Here at Southern Utah University, EDGE is a unique and required program. Every SUU student plans a special project that is designed to help them achieve a unique personal or professional goal. In my opinion, this program provides me with more experiences to help prepare myself for the future. Each project takes longer than a single semester to complete, giving the student a chance to complete a long-term comprehensive project employer are looking for in resumes and portfolios. They provide us with support and guidance in order for us to become successful. In my opinion, “EDGE” is a transition. We get experience through our chosen projects, and we are able to grow academically, personally, and professionally. The final goal is helping us find a job.

When I was trying to decide what to do for my project, I was at first thinking along the lines of doing something can help me professionally. My major is communication, and it has two research areas. One of the areas is public relation, and I have been studying it for 3 years. So, I want to learn something about another area: design. It can enrich my knowledge and help me find a job.

My goal is to learn a new design tool, then use it to do three ads. It looks like very easy, but it is very hard for me to learn a new skill and get the idea of 3 ads. Firstly, I downloaded Photoshop and watched the video to learn how to use Photoshop. During this time, I also did some small project to practice my skill. However, I can’t figure out any ideas of my ads. My father told me, the essence of design is to solve the problem, the process of seeking the best combination of function and form. Therefore, it requires designers to look at the world from a creative and critical perspective. His words gave me some good ideas, and I looked around the world. I noticed my mother like wine and my father like a car, so, I decided to design two ads for wine and car. I also found that coupon can be applied to any company, so, I chose coupon as my last ad.

For my car ad, it is the hardest one than wine and coupon. Design this ad as if I was designing a real-life car. I have to choose a part to highlight rather than a whole car. I put the product on the left side, and the vehicle of light cross the name. On the right side, I chose the black background to contrast light with dark. It can highlight jock auto lighting bright features. For the wine ad, on the left side, it is an introduction of the wine. And wine can be a romantic notion for many people. So, on the right side, I use the flower to dot the wine. I want to show that this red is soft forward drinking wine with plenty of flowers. For the coupon, it provides full-color, eye-catching content can compel customers to read the message. And, I used a large font to highlight the discount, it also can attract people’s attention.

Although I met many different problems during work time, this project provided an excellent opportunity for me to learn a new design skill. Because of this project, I can get a fantastic portfolio and find a job easily. Because of this project, I can look at the world as a designer. Because of my Photoshop skill, I got two job’s interviews. Because of the design skill, it improves my competitive advantage in job marketing.