C&CD Course

Creative Design and Concept Development Training is a course I took in the Spring of 2025 as a part of the UC EEP Program. In this course, I built upon my Photoshop skills and learned what makes design ‘work’ or not work. We looked at examples of good and bad design, practiced improving them, and explored how to take ideas from screen to print. I also got hands-on with printing techniques, which gave me a better understanding of how design functions in the real world.

Week 1: Concept Sketching

The first week was focused on developing our concept sketching skills. This involved practicing loose, quick sketches only focusing on the main forms. This practice improved my ability to generate ideas quickly.

Week 2: filters & Textures

During the second week we explored tools within photoshop, specifically filters. This helped to familiarize me with the software. We also played with generating different textures using images we took.

Week 3: bold design

For week three, we started the process of developing design for specific purposes. I focused on the topic of privacy, incorporating eyes and bold striking type to create a sense of discomfort.

Week 4: impactful design

Week four centered around design impact and using design to portray powerful messaging. My designs center around uncertainty and disconnection from nature.

Week 5: striking colors

For the fifth week we looked into the impact of color on design. I decided to create images centered around different musical artists, each one using an electric, eye-catching color palette design to overwhelm.

Week 6: Feel & tone

During the sixth week, we designed based on songs. For the first design I chose the song ‘Empathy’ - Crystal Castles, which is an electric hyperpop song. The second design is based on "‘Girl Anachronism” - Dresdon Dolls, a song about woman hysteria in the 1900’s.

Week 7: nostalgia

For week seven, we designed for the feeling of nostalgia. I decided to use images from my own childhood to make that emotion more accurate to me. I also incorporated toys, crayons, and other objects that remind me of a certain period of my life.

Week 9: storyboard

During the last week we practiced story boarding. I decided to create a storyboard around real events. It follows a morning where my cat steals my keys and hides them, forcing me to go on a search, until ultimately finding them underneath him.