Individual Project - Critical Evaluation

In this post I'm going to evaluate how I think the project went to plan and the positives and negatives of going through with the project I chose.

For this project I sat down and did a lot more planning that I would usually have done as there were many elements to take into consideration in order for the website to function correctly. I mostly wrote lists rather than storyboarding how I was going to set everything up, which I do realise for an outside party can be a little confusing and messy however I have fund that this is the best way for me to plan and organise my projects, I find writing down what I plan to do helps me get in tune with my work.

As this was an individual project I found that the schedule I kept to was a lot more relaxed that if I was part of a team, as I like to work at home and usually late at night. Although this was a good thing as it allowed me to work whenever I felt necessary I felt that working alone gave me no structure and also allowed me to procrastinate at times when I could have been working on my project. Given the pressure from team mates I think that I would have worked consistently rather that in spats of very hard work.However I did manage to complete almost all of the elements that I had planned to include in my project.

There were parts of the project which I would like to improve such as the amount of content on the social media platforms and to include more social networking sites in order to give the user a more rounded experience rather than just the basics.I would also have liked to use a web design package such as Dreamweaver, however due to the fact that I wanted to work mainly from home and I do not own such an expensive programme I had to make do with an online web creator which was inferior, yet still usable and able to make great content, to Dreamweaver.

As I had already covered QR codes and Hobo signs in lectures multiple times before I felt that I had built up a good amount of knowledge on the subjects, but I did feel as though I needed to round out my knowledge as there were things I was ignorant about, which I used the internet to try to fill in the gaps. However I tried to do only the research I really needed as the project production time was only a short two weeks. If I was creating my project again I would research into what the user wants such as a way to allow email notifications when a QR code is placed in their area.

Although my presentation was basic I'm happy with how it represented my work and allowed me to show my thought process throughout the project, I felt confident during the presentation that I was giving the information needed to help any viewers to understand the reasoning behind my decisions.

Phoebe

Individual Project - Presentation

Here's my presentation for my project 'Urban Vagabond' I hope you enjoy.

 


Phoebe

Individual Project - Final Product

Here's my project finally finished!

I created a website that I decided to call "Urban Vagabond"  as I wanted to emphasise the connection to hobo signs whilst still keeping a modern feel. The home page consists of the this weeks 'Top Pick' of user generated content. There is also some information concerning the image and the twitter feed, allowing users to tweet to @vagabondurban right from the home page.

I then went on to create a page in which I explained what the website is about and why the user should partake in the world of QR codes.
I also thought it was paramount to explain to the users how to create and use QR codes. This led me to create a Prezi explaining what they needed to do.

This is the Prezi presentation in question, I originally planned to have a video it's place however I found that I didn't have quite enough time to produce a video as well as all of the other content I had planned on creating.

Here's a link to the working Prezi -
http://prezi.com/4a6ioceuo6iz/how-to-use-qr-codes/

Here is the gallery page of the site, on this page is a rolling slideshow of images that have been uploaded to the website from various social media platforms.

There are also some paragraphs of information on how the users can get their own images on the site.

On this page of this website I wanted to show a small database of QR codes I had created specifically for those that are beginners to QR codes but still want to join in with the community. I created simple codes such as "Eat here" and "Don't eat here" so those that are unfamiliar are not put off by the creation of QR codes.

On the final page of the website I decided to include some helpful links that would aid the users in their travels. I put in a link to a QR code generator, a website that has all of the libraries in the UK as I wanted the users to be able to print when on the go, a website which outlines the original Hobo signs for inspiration or just to learn where my ideas came from and the final link is to a website which logs all of the coolest places in each city that are ready to review.


Here's a link to the working website - http://www.i-m.co/phoeberuddock/UrbanVagabond/

I hope you enjoy!

Phoebe

Individual Project - More Developments

 Here are some photos I took 'on location'. As I'm creating the project for users I felt that I needed to add in some user content in order to give the website a sense of purpose, rather than a shell or idea of a project. Therefore I had to simulate those users somehow. Whilst walking around town I posted some QR codes I had printed out in appropriate places.

I made eight in total and will use them in a section of the website I'm going to call 'Gallery' in which (when up and running) I will choose the images that contain a valid QR code and include them into the gallery.

I'm hoping that this will inspire other users to create their own and also gives real life examples to any confused users.

Phoebe

Individual Project - Development

When planning out my project I decided to create many aspects of social media that I could include on the project. I want the users of the website to be able to interact with each other on their preferred platform rather than simply on a webpage.

This led me to set up a Facebook and Twitter account that I could link with the website, although this aspect will be useful I'm a little apprehensive as to how they will work when it comes to presenting my project. On previous projects I have created various fictional social media which have been blocked due to suspicion of fake accounts.

I have also started to outline the workings of the website and have created a small database of working QR codes that can be used by my users.

Phoebe

Individual Project - Ideas

When we covered hobo signs in second year I found them really intriguing as they were something I'd never heard of before and a huge part of a forgotten culture. Hobos were different to homeless people, they worked when they were given the chance in exchange for food, shelter or money. They were not the beggars that some people think they were. Their ways of communicating throughout their community are not dissimilar to how we communicate ourselves.

Their signs are as though they are leaving advice or reviews of certain establishments or areas, without personal gain, they are intended for their fellow drifters. I have decided I want to create a modern day 'hobo' community using QR codes in the place of the original signs. Within the community users can print out and place around the city and upload their own hobo codes that will give secret messages to passers by and other members of the community.

I'm thinking of making this project a website with social media aspects allowing it to be more of an experience rather that a static one way project.

Phoebe

Individual Project

Today we were assigned our brief for our final project, which is to be individual rather than the choice we were given for our mini-briefs as to whether to work alone or in groups.

Using one of the four technologies that we have explored throughout this module "you will individually conceive, develop, implement and finally present, a novel narrative media project."

Whilst considering which technology to include in my project I decided to work with the area that I found most interesting, which was QR codes. I also appreciate the fact that QR codes are simply a door to a tremendous amount of media, allowing my project to be free to include any media I choose as the QR code just takes the viewer to my content in an easier way.

So with that decided research and ideas must begin!

Phoebe

YouTube Annotations

Here's the video we created for our YouTube annotations mini-brief. We decided to create an adventure in which a person enters a lift and is transported to many different places when the doors open.

I really like the effect we've created and would definitely like to expand on the idea in another project that has fewer time constraints.

Phoebe

QR Code Madness

Today we were given a little recap on QR codes and where they came from. I personally find QR codes fascinating and can't walk past one without scanning it to see what it's all about, which is usually something mundane or a company trying to sell me something, but it doesn't stop me.

We were set another mini-brief which was to create a story which could be told using QR codes. in the same group as the last project we decided to create a tour of the most haunted street in Liverpool, Rodney street (lucky it was just down the road too).

We first researched areas of Liverpool that are considered 'interesting' to the general public and found that the great majority of this was about 'Haunted Liverpool'. As we're getting closer to Halloween we decided it was quite fitting.

Although there are many stories floating around concerning the ghostly goings on of Rodney street we wanted to tell as much of the facts as we could, but also including the really scary parts which could only be fictional.

We then decided to make a Google maps tour that people could access online whilst walking down the street and scanning the codes, this would allow the whole process to be fully mobile and accessible. The user would be led from one end of Rodney street to the other stopping for chilling tales. Although we originally wanted to create a single narrative we found that there were many stories around the street all short in length rather that one large one.

We planned to place print outs of the QR codes onto the corresponding places however we ran out of time as this was just a one day project. if we we're to carry on with the project adding real life elements would be the first thing we would do.

Here's a Prezi we created illustrating our idea and how it would work for our users.



Scan the QR code to see what they are!

Phoebe

Triptych - Final Product

So this little stressful project is complete!
We edited the video using after effects and wanted to create different types of multiple screens rather that the standard three equally spaced, equally sized screens playing simultaneously. we tried to include moving video aspects that would hold the attention of the viewer.

One downside of the final product was the fact that it has no audio. We originally intended to source some audio which we could alternate between screens as this force the viewers attention to a particular aspect of our choice, however time seemed to run away with us and we didn't get a chance to add any.

I really enjoyed creating this piece even if I was the subject and would definitely consider triptychs when planning my main project for this module.


Phoebe

Triptych - Planning

In our first session we were set a mini-brief which was to create our very own triptych. As a group, Sophie, Hayley, Lois and I decided to create a video which would tell the story of a person who has woken up late for university and how they try to get in on time.

We created a simple shot list, but allowed this to be flexible as we wanted to be able to add in any extra shots whilst we we were filming. As the deadline is very short we decided to film right away and of course I had to be the subject. Typical!

After a few hitches during filming (mostly me confusing the snapshot and record buttons) we're finally done!

Now to post production.

Phoebe

Triptych Beginnings.

In our first lecture of this module we looked into 'Triptychs', which are something I'm not too familiar with. Because of my ignorance to this art form I decided to do a little online research. 

Triptychs are works of art divided into three sections with a different image or film on each section. the three sections are usually linked by subject or theme giving the viewer a different perspective on each part of the piece. 

I stumbled upon the artist Adde Adesokan who produced a whole triptych series in which he met total strangers on the street and attempted to get to know them by simply using three photographs of them. I think that the images capture the very essence of the subject and allow the viewer to connect on a personal level to them.

I found this lovely quote on my internet adventures :

“If you have walked into a museum recently - whether you did so to attend an art exhibition or to escape from the police - you may have noticed a type of painting known as a triptych. A triptych has three panels, with something different painted on each of the panels. For instance, my friend Professor Reed made a triptych for me, and he painted fire on one panel, a typewriter on another, and the face of a beautiful, intelligent woman on the third. The triptych is entitled What Happened to Beatrice and I cannot look upon it without weeping.

I am a writer, and not a painter, but if I were to try and paint a triptych entitled The Baudelaire Orphans' Miserable Experiences at Prufrock Prep, I would paint Mr. Remora on one panel, Mrs. Brass on another, and a box of staples on the third, and the results would make me so sad that between the Beatrice triptych and the Baudelaire triptych I would scarcely stop weeping all day” 

― Lemony Snicket, The Austere Academy

Phoebe

Applied Media Research - Presentation

Presentation day!

Today's our big presentation and I'm so nervous, I know I have no reason to be but it always gets to me. Anyway here's our Prezi presentation. Wish me luck for later!

http://prezi.com/ual2vxk468qw/cross-platform-television/

Phoebe

Applied Media Research - Presentation Progress

Using Prezi to create our presentation was a really great idea as we can all edit on separate computers at the same time, meaning we don't have one person working and two others sitting around watching. I think we've got a good amount of research and I'm pretty confident that we know what we're saying. We just need to make some final adjustments and we'll be good to go.

Phoebe

Applied Media Research - Research

So today I did a little research online and came across a company called Nielson, they are media researchers and have produced some really in-depth and interesting reports on media usage that I think may be helpful to me. They are also bang up to date, meaning that any references I make in my work will be current.

Here are a few links to some of their reports:

http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/newswire/uploads/2011/06/Nielsen-cross-platform-report-q1-2011_web.pdf

http://www.slideshare.net/infopik/state-of-media-consumer-usage-report-nielsen-2011

Digital Media Cultures - Essay Feedback

Today I received the feedback for my essay in the module Digital Media Cultures, I got 58/100. The question I chose was 'Developments in digital technology are democratizing the media industry' discuss. I found the question quite interesting but once I got into writing the essay, the points that I was coming up with were a little hollow and repetitive. It was well written but if I'd spent more time researching and referencing then I think I would have gotten a better grade. I'm a little disappointed with my mark however it was only to be expected for a rushed piece of work, I think that there are things that I could work on for my next essay. It is a learning process after all.

Phoebe