I missed today’s session as I was not feeling well and had a migraine but I spent the day catching up on some work and creating more content. I began by starting to edit and put together my short film and I am so thrilled with the outcome! It is exactly how I imagined; however, I still have a lot of clips I need to film. I then finished off my collages for my styling shoot and finalised some more pages for them to fit the diary theme by digitally adding stickers, tape and paper. I then spent the rest of the day writing my article on the power of influencers. I wanted to write an article on my influences throughout the years and the power social media influencers hold in our society today as it has always been something I’m interested in and something quite personal. Growing up and even today I still have a diary where I collage and write my dreams and aspirations and my idols have always been a part of that so I felt it was necessary to include it. I then edited the layout and am obsessed with the outcome. I’ve seen this type of graphic design on Pinterest a lot where they use bright colours and wanted to try it out and I’m glad I did. Even though I couldn’t make it to class today I’m happy with the work I was able to get done. Isha did catch me up on the animation and editing that they learnt in class and I feel confident that I understood what the class learnt.
In today’s session, we were given time to independently work on our zines, catch up on our work and have a one on one with Carlyn. The past few weeks I hadn’t been loving my zine and wasn’t feeling inspired but after my talk with Carlyn, I finally had some inspiration and great ideas to help improve my zine. She advised me to push the whole diary theme more, and make it look as though it was my actual diary filled with personal pages and collages. She helped give me the push I needed because after our talk I spent the rest of the session creating collages and making the pages look over the top. When I got home, I continued working on these pages and creating some physical collages with my images to make the pages look like an actual diary and I am so happy with the outcome. I created the pages using a variety of methods such as using lipstick and nail polish to make a font, cutting up images and text, using tape and sticker and finished them off with digital collaging. The pages do resemble a diary and help tell a story and I’m finally loving the direction my zine is going. My plan for tomorrow is to write an article, take some pictures for my existential crisis shoot and continue collaging.
n today’s session, we began exploring short film in preparation for the film we have to make for the release of our zine. I paired up with Harry and Bel and we decided to focus on shoes as it was a simple theme and could be filmed easily. We started by choosing a song so that we could almost storyboard and plan out all the shots we needed for it to match up with the music. We started by filming clips of me walking by Shepherd’s bush station to capture the chaos and business of the surroundings. We then took a few more clips walking up Lime Grove. Whilst filming the last of our clips we realised we hated the song we chose and I suggested the song “rebel girl” as it went with the clips well and was upbeat. Editing the video was quite stressful as we had to do it in such a short amount of time and I think it would’ve turned out a lot better if we had more time, however, I’m still happy with the results. Today’s session inspired me to start planning out my short film. I’ve decided to use the song “deceptacon” as it’s upbeat, has a good pace and ties in well with the aesthetic of “dear diary”. I want the film to essentially be a coming-of-age film of a girl living in London, so I want the clips on the tube, out with friends and of the surroundings. I’m starting to feel inspired at the moment and look forward to beginning my film!
Today was our first adobe session of the term and we focused on creating a digital flappable zine and had an intro to video editing on premiere pro. I’m relieved that we are having a digital submission this term because having to print last term was stressful as well as expensive. Creating the flappable zine was easier than I thought and was so nice to see some of my zine pages come to life, because with the physical hand in it was hard to see the pages like a magazine but with this, it gives you the full effect.
We then began learning about film looking at different examples of what makes a good film. Sing gave us some really good pointers on how to make a successful and cohesive film such as focusing on timing, themes and transitions. I love that we get to create a short film this term because I’ve always had a great love for film, in fact, whilst applying to university my two choices were fashion and film. Growing up I used to create short films all the time with friends and by myself like on trips so I already have a few video editing skills. I was excited to begin using editing software like premiere as I have only ever used iMovie, so being taught how to use professional editing software is something I’ve always wanted. After today’s session, I already have a few ideas for my short film such as an opening scene where I’m writing in a diary and using clips from my everyday life such as on the tube and hanging out with my friends to capture the coming-of-age feel.
I enjoyed today’s session and look forward to creating my short film. I’m going to spend the rest of the day creating pages for my zine such as a glossier advert and playlist page.
After yesterday’s class, our SDS was to think of potential PR events for our zine and some tag lines, and today we shared our ideas with our peers and got some feedback. I shared my ideas with Isha and Harry, and they gave me some helpful and interesting feedback and advised me to kind of incorporate all my ideas into one big event. My ideas are to have a giant diary replica on the wall where guests can wite down anonymous thoughts and secrets and give out diaries with the zine logo on it. I also want to have the editorials projected onto the walls of the barbican with headphones and QR codes at the bottom allowing guests to listen to songs and help make the editorials fully come to life. And my final idea is to have a clueless Photo Booth recreating Cher’s closet computer and one of my editorials in the zine.
Then for the rest of the session we had to create six squares that would be posted onto our zines social media in order to promote our zine. I loved creating these and the social media element of PR is something that really interests me as I have always been fascinated in the power of social media and how important it has become in the relevance of company’s and brands. So, for my squares I just used images I have taken so far, hashtags and my tag lines “it’s called growing up” and “my thoughts, my fears, my dreams.” Today’s session was very chilled but I am loving our introduction into the PR world thus far.
Today we started learning about PR and communication by looking at different examples of PR and then we had to come up with our ideas and events. We looked at a range of different examples of PR stunts such as collaborations, posters and inventions and it made me super excited about not only today’s task but my future studying PR and communication.
As a group, we then had to look at previous students’ zines and my group got “skolor”, a colourful and edgy skaters’ zine. From there, we came up with numerous PR events we could have at barbican with this zine such as putting up a skate ramp and allowing guests to customize their boards. Similarly, because the zine consists heavily of spray paint guests could also customise their t-shirts with spray paint as they hang on the walls of the barbican as well as sneakers from skate brands like Vans and Nike. We also spoke about creating a promotional video that would be shot at the barbican to post on the zine’s TikTok and Instagram page to promote not only the open event but also the release of the zine. I enjoyed this task as it made me think creatively and give me a taste of the kinds of things I will be doing in the future. I also enjoyed having to create a PR event for someone else’s zine as it allowed me to step out of my aesthetic.
Today we took a trip to the barbican to capture some images and videos for our zine as well as look at possible PR ideas for the release of our zine. Me, Bel and Isha began the day by exploring around the barbican looking for interesting locations for our pictures, videos and event. What I loved about this trip was being able to explore a new and interesting part of London. I did however struggle a bit with these tasks as the barbican has a complete opposite aesthetic as my zine so having to come up with images and videos that would fit my zine was quite hard. I like some of the images I came up with however I don’t love them enough to put in my zine. When I imagined a PR event for my zine, I pictured it in somewhere like Shoreditch, but I realise that’s the whole point of the task, especially as a PR student I have to be able to come up with interesting concepts and ideas given any location or circumstance. I spoke to Carlyn whilst we were at the barbican about my struggles and she reminded me that PR events are so much more than events where people stand around and socialise. I then began brainstorming ideas such as projecting my editorials onto the big concrete walls or using the resident’s rooms as it ties into the personal feel of my zine. What I enjoyed about this trip is not the content I was able to get out of it but how it challenged me to think critically, creatively and outside of my comfort zone.
Today was our first class back and it was a little strange to be back in the classroom setting after the long holiday but I was so excited to be back. We spent the session creating concept boards for our zine and getting feedback on our concepts from our peers. I wanted to encapsulate the whole zine visually and I’m really happy with the board that I came up with in the short time we were given. It features some editorial images I took during the holiday as well as phrases such as “independence” “lost” and “self-discovery” as these are the main points I want to focus on. It also features other elements such as music, makeup and some inspiration images for editorials. After creating my concept board, I sat down with Hannah and we shared our different ideas. She liked the concept of my zine and gave me some helpful tips to improve some of the editorial images I have taken. She also helped me brainstorm how I could bring a PR element into my zine and we thought of possibly collaborating with urban outfitters or glossier as their brands tie in well with my zine. I quite like the idea of collaborating with glossier or urban and selling exclusively in their stores or getting a free product when purchasing the zine. I enjoyed today’s session and look forward to the visit to the barbican.
During the Easter break, I spent the four weeks slowly planning my zine looking for inspiration on Pinterest and thinking about what I wanted to make and what type of zine I would like to read. I began by creating a mind map exploring what “self” means to me. I landed on the idea of “self-discovery” of myself during this period of life where I am in the awkward period between my teenage years and adulthood. The idea of titling the zine “dear diary” came to mind as I want it to be a personal, yet relatable zine to everyone in this period. I then began creating my audience board by printing out images I have taken over the past few months, cutting them out and then scanning them back into photoshop and I am really happy with the outcome.
For my styling shoot, I got the idea whilst watching Clueless, which is my favourite movie, to recreate her iconic closet computer and link it to the theme of self-discovery. I wanted to explore trying out different clothing styles and aesthetics to find out which fits me best as most people who leave for university and get a taste of freedom do become experimental with their styles. I wanted to include four opposing styles such as grungy, streetwear, preppy and cottage core and I am so happy with the outcomes of the different shoots. For my other shoot, I wanted to focus on getting a bit lost on the journey using phrases and transport imagery throughout. I am happy with how I edited some of the images, however, I would like to retake some of the images during the term as I am not happy with them and worry that none of them tells a narrative or flows easily.
I am excited to begin this term and see where my zine goes. I am confident in my skills and in the theme that I have chosen to focus on and look forward to seeing the results.
Zine Proposal:
My Zine will be focusing on the theme of a coming-of-age teen. It links to the theme of “self” as the whole focus is on self-discovery and trying to find out who you really are. This issue will take you on a fashion journey of a girl trying to find her own unique style, interests, loves and identity in London and will be titled “Dear Diary” as it is a personal piece of work reflecting her true emotions. I want this zine to be relatable amongst most teens and show them that everyone our age feels a bit lost and defeated and that we don’t need to feel pressured by society’s standards. I also want this Zine to be a fun medium for teens to get fashion inspiration from, read about trends, sustainability and helpful tips like ‘how to dress on a budget in London’. I really liked how I incorporated music into my last project and want to carry that through to this project so that my zine will focus on fashion and music as these two things play a big role in not only mine but most of my generation’s lives. In order to successfully create the outcome, I have in mind I want to ask around and interview friends and peers and how they feel in this period of their life to capture shared and relatable experiences. I also want to create as much content as possible such as using photography and collaging to reflect the emotions of this period but also capture what it’s like living, working and studying in London. Time management wise, I see we only have 2-3 classes a week so I really want to use the days we are given off the best I can by editing, writing and creating content rather than leaving it all to the last minute. My BA first choice is PR & Communication so I definitely want to bring a PR element into my zine by either collaborating with a brand that connects with the coming-of-age theme, a celebrity/ influencer or further developing my Spotify collaboration from the last term. From last term’s feedback, I think I need to create and think of more creative PR strategies in order to help with my BA, think outside the box and sharpen my skills.
