CTS B | Week 3 Connecting Practice with Society
In Week 3, our class tasked us with producing a short documentary under a tight timeframe. Our group chose to focus on excessive screen time and its effects on daily life, a topic that was both relatable and socially relevant. This framing helped guide our creative choices and establish the documentary’s core themes: awareness, balance, and the human impact of digital habits.
Collaboration was central to the process. We divided roles, brainstormed concepts, and combined research with personal narratives to create a cohesive story. Communication was essential to ensure that the creative vision was shared and that each member’s contribution strengthened the final product. This iterative dialogue highlighted how teamwork in design extends beyond task allocation to include negotiation, active listening, and shared accountability.
Feedback highlighted that our documentary lacked on-screen text, which made the narrative harder to follow. This revealed the importance of intentionally integrating visual aids—such as titles, captions, or graphics—to guide the audience and reinforce key points. I realized that clear visual storytelling is as important as creative imagery; visuals should complement and expand on written or spoken ideas rather than leaving interpretation entirely to the viewer.
Working under a compressed schedule strengthened our problem-solving and adaptability. Overall, the activity emphasized that effective design communication balances creativity with clarity, integrates visuals intentionally, and relies on flexibility and mutual trust. Beyond completing the documentary, I gained insight into planning under pressure, making deliberate design choices, and appreciating diverse team contributions.
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References:
Bernstein, Gaia. “How Big Tech Made Us Screen Addicts.” New Statesman, 17 May 2023, newstatesman.com/culture/books/2023/05/big-tech-made-screen-addicts-unwired-gaia-bernstein-review.
McDaniel, Brandon T., et al. “Daily Smartphone Use Predicts Parent Depressive Symptoms, but Parents’ Perceptions of Responsiveness to Their Child Moderate This Effect.” Frontiers in Developmental Psychology, vol. 2, 14 Aug. 2024, doi:10.3389/fdpys.2024.1421717.
Saat, Nur Zakiah Mohd, et al. “Relationship of Screen Time with Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Quality among Adolescents: A Cross‑Sectional Study.” Frontiers in Public Health, vol. 12, 29 Nov. 2024, doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1459952.
Devi, Khumukcham A., and Sudhakar K. Singh. “The Hazards of Excessive Screen Time: Impacts on Physical Health, Mental Health, and Overall Well‑being.” Journal of Education and Health Promotion, vol. 12, article 413, 27 Nov. 2023. PMC, PMC10852174.
Pieh, Christoph, Elke Humer, Andreas Hoenigl, Julia Schwab, Doris Mayerhofer, Rachel Dale, and Katja Haider. “Smartphone Screen Time Reduction Improves Mental Health: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” BMC Medicine, vol. 23, no. 1, 2025, Article 107, doi:10.1186/s12916‑025‑03944‑z.