Hi Kevin! oops. i meant to continue in this thread, not to post another.
Anyways, I've taken your feedback and revised my paper to my best effort.
I haven't been able to gather enough information on the program in order to be specific (by text) about how the school may help me achieve my goal.
But this is what I have thus far, Please take a look. Thank you so much!
Design surrounds us in our daily lives. Ever since young, I have always been intrigued by different colorful images and typefaces. Of course, as a youngster, I did not comprehend what these values were. During my undergraduate studies at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, I learned that these values were fundamental components to graphic design. When I understood the concept of designing, I started to appreciate the importance of design in our community. My aspiration is to promote positive impact to the design industry in Taiwan by utilizing my design skill sets along with three different strategies: daily design encounters approach, cause an awareness and curiosity approach, and educational approach.
While in school, I learned that as a designer my mission is to bring not only visual pleasure, but also problem solve by being able to create strong visual hierarchy by using typography, imagery, and grid system. From my past work experiences at Towson University, HWA-WEI & GREY ADVERTISING GROUP, Hudson Trail Outfitters, and as a freelance designer and photographer, I realized that graphic design is not only about creating distinctive visual communication for the community. Rather, it takes a person who can listen to comments and has a keen eye for aesthetic design, a flair for color, and a solid comprehension of corporate needs. I also learned to synthesize feedback from a number of different sources and utilize cost effective strategies to produce individual approaches when demonstrating a visual.
I thought I had already knew much about the design industry when I graduated from _______, but when I encountered the design industry in Taiwan I stumbled upon disappointments. Design doesn't have a glamour stage here. I consider Taiwan's design industry as an industry that is suffering from on going "bad circulation." Reasons for such argument is that, Taiwan generally values the technological industry consequently graphic designers are not looked upon as great professions. For this reason, prospective designers are not aided with high educations or professional training. Resulting from unappreciated value and low education or lack of proficient training, unflattering communicating visuals are displayed among Taiwan communities.
My ambition is to initiate closure to the "bad circulation" with three different strategies. The first approach is to remind the public how design surrounds us in our daily encounters. I would produce communicational designs such as building signs, road maps, user manuals...ect. to demonstrate how the community exploits design daily. The second approach is to grasp public's attention. I would exercise my design expertise to create idiosyncratic visuals to make viewers become aware of design, cause them to take a second look, and bring about curiosity to design. The third approach is to educate the public of the significance of design. I would translate my experience from ______ into design language and create visuals that showcase the fact that designing is far more beyond than it's presences; it is about information conveying, problem solving, organizing, and more.
In the graduate program, I look forward to advancing my design skill set, confidence, and life experience. Within __________ I can learn from professionals in a city influenced by art, design, and diversity. I believe the graduate program would elevate my design knowledge and intellectual practice as a graphic designer. Most importantly, I know that my experience at __________ will help me achieve my aspirations as a designer. Who said you have to be a politician in order to make change? ____________ will give me confidence that I, a graphic designer, can contribute and bring changes upon a community.
Sarah Lin
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