Rebecca Masiker
Graphics Editor
Coming from a small town, I’m constantly asked what graphic design is, how I got into the major, and where I will find a future position.
Growing up near a farm in the country, I was encouraged by my surroundings to appreciate and focus on the small details of life. This has resonated in me through my focus in the arts. Starting at a very young age, I created illustrations of the outdoors, animals, people, and more. Fortunately, I always kept a pencil and paper on hand in case of inspiration. Unfortunately for my teachers, this would include sketches in the margins of notes and tests.
Cassadaga Valley Central School is where my interest in art blossomed. The art teacher and band director there had a greater influence on me than any other educator at the school. They supported my decision to pursue an art career through understanding of my passion and ambition to succeed in the field. Half of my daily schedule included art and music classes for this reason.
It should be mentioned that graphic design was not the only field I explored. I also considered art education, art therapy, and drawing and painting. After doing a great deal of research and seeking the advice of my art teacher, I set my heart on graphic design. I went as far as doing my eleventh grade career project on the topic to fully grasp what I was getting into.
I had no idea.
Although I was accepted into Fredonia while still a senior at Cassadaga, I chose to attend Jamestown Community College (JCC) for my freshman year before transferring for the remainder of my college career. I spent my freshman year at JCC to grasp the foundations in art and transition from high school to college education. With the foundation courses under my belt, I thought I had a grasp on what graphic design was. However, it wasn’t until I entered the Visual Arts and New Media (VANM) Design Program at Fredonia that I really began to understand.
At Fredonia, each of the graphic design courses I’ve taken have asked the same two questions: “What is graphic design?” and, “Why are you in this field?” To me, a graphic designer is an artist who both creates imagery and tackles visual problems, dissecting them until the task at hand is completed. During their investigation, multiple perspectives are taken into consideration based on how their imagery and typography will be viewed. Designers do not just solve the problem. They evaluate the entirety of the subject and analyze each component, discovering that there is not just one simple problem, but several elements to focus on.
As to why I chose graphic design, I enjoy constantly learning and being challenged. I did not choose this field to “earn money in the arts,” as I fully understand how competitive it is. My passion includes working in design with a diverse team to create a cohesive end product. Art has been a positive influence in my life, and I would like it to be the same for my clientele.
The VANM education and faculty at Fredonia have pushed me beyond my perceived limitations. Now, as a senior graphic design BFA major at Fredonia, I better understand the design process and its meaning. I always ask questions, evaluate the subject thoroughly and go through the design process in its entirety.
There is no such thing as an average work day in this field. This year, I can usually be found in my cubicle at The Leader office using Adobe products to create advertisements for clients, spending the night creating designs for my Graphic Design V and Typography III courses, and even coding through my Web Programming I course to increase my skill set for when I graduate in May. The daily routine of a graphic designer isn’t stagnant. Our position and agenda encompass a broad range of tasks focusing on design creation and decisions. I enjoy the flexibility and different paths within this field.
I am confident, secure and happy with the degree choice I made. The idea that always pushed me when I doubted myself was the famous Confucius statement, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Whether it is designing for a client, working with a great team to explore new ideas or even reading an art historical analysis, I am where I’m supposed to be.