HMP Assignment - Self Reflection

Resolution: FOCUS

I chose this word because focusing in the year of 2013 is my hardest task. It is a year filled with so many gadgets and hobbies, and my brain is easily distracted by everything that is going on in the world.

I am not the type of person who envies a lot of people, and I'm really laid back about some situations. However, there are certain things/ events  that some people get to experience that just really grind my gears, because I can't. My parents shelter me a lot from the world, so there's just so much in life I haven't experienced because of fear from my parents. I really envy some kids when they come back from an awesome concert that I could never go to, and they're telling me all about how awesome it is. I'm not a habitual liar, either. Although, I may spurt a quick lie out in a conversation depending on the situation. For example, if I'm talking to a girl about music, I may say I love her favorite band even though I've never really listened to them.

HMP Assignment Student Project Focus

1. I need to know that if high school dropouts are capable of creating a successful business, then I am too.

2. My current essential question is: How can I start my own Visual Media Production company? It has been the same since I typed it up.

3. For my final presentation, I will make a digital portfolio of all of my graphic design, photography, and videography with my laptop. I will make it so an individual will be able to scroll through them all, and pick what they want to observe. I will also display my Kickstarter posters, and document the success of it by having the Kickstarter page up on my iPad.

4. For my "real inquiry", I will begin asking myself questions such as:

- How are some production companies with lower production quality more successful/ well known than companies with better production skills?

Basically, find out what appeals to people most, and how I can get my name out there.

Beyond Boundaries: Gordon Parks’ Fashion Photography

Beyond Boundaries

One of the most imaginative photographers of all time, Gordon Parks, would have turned 100 this past week (he died at 93 years old). He was an African American who grew up in discrimination and poverty. He had to work little side jobs to survive, including playing music. He was doubted throughout his life, and had very little support, but he finally found his niche in 1983. It was the world of photography. 

He was shooting for months after he received his camera from a pawn shop, and his pictures began to be displayed in Minneapolis. Parks was an insanely skilled photographer, because he could snap pictures in any type of scenario, from ghettos to fashion shoots. Through the years, he became one of the most legendary photographers. He eventually got a deal with LIFE magazine, and he was the director of the movie "Shaft".

Parks not only worked his way up from poverty to riches, but he also had a passion in what he did, and it wasn't much of a selfish desire. He said he saw photography as a weapon to fight against poverty and racism, and he believed he could bring the people together with his art. Parks was undeniably one of the best photographers in the nation, and he will always be missed.

"Beyond Boundaries: Gordon Parks' Fashion Photography." Style Design Beyond Boundaries Gordon Parks Fashion Photography Comments. TIME, 30 Nov. 2012. Web. 07 Dec. 2012. <http://style.time.com/2012/11/30/beyond-boundaries-gordon-parks-fashion-photography/photo/03_05927762/>.

Technology in my Field

1. You would use a wide variety of technology, from hardware to software. You would use a DSLR camera to shoot photography. You also would always have your camera attached to a stabilizer for hollywood quality shots. You would use a computer with a strong processor, and Adobe software to incorporate my graphic design and editing skills into every shot you have.

2. I usually communicate with other professionals through email or phone calls. I never text them from the phone, though.

3. If I ever present my work, I do so with a projector if it is a video, and with a portfolio of pages if it is my design work.

4.  I believe we will still always be using the same equipment for the most part, like the camera and lens, but of course as the years go by, technology will be improved majorly.

5. I imagine so much more technology being incorporated into photography/videography/design. For example, I believe you will be able to "photoshop" a person in a video (make them look skinnier, change their complexion, etc.) and input designs all from your camera.

For my final presentation, I will make a digital portfolio of all of my graphic design, photography, and videography with my laptop. I will make it so an individual will be able to scroll through them all, and pick what they want to observe.

My Essential Question

How can I start my own Visual Media Production company?

I chose this as my essential question, because I plan to make short films in the future that will actually have relevance, and hopefully change how the world around us thinks. I want to learn the best methods of persuasion, because everyone knows only persuasive individuals can change a nation. Researching my essential question will actually be exciting to me, mainly because knowing and understanding the full answer to my question is really going to change my life in many ways. I will be able to influence populations with my media in a heartbeat, and get people motivated. More people will want to actually help the world become a better place by fixing all of the mess we made. I feel as if this question is the core question that will actually make my media worth something, and it's exactly what I need. My videos can look as cool as I want it to, but without any influence, all it is is a bunch of colors on a screen.

That is not my job!

Well, last week on Friday, I was having activity day for team sports in gym class. We leave the locker room about 5 minutes after the bell rings, and everyone's belongings are left inside the locker room. As i walk out, I'm waiting and looking for one of the coaches to come and lock the locker room when the last person walks out. He didn't come. I started to think to myself that it would be alright, and none of the rest of the kids in the locker room were thieves. After our gym class reentered the locker room, one of the kids noticed his expensive iPod is missing from his gym bag. He becomes furious and scrambles around looking for it. He started to ask everyone in the room if they have his iPod, and everyone was silent. He began to panic, and then he told the gym coach about the situation. The coach basically told the kid that it wasn't his job to keep up with his electronics. I agree with the coach, but why can't we at least have a set of "lockers" in the "locker" room? Isn't that what they're made for?

Graphic Design Article

Jackie Bischof is a freelance journalist and a reporter at the Wall Street Journal and a graduate from the school of journalism. She has excellent credentials since she was a Digital News Assistant at Dow Jones. She wrote Spot news stories and features on topics such as South Africa's Trade Unions and the relationship between the media and government and assisted with compiling graphics for various projects.

Jackie writes an article on the inherent difficulties that Mr. Matias Delfino,  a graphic designer for the United Nations Department of Public Information, faces when he is trying to convey a single message  to the world without stumbling on cultural misunderstandings or causing offense. She stated that he is a graduate of the university of Buenos Aires where he received his degree in graphic design. The author explains that Mr. Delfino is a Logo maker who thinks globally. He takes complicated topics and simplifies them into images that can be understood by people from all walks of life and all parts of the globe. The author adds that Matias' job is complicated not only because he has to make sure that these images must be very clear to the whole world, but also they must not be offensive. Although the author does not provide supporting evidence in this particular article, what she cited is self explanatory, does not provoke any skepticism, and does not need any supporting statistics or findings. She did include a quote to support her claims. It is in fact one of Mr. Delfino's statements.  He said, "Sometimes, each culture is a different world inside the same world. You need to make sure you're not misunderstood." The author 's perspective is even-handed and definitely not prejudicial. In fact, there was no need to add contrary information to prove that she is not prejudicial . The author explains that even the choice of color can be a complicated task in itself and she even included an example to support the importance of understanding the various culture in order to avoid conflicts. She relied on Mr. Delfino's own words when he said, " When you think about red, it [might] mean passion, love. Some other people see violence, blood."  In fact, we all know there is not one culture in this world, and some of the things that are acceptable in one culture might be rejected by others. the author explains that even though Mr. Delfino is one of the longest-serving members of the seven-person U.N, he still continues to face the challenge of making sure that the message behind his logo or designs will cut through all cultural differences and can be understood across the globe. The author stresses the fact of not crossing the line especially when dealing with sensitive issues such as world peace and human rights. She ads that Mr. Delfino sees these issues in black and white with a careful dash of color unlike most people who see them as abstract concepts with black and white with a dash of color. The designer has one goal in mind: designing is about injecting optimism, generating a positive change, and aiming to deliver the UN messages around the world. The author made it clear that that it's not always possible. One can argue that all we have to do is study other cultures and make the design. That is absolutely outside of the realm of reality. There is no way one can learn about all cultures of the globe since there are so many. But what the graphic designer who designs logos or images for an international organization should seek advise on a regular basis from people who works within the organization and are more familiar with world cultures. The author explained that the graphic designer is very aware of these issues and that he has once scratched a design that referred to the signal on a hospital heart monitor because he later learned that this common image from TV shows in developed countries is not known in poorer countries. The author elaborated on this point when she indicated that Mr. Delfino himself seek guidance on a regular basis from U.N. colleagues who have previously advised against images that might not translate universally. He does not take these issues slight. For instance, when he was approached to design a memorable brand for Holocaust remembrance, he had to give it some serious thought.  I find the author very credible and convincing. She cited many examples and experiences the graphic designer himself talked about.

Works Cited:

Bishof, Jackie. "Log Maker Thinks Globally." The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 21 Oct. 2012. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443684104578065241611424534.html>.