{"id":23175,"date":"2023-05-13T13:32:17","date_gmt":"2023-05-13T13:32:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.genarodesign.com\/staging\/8591\/national-student-show-and-conference-19-3-2\/"},"modified":"2024-07-31T02:51:47","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T02:51:47","slug":"nothing-prepares-you-to-say-goodbye","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genarodesign.com\/staging\/8591\/nothing-prepares-you-to-say-goodbye\/","title":{"rendered":"Nothing Prepares You to Say Goodbye"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I\u2019d much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure!<\/p>\n<\/h5>Ernie Harwell \u2022 american sports comentator<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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<\/div>Linkedin, December 2017.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

In late 2017, the Communication Design program at Texas State University was searching for a practitioner designer to teach Trademark Design and Branding Systems. Although teaching was not on my bucket list, God had other plans. I met all the qualifications. I knew the program and faculty well, earning my BFA and MFA in Communication Design degrees from Texas State University. Despite my reservations, a chance conversation on LinkedIn with an old friend changed my life forever.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

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On a chilly November morning, I began my teaching career with a stomachache and sweating hands. However, after just two courses in Branding Systems and one in Trademark Design, I fell in love with teaching graphic design.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

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<\/div>Texas State by The Numbers.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

From Fall 2018 to Spring 2023, I taught 39 sections<\/strong> of five courses<\/strong>, such as Trademark Design, Branding Systems, Environmental Graphic Design, Special Problems, and Senior Portfolio, interacting with over 360 students<\/strong> and 120+ graduating seniors<\/strong>. Additionally, there were countless laughs<\/a> with my colleagues and mentors.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

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<\/div>Student Design Competitions at TXST.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Beyond my work in the classroom, I also served on the Communication Design Competition Committee, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of design competitions in building student confidence and school pride. Witnessing an exponential increase in student participation in design competitions was fun, but seeing young minds experience a complete transformation after winning was a blessing.<\/p>\n

When I was a student, my mentors went the extra mile to ensure our success. They organized weekend workshops to prepare us for design competitions. I revived this tradition with the help of a couple of colleagues, allowing students to refine their projects and succeed in design competitions. But in addition to setting them up for success\u2014these workshops fostered a strong bond between faculty and students. It was so gratifying to provide such an invaluable opportunity to our students. But, of course, we also ensured there was always plenty of food and sugar. Like magic, the students believed in their true potential after receiving such awards and influenced others to participate. So, yes, design\u00a0competitions<\/a>\u00a0are my happy place.<\/p>\n

In the past five years<\/strong>, Texas State ComDes students accumulated 887 adjudications<\/strong> in several international, national, and regional design competitions such as\u00a0American Advertising Federation<\/a>,\u00a0AIGA Flux<\/a>, CMYK Magazine,\u00a0Communication Arts<\/a>,\u00a0GDUSA<\/a>,\u00a0Graphis New Talent Annual<\/a>, How Magazine, Information is beautiful,\u00a0LogoLounge<\/a>,\u00a0NSAC\u201310th District<\/a>, Salute, and SXSW Innovation Lab. Moreover, 500 adjudications <\/strong>were under my direct tutoring.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

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