Creative project manager

As I have progressed with my project concepts and idea's, I feel that I have become a little more balanced as a creative project manager. Since I come from a creative background , I have always had a flare for generating an idea and progressing it further but I have never had to work with something so practical. This is where I have found it most difficult. I am more confident from a visual point of view and I have found the writing the most challenging . I was able to visualize very quickly the aesthetic attributes of the website. The way it would look , the style of the font , the overall design but I could not generate content that would create a unique slant to my project.

To my surprise I found that I really enjoyed writing the script that is part of my marketing strategy plan. The freedom to create a story and put it in to words , is not something that I would have ever tried before but I feel that it's simplistic, realistic  everyday approach will appeal to a large audience .I am pleased that it's tone is serious yet it also has an air of humor embedded within it. 

As far as following a plan of action , I'm not sure I did stick to the direction that I started on as I ended by writing a story for a film . In mentioning this though I have stuck to my initial website idea and brought it full circle . It is a very practical and viable idea that would be very useful to people and I also believe it is an effective use of digital technology.

Marketing /promotion/distribution plan

As I have already put together a Marketing Strategy for my website Free Food, I will just mention a few launch ideas that I have to create a buzz on the idea .

Because of the name ' Free Food ' I feel that it will generate curiosity amongst people as everyone likes something for nothing, especially in these recessionary times . So to avoid disappointment as an initial start up offer I feel it would be beneficial to hand out flyer's on the streets of Galway offering a voucher that entitled the customer to something absolutely free, subject to terms and conditions off course. The voucher holder would have to log on to the website and register as a member firstly. Secondly the new member would have to book a meal  in one of our featured restaurants for two or more people. On doing all this they would receive either a free starter or desert with every main meal purchased that was suitable to their dietary requirements.These voucher's could also be in local newspapers and suitable retail outlets, including health food shops. Also to reward everyone who visits the site and signs up, these vouchers could be printed off the website also.

To officially launch the website I propose to organise a huge event in a local hotel . This would be advertised on radio,newspapers and off course the Internet . All the restaurant owners plus any members interested and potential members would be invited to come along. A full buffet catering to people with special dietary requirements would be served . This could also be a chance to screen the marketing film to promote the need for the website. It could be also beneficial to have professional speakers talking about the three branches of people that are catered for in the website and also I chance to sign up new members by collecting contact details. As the website needs to generate an income this could also be a profitable opportunity to generate interest in buying advertisement space on the website.

As I have already shown a design outline of my website 'Free Food' ,the visual aspects are quite clear . I have chosen a strong design that is fresh and legible . The logo is portrayed using earthy colors and printed on hand-made paper  for an organic feel . This natural theme will run through in the background of all the pages of the website . The lettering is inspired from the block press font that has a very authentic style to it and is in keeping with the rest of the design. As there are 3 strands of people catered for in the website, they are each clearly identified by a universal symbol that is common to their attributes. In all the visual aspects of the website are supporting a healthy ,cleaner and safer approach to eating out.

The visual aspects of the marketing film are still unfolding but because of the nature of the website and the use of digital media , I feel it should be set in the present day to make it more relevant and realistic to the medium. I feel space is important conceptually and aesthetically . I am visualizing the frames having an offside composition so to open up the depth of the background. I have recently watched 'Hunger' directed by Steve Mc Queen , depicting the last 6 weeks in the life of hunger striker Bobby Sands . While I found this film harrowing and extremely difficult to take, the director, who came from a visual art background approached the film in a very artistic way . The extended lenght of the shots , the attention to detail and the richness of color all added to the visual ambiance and beauty of the film . I feel a could visualize certain aspects of my film having similar characteristics to Steve McQueen s approach .

Works Cited

 Hunger. Steve, Mc Queen, Enda Walsh, IFC Films, 2008

'Free Food Free Write'

Since the beginning of this project I have found that my idea for the website is something that is very viable and is severely needed to improve the quality of dining out for people with special dietary requirements. I was able to visualize the design and layout of the website early on and very quickly decided on a name and logo , but where I have lacked on ideas and inspiration is addressing the issue of content that is required to fill it . Having a long think about my options and even contemplating changing projects, I have decided to write a script for a short film/sketch highlighting the need for a website like 'Free Food'. This 5 minute film will not mention the website directly but it will portray a  typical storyline that people who have dietary restrictions  voluntary or involuntary might endeavor . The idea of this film is essentially seen as  back-up for my marketing strategy plan.  As the website is a guide for restaurants in Galway, my plan would be to enter the film in to the Tulca festival and the Galway Arts festival to promote it's existence and function. So far the script portrays 2 main characters. It is evident that there is a strained relationship between a young women and her grandmother because of the lack of understanding on the grandmothers part . The young woman Suzy had chosen to be a vegetarian and was shown no compassion or patience . In the end a little twist flips the atmosphere and put s the story in another direction . I purposely left the ending unresolved to give the concepts of the  website space to move in and create a  resolution , if that makes sense !!!

Digital Collage

 

 No One, [Freud] announced, lives in the real world. We occupy a space of our own creation-a collage compounded of bits and pieces of actuality arranged into a design determined by our internal perceptions, our hopes, our fears, our memories, and our anticipations. (WGalin47)

 

Making collages is a process I have used over the years as a playful way of creating images and space to create ideas as support for my prints. I use a diversity of materials, including recycling old wallpapers and proof prints. I find by juxtaposing different shapes, materials and forms it increases the possibilities of interpretation.

I have been looking at the work of Richard Hamilton and Robert Rauschenberg for their interesting works made from using found objects and combining photography and printmaking.

I find also the work of Jim Stezaker fascinating for his collaborations of photomontage and his interest in the idea of the found image, also In his more recent work he was been investigating symmetry of found images and creating collages from his portraits and landscape composites (craig16)

He has said that montage is a form of collage done by rearranging sections of film. It is also similar to copy and pasting which is something that everybody does. (Stezaker)

I am interested in investigating the possibilities of collaborating collages with the moving image. As I have talked about previously in ‘Digital turbulence” It is important to be that my work sustains an integrity that keeps a grip on the traditonal and partners it with new digital technologies.

 

                                   Works cited

   Galin, W, Collage,Assembling Contemporary art

                  

                      Black dog, London, 2008,print

 

 Craig,Blanche Collage,Assembling Contemporary art

                    

                      Black dog, London, 2008,print

 

Stezaker,Jim, Collage,Assembling Contemporary art

                    

                      Black dog, London, 2008,print

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflection on project feedback

I found the feedback very beneficial towards my project this time around . Maybe due to the fact that we had a better idea what was expected of us this time around . 

To clarify the comments I will list points made that firstly I felt were successful:

Piece 9 

Good marketing strategy for the website 

Good use of digital media

Language suitable for purpose intended

Good feedback on logo and choice of name

Piece 10

Strong design

Suitable layout for purpose intended

Good use of font 

Clear and concise

Constructive Criticism

Piece 9

Piece seems a little rushed,

I need to watch punctuation.

A more in-depth investigation into marketing this specific website.

Could think about using web 3.0 .. videos etc..

 

Piece 10

Seems a little cold in its appearance.

 Unique element is needed for this module that gives it the edge from a normal website

Since receiving the feedback I have been contemplating how to improve the project by creating a unique idea for it. I think since undertaking this project I have visualizing the design and layout not to mention the function of the website for its practicalities , but not for its creative concepts . I regret in ways not taking a more organic approach where I could have been more conceptual and abstract with my ideas, as I feel I am still thinking about the project on literal level .

So the thinking cap is on now how to pursue this module in a more creative , unique way that will enable content to be written for it .

It is very interesting to receive feedback from fellow class mates and I have evaluated all their opinions and have taken them on board . I hope some of my feedback was given the others food for thought also .