Reflection Blog Post

I originally took this class on a whim because I couldn’t get in to one of the business classes I need to certify into the business college. I am pursuing a marketing degree with a minor in communications so this class fit with my minor and provided me with skills I may need for future marketing endeavors.

I was looking at different marketing internships for the summer and most required some knowledge in things likes adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. I came in to this class not knowing anything about Photoshop and any other Adobe Creative Cloud applications.

My career aspirations include being the head of marketing at a company and or a social media marketer for a company. The skills I have learned in this class are very useful for my field of study.

My favorite project this semester was either the logo project or the video story. I really enjoyed the final product of my logo and I also like using Illustrator more than anything else because it was the easiest to understand.

I also really liked the video story because the final product I made was something I am very proud of. I also found that Premiere was relatively easy to work with once I received some help from my instructor.

I felt learning about copyright and creative commons was very useful because it is easy to use copyrighted material just out of pure ignorance not intentional.

It also helped to learn about it because I was simultaneously learning about copyright in my accounting class, so it came in handy knowing how long copyright is good for.

I would have liked to learn more skills in the video editing arena because I am really intrigued with video editing. In this day and age of YouTube and ads and promotional videos I feel it is a good skill to have.

I really enjoyed this class because I sometimes have a hard time letting my creativity surface because I am not the most creative person however, I want to evolve to be more creative since my future jobs include creativity. Overall I truly enjoyed this class!

Final Video Story

This is my final video story for COMM 210. I am really proud of how this turned out! . I came up with this idea of an instructional video with the help of my instructor and YouTube. My theme being makeup, fit best with an instructional video of me doing my makeup.

I watch a lot of makeup videos on YouTube so I drew inspiration from that as well. I first had to decide what kind of makeup I would do in such a short video. My original idea was to do my eyebrows, but after talking to my instructor, it was apparent that I needed to do something different.

I decided to do a foundation application video. I have very acne covered skin so it would be an interesting and useful video. I added a voice over to explain the steps of my foundation routine.

I first shot about 10 different shots and took 10 different pictures.
I shot everything horizontal to fit with the course readings. I wanted to make sure I had enough content to choose from and edit. I ended up having way more content than I needed which is great.

I first imported all my videos and pictures to my work space so I could play around with all the different combinations. I then used the lock tool several times because I needed to delete the audio from my video clips in order to put in music and a voice over.

I went onto YouTube to get copyright free music. I ended up using Aurora Borealis by Bird Creek. The song is 1:40 seconds long and does not require attribution. I thought this song would be lively enough an fit with a video like this.

This is the URL to the song: 
https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/music?feature=blog

Next, I used a lot of the razor tool because my videos were each quite long and I needed them to be shorter. I also used it to cut out shots of me pressing the start button on my phone camera.

I then used the rate stretch tool to speed up certain sequences in my video so I could stay in the proper time constraints because most of my videos were longer than 2 minutes just by themselves.

I then added the music track once I had all the videos and things situated. Next, I added a title page and an ending page with a cameo from my Unit 2 project! Then, I had to move things around so there was no overlapping.

I used key-frames a lot to make the pictures move and not stationary. I felt it made them look more cohesive rather than just sticking them in the video.

Next, I added in the voice over. I had recorded two different ones so I could cut and paste whichever sequences I liked best. I used the razor tool a ton for that. I also used a ton of key-frames to the music in order for it to fade in and out to not over kill the voice over.

It took quite some time, but key frames were the best way to make sure everything fit together! I am very proud of this project!

Video Story Draft

This is my video story draft. I came up with this idea of an instructional video with the help of my instructor and YouTube. My theme being makeup, fit best with an instructional video of me doing my makeup.

I first had to decide what kind of makeup I would do in such a short video. My original idea was to do my eyebrows, but after talking to my instructor, it was apparent that I needed to do something different.

I decided to do a foundation application video. I have very acne covered skin so it would be an interesting and useful video. I have not finished everything because I still plan on doing a voice over.

I first shot about 10 different shots and took 10 different pictures. I wanted to make sure I had enough content to choose from and edit.

I used a lot of the lock tools on the left side of each track because I needed to get rid of the original audio on the video so I can eventually add a voice over.

I used a lot of the razor tool because my videos were each quite long and I needed them to be shorter. I also used it to cut out shots of me pressing the start button on my phone camera.

I shot everything horizontal to fit with the course readings. I also used the rate stretch tool to speed up certain sequences in my video so I could stay in the proper time constraints.

I lastly went onto YouTube to get copyright free music. I ended up using Aurora Borealis by Bird Creek. The song is 1:40 seconds long and does not require attribution. I thought this song would be lively enough an fit with a video like this.

This is the URL to the song:
https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/music?feature=blog

Video Story Raw Footage & Storyboard

This is the raw video footage I shot of myself for my video project.

Here is my Storyboard:

Visual Elements	Audio Elements
0:00-0:10 Here I will be in the frame introducing the how to do your brows as an instructional video	I will be talking in real time to the camera and explaining what type of look I am going for
0:10-1:00 Here you will see me using a brow pencil to fill in my eyebrows in a slightly sped up sequence	The audio element will be a voice over with some soft music in the background
1:00-2:00 Here you will see me brush out my eyebrows and add a gel to set them	The audio element will again be a voice over with soft music in the background.

Audio Story Final

https://soundcloud.com/user-666023415/audio-story-final-mixdown

I first thought about what kind of a story I wanted to tell within my theme of makeup. I thought about it and then figured out I wanted to tell a story of the different reasons people wear makeup and how makeup makes each individual feel.

I know for me it makes me feel more confident and put together so I wanted to hear the opinions of my peers.

Most of my friends wear makeup and I do as well. I know I have a unique view on makeup and I wanted to share others views of it as well. I interviewed two of my friends thus far, but plan to interview one more and then include my own perspective.

I added a clip of me introducing the general topic as was suggested by my instructor. I then fit all the recordings into their own track. I asked two of my friends before the audio draft and then I asked two of my friends after I posted that.

I first put the recording of me asking the questions, then I added the first two clips of responses. Later I added music to sound off before I ask the questions so it would cue the beginning. I then put the music at a really low volume to be in the background of the recordings so it would sounds more polished.

I then added the last two clips and more music. I used the volume gauge circle to the left of each recording to do that as well as using the line going through the music recording to make it loud when I needed and quiet when people were talking.

Lastly, I added a recording of me summing up the interviews to add a better ending. Before I had just let the responses be the end of the story but then I received some feedback that said I should add something.

I tried to get all of the voice recordings to a similar volume so there wouldn’t be some that are super quiet and some that are blaring loud. I also tried to make them flow by adding the music in the background.

I used a lot of the razor tool because for some reason my cat like reflexes do not extend to being able to press a big red button to stop a recording. I cut out some “ums” and “likes.” I also used the razor to cut the music into fragments because of a previously made mistake.

I also used the mute tool to be able to work on each individual recording and then all of them in unison. I used sfx to get the volumes to a relatively uniform level.

I used the music from one of the audition tutorials to try to add some “pizzazz.” I played more with the fading options and loudness of the music.

I tried to refer to the course reading that had a section on “The Power of an Interview” since my project is an interview. I felt interviewing was the best way to portray the message I am trying to portray.

I tried to focus on the room tone because I feel for an interview it is best that the soundbites are very clear. Lastly, I tried to follow the “tips for better audio” because I was recording these soundbites on my iphone which may or may not be good.

Most of my critiques pertained to the fact that my audio was short and I needed to add more recordings of which I did. I also was asked to put some male perspective, however I do not have any male friends that wear makeup so I was unable to fulfill that. 

Overall, I think I did a pretty good job and I hope I conveyed the story I was working to portray.

Audio Story Draft

This is a really rough draft for my audio project. It isn’t quite 1-2 minutes yet, however I plan to add more hence why I called this a really rough draft!

I first thought about what kind of a story I wanted to tell within my theme of makeup. I thought about it and then figured out I wanted to tell a story of the different reasons people wear makeup.

Most of my friends wear makeup and I do as well. I know I have a unique view on makeup and I wanted to share others views of it as well. I interviewed two of my friends thus far, but plan to interview one more and then include my own perspective.

I may rerecord the clip of me asking the question because I feel like it sounds weird (I was sick when I recorded it)! I tried to get all of the voice recordings to a similar volume so there wouldn’t be some that are super quiet and some that are blaring loud.

I used a lot of the razor tool because for some reason my cat like reflexes do not extend to being able to press a big red button to stop a recording. I cut out some “ums” and “likes.”

I also used the mute tool to be able to work on each individual recording and then all of them in unison. I used sfx to get the volumes to a relatively uniform level, but I am still working on that.

I used the music from one of the audition tutorials to try to add some “pizzazz.” I may change that or I will definitely be playing more with the fading options and loudness of the music.

I tried to refer to the course reading that had a section on “The Power of an Interview” since my project is an interview. I felt interviewing was the best way to portray the story I am trying to.

I tried to focus on the room tone because I feel for an interview it is best that the soundbites are very clear. Lastly, I tried to follow the “tips for better audio” because I was recording these soundbites on my iphone which may or may not be good.

Raw Voice Memo Collection

This is the raw materials I collected for my vocal story project.

Audition Tutorials

These are my Audition Tutorials.

Logo Final Project

This is my final logo. I first brain stormed what I wanted the audience of my logo to see and understand. I wanted them to understand my love for makeup incorporated with a unique personal touch.

My logo is a play on my actual name which is Ariel, hence “Little Mermaid MUA.” MUA stands for a makeup artist. My theme is makeup, so I incorporated some makeup by having the mermaid tail holding lipstick and a mascara wand drawing the title. I think it is the perfect combination to add a personal touch and tie it to my theme

I then started thinking about my favorite makeup artists and if they had logos, what were they. I have many favorite artists, but Jeffree Star has the most unique logos that is simple.

I drew inspiration from some of my favorite beauty YouTubers, such as Jeffree Star. Here is a link that shows his logo: https://goo.gl/images/Tzzs2r. His logo manages to remain simple, but also include personal aspects of his brand. This is something I really enjoyed and wanting to incorporate in my logo as well.

I also used one of the examples the assignment provided which was a logo that said “celebrations event planning.” I used this one as inspiration because it was such a simple design yet fit perfectly with the person’s theme. I wanted something unique, but not too ‘busy.’

In the comments I received on my draft, it was mentioned that my logo was too busy. I tried to fix this problem by moving the font out of the tail so you can see the words better.

I also fixed the neatness of the scales on the tail in order to look more uniform and polished. Instead of drawing the scales I drew one and copy and pasted it over and over to make it look more cohesive and less unprofessional.

I had a lot of comments on the circle around my logo of which I intended to tie everything together, but ended up creating more problems than solving, so I deleted the entire thing.

I used vector graphics to make the tail, lipstick, and the mascara. I also used a lot of the drawing tool and added some layers. I tried to use the principle of balance by not having too much going on which I think I portrayed better in this final draft.

I also revised the size of the mascara wand so that I could make it more visible and easier to understand the message I am portraying with my logo.

I used a lot of different fonts to find the perfect mermaid or pirate type writing that is still legible. I think the font also blends perfectly with the mascara wand and makes it look very cohesive. I also didn’t want the tail seeming out of place so I figured making the tail a part of the makeup theme by holding a makeup item is a perfect balance.

My logo is supposed to be for my imaginary makeup artistry business. I figured this was a good way to tie in my theme. I am selling my makeup talent to the audience which I think is portrayed with all the different aspects of my logo.

Logo Draft

This is my logo draft. It is a play on my actual name which is Ariel, hence “Little Mermaid MUA.” MUA stands for a makeup artist. My theme is makeup, so I incorporated some makeup by having the mermaid tail holding lipstick and a mascara wand drawing the title. I think it is the perfect combination to add a personal touch and tie it to my theme.

I drew inspiration from some of my favorite beauty YouTubers, such as Jeffree Star. Here is a link that shows his logo: https://goo.gl/images/Tzzs2r. His logo manages to remain simple, but also include personal aspects of his brand. This is something I really drew my inspiration from.

I also used one of the examples the assignment provided which was a logo that said “celebrations event planning.” I used this one as inspiration because it was such a simple design yet fit perfectly with the person’s theme. I wanted something unique, but not too ‘busy.’

I used vector graphics to make the tail, lipstick, and the mascara. I also used a lot of the drawing tool and added some layers. I tried to use the principle of balance by not having too much going on.

I used a lot of different fonts to find the perfect mermaid or pirate type writing that is still legible. I think the font also blends perfectly with the mascara wand and makes it look very cohesive. I also didn’t want the tail seeming out of place so I figured making the tail a part of the makeup theme by holding a makeup item is a perfect balance.

My logo is supposed to be for my imaginary makeup artistry business. I figured this was a good way to tie in my theme. I am selling my makeup talent to the audience which I think is portrayed with all the different aspects of my logo.