Design Journals

In my class, I place a strong emphasis on the design process, which includes research, brainstorming, and thumbnail sketching. I believe sketchbooks or what I call “design journals”are essential tools for designers. They help document ideas, experiment with concepts, and reflect on progress, serving as a visual record of the creative journey.

I introduce design journals at the beginning of the school year. Upon receiving their design journals, students are encouraged to personalize them as a  reflection of their individual style and interests and to establish the journals as a creative space to work. 

Throughout the school year, students are expected to use their design journals for note-taking to promote active learning and reinforce their understanding of key concepts and vocabulary. Illustrator printouts are provided for students to attach in their journals, allowing them to label and take notes as they learn about various tools, panels, and the overall program layout.

As students progress to more in-depth projects, they are required to document their research, brainstorming, and planning sketches in their journals, further developing their ability to organize and reflect on their creative process.

By integrating design journals into my graphic design curriculum, I aim to equip students with not only technical proficiency with Adobe Illustrator but also the essential creative thinking skills and habits that are important for success in the field of graphic design.