Designing the Interactive Space Part III
SMS Webpage:Â http://webspace.newschool.edu/~shars273/
Bridge to Next Semester...
1)Â Â Â Â Â What is that I am trying to investigate in my practice? What I am most passionate about?
I am really trying to investigate the impact Media has on people. I am planning to conduct a lot of research behind this aspect. The reason I even wanted to study media was because of the negative way the media had depicted Muslims after September 11 and the rise of Islamophobia in the West. Â I found these courses of events very interesting and knew that to some extent the media controls our perceptions unconsciously in how we should view the world around us. Iâm really passionate about the âbusinessâ aspect of media. Thatâs why I am currently in the midst of obtaining the media management certificate at The New School. I see myself being a âCEOâ of a major media network conglomerate one day, for whom, right now Arabs and Muslims, but I envision it growing to every culture. Â It would be interesting to see and conduct a study of the impact and perceptions people have on news stories conducted about Islam, but produced by Muslims, or a story or news about African culture, conducted only by someone of African descent and so on and so forth. Then compare stories in the same topic or view but other different cultures and see the difference. Who knows 10-15 years down the line there will be a new media network conglomerate in America called SMS! Called Shattering Muslim Stereotypes or to relate it to everyone and every culture Shattering Media Stereotypes. Instead of CNN, ABC, or FOX, etc., that would be my dream come true. Â I am just taking things one step at a time and this journey has been nothing but fruitful and exciting.
2)Â Â Â Â Â What are my strengths and weaknesses?
Well, I have to say this class helped me brush on my âpublic-speaking skills.â I personally never really had to present that much, because studying biology as undergrad, all our work was just submitted via lab reports etc. There would be presentations here and there but not too much. I did take one speech class but still not many opportunities to talk in front of people. This was a huge change for me, something I wasnât use to. Yes, I admit I do have speech phobia at times. This class helped me strengthen this weakness, and to relax!! But also to share my work in front of people, this class matured me in so many ways. Videos are also my weakness, taking pictures too. Iâm really not the type of person who makes videos or takes pictures all the time, just for occasions and Kodak moments. This class pushed me to think outside the box and be creative, to use what you have and making it a masterpiece. I can really brush on my video editing and Photoshop skills. Hopefully, I can use it without using my editing process notes. My memory can be so bad sometimes! So far my video quality is âyou tube worthyâ which is a start. In terms of production, I am okay with editing. I have a great strength in paying attention to details. Just takes a lot, a whole lot of patience. I learned a lot from audio editing and paying attention to the smallest detail, everything had to be âperfectâ in order for it to be aired live. Iâm so used to audio/radio and being behind a microphone, getting the visual aspect was a big step for me as well. And, Iâm good at coming up with new âideasâ for campaigns, Iâm usually very theoretical and conceptual, which I hope to use for future projects and campaigns.
3)Â Â Â Â Â What are the core elements missing from my practice? How will I obtain them?
I really need to figure out creative ways to reach out to people, so they can care for the ideas I am passionate about. I really want to be professional and presentable. I believe these two factors are vital and a key to success. Even if I were to conduct campaigns and present it in such a way that can strike an interest, I need to not only be confident in my work but have more faith. My resources are lacking as well. I looked into very cool stuff the other day with âinformation designâ which really sparked my interest, regarding the advocacy work I intend to do as well. I want to learn more about it. I feel I can obtain a bit of all of this by merely networking! And actually working and putting my ideas into practice. I want to incorporate my ideas and work for non-profit organizations. I need to meet people, go to conferences, share my work etc. and explore more of what The New School has to offer.
4)Â Â Â Â Â What was my preferred medium before this course? After the course?
Before this class I preferred just my microphone and an audio recorder. Now, I feel I got out of that shell and Iâm not afraid to explore and try new things! I canât say what I âprefer now,â I still love audio. But video and web design is something I want to enhance my skills in. âShadow of Modestyâ encouraged me to create short sweet videos about Islam that can give powerful and meaningful messages. I see this as something like a youth series for young women. Iâm actually thinking of connecting and contacting my friend who started an Islamic Magazine and combining the two together. As far as web design, I see this as something I need predominately in the future. Everyone uses the internet! Well at least I think so. Especially because I want to manage my own company, I want to be interacting with people and be able to strike their interest. Iâll probably take a class in website management or design in the future, no doubt about that.
 5)     What is the next topic, theme, or question I would like to investigate in my next project?
I recently conducted a survey regarding âShattering Muslim Stereotypesâ in the media and got interesting results. I know surveys are not out to prove anything but they can sure help grasp some answers to complex issues. I wanted to know what activity people would most likely participate in, and âonline discussionâ got the highest percentage. I want to explore on that idea and figure out innovative and creative ways in connecting people. The first topic on my list is âmedia-analysisâ talks. Where I hope will strike a conversation. I also hope to research more on âsocial mediaâ or take a class/internship in social media. I want to connect with people get them engaged. This is my primary step and mission.
6)Â Â Â Â Â What is something I learned in this class that I can teach someone else?
I can teach someone how to use prezi, start the process in Photoshop and explain what most of the tools do. I can explain to them a step by step editing process in using final cut pro. I can teach them how make a short video and, also how to start on an html website. Organizational skills! Input, output, and build folder. Iâll never ever forget them. Furthermore, assist in exploring an idea and making it come to light, by creating a story, a campaign, or artistic image or design.
7)Â Â Â Â Â What is something I will try to do next semester that I have never done before?
Share my ideas and goals to larger groups of people. I have to believe in myself before anyone else can believe in me, I really believe that. This class really got me out of my âshyâ shell. I want to share my work with other people, because my company ideas will never flourish! If no one knows about it! I need to constantly achieve feedback and constructive criticism to go to the next level. Next semester I probably would sign up for final ruff cut presentations where I can share my work or research to professors, students, etc. I actually do have very good news :) My first opportunity is coming up next month, I will tell you how in person tomorrow.
8)Â Â Â Â Â What is something I will try to do every day or week that I did not do before this course?
Updating myself! What I mean by that actually maintain a blog! And most what I am thinking, my ideas, and any small projects that I would be conducting. Also, now that I have a twitter account, I will maintain that as well. I do use a Facebook, but a blog is more personalized and something I can do to share my work with others in order to gain feedback all the time.
9)Â Â Â Â Â What is a creative project that I would do with a budget of $ 150 million?
Thatâs an interesting question, I never really thought about it before, maybe work on making my own media network conglomerate for TV and Radio. To be more specific perhaps use âRadio Tahrirâ (the program on WBAI Pacifica Radio 99.5 FM in NY) and spread this station nationwide.
10)Â How I could do the same project with a budget of $150?
Thereâs a âRadio Labâ at the New School, thatâs somewhere I can start from. I can buy materials; like a media tool kit to get something like this started.
