Gotta get this off my chest....

[Calligirl]

I am so fed up with my classes this time. Why am I bothering?

Right now, I am in studio graphics and portfolio. Our assignment in graphics was to create a mailout for the senior exhibition. Since I am a senior in portfolio, I also get to vote on it.

It's down to mine and another student's. I designed mine very clean and what I would call readable. It's a frigging postcard for heaven's sake! Get all the info on there as best as possible, right?

I don't like the other design but I can't speak up because they will think that I'm just wanting my design to be chosen.

What I have a problem is the fact that he designed the whole thing to be printed in black on glossy paper. The lettering has glow around it, looks electrical almost and half the info is not readable. To me, it screams computer fair or something like that, not a senior show that will have painting, sculpture, fabric arts, whatever.

In the real world, don't you have to worry about printing costs and the overall message? Or am I being stupid and just need to get over the fact that the others think wow, that's awesome. Hey, black's dramatic and it's a cheap way to grab attention. Doesn't mean it's appropriate.

Any suggestions?

[mac.FINN]

Vote for yours.

So people will think you want yours to win, you do don't you?

Just bring up your arguments in the voting process if you can.

[Exodus]

Agreed. I do not really see an alternative option. Good Luck! :)

[MikeTheVike]

I say speak up, My peer reviews in school were weak, everyone was afraid to say anything. I used to go on and on with everything I did and didn't like about a peer's work. Sometimes people would get defensive on a harsh critique, but who cares..

[morea]

for the record, one can give a good critique with tact... it doesn't have to be "harsh" to be a strong critique.

The reasons you gave were sound, Calligirl. If you explain your reasoning the way you did here, I would think that it would be beneficial to your peers... whether they agree or not, it would at least get them thinking about it.

[Logo-Mechanix]

I have to agree with Morea, I am dead set against ripping someone to pieces especially in front of other people. It does no good, and only makes that person feel like a POS and makes the person doing the ripping look like an ass. You can get your point across in a way thats constructive and actually helps everyone understand whats wrong with a piece. Remember you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinnegar.

[patkennedy78]

You have to be as diplomatic as you can. I'd start by saying "This is really hard for me because this postcard is in direct competition with mine, and I don't want to sound like I'm tearing this design apart so I'll win the competion. But visually I think it's sending the wrong message and hard to read, and mechanically it might be a disaster at press" Then continue on speaking of effective and ineffective design, message, and content. You'll be fine, your entering the "real world", and now if someones design sucks, they are going to be told that, not sugar coated by a teacher or classmate to try harder.

Hope it helps.

[Calligirl]

The final decision is the 9th so perhaps by then they will forget one of them is mine and I can voice my concerns tactly. And I do want to be tactful as I really like the kid who did it (yes, he's young enough to be my kid!) and really, these kids are all great, I don't want to hurt any feelings.

I like how you worded those points, PatKennedy, mind if I copy that down and memorize it? Sounds better than what usually comes out!

Thanks for understanding, guys!

[CatintheHat1]

Don't voice your concerns...can't you state it as a "why I chose this way..." and then discuss your goals:

1. It was for seniors - needed to be easy to read
2. Target audience is traditional (no need to point OUT the outer glows on the other design, people aren't dumb)
3. Appeal to my assigned audience...

Don't even mention the other design or any of its elements.

[budafist]

Don't voice your concerns...can't you state it as a "why I chose this way..." and then discuss your goals:

1. It was for seniors - needed to be easy to read
2. Target audience is traditional (no need to point OUT the outer glows on the other design, people aren't dumb)
3. Appeal to my assigned audience...

Don't even mention the other design or any of its elements.

I don't think she meant senior citizens :D