IMAHE
VIRTUAL GALLERY BY CREATORS, FOR CREATORS.
IMAHE 2021:
THE JOURNEY
A line starts with a single dot — and from that, a story of growth begins. Like everyone else, we have our own journey to begin with. Although it may differ from one person to another, our common denominator is that we want to reach the end of the line.
This is THE JOURNEY, a section where the stories of student designers are featured with the aim of inspiring people especially those who have just started in the field of visual design.
As we began exploring the world of visual design, most of us were not equipped with the skills that we were supposed to have.
"I was overwhelmed at first, due to the fact that the art placement is in digital which I am not very good at." - Vince Harlan Chua, BA Comm 2
"But that deals with web designing and that sort of stuff, right? I don't know how to do all that." - Jessa Ngojo, BA Journ 2
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However, not having the skills at the start did not stop us from trying no matter how bad our beginnings were. We allowed ourselves to draw those imperfect lines so that we can learn and become better the next time.
"I anticipated to at least be familiar with editing softwares and be able to create artwork from scratch." - Rica Jane Camello, BA Comm 2
"I was excited. Of course, as a Marketing Communication student, it is very important to know the basics of visual communication." - Khryss Melchor Gabuya, BA Marcom 2
This would always tie back to the line that has no definite length. It may be vertical, horizontal, zigzag, curved, etc. Thus, it would explore various sides that exhaust a faint sketch of unfamiliarity. Like the journey of each student-designers, our experiences and skills differed from one another.
Some may venture to cultivate their prior knowledge on art while others may be starting from scratch. Some may be losing their edge while some may be gripping it tightly.
“I thought to myself: How can I make the best output when I’m not even starting yet, I’m already doing worse?” - Roselle Gracely Suarez, BA Comm 2
Because of the online situation, problems on internet connection and poor communication also became a hindrance to the majority.
“When it comes to group work, poor net connection and boundaries in communication were a common frustration since we are in the middle of a pandemic.” - Yency Dalanon, BA Marcom 2
Despite all these, we found ourselves combatting our own doubts and inexperienced beliefs as we engaged in new lessons taught by Mr. Jake Ilustrisimo, our professor.
“However, with Sir Jake's encouragement, I realized that art transcends more than the lines and colors. Because it's also about taking the chance to challenge your capabilities.” - Roselle Gracely Suarez, BA Comm 2
“By believing that I can do art, I can already express myself without fear and that our imagination is a constant producer of limitless possibilities of splendors. Thanks to the VisCom course and Sir Jake, I was able to sort things out and be confident with my artwork.” - Sophia Piquero, BA Journ 2
As diverse as it is, lines would form a shape and a shape would represent a concept. This struck a similar chord to the student designers’ collective discovery on strings that manipulate their array of choices and understanding.
“In creating a composition, the use of colors was the most challenging for me. Nevertheless, I have learned to take a different route by trying. I believe that throughout this course, I have improved because I find myself trying out different colors not just in my compositions but also in my choice of clothing.” - Christian Dave Cuizon, BA Comm 2
“Editing on software has been one of my weakest points, but now I can finally edit decent-looking illustrations. I just wished that we had done more if it weren’t for the pandemic.” - Yency Dananon, BA Marcom 2
But a line, no matter how long, has an end. Our concept of an ending varied as we responded to situations according to the paths we have gone through. Our journey remained essentially the same, albeit with a distinctly resulting performance.
The acquired skills and adapted mechanisms we absorbed along the way proved how time carves vast limits.
“VisCom taught me things that I can use as a guide to create an artwork without having much difficulty as compared before. VisCom also taught me that in every art or picture, there's a hidden message on it. That's why don't judge what you see at first glance, you must dig deeper to find the meaning behind it.” - Arnjo Compuesto, BA Journ 2
After months of befriending every single element and principle of art, it felt like we saw the world through the lens of an actual artist.
“VisCom changed the way I read posters and any visual arts and design materials. It helped me to become smarter in evaluating or critiquing art works because I used to be subjective in my perspectives. Viscom taught me not to look for the aesthetics alone but to the elements applied in the artwork because they contribute to the message the material wants to convey.” - Niña Mae Oliverio, BA Comm 2
Moreover, Mr. Ilustrisimo carved a hopeful message as this course came to an end.
"Handling the class for a few semesters now has given me purpose in finding potential in students that take up VisCom. This class is perceived to be a technical course by most but it really is an immersion in visual culture. Hopefully, what students have encountered in the course will ground them visually as they maneuver through the many visual production tasks they have ahead as they complete their degrees." - Mr. Jake Ilustrisimo, VisCom professor
The starting and end points of a line serve as the foundation that highlights the entire journey of exploration. A line could be bent, curvy or straight but despite its forms, it still equates to a successful ride.
Our journey in Visual Communication may have already ended but the takeaways of this entire voyage will continue to reverberate in the hearts of the many.