With the magazine presentation session done, it is safe to say that the whole class is closing in on our finish line in Making Media. Although the last assignment regarding our personal website is still up for completion, I see this as an appropriate time to take a look back at the road I have travelled so far and reflect on that journey.
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One of the very first insights that I realize is the importance of details in the grand scheme of the media project. This is an aspect that before this class, it was definitely not on my radar when reading media work. With the first assignment, these influential details are the tone of voice while speaking and the authenticity of speech required of us despite a script. As for the second one, details are more broad, more general and can actually include anything. From typography to pull-out quotes, all these items contribute to the appeal of the magazine. Every feature plays a small but pivotal role in attracting the reader’s attention, capturing their imagination and finally, rewarding them with treats in the form of ‘beautiful information’.
Another precious lesson Making Media has given me is that of coherence within media projects: elements must complement each other and, most significantly, must express the idea that gathers them together. To explain this further, the magazine can be taken in consideration; before, my way of thinking about the structure of one is to give each section, each article their own character, their own personality for the sake of ‘diversity’. However, as Mr. Felix pointed out, individual articles must be linked to the overall theme of the entire work, in this case our magazine, to express different aspects of the same topic. This is eye-opening for me as a media practitioner during the reflection process, like the water surface -eternally reflective.
The comprehension of these pieces of information will inspire me to draw out many implications in my future work.
Firstly, paying attention to details is relevant to perhaps all factors in the media world, whether it is constructing a social media post or designing brand logos. Not only does it serve as a reminder to always double-check for possible mistakes, but it also contributes to the general success of the media team or even the company as a whole. It is in these components that media consumers recognize how experienced or skilled its creators are.
Second of all, the interpretation of coherence in media projects, although not universal as the topic mentioned above, still has much to do with the quality of media creations. Lackluster or discordant segments within a campaign will have detrimental effects on its results, or worse, damage the brand image. I would argue that it is appropriate to have diverse content, but all must work together to create one single, clear subject. Like a sports team; it can have space for different personalities but must play as one.
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Making Media has given me space for freedom of imagination, and those concepts become valuable assets because of it. Knowledge like this will no doubt change the method I approach any media work positively, either passively (reading/watching) or actively (creating). I fully intend on upgrading my skills even more, having obtained the understanding of media from this course as an ideal head start. In the ever-changing world of media, each lecture and assignment are like valued stepping stones, guiding me to comprehending it more and more.
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Already I see the implications of this course on other materials like Introduction Advertising or Foundations PR. I firmly believe that throughout my progress in this profession, I will witness extended applications of what I have learnt here. Additionally, from now on I will view media projects from a fresh perspective, attentive to details and draw out inspirations from them. Making Media can be seen as a challenging but worthwhile course for those who truly wants to begin their path in Communication.
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