aspect of design that I look forward to learning more about, especially in the digital world.

The graphic design professors have especially become influential to my work. Recently, they have shown me how to make a design piece visually pleasing and eye catching for an audience. Elements I have been taught and want to continue to learn are hierarchy and the ability to look at little details, such as alignment in a piece. My ultimate goal at this point in my education is to further explore the importance of how to successfully apply and integrate perspective and communication into digital graphics. I feel that the more rigorous BFA program would greatly help me to achieve these goals.