So Awesome

Collected works of the JMC460 Advanced Online Media class for Spring 2018 / Cronkite School, ASU, with @ljthornton

[fridaysoawesme]

Vox Media

For my multimedia example, I chose Vox.com, a news website dedicated to making the news more comprehensive and understandable for the public. The site features commentary on a wide range of topics, mostly, if not all, relative to the news happening in today’s world. There are also is a heavy inclusion and focus on implementation of videos. The site itself is spacious, however accomplishes the task of keeping everything tidy and organized without being too overbearing. For example, the homepage captures the stories which are being both prioritized and considered important, while still utilizing pictures to draw users in and keep them engaged. The fonts are easy to read, however the phrasing of things could perhaps be more succinct. Also, the lack of color makes it easier to read, but perhaps could be better featured throughout the homepage, instead of just the title bar at the top.

[fridaysoawesme]

On one of ASU’s most intimate sports venues

For our shoot first story project, I chose to write about Whiteman Tennis Center, which serves as the homecourt of the Arizona State tennis program. In writing the story, I didn’t realize how long the facility had actually been around -- several of the renovations over the years have enabled it to maintain a youthful appearance. I would wholeheartedly suggest to anyone visiting through ASU to attend a tennis match there, as I consider it one of the school’s most intimate settings to catch a live sporting event.

[fridaysoawesme]

Examining the Opioid Crisis in Arizona

For my final project, I interviewed a volunteer with a syringe access program, Shot in the Dark about a bill currently stalled in the state legislature, what the bill could mean for Shot in the Dark and her opinion on the amendment. I also talked with some Shot in the Dark clients about what access to clean syringes and naloxone has meant to them, and I took a look at the latest opioid data from the Arizona Department of Health Services. -- Joe Jacquez

[fridaysoawesme]

Female athletes making a name in a male-dominated industry

For my final project I interviewed two young female athletes that just competed in their first competitions in both bodybuilding and powerlifting. Both of these sports were originally intended to appeal to men and their athletic capabilities but through the years women have been able to prove that they are fit to train and compete in similar competitions. Both of the girls I talked to were proud to share their journey and accomplishments and wanted other females to feel like they could also embark on similar journeys in any male-dominated sport. Brianna Williams

[fridaysoawesme]

Getting the Valley Pets Adopted

For my final project, I wanted to share the various options people in the Valley have when adopting a pet. There are so many methods of finding the perfect pet for you, so I want to educate about what I have learned from the Arizona Humane Society and others along the way. I incorporated an infographic and a video to provide a variety of media components into my story. Covering this topic was so fun, but such an eye-opener to the harsh realities these innocent animals experience. I tried my best to illustrate that and I hope this helps anyone interested in adopting a furry friend. - Jennifer Magana

[fridaysoawesme]

The 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner

For my last Spark project, I talked about the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner and Trump’s reaction to the event. Luke Forstner

[fridaysoawesme]

Saving Seeds

My final project is about the importance of seeds. Not only do we rely on them to grow the plants we utilize in nearly every facet of our lives, but the continued success of these plants is reliant on the saving and alteration of these seeds for the future. I explore public seed libraries, heavily-protected seed banks, and the seeds themselves: their surprising ability to survive and adapt in the face of time and adversity. Luke Forstner

[fridaysoawesme]

Sun Devil Wellness

Although we may feel like stress-management and exercise is drilled in our brains, I don’t think we realize just how important it is, especially at our age. For my final project, I decided to talk about a few different facets of “wellness” as a topic, and I spoke with an ASU dietitian for even more insight into physical health as well. I decided to incorporate 2 videos, a long article, a q & a section, multiple photos, and an infographic to build on this idea of student wellness. Daisy LaRee Finch

[fridaysoawesme]

The Life of Art

Fo my final project I decided to do it on the different murals that are on the side and backsides of restaurants and buildings in the downtown phoenix area. I was able to get great interviews from two great and different people at the location where the murals were. I think people don’t give art like this enough appreciation. Both of the murals that you will see were done for free no compensation. The artists that worked on each of the murals is telling a story. Now when I see these murals when I drive by I will be able to appreciated them too!  The murals around the phoenix area bring the city to life. Enjoy. ~Madison Miller

[fridaysoawesme]

FGL

I chose to make a Timeline on Florida Georgia Line for my extra credit. They are such a humbling American Country Band and have been in the show business for eight years now. Their music is an inspirational to all and you don’t have to only like country music to listen to them. Their biggest years so far were from 2012-2016. The time line goes from the beginning and gives a biography on how the duo met and then ends with Life Off The Road. I hope you enjoy it. ~Madison Miller

[fridaysoawesme]

Sustainability Best Practices

For my final project, I decided to explore some sustainability best practices. As students at Arizona State University, there are a number of resources for students to take part in reducing their environmental footprint. I also had the chance to speak with a student majoring in sustainability. We were able to discuss some easy sustainability practices people can adopt starting today… Manali Chavan

[fridaysoawesme]

Explaining the public’s distrust of news outlets and the ways it can be mended

Bonjour tout le monde! Today I’m discussing the reasons for the public’s distrust of news media outlets. To get a better understanding of this subject, I interviewed Kristy Roschke who is managing director of Cronkite’s News Co/Lab. The Co/Lab’s main purpose is to educate people about media literacy. This ties into distrust because most people have a difficult time distinguishing trustworthy and non trustworthy information thus making them believe everything or nothing. Roschke wrote her dissertation on the subject and she teaches classes. 

[fridaysoawesme]

The Empire of American Music

In this story, through research and interviewing, I figure out how and to what extent American music impacts and plays a role in foreign countries, music markets and lives. Could being from another country sometimes prioritize one to listen to music from there, rather than the commercial and global coverage of American music? To what extent is American music globally impactful? It seems normal, right? This is until you think about the foreign perspective. (image via Pedestrian TV/Courtesy of BlackEyedPeasVEVO) -Yacoub Al-Sakkaf

[fridaysoawesme]

Arizona State coaches, players developing strong relationships through offseason

As is the case in most team sports, strong relationships between players and coaches fortify Arizona State’s football team at its foundation. In the Sun Devils’ first-ever season under head coach Herm Edwards, players are not only tasked with fortifying bonds with their position coaches, but also proving their worth. This article features a collection of stories where player-coach relationships have allowed for players and coaches to establish themselves with one another in the midst of a coaching change. - Kaelen Jones (Image via SunDevilSource.com)

[fridaysoawesme]

Phx Night Market

The Phx Night Market, on April 21 and 22, was the first event of its kind for Phoenix as an Asian-influenced market. Thousands of people attended the two-night market for food, shopping, live art and music to celebrate Asian culture that is severely underrepresented in the country and in Arizona. Hosted at the Phoenix Public Market, Cindy Louie, a former restaurant owner and founder of Go Studio Go; Tony Ce, owner of Snoh Ice Shavery; and Vicente Reid, the CEO of Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce put this two-night event together. Leah Goldberg

[fridaysoawesme]

Why Vegan?

For my final project, I decided to focus on a topic I have been intrigued with, veganism. I wanted to know more about the topic, what it entails and how attainable is this lifestyle for a student, for example. I focused on a Cronkite student who made the change in August and actually ended up winning an ASU Shine award for Wellness. The benefits for Nicole have been countless and in this Q & A, she talks about why she made the switch, what has come from making the switch and of course tips for people who want to pursue this lifestyle but do not necessarily know where to start. Jordan Blitz

[fridaysoawesme]

K.O.D

J. Cole is back and I decided to do my last Adobe Spark video on his new and surprising album, K.O.D. The album has 3 meanings, may be directed to a specific rapper and has already broken streaming records. He has a feature on there named ‘kiLL Edward’, which is actually Cole himself! This is his 3rd album without any true features. And if that’s not enough, he hints of an upcoming album already, by having the last track on the album act as an intro to an upcoming project (1985 Intro to the Fall Off) To find out more about it, watch my video here.