<p> “Suck a Granberry!” Sitting at the table across from my usual By Matthew Mang seat is Jessie. She is one of the warmest people in the class, always with a smile on her face. Today is no exception. As I begin “Hey guys, you won’t believe how to pull out my materials for our project, she tired I am from cutting squares.” beams at me. I return the smile. “Well, just suck a ‘Granberry’!” Moments later, our professor, Shannon It’s 7:30 pm on a Monday night, with ten Ecke, walks in. As one of the younger more minutes before the start of my graphic faculty members, she prefers for us to design studio class. I am a first year graphic simply call her Shannon. At times, she design major striving for the extremely almost seems more like a fellow student competitive upper division graphic design rather than a professor, often relearning or program at ASU. As a first step, the studio experimenting with different techniques class, Principles of Graphic Design I, is a shortly before teaching the rest of the class. mandatory course in the program. Despite Today however, is a work day with no new the fact I find most our projects in that class projects for her to introduce. to be tedious, it is still my favorite class. “Ahh!! NOO! Not again!” cries out a At ASU, all Graphic Design majors are curly-haired girl in despair. considered to be a part of the ASU Graphic That girl is Erika. A diligent girl who is Design Student Association. However, I am constantly engrossed in her projects, she particularly close with the classmates in this always seems to be on top of all our studio class. With a small class size of ten projects. However, today appears to be an students and a class environment that calls off-day for her. Judging by her wails of for a lot of direct interaction between frustration, I can only assume that she has students as well as the professor, there is a messed up one of her Plaka paint square deeper sense of community within the illustrations. However, no one seems to care classroom rather than a simple gathering how loud her bouts of frustration are. After place for students to complete their all, we all are feeling the pain of hand assignments. The results are interesting painting perfectly centered black squares, when you put a few creative minded people requiring measurements accurate within a in a room from 7:40 pm – 9:30 pm, two single millimeter. nights a week. “I hate Plaka paint,” I groan. You might be wondering why most of us “Actually, I know a graphic designer who would voluntarily sign up for such a late named his cat Plaka. Isn’t that funny?” asks class. The fact of the matter is we didn’t. As Shannon. if fate had brought this motley crew of “That is the nerdiest graphic design thing college kids together, all of us signed up for I’ve heard,” calls out a girl two tables to the this class simply because it was the only left. design studio time slot available. That’s Lauren. Blunt and outspoken, if “Man, I’m tired already… and class hasn’t there is an unofficial “leader” among the even started yet,” I mumble lazily. students, it is her. She coined many of our While it is a class and basic school rules class phrases such as “suck a Granberry,” apply, the studio environment allows for a which is a play on Erika’s last name, lot of student interaction. Indeed, ten Granberry. While the phrase is the minutes before class and the room has equivalent to “suck it up,” the inclusion of already started its ascent into pandemonium. “Granberry” is simply added for comedic </p><p>1 effect. “It’s like a cranberry, only older!” is maintain the belief that any drugs she takes Lauren’s explanation of how Erika’s last will make her condition worse. However, name is amusing. As one of the friendliest none of us can make the choice for her. members of our community, I have spent As if on cue, Kim enters the classroom. many late nights chatting with her online. Many of the students breathe a sigh of relief. She was also the one who started the “Oh my God, Kim, are you okay?” asks Facebook group for our class, creating the Erika. name, “the Good Looking Folks of “Haha, you look so concerned,” answers GRA121” for our little community. Kim cheerfully. Erika stares at her, Sitting next to Lauren is the other attempting to communicate the graveness of extroverted member of the group, Elizabeth last class’s situation without actually saying Lamb, though most of us just call her Lamb. it. Several other classmates mirror Erika’s She’s Lauren’s sidekick and often expression. accompanies Lauren on various eccentric Kim seems to understand, quickly adding, adventures, both on and off campus. “Oh sorry guys. It’s just that this kinda’ “ ‘Sup Nick?” I call out to the guy sitting thing happens to me all the time, so now I across from Lamb. just find it funny.” “Hey Matt,” he replies. “That was not funny. At all,” says Nick in Nick is the cynic of the group. Despite very serious tone. Luckily, after a few being one of the nicest and most genuine moments of awkward silence, the class guys I know, a lot of things seem to get on resumes its usual state of constant banter. his nerves. With tattoos and multiple body “Does anyone know where Mark is?” asks piercings, he projects a tough guy image. Shannon, attempting to talk above the din. Adding to that image is the fact that he also However, no one responds to the inquiry. As trains and practices capoeira, the Brazilian the class continues to clamor, Shannon martial art otherwise known as “dance repeats her question, this time substituting fighting.” Mark with the name “Ross.” “Last week’s class definitely sucked,” says Immediately, Lauren responds with a Nick. simple, “He’s sick.” “That’s for sure,” I reply. I shudder at the “Ross” is the guitar player of the group, thought of our last studio class. “I wonder if who occasionally sings songs off key during Kim is alright…” I think out loud. Kim, the class, much to our amusement. While his token drug user of our group, collapsed and real name is Mark, Lauren and Lamb gave went into a seizure just as class was about to him the nickname “Ross,” due to his start. While she talked a lot about doing resemblance to the character of the same various drugs before, no one took her name on the TV show, Friends. The name seriously until that day. The ordeal left the stuck so much to the point where it almost whole class shaken and unable to work for seems like most people in our group have the rest of class that night. forgotten his real name, as shown by the In light of her recent seizure in class, many lack of response when Shannon referred to of us have urged her to quit taking drugs, but him as Mark. Indeed, sometimes when I talk to no avail. She denies that she has a to him, I have to think for a minute, deciding problem, stating that she is epileptic and has on whether I should call him Mark or Ross. had seizures ever since she was in However, despite Lauren’s statement, kindergarten. Despite hearing about her “Ross” came into the classroom shortly condition, many of us, including me, still after.</p><p>2 “Ouch!” cries a girl with a slightly nasally I laugh at the bubble on the poster that tone of voice. reads, “I love Comic Sans! Just kidding,” That would be Jenna. While she claims and point it out to Lauren. that she has no artistic ability, she is “Indeed. Using Comic Sans is practically a definitely the hardest working of the bunch. sin!” is her response, equally amused. Whereas most of the class starts to socialize Turning away from the poster, she asks, rather than work during the last half hour of “Anybody going to the grocery store with class, Jenna is a real trooper, working hard me and Lamb tonight?” at painting, cutting, or whatever our current “Oo! Me!” cries Jessie. project requires, up until the last minute of “Count me in,” replies Erika. class. As a result, it seems cutting herself “Sorry guys, I gotta’ go home and finish while cutting out her square projects has my English essay,” I say. “As much as I like come to be the norm for her. I myself have participating in our group’s traditional post- accidentally cut off a chunk of my left index class grocery store adventure, homework is finger once in this class. I couldn’t play calling.” guitar for a week after that. Graphic design “You always have some sort of essay due! is a lot more dangerous than most people How about you, Shannon?” asks Lauren. tend to think. “You know, once you reach a certain age, “Did you cut your finger again?” asks a the grocery store isn’t amusing anymore…” pretty girl sitting next to me. is her response. “Oh! Look at the time. You “Yeah…” replies Jenna. guys can leave now if you want.” The girl sitting next to me is Melody. She With class finished, we head over to the is the fashionista of the group, complete elevator for our traditional “elevator party.” with her very real looking Chanel purse look Since our classroom is on the second floor alike. of the Architecture building, our class “Hey Matt! Can you help me out with this traditionally takes the elevator down once rotation?” asks Melody, looking at me. class is over. Now this may sound rather And me? Well, as the only person in the normal—and it would be if it was just a class with prior experience in Adobe group of strangers using the elevator. But software products, I’m essentially the go-to with the “Good Looking Folks of GRA121,” guy when Shannon’s brief Adobe Illustrator even the most mundane of tasks become explanations do not suffice—which is something much like an amusement park almost all the time. When it comes to the attraction. computer aspect of the class, I’ve become This particular night is especially almost a pseudo-T.A., helping the other interesting. For one thing, we’ve managed to students with slight adjustments and pack ten people into the elevator at once. teaching various commands and functions of After all, when it comes to parties, the more the program. the merrier, right? Well, unfortunately, we Pretty soon, an hour flies by and it’s forgot to take into account the fact that every already nine o’ clock. By this time, a fair person was carrying a large portfolio case majority of the class is walking about the and a 24 x 36 inch cutting board. In other room, avoiding work. Lauren examines a words, we are crammed. It’s a good thing poster by the door and I shortly join her. The none of us are claustrophobic. poster is for the American Institute of In addition to the simple problem of space, Graphic Artists, with many different bubbles closing the door seems challenging, as of text that relate to graphic design.</p><p>3 people randomly get the urge to place limbs Design Awareness. While some of the guest in front of the door, just as it starts to close. speakers in the class turn out to be really Before we know it, five minutes go by fascinating, such as Greg Fisher, the man before the elevator even starts to move. But responsible for the new Diamondbacks look, even that isn’t the most challenging part. this speaker is quite the opposite. Dull and Now, going from the second floor to the unimposing, his presentation is less than first may sound like a rather straightforward inspirational. His Ben Stein-like voice task, but the matter is far more complex certainly isn’t helping either. Within when engaging in one of our elevator minutes, Nick falls asleep. Unfortunately for parties. Rambunctious and mischievous as a Nick, we’re sitting near the front. whole, you can always count on at least one “Why don’t we ask this fine gentleman his person to hit several, if not all, of the buttons opinion on the subject? Oh wait, he’s except the first floor, resulting in a mass sleeping!” calls out the guest speaker. struggle between the students closest to the Completely oblivious, Nick continues to button panel. Indeed, today, Lauren decides snore. I laugh for a bit as Melody takes a that our true destination is the third floor, photo of Nick sleeping. followed by the lower level. Ross—I mean After walking together from Design Mark—does not pay attention, and almost Awareness, Melody, Jenna, and I make our exits the elevator on the lower level. way to the Taco Bell Express inside ASU’s Elizabeth reels him back in, just as the student union, just as we do every Tuesday elevator doors start to shut. Going on this up and Thursday. This choice of location is not and down trip vaguely reminds me of the because we all particularly love Taco Bell, Tower of Terror ride at Disneyworld, minus but mainly because it is usually the only area the ghosts and the thirteen story freefall. of the student union that has enough empty After several more minutes of wrong seats to fit our group of three. floors and Mark nearly exiting on the wrong “Wow, it’s nice to have friends to eat floor every time the elevator stopped, we lunch with again.” I think to myself, after finally make it onto the first floor. Suddenly recalling a particularly awkward incident sleepy, I can’t wait to get home, despite how towards the beginning of the year in which a fun the class is. strange guy asked to sit with me when I was When I arrive at home, I fall asleep in my dining alone in Pitchfork’s Café. It’s a bed immediately, ignoring the fact that my comforting feeling to know that I’ll always English essay still needs a conclusion. “I’ll have my network of graphic design friends just finish that essay tomorrow… to keep me company during the idle hours zzzZZzzz…” between classes and last minute homework. Waking up bright and early at 7 am to It is during this moment of happiness that I make my commute to Professor Jacques feel my pants vibrate. Lamb has sent me a Giard’s 9:15 class, Design Awareness, I text message. The message reads, “Lauren arrive at 9:10, surprised to find only Nick and I are ditching Wolf’s class to go to sitting in our usual area of the lecture room. lunch. You game?” It seems most of the others in our studio I reply with a simple, “Yes.” class are running late this morning. Shortly, I ask Melody and Jenna, “Hey However, I don’t mind since Nick is one of guys, Lauren and Lamb want to go out to my favorite people in the group. lunch instead of going to Graphic Design A few moments later, Jenna and Melody History, since it’s Lauren’s birthday. You join us. There’s a guest speaker today in guys coming?”</p><p>4 “Well…” replies Jenna hesitantly. I can the words ‘senseless’ and ‘nonsense’? Think tell she is not comfortable with the idea of about it.” And with that, he quickly slides in ditching class. the VHS with no further explanation and Graphic Design History is one of those hits the play button. The video appears to be classes where you technically don’t need to a freak show of rejected monster caves with attend the lectures, since the professor gives a soundtrack to match. While I don’t think out a study guide the class day before every the video is enlightening me on the quiz. However, taking notes in class means distinction between the two words, I am you don’t have to read the book, since the quite sure the video can be described as both notes are taken word for word from the senseless and nonsense. textbook. “I wonder where you can buy the Since our book is quite the snore-fest, I soundtrack for this video,” I say can understand why Jenna is hesitant. sarcastically. Erika, who’s sitting next to However, feeling rather tired of the usual me, simply giggles. The film continues on class routine, I am rather tempted to take up for fifteen more minutes before the grand Lamb’s offer. There was also the fact that— finale of bizarre speakers and even more “Professor Wolf talks like the teacher from bizarre sound effects draws to a close. Charlie Brown: Whoa, wah, wah. Whoa, Despite the fact the class is supposed to be wah, wah, wah.,” quips Melody. “It’s an hour long, Weed wastes no time incredibly boring. Let’s ditch.” dismissing the class after only fifteen So at 12:15, rather than sitting in the cold minutes. It is not very surprising, lecture hall in the Coor building, the ten of considering Weed’s class lasted five minutes us pile into Lauren’s “party van,” as she on the first day of class. likes to call it. The van is so long, it easily As I make my fifteen minute trek from the fits all ten of us with room to spare. Our architecture building to my car parked in the escapade of the day turns out to be YC’s back of Lot 59, I can’t help but think of how Mongolian BBQ Grill, which is absolutely blessed I am to have such a wonderful group delicious. of friends. “We should do this every time one of us When I first started attending ASU, I had has a birthday,” I call out in between no friends in any of my lecture classes nor mouthfuls of food. did I have anyone to eat lunch with. Going “Definitely,” agrees Lauren. After a to college with none of my old high school delicious lunch we return to ASU for our friends studying the same major proved to last design class. be a lot more difficult than I had anticipated. Our day ends with the lecture portion of However, my tight knit group of studio Principles of Graphic Design with none friends has truly enhanced my college other than Professor Andy Weed, or simply experience, providing me with a safe haven Weed, as he prefers to be called. In this and a place where I can talk about all things class, your grade is based solely on graphic design. From the frustrations of attendance. No homework. No tests. Just hand painting perfect squares for two videos. months straight, to my love for certain fonts, “As you guys know, I don’t like to talk this group has truly exposed me to all sides about the films we watch in this class before of the graphic design world. Everyone came we watch them. However, when you’re from different places, bringing in their watching this film, keep this thought in separate influences to the group. mind: Do you know the difference between </p><p>5 While in a way, we are competing for the few coveted spots in ASU’s upper division graphic design program, I know that we will go through this process helping each other succeed, rather than only striving for personal success. We are a team of hopeful graphic designers. We are a group of unbreakable friends. We are the “Good Looking Folks of GRA121.” </p><p>6</p>