Panelist for a day

I was recently a panelist for one of my former teachers' thesis presentation, along with two of the college's graduates, Lyra and Mark. Lyra is a freelance artist/painter, whose works you usually see in glossies and galleries. Mark, another visual communicator, teaches at the College and is freelancing as a graphic artist too.

Though it was kinda last minute, i was happy to go to the college and check out the recent work of 3rd year students. Being a panelist, you are given the power to mold the outcome of the students' grade. I was surprised i was invited, since my work experience doesn't really qualify me (i feel) to grade somebody else's. It's kinda flattering though, to be taken into consideration to viewing and reviewing works of students. I was both excited and nervous, and hoping not to sound too bitchy about stuff i didn't like.

The day went well, with 9 groups presenting, all with variety and different approaches to their creative solution. Most, i saw, didn't really think about the effectivity of their marketing and creative output, relying more on the novelty than the efecctiveness of reaching their audience through the medium. I was impresses, however, at the technology they utilized for presentation. Back in the day, we were toiling hard to create ours by hand. heheh.

Hmmm. How would i rate myself as a panelist? A little bit of the soft side, considering i was pretty careful on what i was saying. I remember the cutting words my panelist said when i was presenting before, and it stung. I just hope that i was able to impart opinions and suggestions which they will heed and take note of, rather than detest. :-P

Kudos to the students for their effort, though their presentation skills left much to be desired. A couple of groups had promise, with their research well done, yet their creative output still askew. The rest, well, let's just say that their presentation could have put more emphasis and oomph to their grade, but sadly, it lacked even that. Still, it is junior year. The promise and challenge of senior year looms ahead, so i hope that our recommendations would be taken note of when they do their final thesis.

On the good side, it was kewl to exchange ideas with Lyra, Mitzy and Mark. :-) Nice seein you guys! :-D

+ + +