ARTS 347: Project 2 Reflections and Figma Reading Module 4

This week was an exhausting week in class, but it was really rewarding when I got all the elements of my Ad campaign turned in and did my presentation. Knowing a little more about Figma going into this project than the last one, I felt a little more comfortable and really learned a lot about prototyping and how a user can interact with a mobile or desktop site on top of the design itself. I was back and forth in the beginning with what law I wanted to choose while researching blue laws in SC and decided to land on the law that says it is illegal for someone under the age of 18 to play a pinball machine. After researching pinball, I found that I wanted to take this campaign in a 70s, nostalgic vibe to capture what is called the "golden age of pinball" and this sort of rebellious teen angst of the 1970s. I had a lot of fun looking at inspiration from some of the psychedelic art of the time, like that of Pushpin Studios and Milton Glaser's own individual work that I modeled my campaign after. I enjoyed doing the illustrations for my billboards in a style that was a mix of my own personal style with the influences of the 70s art I was looking at. When it came to designing and prototyping the mobile and the desktop sites, it was definitely a little more daunting, but I feel that I got a much better grasp on working in Figma to prototype and how to create user interactions such as links and buttons as well as being able to click and have things disappear which was quite a feat for me when starting this.

The article "The Future of Design Systems is Semantic" by Figma discusses the transition towards semantic design systems that prioritize meaning and context over aesthetics. This shift aims to make design systems more intuitive and flexible, enhancing communication among designers, developers, and users. By emphasizing semantics, design systems can improve accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that products meet the needs of a diverse audience. The article also explores how semantic principles can enhance collaboration within teams, which in a rapidly evolving digital environment is crucial to adaptability. The article talks about the ethical considerations in design, encouraging designers to think about the broader implications of their work. As a student, this perspective is really important because it helps in honing and learning design skills to create user-centric designs that focus on purpose and usability. Incorporating these principles into projects can allow me to contribute to more effective and inclusive design solutions expanding the range of people that my designs reach. The insights provided in the article can shape my approach to developing design systems that not only function well but also resonate with users, preparing me for the future when working in design.