The Descriptions & Limitations
I believe that after analysing 2 different possible projects against S.M.A.R.T goals and my prior knowledge and he research I would need I have decided that one the the two projects below will be my personal project topic. I will decide which one after evaluating the description and limitations of each project.
Project 1: Art Essay (series of art pieces) - Graphic Design
This would entail me creating a series of art pieces in the style of graphic design, It would require the use of a graphic design program such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Paper for iPad, etc. My art essay would have some sort of impact of the community or a community around Arusha. For example creating the art essay, I could enlarge the art pieces and display them in a poor area of town, a children’s hospital, a government school, etc. This would spread creativity and warmth in places where at times these two fundamental parts of life can’t be found. The image would have to follow a specific theme and convey a positive message.
It would be difficult to display these images around town as theft and graffiti are a common malpractice in Arusha.
Art is extremely demanding creatively and requires real tenacity, although these art exactly limitations they are worth noting.
I am not familiar with how to use the software for graphic design and I am un-aware if it would be possible to learn how to use them.
The purchase of expensive software/programs.
Project 2: Short Documentary - Something positive in Tanzania
This would be a short documentary around 50 minutes long that would entail something positive in Tanzania that needs to be shared and expressed on a larger scale. A few example could be documentaries about:
Successful young Tanzanian men
Acts of kindness around Arusha
The Plaster House, a rehabilitation home for children recovering from corrective orthopedic and plastic surgeries in Arusha, Tanzania (source: https://www.facebook.com/theplasterhouse)
The positive affect of wildlife on communities
Creating a documentary about any of the subjects above would give me a god chance to make a small but important difference. Importantly at the end of the day the documentary represents the producer, how he/she chooses to portray things, how he/she thinks shots should be taken visually and what information is included and what questions are asked.
Filming is very time consuming and I would need to complete a lot of filming before the second quarter!
A lot of Tanzanians do not like being filmed.
Choosing a subject is very difficult
If I am not able to publish a film its creation would not have as much meaning and purpose.
Filming equipment is expensive and would be hard to obtain.
The limitations of the first project will have a bigger effect on my project than the limitations of project 2, there are also far more limitations. For example if I was to choose project 1 I would have to learn and purchase graphic design software whereas if I was to choose project 2 I would also have to learn Final Cut Pro but this is far easier than learning how to use Adobe Illustrator and cheaper as I could receive a free copy of it. This has once again led me to think that I should produce a documentary instead of an art essay.