This is what I did for a recent extra project for my chemistry class. We had to pick an element from the periodic table and create an educational poster for it that could be shown at a science outreach events they host for local elementary age school kids. We were given a list of things we must include on the poster and the instructions stated that they were meant to be educate so make them colorful and fun. So, this is the idea I came up with for the element I picked: Helium.

And Helium in a noble gas, so, that’s why Mr. He is wearing a crown.

I’m a photographer, not a designer, so I ended up spending way more time on it than I should have. Photoshop wasn’t created for design work like this, y’all. That said, the project brought back good memories of my time in advertising school. As a student in ad school you’re routinely asked to come up with ideas like this, and then make them into a reality. On a students budget.

Additionally, we all lacked experience, so we spent way more time on assignments – working until all hours of the night and sometimes through the night – and the next night – working with each other at the school. Feeding off each others creativity and drive.

Back to me not being a designer. Due to my lack of experience with doing stuff like this, it took me much more fumbling around in Photoshop than I would have liked to get things to look the way I had them in my head when I started. I spent hours in front of my computer making small adjustments that most of you al would likely I was crazy for bothering with. It’s just part of the creative process though.

Doing the project made me realize how easily more creative type stuff like this comes to me, even when I had to fumble my way through it as I did, compared to what I had to learn to do in college algebra, and now chemistry. Both of which are real good at making me feel like I don’t belong at all.

I also learned that Helium is some fascinating stuff. I had no idea how many things – important things – it is used for when I picked it. Nor did I realize the that there is a shortage of it and that I’m lucky to have been able to even get the Helium to fill the balloons. Apparently, starting tomorrow, the Party City I got the balloons at will not be able to fill them anymore until further notice due to the shortage. Politics is play into the whole thing too, and have since at least 1996. It’s some interesting stuff, and is even used in the chips of the phone, tablet, or computer you’re reading this on. Look up “Helium Shortage” on YouTube if you’re interested in learning more.

So yeah, at the moment, Chemistry seems to be on track to be as frustrating to me as college algebra was. That said, this project may very well be what I’m most proud of doing in the class by the end of the semester.