Sources of inspiration (Design)

Gymnastics has always been a big part of my life. I started taking preschool classes and slowly worked my way up to competitive gymnastics. I've competed at level 9 with 10 being the highest. While still in high school, I began coaching the younger competitive gymnasts as well as preschool classes. After graduating high school, I began teaching more while I was attending the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). Upon CCAC graduation, I transferred to Slippery Rock University (SRU) where I kept my job on the weekends and sometimes covering my co-workers shifts if something came up. Since I have always been involved in this sport, it is all around me, which is why I decided to have my blog centered around it. 

In my day-to-day life, I see pictures and clothing which reminds me of my gymnastics career. I got called into work this week to cover someone's shift and was reminded about my blog. Up to this point, I have chosen pictures that reflect the content of the blog. For every blog, the image is the same size and in the same place for consistency. This makes it easier for readers to go through and read it as everything is formatted the same. I have chosen a light blue background for this blog because blue is a main color for gymnastics. For example, the floor and the majority of the mats are blue. I also included gymnasts in the background for a few reasons. Gymnasts are amazing athletes and are very fun to watch. The pictures incorporate their skills and ability in their sport. Overall, these are a few of my sources of inspiration as far as my design inspiration. 

Image: http://www.wilkeysgymnastics.com/gymnastics.jpg 

USA Gymnastics Championships

Every year, Procter & Gamble along with Covergirl and Gillette host the P&G Gymnastics Championships. In addition, some of the USA Gymnastics staff travel with those involved in this organization to run classes for other gymnastics staff. The goal is to help them become better instructors. They also offer these classes to give others the opportunity to learn different teaching styles and ask any questions in order to help them be better gymnastics instructors and help the gymnasts learn as much as possible.

In the afternoon, the gymnasts participate in a competition. Afterwards, there are a few more classes, and then an evening competition. This is a great learning experience for gymnastics instructors as it can help teach them a new way to teach a skill or help the gymnast learn in a different way. With this information, it can eliminate frustration on both the gymnast's end and the coach's end. Also, this opportunity can be a great way for instructors to meet other instructors who work in different gyms. As they spend all day together for multiple days, they can get to know each other and share ideas, such as drills to help gymnasts or a way to help push through fear on a skill. The gymnasts can attend the gymnastics competitions in the afternoon, which is a fun and learning experience for them. At these competitions, they are able to see many skills done correctly and may help them learn in a different way.

Currently, USA Gymnastics is promoting this event that will take place this year on August 13-16.

Image: https://usagym.org/pages/homeImages/spotlight-2015pgchamps.png