Identifying the Benefits of CSULA's graphic design program (Mon.)

The graphic design/visual communication program at CSULA has its share of benefits as well as its share of flaws. At times it seems that the negatives aspects of attending this program outweighs the positives aspects. However the program is not to blame, it is the students/department that must be held responsible. Affirmative action must take place in order to replace the negatives into positives. The students and the department of the design program have the power to make a difference. When developing a promotional video for the graphic design program, one must consider both positive and negatives aspects of the program.

Students should first evaluate and identify the negatives aspects of the program. One aspect is that faculty is greatly understaffed. At the time, there is not enough graphic design professors to help accommodate student feedback. Considering that size of the student body in this program, these professors tend to become highly overwhelmed with the amount of student/professor interaction. There is simply not enough time to help each student. It is up to the department to help make this change and bring in more professors. Another negative aspect in this department is the lack of lab efficiency. The computer labs have a shortage of computers available to the students and the printers are always malfunctioning. It is difficult to fit in labs hours at times. However this is a financial issue which, unfortunately, is out of the department's control. It is up to the school and the state to help make these changes. Lastly, the lack of student community. At times it seems that the student body is highly involved with the program's activities and events, however this isn't the case. Despite how well these students get along, there still tends to be a lack of student involvement. For example, CSULA design students tend to miss design events, they hardly to work together or work in the dept. studios, most leave right when class is over, most aren't involved with Aiga/Gauge, and they hardly critique each others work. These students lack motivation. Most design school, such as Cal state North ridge and Cal state Long beach have the sense of community, and not to mention with a larger student body. It is up to the students of CSULA to make this change.

However, despite these negative factors, we are trying to portray the positive aspects of this design program for our promo video. These aspects include creativity, professor feedback, individualism, work ethic, and growth. Even though this program lacks community, we can promote that it actually does. This might help promote the motivation for change and inspire future design students to build this community in which we lack. The idea is there, we just need to find a way to communicate that message to the audience. The goal is personalize and relate to the audience's desires and expectations when entering CSULA's design program.