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Often mistaken for the coconut macaroon, the French macaron is a delicate almond sandwich cookie with fillings consisting of buttercream or ganache. Bakeries display these cookies in an assortment of colors that match the flavor of the filling. Macarons are notoriously known as one of the hardest cookies to make. There are many factors to consider in baking them, such as achieving the right consistency in folding the dry ingredients into the meringue. The macaron also has distinct characteristics that must be achieved in order to be considered a true macaron. I undertook the daunting task to learn how to make these cookies and after extensive research, I was able to successfully bake them on my first try.
Time can be seen as an element that structures and dictates a person’s life. Calendars are often used to manage time by scheduling future events or limiting how much can be done within a set amount of time. The theme of this calendar shows the process of learning a language, with English as the native language and French becoming the second. After attempting to learn French in high school, I was curious to know how a second language is learned and how the mind functions in balancing the two.
Located next to the Mediterranean Sea, Israel is a country that prides itself on its rich culture. Its art combines influences from around the world and revolves around the belief that art is a necessity, not a luxury. I was impressed by this belief that was thoroughly practiced through their religious history, graceful curves of the Hebrew characters, and their multitude of symbols. The Hamsa hand was an icon that stood out to me in my research and though I had seen it before, I was not aware of its significance in Israeli culture.
As society becomes more engulfed in the digital world of the Internet, cellphones, and video games, I started to become aware of my own habits in technology usage. I grew more concerned as the years went by and more time was spent on my computer. This became the focal point for my case study in wanting to learn about other people’s technology habits along with any serious effects my own usage may have on me. Research was based on online identities where people seemingly create a second life for themselves online, allowing them to pose as whoever or whatever they want. I continued to explore the history of the Internet and the impact it has made on people over the time.
El Cajon Blvd was once the principal automobile route between San Diego and El Cajon. The automobile industry played a major role in the development of the community, which is evident in the retro style reflected in the architecture and culture. In support of the El Cajon Blvd Business Improvement Association’s efforts to revitalize the community, I wanted to create a logo to embody their vision.
ARTS (A Reason to Survive) is a nationally recognized, non-profit organization whose goals are to transform the lives of at-risk youth through various art programs. They focus on teaching important life skills, building self-confidence, and healing through the arts, while also building strong relationships within the community. I was honored to have been chosen along with two fellow classmates, Corinne Buchanan and Krista Sullivan, to rebrand this organization. Our work began with each group member creating a logo option to present to the ARTS staff. Once we met with their marketing director and web designer, they decided that the logo I presented was the most innovative while maintaining a professional look for the organization.
Drawing has become a favorite pastime of mine when I am in need of time to relax or want to release some creative energy. Early on I did not enjoy drawing as much as I do now and saw it as an unnecessary step in design. Being a perfectionist certainly did not help, as it took me copious amounts of time perfecting every little detail and making sure the specific line was as straight as possible. Eventually I was able to get myself out of that mindset and learned to incorporate my mistakes into whatever was being drawn. I directed my work into the realm of abstract art where indescribable forms open a viewer’s mind and elicit a variety of emotions.