Tag Archives: Posiel

Process Post #11

As a communication major student that has a great interest in coming up with ideas to promote various activities or brands, I really enjoyed the marketing campaign activity that our guest speakers asked us to participate in. We were asked to hold up cards with the marketing campaign names on them and flip over them to show the picture of this campaign when a student asks about it. One of the campaigns that I was most amazed about was the blood donation campaign where brands and signs drop the letters A, B, and O to raise awareness towards the lack of blood available and encourage people to donate blood. After this activity, I realize that marketing doesn’t limit to ads, but also all forms of creative ideas that are immersive in our daily lives. Inspired by this activity and the “Pokemon as Transmedia Storytelling” reading, I came up with the idea of incorporating cafe music recommendations along with my dessert and cafe reviews. Apart from using images and texts to show and describe the taste of different cakes and drinks, adding relaxing lofi cafe music to my blog posts can bring a more aesthetic and immersive cafe experience to my readers, thus reinforces my blog concept as a virtual online cafe. As Jenkins suggests, “Transmedia storytelling is the ideal aesthetic form for an era of collective intelligence. ” I should make good use of the various forms of medium available to market my blog.

Reference:
Kevinbrittenylauren.wordpress.com. 2013. “Pokemon as transmedia storytelling. https://kevinbrittenylauren.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/pokemon-as-transmedia-storytelling/

Play when…it’s that time of the month

GIRL, these are rough times.

There you are, just trying to mind your own business, and then your own body has to go and betray you like this? Rude. 

And just like that, it hits you like a semi-truck on the highway. Everything sucks. You’re bloated, breaking out, and incredibly emotionally distraught when it comes to the most minuscule of matters. mmHMM. You know how it is. You wanna laugh and cry and scream until you go numb and nothing can hurt you anymore.

Not to forget about the inherent NEED to eat everything in the world until you either: 

(A) Feel even worse (because that’s possible, apparently),

OR 

(B) Remember that you shouldn’t be putting all of this garbage into your body, so you slow it down until you remember that you can do whatever the heck you want and subsequently reopen that bag of chips.

We don’t judge around here.

So, to celebrate moon day here’s a mix that’ll reciprocate every sad, angry, and apocalyptic feeling that you’ve got boiling up in you right now. May you eat all of the chocolate that your heart desires. 

Sound up & hot-water bottle on.

Prompt 8: Transmedia

Other than the Pokémon reading for this week, the other readings were inaccessible. Therefore, I took it upon myself to research a little on the notion of ‘transmedia’. According to Terry Heick (2019), transmedia is defined as “a narrative that extends beyond multiple media forms that also plays to the strength those forms” (para. 1). Based on this definition and in the context of the process post prompt’s question on implementing “more transmedia integration,” my plan is simply to be active in my online presence when it comes to my blog.

To do so, not only do I post at least once a week for my regular blogposts outside of PUB 101, but I also share posts in respect to the blogposts in my social media account. The channel I am currently using is Instagram. Through Instagram, especially with the algorithm now, people won’t necessarily see all the posts I would share. This may seem like a negative, but as a benefit, it allows me to share as many posts as I want without it being a nuisance to my audience. 

The reason why Instagram remains my medium for transmedia storytelling is because my blog is mainly focused on images. Other than Instagram, photographs are not exactly the focus for other media sites. Pinterest can work, except I can be more active in Instagram than Pinterest since I am already an active member in my personal accounts. 

In addition, the reading: “Pokemon as Transmedia Storytelling,” says that transmedia “does not simply disperse information: it provides a set of roles and goals which readers can assume as they enact aspects of the story through their everyday life” (para. 7). In relation to my choice of Instagram is that part of its worth is the notion of being able to keep track—and sometimes in real-time—of other people’s lives. By immediately sharing new posts in the Instagram account, it tells my audience that I have a new blog post on my website—if they wish to view it. 

Links to References:

  1. https://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/the-definition-of-transmedia/
  2. https://kevinbrittenylauren.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/pokemon-as-transmedia-storytelling/

Featured image photographed by Nick Knight for the Gareth Pugh’s F/W 2017 collection.

Photographer 4: Ethan James Green

Ethan James Green started in the fashion industry as a model, starring in campaigns like Calvin Klein. With the aid of photographer mentor, David Armstrong, Green swapped modeling for photography. 

Self-portrait

Quickly, photography thrusted Green into portraits displaying looks of candor, simplicity, while exploring sexual and gender identity.

Portraits of queer youth, for Wall Street Journal

Green’s distinct photographic vision articulates an aristocratic sensibility that resonates with the work with famed photographer, Diane Arbus (below is an example of Arbus’ image and examples of Green’s street portraits to show you the influence Arbus has on Green’s style).

Photo by Diane Arbus

Photos by Ethan James Green for Love Magazine

Bringing intimacy and authenticity to fashion. Commonly seen using natural light, Green favours the evenness of diffused light, bringing not only drama through the posing of models, but also fully exposing his viewers to the rawness of his black and white portraits through his subjects. 

With his time as a photographer, Green articulated his sense of style through fashion campaigns and look books for the likes of Fendi, Helmut Lang and Alexander McQueen. 

Ethan James Green for Fendi
  • Ethan James Green for Helmut Lang
  • Ethan James Green for Alexander McQueen

Becoming even more prolific, Green is commissioned to photograph for top tier fashion magazines, such as Vogue, W Magazine, Wall Street Journal, Dazed, and countless others.

(Left to right) First & second images: American Vogue // Third & fourth images: Dazed Magazine // Fifth & sixth images: W Magazine // Seventh & eighth images: Wall Street Journal

I think Green’s been so successful in such a short amount of time, is because his imagery is classic. There is such authenticity in his images that really captures a human being’s persona. Similar to documentary styled photography, it resonates with human emotion–like you can see the subject without a facade.

The combination between his simple style, the fashion and the model’s energy, there are narratives his photos that cannot be replicated. Probably explains the reason why Green has become a favourite in photographing celebrities, personalities, and politicians.

(Left to right) First image: Joaquin Phoenix for Vanity Fair // Second image: Megan Thee Stallion for i-D Magazine // Third image: Cynthia Erivo for American Vogue // Fourth image: Mayor Pete Buttigieg for American Vogue // Fifth image: Ashton Sanders for Another Man Magazine // Sixth image: RuPaul for Interview Magazine

The saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” is the best explanation I have regarding Green’s photographs. Even with posed images, they hold greats amount of emotion–truly capturing a narrative in each photograph he takes.

Here are some behind the scenes video clips of some of his photoshoots:

To view more of his work, check out his Instagram: @ethanjamesgreen.

Week 8: Process Prompt

After seeing a lot of YouTubers or Instagrammers getting their content removed due to copyright infringement, I got really scared because I don’t have a lot of knowledge referring to copyright laws. What is correct to take from others and what is not?

I have been using other people’s content to maximize mine, but I am always careful about citing or referring to the page that I got the information from. I still try to create most of my content or inspire my content from others without copying their work.

I use others’ work to illustrate some of my posts or I use them as evidence.

Week 4: Process Prompt

I want to think that my audience is people with interest in makeup or are getting interested in makeup, and do not have any experience. Although I have really interesting data from my audience.

I have people from the other side of the globe reading my content and I have a male audience.

That has to lead me to create a website that is easier to read and highly visual. Adding YouTube tutorials and aiding from other websites

Process Post #9 | Transmedia Integration

Transmedia integration refers to when multiple channels of media are used to tell different elements and information of a story, which are all coordinated for an entertaining and complex experience (Kevinbrittenylauren, 2013). Various forms of media can be integrated into my blog posts to enhance the overall reading experience for my audience. As my blog continues to grow, I will start integrating social media platforms, and other websites into my blog.

Of all social media platforms, like Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and Snapchat, I think integrating content from Instagram and Youtube would make the most sense for my blog. Personally, I think using photos and videos in a post will make the content more engaging and interesting for readers. Since I write a lot about businesses around the city, and what theses business have to offer, it would be beneficial for readers to visually see what I am talking about. Embedding photos and videos directly from company’s official social media pages will allow readers to quickly access the company’s information to gain a better understanding of the business. Inserting links to other websites offers readers a direct passage to another channel of media where they can access more elements of my blog post. Although integrating businesses social media pages are useful, I also plan to create my own social media pages for the website. Having an Instagram and YouTube for the website will provide the opportunity to reach more audience. I can also tailor the content of each channel to be unique in its own aspects while still relating to the overall purpose of the website. For example, on Instagram I can posts photos of businesses I recommend, and on YouTube, I can create entertaining videos of my experiences with the businesses. The content is all independent on their own, but contributing to a wider story. YouTube and Instagram are also my social media of choice because these are the website I personally use most and am comfortable with. I feel that it would be harder for me to create a community on Facebook and Twitter because the engagement on these sites are beginning to decline.

In addition to incorporating social media posts, another channel I plan on adding to my website are direct link to product pages for my recommendations where readers can easily view and purchase the products and/or services and I am discussing. One factor I must be consider with integrating shopping links into my website, is that I want my blogs and writings to remain and appear authentic to readers, and that my posts are not sponsored nor ads paid by the companies. If I incorporate links, I will also work to be transparent when/if links are affiliate links.

References

Kevinbrittenylauren.wordpress.com. (2013). “Pokemon as transmedia storytelling. Retrieved from: https://kevinbrittenylauren.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/pokemon-as-transmedia-storytelling/

Transmedia Integration Plan

Process Post

I plan on incorporating more transmedia into my publication by using YouTube. Since my website is a professional portfolio incorporating other channels into my website is not necessarily integral or useful. My work is mainly text and image based, therefore my website is the best place to display it. However, I have some work that could be viewed on Youtube. In addition, I think a lot of my fashion blogging would benefit from linking to YouTube videos that support what I am writing on (interviews, runway shows, fashion vlogs, etc.) Other than this, I do not feel that incorporating more transmedia would benefit my website.

Week 11 Process Post

Up to now, my online social media presence is focused on my favorite platform -Instagram, I use it for promoting my website and attracting more audiences, and I believed that the visual media platform like Instagram is effectively to build the connection between bloggers and readers. The reading “POKEMON AS TRANSMEDIA STORYTELLING” from this week really sparked me a lot, the author mentioned that transmedia storytelling is the ideal aesthetic form for an era of collective intelligence. As social media have become more prevalent and easy to use, fans and audiences can drill deeper into the ever-expanding world of their followed blogger, transmedia makes a unique contribution to the narrative system as a whole, which helps readers to piece together a comparatively fuller picture of the blogger’s life. Thus I am considering incorporating more transmedia integration into my online publication, maybe a mixture of other social media platforms or channels such as youtube if I will create my Vlog in the future.

The main reason why I choose to incorporate Instagram specifically into my website and online presence is that Instagram is my most familiar social media and I have been using it for a long time. I like to post my traveling photos and share them habitually on Instagram, it is a good way to record my traveling footstep, which not only helps me to enrich my self-online publishing but also promotes my website effectively. In my view, Instagram is a great online channel to market to my audience, according to my google analytics I knew that many readers of my blog come from my Instagram.

Moreover, I put my Instagram page on the widget of my website, this widget is displayed my Instagram feed on the homepage of my blog, which shows many beautiful traveling photos directly for my audiences, if they are interested in any picture, they can click the “Follow” button and easily check the story of the photo or follow my account to know me well.

Overall speaking, be a transmedia creator is an interesting experience for any blogger, but is not easy to balance each channel. Personally, I will keep up with my Instagram account and continue my traveling photography posting for my blog, and make progress on content creating or blog promotion for my audiences, maybe in the future, I will happy to buildup Youtube channel and create my own traveling Vlog.

References:

Kevinbrittenylauren.wordpress.com. 2013. “Pokemon as transmedia storytelling: https://kevinbrittenylauren.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/pokemon-as-transmedia-storytelling/

Sunset in London

Thoughts on transmedia integration.

Process Post.

Umhmm…transmedia integration, interesting!

Transmedia integration is definitely an important step for website creators to further expand and promote their websites. So, this week I’m going to think about how could I plan to incorporate more transmedia integration into my online publication.

Since my website is about food-hunting and sharing, I will surely plan to focus on channels that enable a wide spread of pictures/videos, and those that allow users to interact easily. The initial ones that pop up in my mind are Instagram and Pinterest, these two are those I consume most aesthetically appealing pictures and posts. I also watch a lot of foodie vlogs from YouTube, so YouTube would be a great choice too!

To talk about the implementation of transmedia integration more pragmatically, take Instagram as an example, I would like to have the images of my blog posts immediately inserted from IG accounts; which means when readers click into the image of my post, they will be immediately directed to my IG account or the restaurant’s IG account. Of course, they could check the location by IG’s map function too. (though I’m not sure if this would somehow violate copyrights if the pictures are from the food places, so I reckon it would be better to communicate with the shops at first hand).

Also, I would like to develop a YouTube channel for my website with videos (aka vlogs) about food tours to the places I’ve introduced in my blogs, but these would take quite a lot of time and energy! But the good thing is, it’ll surely be fun. It’s very difficult for a video channel to attract the first group of viewers so I guess the best strategy for me if I do this is to spread my videos through my family members and friends during the early stage and pray for some good results!

Create a GIF.

  • An attempt to create a gif that summarizes my university life… I mean even food fails to motivate me when it’s near the end of the semester hahaha.
  • The video for this gif is taken in a Cat Cafe in Vancouver, which is named “Cataro Cafe”.
  • The cafe serves different kinds of tea, coffees, etc. (including boba tea) and some mini cakes as well.

Week 11: Process Post

This week was dedicated to discussing transmedia integration and how we can incorporate it into the online presence.

I have already created an Instagram account for my website that I have been updating every so often. Below is a screenshot of the way I have set up my site. I have not yet worked at gaining more followers for my account as I wanted to wait until I had more content on my website in order to promote it further.

Instagram is the only other channel that I have been focusing on specifically for my website 1) because I am most comfortable using Instagram for promotion and personal reasons, and 2) because I feel like it is the most relevant channel to market to my audience. Being a personal kind of blogger, I have often seen other personal bloggers running an Instagram account alongside their blog content. I believe it has something to do with the visual part of IG that draws in followers. Below are some examples of IG posts that I have made. I try to shuffle between posts that update readers about my blog content & try to direct them back to my blog or engagement posts that try to encourage user comments & interactions.

Example of a content post
Example of an engagement post

On top of the Instagram that I have created for my website, I have attached my personal social media accounts onto my website (FB, Twitter, and LinkedIn). These are accounts that I use in my personal life and not necessarily just for my blog content. These social media accounts are presented to my blog readers as social media icons at the top bar of my website above my site logo.

A more recent addition to my blog is a widget that I found called, Instagram Widget by WPZOOM. This widget allows me to display my Instagram feed on the homepage of my blog, along with a “Follow” button that users can easily click to follow my account.

Overall, I think that I will keep up with the Instagram account for my blog, but I don’t think there are any other channels that I will be exploring right now. A Pinterest account may be a possible addition in the future, but I am not sure how many university students are still using Pinterest.

Some thoughts on analytics…

I’ve never realized that Analytics (Google, Facebook, Twitter etc.) is such a reliable and valuable tool for building an audience. Before setting up this website, my idea for Analytics was that “it’s only useful for really large corporations or professional scholars”, something like that. But now, I know that even we are just tiny, tiny content creators, analytics could help us to know how our readers behave on our websites and can greatly with the development and transformation of the best content. Everything is simply tracked, in detail. For instance, I could see exactly which city my readers are located when they visit my website and I could know what time (e.g. whether daytime/nighttime) they are clicking in. Therefore, I could adjust my posting time and adopt the most appropriate engagement strategies. Of course, every coin has two sides, for my readers, it could be kind of worrying if they know that every single step of them are recorded clearly. But, I guess this is absolutely unavoidable in the Internet era and it would be better for us to capitalize on it. (especially for me, as the website manager and creator!)

Process Post #3

I took my general idea for the website from other creepy-pasta esque websites such as Lorepodcast.com. Lore primarily features an excellent podcast. If you’re interested in the topic of cryptids, I highly recommend it.

In Genereal:
– I understand my meatier posts can be quite wordy, and that is likely a problem which stems from my own bias.
– I think the darker theme looks nice. It sets the mood and is an easy way to visually indicate what kind of website it is
– As you may have noticed, I try to keep myself relatively anonymous
– In regards to the first Peer Review of my website, I certainly am trying to implement some of the suggestions. The main concern being content, but also a few edits