Intro And Abstract

The purpose of this seminar was to broaden my sense of knowledge when constructing written forms in relation to current projects and for my own personal development. The words 'Intro' and 'Abstract' were heavily emohisisesed, the breakdown of the key pieces of information within a written context, allowing for better understanding when engaging and capturing audience intrigue effectively. I personally like the concept of developing my writing skills as I find that it is a crucial skill to improve the clarity of information that I would be transferring to a client, if I was producing work for a live brief or freelance work. This would transfer relatively well corresponding with my studio 'Sense Of Place' project and aid me in producing a proposal at a much more professional standard, while having a greater understanding of how to market to a specific audience demographic.

Abstract = A Brief Summary Of Context

At the start of the seminar James Dyer asked one simple question, what do we think of the word 'Abstract'. I personally like to think of abstract as an unusual concept designed to make an audience perceive an idea which is out of there common perspective of the individual. However for the purpose of a writing standpoint,  it would allow for myself to abstract key important data and relay it to an audience. I do think that extract is a more fitting description for this process, as the process requires you 'Extract' and emphasises on specific pieces of information. Once the basic overview of the presentation had been explained, I then took part in a group activity where we was separated into six different groups. The purpose of this task was to be able to quickly write down a sentence describing what happened in a particular section of the video. The video was a clip from a film called Withnail And I, and involved each group focusing on twenty seconds of the video each to create one sentence, which would be combined with one sentence from every other group. This would then be included to produce a single paragraph, producing a abstract concept.

Here is my sentence I produced in the last twenty seconds of the clip;

"Overall this is quite the melodramatic performance of the two actors, which i found comical, mainly due to the fact of the use of pink gloves and how erratic they were when responding to each other."

Clip Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6R9fY8lfGo

Example Of A Abstract Paragraph From The Presentation

"Two scruffy looking men argue over the content of a bowl, one seems agitated and the other nervous. In retaliation, the more confident of the two threatens to do the washing, it sounds disastrous in the kitchen. They fear there may be a rat amongst the growing mould and decay which clogs the sink—a cleaning task not to be taken lightly. After the more proactive of the two burns his hand on the kettle, the dazed men seem both hesitant and determined to investigate their littered kitchen. For the sake of their civility gloves are donned, and pliers are wielded for protection against rodents. Their energy subsides as they find an innocuous lump of “matter” in the sink, prompting a tired and withered looking man to declare: “I feel unusual, I think we should go outside”."

We then began looking at a more formal writing process known as Clipped Writing, here are a few requirements;

- Pace
- Content
- No Pith
- Words Have Purpose

Clipped Does NOT Mean Inconsiquential

Once I had an understanding of what clipped writing involved, we then evaluated a number of clips from movies on what was successfully/unsuccessfully relayed information in a subtle manner to an audience. Unlike the previous task, we were told to focus purely on the script of the video and none of the visual content provided. This was done so that I could successfully identify information within a script, understanding how they portrayed the information and how it was contextual relevant to the scene and characters. One of my favourite clips was the Casablanca secret sentimentalist clip which we was shown.

Casablanca (1942)

I found that the Casablanca script provided quite a broad range of information for the viewers, this was then discussed to share out findings with the group. It provided information on;

- The Backstory Of Characters
- The Characters History
- Distinctive Character Traits
- The Characters Purpose
- Story Plot

With this information I discovered that the main protagonist had a cynical attitude, a shady history and who's main purpose at that point in time to free a friend who was in trouble. I found this really enlightening as I did truly underestimate how powerful and engaging writing can be, if the audiences questions are answered effectively, and provides a motive to progress further into a context.

Video Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBJGHvt7I3c

Abstract Essay Task

This abstract 250 - 500 word essay is a developed version of my second proposal idea.

The WE ARE HUDDERSFIELD Campaign

Identity... Identity is core fundamental aspect which everything needs in order to have a place in the constantly growing informational age. Talent and culture are in abundance and what is truly considered to be a significant feat in the modern world is to be unique. But how does Huddersfield become a unique distinctive landmark? Through change. The true nature of humanity is to evolve so that we can become better at our weaknesses and to better suit our environment. This is why I want to produce this campaign, not only to make huddersfield a more student friendly place, but to have others sharing in the prosperity of which a multicultural society brings. I want to produce an improved identity for huddersfield, developing on the current representation of what Huddersfield is and emphasising on elements of graphic design

Miles Thorpe: Fantastic Media

Miles Thorp, Head of Digital at Fantastic Media, is a former student of the University of  Huddersfield. His presence at this lecture was to give some helpful advice on upcoming placements and general importance on presentation and on how it can be beneficial in becoming a successful designer. This was incorporated with his success story, stating that he was the typical unorganised student and always tended to leave things to the last minute. He then carried on emphasising on the importance of keeping in contact with placements, even those which you don't intend on going to just as a reserve."Keeping in contact with placements allows yourself in the placements mind, keeping you one foot within the door. Just get noticed." He classed himself as rather fortunate in getting a place at Fantastic Media, saying because of his passion to learn and to always be willing to do additional work with his co-workers, he then managed to achieve his Head of Digital status. A key portion to Miles success is the invention of his portfolio site, Unifolio.

Unifolio is a free online portfolio aimed at creative students who are looking for a job or placement and allows themselves to showcase their work directly to the employer, much like the website Bechance but without the cost implications.

Photograph Of Miles During The Lecture

“No matter what technical skills you may have, if a client likes you, they will buy into you” - Miles Thorp

After talking about his success story with Fantastic Media, Thorp then talked briefly discussed about what things employers and placements alike look for. For instance, it was crucial that when applying for a placement that you submitted an online portfolio containing your best work, including some self made projects with real world applications, showing your understanding of how the process would work realistically. Fantastic Media in particular also admired designers who undertakes in learning new skills, allowing yourself to become much more dependable in situations, giving yourself more worth as a designer, as Throp stated "It doesn't matter if you are the very best at a particular field, as long as you can do it to a decent standard, your help would be a great assist when working with others in the company".

Something that stuck out during this lecture was how Thorp gave a set of questions which simplified my true intentions as an designer, understanding which placement would be best suited to myself, allowing me to at an early start on applying on the correct placements.

Miles Thorps Three Main Questions:

#1 What Do I Want To Do?

#2 What Do I Want To Learn?

#3 Where Do You Want To Do It?

Overall this brief lecture gave me a informed idea on how to go about the process of applying and working in a placement, what would be expected of me and what people are Fantastic Media are looking for. After this lecture I have decided that I will produce additional content out of lessons for my online portfolio, which will be developed on Bechance, this is because of Miles Thorp's Emphasis that it would give myself an edge over others. Furthermore, I also asked some questions post lecture and cleared some questions on how much content be displayed and if a large amount of research was required alongside a final product. Overall this brief lecture gave me a informed idea on how to go about the process of applying and working in a placement, what would be expected of me and what people are Fantastic Media are looking for. After this lecture I have decided that I will produce additional content out of lessons for my online portfolio, which will be developed on Bechance, this is because of Miles Thorp's Emphasis that it would give myself an edge over others. Furthermore, I also asked some questions post lecture and cleared some questions on how much content be displayed and if a large amount of research was required alongside a final product.

Photograph Of Miles Business Card
Images Sourced From - https://twitter.com/thorp88
Date Of Lecture 11 /11/ 2015