A substantial part of the U8 contextual report is comprised from the reflective statements that summarise each of your platform project outcomes. By the end of the unit, you will have three of these.
In the structural outline that I described in an earlier post, I suggested that your reflective statements would comprise the evidence part of your report…
Evidence presented as case studies based on your reflective platform project statements (3 x 600 words = 1800 words) Descriptive mode
Using the Dubberly model, from stage one, of observe, make and reflect, you can elaborate a reflective statement of observation (200 words), iteration (200 words) and reflection (200 words).
I would suggest that you begin by making some local observations about the material and social context of your project. These local observations can then be considered alongside the wider perspective of your thematic thinking. Together, micro and macro will combine to provide insights that align against both local and systemic context. This will help you frame a series of intentions that inform your project and its various stages of iteration (making and experiment). Finally, you can reflect upon the work that you have done in relation to the themes and contexts identified earlier by reference to observation and research.
Here is a more detailed outline plan for the structure of your first reflective statement
Outline Plan for First Platform Project Reflective Statement…
Observe (200 words)
Think of observation as including research by looking, researching, reading and listening.
What did you see? What did you find? What did you read? Who did you listen to?
Trace how your observations provided insights and directed your intentions…
Make (200 words)
What did you do…extract the highlights from your process log and draw attention to development, experimentation, iteration and outcome.
Reflect (200 words)
Consider the journey of this project…how successful was it? What did you learn?
What can you carry forward?
As I observe my research, I had discovered useful information both for my daily life in general and in my way of learning and teaching others within the digital world.
I had begun by researching what is ‘raw food diet’ is and different ways to approach it. Furthermore, I had watched a few documentaries that led me to understand that it is a way of living and learned how this diet affects sick people and medical problems including obesity. Thus, by analysing the information I could use relevant information to promote my project and my self-understanding as a designer to develop my visual language with new ways to communicate digitally.
Moreover, I tried to listen to podcasts about diverse ways of learning. Then, I found ’connectivism’ also I realised that I’m absorbing better information that way. However, YouTube is visual, so I internalize my intentions to connect and teach the tilt of ‘connectivism’ learning theory through various digital paths understanding how to act properly and what relevant information to use. By social media is the one that communicates to the chosen target audience (+12) most effective.
As a result, I will apply the digital platform I chose to use which is ‘Instagram’.
I wanted to raise awareness of obesity among kids and ways to tackle it. What caught my attention was how to influence children with the help of social media that usually affects badly and not necessarily for learning. My experiment mainly relies on the attraction or in this particular case a ”challenge”. My proposition using ‘Instagram’ is to reach as many children as possible and influence them for the better. As well as teaching them in a method that will be easy for them to understand and engage with it so that it would benefit them. my challenge is to learn through healthy development of the subject. The goal is that it will become something familiar for them so that they could make it on their own. Educating them on what and where to buy products and get inspiration through photos and videos to learn how to develop their way and get more from it.
In addition, part of my process was to check how my Instagram page can grow and influence the general public, whether they are interested in the subject. I notice a lot of information out there about raw food that can even help another problem that exists today which is global warming.
Reflecting on what I learned about this project was the ‘raw food diet’ which I didn’t know about before. Besides, I investigate this way of life while learning how to use social media better and how to benefit from digital platforms. I interpret that this is a critical aspect nowadays because Instagram is one of the most influential platforms within social media as a whole, by its recommendations and promotion. Additionally, by exploring this media I had to learn quite a few ways to leverage the potential of my challenge to reach bigger dimensions. Because this platform requires a lot of attention and constant practice. In addition, I understand that interacting with the viewer will get them to engage with the platform, even influenced by it. As follows, by discovering new recipes they could make their own at home upload and share their experience this way the challenge will expand and advantage to more people.
In conclusion, continuing with the project I will try to take part in the challenge myself and share the day to day, which could be a challenge for me but willing to experiment.
Well done, that’s most interesting. Have a look at Gestalt psychology to help you understand how we connect…
For my second project, I was challenged through my research and process by creating a visual identity language including a branding book showcasing the personality of an ‘uncorporate’ brand.
Robin Food which is the uncoperted non-profit organization that I choose, express the problem of food waste and what can we do about it. I found out that more than a third of the world’s food is sent to the trash instead of used to reach a relative balance of exports and consumption. ’Robin Food’ is collecting the fruits and vegetables that are supposed to be thrown into the garbage from all the supermarkets and wholesale markets then the organisers and volunteers cook the vegetables and fruits, to turn them into a culinary experience while preventing food waste and promoting the cause and trying to get as many people as they can to be aware of this problem.
As a result, people can get a taste of how much food is being wasted. Also, they will be the ones to decide what monetary value they will want to pay, which means that even a hungry person who does not have the ability to buy with money can enjoy the food that should have been wasted. All this is due to a high standard although it is perfectly edible.
While conducting research I had realized that the real problem of food waste starts within our norms. It begins when we collate foods in our fridge, which means it is mainly the way we buy, not thinking about our consumption habits as human beings in our daily lives. Also, it is how we eat and what we throw away.
Watching several documentaries on ways to ‘Circular Economy’ one of them was ’Closing the loop’ by CNA Insider which was the one that got me inspired the most. I discovered that if all of us give or do something small there will be enough for all. For example, when I went to the design museum I saw the exhibition of ‘Waste Age’ I saw how design and engineering can change the problem of waste, especially by raising awareness about this issue. In addition, I read an article Paul recommended to me. I understood it was important to focus on promoting the brand I choose as it brings awareness of this issue. Furthermore, ‘Robin food’ intends to cause us to influence the failing industrial food system today. Likewise, to explore ways to cause the awakening of cooperation of people living on this earth and wants to make this world a better place.
Once I have gathered all the information about the ’uncorporate’ organisation I had chosen, I began looking for its competitors and what is out there on the market so I can analyze the essence of the organisation. Then, I would be able to identify what type of personality should I use. Furthermore, I wanted to communicate in a way that is both educational and inviting, while creating a feeling of acceptance to create a sense of belonging, due to its community base which will lead to the society to take part voluntarily.
For this reason, when I created the logo, I experimented with drawing elements of fruits and veggies using different materials such as pencils, pastel, chalk and paint.
Additionally, I included a symbol to integrated the name of the brand ‘Robin food(Hood)’ as it is in the fairytale, in twine with the concept of the brand. In other words, he takes from the rich (supermarkets and monopolies) and gives to the ‘poor’ (society itself). This led me to utilise the arrow as ‘robin hood’ is known for his mastery of archery. To illustrate this, I combined the shapes of recycling and infinite using the arrow and on the other side, I used wheat to communicate the subject of food. As well as the transportation of food.
Moreover, I used a typeface that is associated with a personal tone of voice. Similarly, the chosen typeface should communicate handwriting to inflate freedom and welcoming.
by and large, when I reflect on the final brand book I created, I had learned how to assemble a visual language to give a character to the organization. Not only, but also I discovered how to use different elements from the visual language I created to materialize in the virtual and physical world. Such as the pickup truck I designed that will get the food from one place to another in order to attract attention. I believe that I manage to integrate the target audience I intended naturally with the help of an inclusive use of products for my final branding/marketing.
After researching I learned how important it is to have a visual identity for a brand and to have a tone of voice that speaks to their target audience’s personality with the help of a particular proposition that reflects the atmosphere. For example, the colour green is known to express the vegetation and a sense of calm and acceptance. likewise, choosing the manuscript that reflects the empathy for feeling intimate and a part of a community. Especially, I realized that by promoting the association to reach out to every home and community we would have a bigger impact and influence on governments to reduce standards. By virtue, if we used our consumption correctly and the products we consume, we can create a better world and there will be enough for all. For instance, using the app ’OLIO’ and ‘TO GOOD TO GO’. To summarise, It all starts with ourselves, by us sharing what we don’t need we can make someone else happy. – Or as they say, One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure