The Learning Commons is your academic support hub!  We have books, we have databases, we have tutoring!  Check out some of our resources:

Video Sites:

• • https://sites.google.com/rmcad.edu/libraryvideos/

  • https://sites.google.com/rmcad.edu/slcvideolibrary/

SLC Scheduler: https://rmcad.mywconline.com/

LibGuides: https://rmcad.libguides.com/

Library Catalog: https://rmcad.mlasolutions.com/

Liberal Arts Writing Guide (LAWG): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gRJaleSpSRTYxa2Py9srF69_KA7aAAVt/view?usp=sharing

Tip Sheet Inventory

Who we are: 

Martha, Director of the Learning Commons

Katherine, Library Technician

Lea, SLC Coordinator (adobe guru!)

Katharine, SLC Coordinator (interior design specialist!)

Rhiana, SLC Coordinator (Writing specialist)

On-ground students may notice some changes in the Tri-Boro building. Due to changes in SLC appointments and a need for classroom space on campus, the former SLC space is being transformed into a classroom.

Over the past few years, our in-person appointments have grown fewer, as might be expected during a pandemic. Most of our appointments are online so we have less need of a large space. That doesn't mean we won't still have in person appointments. We can still meet in-person in rooms 112 and 103 in Tri-Boro. ALSO, the library staff are available to help you set up appointments if you would like some help.

We have also claimed a nice portion of the library for study groups. Come check out the reorganized space!

It can help to know more about your own creative process. This will help you develop a routine around creative projects for assignments, clients, and yourself! Knowing more about your process also helps if you tend to procrastinate or put things off because you aren’t sure where to start. Everyone has their own unique creative process and it can also change from project to project. However, I have been working on a large project, illustrating and designing a 78-card tarot deck. I have completed one card per month, and I’m only about 11 cards in so far, but this project has really helped me understand more about my own creative process and the steps I have habitually taken to complete each card. Continue reading to see the 8 steps I take to complete a creative project. 

1. Research. The first phase of any project for me is research. I start by learning as much about the topic involved in my creative project as possible. This looks like Google searches, watching documentaries or informational videos, reading books, and gathering reference images. I usually compile this research in a Google spreadsheet, or my favorite Notes app called Notebook. I also collect relevant images on Pinterest or on my iPhone. This phase helps me establish relevant information and ideas for the project so that I can begin to brainstorm visual ideas.

2. Establish an aesthetic or mood for the project. This is when I start to decide which mediums and methods I’ll use to execute the project. Will I use Procreate? Adobe Illustrator? Paper and ink? Paint? Once I’ve decided on a medium, I experiment with it to determine how I want things to look and feel. I establish a color palette, textures, and techniques that support my research and the mood I’m trying to capture. 

3. I create a list of imperative elements. This list often comes from the design brief (either from the client or myself) and the findings from my research. The list of elements I produce are unique to each project and includes the elements that must be included in the final deliverable. These things can include color, objects or figures, textures, compositional elements, typefaces, dimensions, etc.

4. After this, I begin searching for reference images. I often also do more research during this phase about the particular elements I’ll be depicting. This helps me determine if they are still appropriate to include. Do these elements have any cultural symbolism? What is well known or less known about these things that I might be including/depicting in my project? Are there any alternatives?

5. From this point, after developing a list of elements and reference images that support the project, I will begin sketching thumbnails. My favorite app to sketch thumbnails is Procreate because I have so much flexibility and ease working in the program. What I like about creating thumbnails is that I can get an idea of the overall composition as well as what colors and shapes I want to use without worrying too much about small details. 

6. Once I’ve sketched as many ideas as I can, I’ll use the thumbnail I like the most as a base sketch which I then begin to build on top of or use as a reference. This is when I start to iron out proportions or smaller details a bit more.

7. I approach everything in layers. For example, if I am doing a painting in Procreate,  I often start with a pencil sketch in Procreate, then I flesh out colors roughly with a large brush, which I call my underpainting. On top of this, on separate layers, I outline objects more precisely and then begin filling in shapes with color and adding smaller details. Then I move to shading and highlighting until the painting is complete. I can apply this method to just about any project: start rough and iron out the details and imperfections with each additional layer or step!

8. Finally, I take a break before applying final touches/revisions. I tend to take breaks between each phase, which is important to mention. But I find that the final break is one of the most crucial. If I rush to send the project to a client or publish it on social media I might miss some mistakes or issues with the design that I didn’t catch when I was wrapped up in all the details. I use this same principle when writing a paper.  It's good to take a day or two to not look at the project before returning to look at the piece with fresh eyes to make any revisions that may be needed. I almost always catch a small thing or two that needs adjusting before I publish my work.

What does your creative process look like? Have you ever made a list like this before? If you find that you struggle with any aspect of your creative process or just want to talk about it with someone else, feel free to schedule an appointment with me at rmcad.mywconline.com or emailing me at lgreenwood@rmcad.edu. I would love to chat!

This is taken from our tipsheet on the same topic. Find more tipsheets here. 

If you are a student who is working full time and/or taking care of children or other family members, running a business, etc… know that you are NOT alone. Juggling the demands of work, life, family, and school is a very common struggle that many students at RMCAD and throughout the US are facing. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

FIND, BUILD, AND RELY ON A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM AT HOME AND WORK

• If possible, hire babysitters, house cleaners, or have friends or family members help with extra tasks. 

• Ask the people in your household to give you the distraction-free time and space needed to complete coursework.

• Ask your employer and co-workers to honor your availability and remind them that you prioritize your education.

MANAGE YOUR TIME EFFECTIVELY 

Schedule everything. If you have children to care for or important tasks to complete, build them into your schedule. For example, what time do the kids need to be dropped off at school? Can you complete coursework while they’re away? When can you afford to take a coffee break? Block it off on the calendar, set reminders, and hold yourself accountable.

ASK FOR HELP

You don’t have to do everything alone! 

• Schedule an appointment with the SLC for help with your classes, navigating the LMS, utilizing your resources, or time management.

• Email instructors for clarification on assignments and communicate early and often about due dates, needed extensions, late assignments, etc.

• Speak to classmates about assignments and class content for clarification and feedback.

• Schedule regular appointments with a RMCAD mental health counselor.

• Most importantly, reach out for help before you get stuck.