This semester has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, times of my college experience. I've been pushed this semester to think in new ways. Additionally, I've been working to develop myself into a better public relations professional who's familiar with the necessary tools to be successful at any given job.
The Public Relations Publications course at OU has taught me how to take an idea and create something tangible. I've learned a lot during this time, but I also recognize that there will always be more for me to learn.
I think it's important, then, to reflect on my growth and highlight some of the big takeaways. One of my biggest tips for up and coming public relations practitioners is to pay attention to detail. A previous blog post of mine sums this idea up fairly well, but this essentially means paying special attention to the "smaller things". I've found that lesser details are often what make designs more successful. Factors such as spacing, font choice and color are what take your design to the next level when it's been clearly thought about.
Another key component is to keep in mind who you're designing for. Each and every publication has an intended audience. As the designer, it's your responsibility to find out who that audience is, what information they need/want to hear, and how to best appeal to their individual tastes. The past assignment that really helped to solidify this piece of advice involved Adobe Photoshop, and I was tasked with creating a direct mailer for the parents of prospective transfer students. Parents tend to care more about logistics, such as cost and programs, in comparison to students. I was sure to emphasize this information and use design details to draw attention to the message I was sending.
And lastly, ask questions. There are many tools we need to have in our public relations tool box. Some of these tools, such as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, can be rather complicated to use. Their capabilities are endless, but this does you no good if you don't know how to use them. Therefore, stay curious. Continue to think outside of the box, and always be on the lookout for inspiration. This may come from peers, instructors, or even everyday life.
I've attached some pictures below of my most recent assignment, which has taken everything I've learned this semester and put it into practice. I see a lot of growth in myself, but it's my hope that I continue to develop as a professional and that you will, too.
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