What I Learned
Even though I didn’t end up using the Cricut for my sticker project due to technical difficulties, I still was able to learn the process of how to use it, both through group demonstration and one-on-one help. I can appreciate its potential to make precise, professional looking pieces. Skillwise, I learned how to type on a path, use image trace, and I got more practice with the pen tool in both Adobe and Figma.
What Was Easy
I had an easy time coming up with the designs for my stickers. At first I didn’t adhere to a concise color palette, but I narrowed it down with a little experimenting. I decided on pastel pinks, purples, and turquoise as a retro blend. Out of the two, the stickers were easiest for me to make because I am still more familiar with Figma. The dvd jacket design also went smoothly, as I used the template from the suggested website.
What Was Challenging
For the stickers, I had a difficult time with the Cricut due to the mat not being sticky enough. It was also trial and error uploading the svgs onto the laptop. Instead, I printed the stickers on photo paper, ran them through the stickifier (I don’t know the scientific term, my apologies!), and then cut them out by hand.
How My Submission Could Be Improved
For the stickers, my submission could be improved by using the Cricut for more precise cutting. Also, I noticed that the black ink on my stickers rubs off/smudges pretty easily, so I would consider using a different paper. For the dvd jacket, I could improve the layout a little better and get even more creative. After in class critique, I redid the color scheme to match my stickers.
How The Professor Could Improve
The only suggestion I would recommend is a posted document with instructions on how to use the Cricut so that we can look back for future reference.
How I Will Apply My Knowledge in the Future
I will apply my knowledge in future internships and jobs by using the pen tool, type on a path tool, and image trace tool to elevate my work. These tools can really help improve the quality of logos, images, and icons, especially as we saw in lab 4. Additionally, if I ever find myself needing to use a Cricut, I will have an understanding of what to do.
How A Specific Reading Helped Me
I did not refer to a specific reading for this project, but I did look online at some examples of Grease stickers and DVD jackets to get inspiration.
Pictures of Work:
Original version
Edited version with consistent color scheme
Stickers
