No title available
❣ Chile in a Photography ❣
🪼
⁂
No title available
occasionally subtle
No title available
hello vonnie
art blog(derogatory)
AnasAbdin
Cosimo Galluzzi
Lint Roller? I Barely Know Her
Show & Tell
Jules of Nature
Stranger Things
ellievsbear
almost home
ojovivo
todays bird
JVL
seen from Germany
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Malaysia
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Philippines
seen from Türkiye
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Germany
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Germany
seen from Hong Kong SAR China
seen from Germany
seen from Türkiye
seen from Japan
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from Germany
@benjaminirwin
April 2015
[vc_row content_type=”standard” padding_top=”40″ padding_bottom=”40″ font_type=”dark” full_screen=”” background_type=”image” background_image=”40″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”default” parallax=”” video_bg_img=”0″ overlay_color=”#000000″ overlay_image=”0″ overlay_opacity=”40″][vc_column…
View On WordPress
Part VII: "Mahmud"
Part VII: “Mahmud”
[vc_row content_type=”standard” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ font_type=”dark” full_screen=”1″ background_type=”image” background_image=”40″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”default” parallax=”” video_bg_img=”0″ overlay_color=”#000000″ overlay_image=”0″ overlay_opacity=”40″][vc_column…
View On WordPress
benjamin irwin/media design Trailer: my final About Me video post.
Reflecting on my Mastery Journey
The past year has been a transformational one. I think that I’ve clearly identified my strengths as a designer and developed my eye for design tremendously. In addition to becoming a better designer, I think I’ve also become a better writer. In communicating my thoughts and opinions via discussion board and in live sessions, I’ve become better adept at giving and receiving feedback.
A big takeaway was in the production of internal marketing and design documents such as style guides. In the past, I hadn’t placed as much value in these. Now, I see them as a way of preserving my work. A style guide can teach a team of graphic designers, or even future graphic designers, how to best represent your vision for a brand. In a world of multiple types of devices as well as print, it is also valuable in ensuring consistency across all platforms.
Another takeaway is in the pitching of design solutions. The first portion of the program taught me the value of research. These practices of always being able to explain the “why” behind a decision is something I began implementing immediately. Using research as the backbone, the mood board is also a worthy addition to my tool kit. Through the MDMFA program, I created several mood boards which now serve as templates for future projects. This way, I can quickly and easily demo my ideas to a client.
Between all the projects that now serve as portfolio pieces and my written work, I feel better about the job hunt. My third takeaway is that the job hunt is not an easy process. Prior to starting the MDMFA program I had tried but grown frustrated at not finding a design job. Now that I’m hunting again, I’m more hopeful now than I ever have been. I’ve also gained my confidence back, largely due to the feedback from instructors and peers.
I’m exited about my accomplishments over the last year. Even though it is the end of our program, it is the beginning of what I hope will be a successful, fun, and challenging career in the world of media design.
Reflecting on MDM640
Concerning feedback from my peers and thesis advisors, there was some valuable insight given into very specific details of my thesis project. It has been a great complement to hear that an element only needs to be moved slightly on a page. This tells me I’ve done a good job as a designer and that there are no glaring issues with my work. As for what I’ve implemented, I took my instructor’s advice for adding a speech bubble as an animation in the television spot. A peer made the suggestion for page flips, so I found a way to incorporate them. The feedback has been a great mechanism for learning how others see my work.
There was some feedback that could not be implemented because of technological barriers. For instance, in the IB4E app demo, I would like the home screen to be more colorful. Due to the way the app is built (In Como app maker) this desired effect could not be achieved. The feedback is that this screen is a bit hard to read, so I rearranged the app icons instead. Other feedback received but not implemented concerned small details of each piece. Once I received the feedback, I noted all suggestions for improvement in order of importance. There are still some imperfections in my work, but there is a chance they will be ironed out during the presentation phase.
An especially impactful discussion was in regards to storytelling. This was a great opportunity to become better at selling my work. By giving the client something emotional, they are able to feel the same feelings we feel as the designers of the project. Of course, I’m not suggesting one should manipulate the client. Rather, use the emotion involved in a great story to build their excitement.
When thinking about the feedback I’ve received this month, I feel as though I’m on the right track with my work. As I said above, most of the feedback has been in regards to tiny details. In addition to revisiting my skills as a storyteller, I think my greatest achievement has been in producing all the assets I set out to two months ago. In doing so, I worked quickly to develop ideas around the New World Manual of Style brand and adjust according to what would benefit the campaign most. For instance, the educational materials were originally a publication to be distributed to students. However, the app and the publication itself achieved this, so this asset evolved to fit a need not realized in the initial planning. I’m most proud of how all these assets work together to express the brand.
I feel the work I’ve presented these past two months has been both abundant and of a high quality. I’m excited to enter the presentation phase of the thesis project. I’m inspired by the fact that I can now tell the story of all I’ve created. I’m also excited to see what my peers come up with.
Interface Packet
As assets continued to be developed this month, the mobile app and website took shape around them.
The completed website is accessible at: http://benjaminirwin.wix.com/ib4e
Open this link on your mobile device for a demo of the app: http://ib4e.mobapp.at
Here are two samples from the guerrilla marketing campaign. First, a public bathroom which is marked with New World Manual of Style branding. Second, the less favorite ATM slide. The objective of this campaign is to get Mr. Wordsworth to show up in unexpected places.
As part of the educational materials, this poster was designed for use in a classroom setting to highlight common grammar errors.
For continuity between television and the radio spot, the same lighthearted fun at the expense of our friends who are grammar inept. I stepped in to my studio to record the narration, and hired three people on Fiverr to provide the testimonial footage.
For the radio spot, I enlisted some coworkers for help in recording the voiceover testimonials. Going hand-in-hand with the television spot, we gently poke fun at those who misuse grammar.
Another asset that was completed during the month of October were the promotional fashions. Featuring trendy, hip models and humorous graphics, this apparel shines in its ability to attract college age buyers.
One asset completed this month was the billboard and bus stop poster campaign. This series of ads features Mr. Wordsworth dressing up as different characters to promote the brand.
Reflecting On MDM650, Multi-Platform Delivery
The feedback I've received this month has been instrumental in getting the thesis project moving in the right direction. In the project's early stages, it was clear that I needed to do a better job of illustrating the fun/cheeky part of the brand personality. As the static moodboard was modified, fun was gradually added.
Moodboard version 1
Moodboard version 2.
Moodboard Version 3.
Knowing that I would use the logo as a way of differentiating the New World Manual of Style and IB4E from the competition, I focused on coming up with a logo that is lighthearted. Once I found my inspiration, I got to work designing "Mr. Wordsworth," the brand's mascot.
I took the "make it fun" feedback to the next level with the Adult Spelling Bee rack card and online campaign.
Spelling Bee rack card.
Google AdSense wide skyscraper - used on blogs.
Google AdSense wide rectangle - used on news websites.
Google AdSense banner.
There is no feedback that I have not considered. Especially in the early stages, I knew that visual improvements were necessary. My technique was to take the feedback received to heart and dive further into my research. Research, coupled with feedback, and the 'ah-ha' moment turned out to be the formula needed. Going forward, the feedback received which told me the online ad campaign is a bit wordy, will be taken under advisement. I agree with this critique and I would like to find a way to solve for it.
The brand's letterpress stationery packet was met with overwhelming praise. I like these because they make great use of the vibrant brand colors and embrace a high quality print technique.
In the early stages of the project, I new that some of the assets weren't what they needed to be. The ideas weren't worthy of development. This was reflected in the feedback I received. This taught me that I should trust my instincts in recognizing quality. Once the project was improved and I felt better about it, this was reflected in the feedback I received later. As this relates to my long term mastery goal, I gained some confidence in the validity of my opinions. At the end of the month, I felt rewarded after turning the project around. This feeling is something I would like to achieve many times over my career. It gave me greater respect for the problem solving component of graphic design. As I evolve as a designer, problem solving will be an area that I focus on. As I've seen first hand this month, great problem solving can lead to more creative assets.
Reflections on MDM620 - Design Integration
After completing the style guide for Buffalo Gals, during the first two weeks in Design Integration we developed a transmedia campaign for the company. Following this, we began the research component for our thesis project. Throughout all these projects, I found several takeaways.
It was interesting to note the influence my work from the previous two months influenced the transmedia campaign. It was fun to come up with our own unique assets and make them fit with our existing brand. It was a great way to practice for the additional assets required in our thesis project. The radio and television spots were a fun part of the project as well. This afforded me the opportunity to brush up on my audio mixing and video editing abilities. The feedback I received in these two weeks had more influence that in any other project. Thanks to my classmate’s responses, this series of ads turned out to be very effective.
Upon completion of these projects, so began the thesis project. During the research phase, I sensed that we were getting back to the research basics we learned in months one through four. In doing so, I looked back on my projects and let their content guide the way I presented my research.
It was in the video presentation in which this back-to-basics approach seems to have paid off. While I was thinking of the project in broad terms, I found it interesting to think about all the specific elements at once. When talking about and justifying the roadmap going forward, I couldn’t help but take note of the progress I’ve made in my mastery journey. The quality and thoroughness of the work has grown significantly since the first few months of the Media Design Master of Fine Arts program. I noticed myself thinking of design techniques I will eventually employ. Every little detail was thought about with this big picture mindset.
Going forward, I’m excited to see how the plans I’ve laid out for my thesis project evolve. I don’t think that I’ve thought of all the ideas for the project yet, but I’m confident that I am moving in the right direction. As I work on the assets and new ideas come to me, I think the two challenges will be to implement them in a logical way and do it in a timely way.
Competitive Analysis of IB4E
The following is the competitive analysis of the New World Manual of Style and the IB4E campaign in relation to three other style manuals.
New World Manual of Style
Brand Ideals
1. Flexibility - With the changes in culture and technology will come changes to the English language. The brand is flexible because it will adapt to the the trends by which we communicate and material is updated as such.
2. Commitment - There are many “grammar nerds” out there. One of the goals of the IB4E campaign will be to embrace those people, as well as court the respect and interest of the general public. It is through this campaign and the engagement of audience members we will create brand champions.
3. Value - By placing the focus on education of the public, and being a proponent of the establishment of grammar rules, value is created in the eyes of the consumer. The New World Manual of Style will be seen as a product created by people who love and support the English language.
Competitive Analysis
The New World Manual of Style is intended to shine a light on the proper use of the English language in a digital world. One of the things that the IB4E campaign will focus on is the New World Manual of Style’s approachability for the modern consumer. In an age where the sub-par grammar, new “words,” and keyboard shortcuts used online permeate into the English language and culture, this publication will focus on bringing order to it all. Another competitive factor is that the New World Manual of Style will embrace the computers and mobile devices we all know and use.
Modern Language Association Style Manual
Brand Ideals
1. Differentiation - By placing their focus on academics, the MLA Style Manual is able to differentiate itself by focusing on a certain type of publication.
2. Meaning - MLA places its meaning in research and scholarly publications. When aware consumers think of MLA, they think of universities.
3. Authenticity - Recently, MLA revised their criteria for proper citation of research, a decision made with brand authenticity in mind. This decision was based on the benefits its academic user base would receive.
Competitive Analysis
The third edition of the MLA style guide was published in 2008. It is competitive due to its use in the university setting. At the same time, this makes it fall into somewhat of a niche. Scholarly publications are where the Modern Language Association Style Manual shines. It offers guidance when it comes to documenting sources, the legal issues of publishing, and even advice on the scholarly review process (Modern Language Association, 2010).
Chicago Manual of Style
Brand Ideals
1. Sustainability - The Chicago Manual of Style has evolved and taken on new distribution methods. It is in this way that the brand remains sustainable.
2. Flexibility - By continued research and listening to users, the brand is flexible. It is also flexible in its adaptation of new technologies mentioned above, and in its consistency of updates.
3. Commitment - The Chicago Manual of Style displays its commitment through hosting a section on their website where users can get their questions answered by the publishers of the style manual.
Competitive Analysis
The Chicago Manual of Style is currently in it’s 16th edition, and remains competitive for several reasons. In addition to grammar rules, it focuses on properly structuring quotations, numerical values and equations, foreign languages, and punctuation. Its strength lies in how it conveys the mechanics of the English language. Another strength, is that it is made available online in addition to the printed format. In this format it is searchable and interactive. On the Chicago Manual of Style website, there is a question and answer page in which some of the most common questions are answered by the book’s publishers (University of Chicago, 2010). This competitor’s greatest strength is in the way its evolution is brought about by the publishers, and in its interactive nature.
Strunk’s Elements of Style
Brand Ideals
1. Sustainability - The classic style guide. Strunk’s Elements of Style focuses on the English language in the classic sense, thus it has endured the test of time.
2. Coherence - Because of its age and upstanding reputation, users know what to expect from this brand. There are many writers and language professors who have remained loyal because they know what to expect from it.
3. Authenticity - Strunk’s has the distinct mission of educating readers as to the traditional use of the English language. The brand remains authentic because it values consistency of the English language.
Competitive Analysis
Strunk’s Elements of Style, originally published in 1918, is considered a standard for students and writers. It focuses on conveying the classic rules for proper grammar and English composition. A unique point about this publication is that there is a section which allows the reader to learn the rules in order to effectively break them, if necessary. One of the book’s core philosophies lies in rule 12: “make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal language” (Bartleby, 1999). Strunk’s Elements of Style focuses on the English language in the traditional sense. It is a tough competitor given its age, and how well respected it is.
Here is the 20 second television spot produced for Buffalo Gals. It supports the Michigan Pasty product by telling the story of its roots in a mine town to today.
These are the visuals I produced for the guerrilla marketing portion of the Buffalo Gals transmedia campaign. Included are a sample Instagram post from the #IFoundTheBuffalo event in New York City and a map of the event layout.