Magdalena Untersmayr

Programms I have learned

First Year

In the first year of the HLW for communication and media desgin we learned illustrator, the color theory and the principles of design. Since the beggining we worked on own project like a logo design for our name, for example. We also began to learn about CSS and HTML to programm our own websites.

Second Year

In the second year, our focus shifted towards digital imagery and visual composition.
We focused on pixels by learning how to use Adobe Photoshop, gaining a solid understanding of image editing, retouching, and digital manipulation techniques.

In addition to that, we were introduced to photography. We explored both studio and outdoor photography, where we learned how to work with lighting, composition, and various camera settings . Throughout the year, we also continued developing our personal websites, applying the skills we had learned to present our work in a more professional way.

Third Year

In the third year, we focused on layout design, typography, and product development.
We learned how to use Adobe InDesign and studied the basics of typography. As a practical project, we designed a full travel magazine about Singapore. We researched the destination, collected suitable images, wrote and edited texts, and created a consistent layout using grids and paragraph styles.
The magazine included several sections, like culture, food, and sightseeing tips, all designed in a modern and reader-friendly way.

We also worked on a game description layout, where we had to create a clear and visually appealing instruction sheet for a board game. This included working with icons, illustrations, and visual hierarchy to make the content easy to understand.
In computer science, we learned about databases — how data is structured, stored, and accessed.

Another subject was called Print and Product Realisation.
There, we developed a full packaging concept for a fictional aperitif brand. This included naming the brand, creating a logo and a matching design style, and developing a gift box set. We designed the layout for the packaging, selected suitable materials to visualize the final product.

Fourth Year

In the fourth year, we began working with 3D design.
Our main tool was Autodesk 3ds Max, but we also got a first introduction to Blender. We learned how to create 3D models from scratch, starting with basic shapes and gradually moving to more complex objects. We explored modeling techniques like extrusion and beveling and we also worked with textures, materials, lighting, and rendering.

As part of our practical exercises, we created various objects such as interior scenes, watches, and flowers. In the interior project, we designed a room — including furniture, flooring, windows, and decorations. This helped us understand scale, proportions, and the use of lighting to create realistic atmospheres.

A major part of the fourth year was also developing a concept for our diploma thesis (Diplomarbeit). We had to choose a topic that matched our interests and skills, do initial research and define the goals of the project.

Digital Photography

In our photography lessons, we learned the basics of digital photography. We got to know how to use a camera and explored important settings like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance. We practiced taking pictures both indoors and outdoors, using natural and artificial light.

In the studio, we worked with professional lighting equipment and backgrounds to take portraits and still life photos. We learned how to set up softboxes and reflectors and how different light positions affect the mood of a photo.

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