Digital epiphany.
Recently, I’ve been a bit uncertain about my plans following graduation. I knew I wanted to write, move to a city, and work for an advertising agency. But, for someone who prefers to strive for highly specific and lofty goals, I felt like that wasn’t enough. What was it that I truly wanted? However, the stress I felt from these vague plans I chalked up to general senior anxiety. Everyone else likely felt that way and nothing would change that.
So imagine my surprise and immense delight when I experienced my so-called digital epiphany this past week. Upon visiting and chatting with a variety of people at small digital shops in New York, I suddenly realized that digital is where I want to be — and where I’ve been — all along.
The first gears started turning during our visit to Big Spaceship and ensuing chat with the likes of Mark Pollard and similarly brilliant minds. They talked about how they work in unique teams of producers, tech people, designers, and strategists to bring in new and different ideas, and how they don’t have a specific creative department because they feel everyone is creative. They thrive on simply making things (on another solo chat with Mark, he would again stress the necessity of building something) and bringing in all their unique skills to do something fantastic. How could you not be in love with that? As someone who has tried their hand in design, art direction, writing, strategy, and production, it sounded perfect. Many traditional agencies prefer the intense focus on one very specific set of skills, but agencies like Big Spaceship seemed to favor something along the lines of the T-shaped person, which we all strive for here at Oregon.
The next day, a few of us headed over to Rokkan, a smaller, digital-only shop in SoHo. Admittedly, I didn’t know much about them other than some of their clients, so I was curious to what words of wisdom they would offer. Like Big Spaceship, they favor people with passionate minds who can move quickly and who are aware of how digital is changing the traditional landscape. One set of slides in particular stood out to me: On the first, they discussed the old agency landscape that followed the line of thinking where you would first make something, communicate it to the audience, and it would influence them. Simple, one-way connection. On the next slide, they showed the new agency landscape that showed a similar flow, but it would continue on into internet/computers/mobile. Now, instead of being a one-way street, two-way conversations could take place and it allows the business to shift how it operates to meet the needs and wants of the people. Additionally, this provides much more data and information that previous methods. Wow. We’ve all grown up with the internet and we all know what it’s capable of, but when it boils down to it, the internet is about communication and community. How smart that an agency can see that and use it to improve themselves, their work, and their connections.
Being of the internet generation, I absolutely see the need for this new landscape. Digital is where all agencies will eventually head, but it seems that a few are ahead of the game. Their words are inspiring, and it’s made me understand not only the need for digital, but the reasons why I need to be a part of it. If I want to do something new, try my hand at a bit of everything, and maybe screw up along the way, digital is where I need to be. So, big thanks to the agencies and people that helped make it all click.
J460: Homeless Hotspots
When I first heard about BBH Labs’ “Homeless Hotspots” down at SXSW, I immediately thought the worst and hoped the name wasn’t exactly what it implied. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what it turned out to be — hotspots touted by homeless individuals in downtown Austin. Specifically, each homeless man or woman carries a wireless hotspot in their pocket and wanders around SXSW wearing a shirt that reads: “I’m [insert name here], a 4G hotspot” followed by a number you can text to receive internet access.
Yikes.
Of all the possibilities to bring about change for the lesser privlidged in Austin, it seems BBH chose the worst possible route that reeks of dehumanization. While there is now a name attached to an otherwise nameless face in Austin’s homeless population, by adding the tag “I’m…a 4G hotspot,” users have little reason to interact with them beyond reading their shirt for free wi-fi.
I’m not the only one discomforted by this campaign; The internet erupted with criticism earlier this week and with any sort of backlash, there soon followed a wave of articles praising the campaign for being innovative and that those of us who felt uneasy about it simply did not understand.
One common response I’ve heard is that this campaign is similar to the street newspapers written and distributed by those without a home as it provides a way for those individuals to have their story heard. However, I can’t help but disagree. There is no guaranteed connection between both types of individuals in this interaction beyond the SMS, so how does this provide an outlet for those often silenced?
As someone who is interested using digital to bring about social change, I can’t help but think there must have been better options available than this. In the New York Times article I linked above, BBH talks about the success they had with providing homeless individuals in New York with cell phones and Twitter access so they could tweet about their experience living on the streets. Now, something like that absolutely makes sense; The homeless individuals can discuss their lives and experience in whatever way they can and it brings attention to an issue that is often overlooked. In my mind, the homeless hotspots campaign fails to do that. It’s obvious BBH Labs has good ideas and they probably had good intentions, but there seems to be some sort of disconnect between the idea and the execution; A failed link that provides an outlet for the homeless to have their voice be heard and not silenced by instant internet access. Hopefully BBH Labs’ next idea will improve upon because if anything, it got people talking and brought attention to the plight of others.
J460: “Halló, this is Iceland.”
During my downtime this term, I’ve been in research mode for my impending trip to Iceland. I’m not sure how much you know about this country, but you probably recall the massive economic crisis they experienced in 2008. Since then, Iceland has been trying to get back on its feet in many ways, especially in the realm of tourism. Of course, many countries try to encourage people to visit to boost themselves in times of economic issues, but Iceland’s approach to the situation is unique.
Rather than stick to pamphlets in travel agencies or those overly cheesy commercials that invite you to “explore [insert country name here]’s natural beauty,” Iceland has opted for a more digital approach that gives Iceland its own voice, which potential travelers can then interact with. Beyond locating Iceland in its spot in the northern Atlantic Ocean, you can now also find it on Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, and Vimeo. And perhaps its the writer in me (or the Scandophile), but the slightly strange and Nordic otherworldly-ness of Iceland’s voice on its pages makes me smile. It sounds like how I imagine Björk would sound.
Some may argue that the approach is not all that different. After all, the country is simply branding itself and we all know there are hundreds and thousands of brands across various social media platforms. However, the distinction is clear to me — a country inherently has its own culture and “brand” so to speak; it’s an experience and a destination that cannot be mimicked elsewhere. On the other hand, the culture of brands and the brand experience must be crafted for the product. Coca-Cola wasn’t created in a lab one day and suddenly everyone understood “the Coke side of life.” Additionally, given that we’ve reached a point where many products provide the same results, only branding can thus provide the difference between them. So while brands participate in social media to assist in a continual crafting of their brand, Iceland uses it to allow others to discover what Iceland is. If you glanced at the above links, you’ll see videos, photos, stories and answers to questions potential visitors have about this ethereal land. Of course, these platforms will never provide the whole story for the country, but it gives a taste that will hopefully be enough to bring on hoards of tourists in the upcoming months and for that, I think the campaign is brilliant.
J460: A day of digital — review.
After a day of recording my use of digital devices, I gave myself a day to analyze my findings and see how I felt. Upon immediately writing the digital log, I felt guilty and a little embarrassed. I knew I was on the computer or phone a lot, but nearly all day? That has to be a problem.
But, I gave it some more thought and maybe it isn’t as bad as I initially thought. I could have cut down the time in some places, sure, but most of my day was enjoyable when connected. I read a few articles on Sweden, music, and fashion, as well as shared things with friends I knew they’d enjoy. I collected opinions and inspiration, and communicated with people who don’t live anywhere close to me. And best of all, I could do it quickly and efficiently without it hindering my personal schedule.
Some may argue that it was still mostly a waste of time as lately it seems many people who are connected are simply curating rather than creating original content and that their not using the web to their “full potential.” I’m guilty of that, of course. There are days where, beyond homework, I am mostly passive in my use of digital. However, it is those days that later inform my original content that range from personal projects to one-on-one discussions with friends.
The same argument could be made for things like films, books, and music. We aren’t creating original content when we go to the movies or listen to an album on repeat, so why it is then that all things digital are most often criticized for being “time wasters”? It is from that criticism that my original feelings of guilt stem, and now it seems slightly ridiculous. As long as my connectivity does not interrupt with real life or prevent me from doing other activities, should I be concerned for how often I am connected? After all, I am enjoying myself and as the saying goes — “time you enjoy wasting is not time wasted.”
J460: A day of digital.
Lately, I’ve been pondering my use of digital devices, or perhaps, my excess use. There is hardly a second that goes by where I’m not checking my iPhone for messages, listening to Spotify on my macbook, or watching a YouTube video with friends on their computer. In fact, I think the only moments I’m at ease with not being connected is while I’m asleep, in the bathroom, or in the shower. And even then, my phone is only a reach away just in case. Yikes. Is that a problem?
I want to analyze my connectivity in my next post, so below the cut is a near-perfect recap of my digital use on February 29th. (Mind you, I am likely forgetting many instances when I unconsciously checked my phone.)
J460: Why digital matters to writers.
As it turns out, this term has been slightly busier than expected so I haven’t been attending to my blog as much as I’d like. But what I have been doing is attending several excellent classes including Digital Brand and Social Web Strategy — a course on digital branding, user experience, and social web strategy — taught by Dave Allen of North.
Unsurprisingly, the class is mostly full of strategists and planners. That’s understandable when many agencies need these people to comprehend the functionality and possibilities of the web. So why then did I decide to take this course? Do these topics even matter to me as a writer?
Besides the obvious that the web offers a much more versatile space for portfolios for writers, it creates a new type of engagement to be created between writer and readers; a new platform where reader and writer can converge.
Consider for a moment how fleeting some words can be — we usually can only hear a song once on the radio, or see a commercial one time during our show. Maybe we only pass a billboard once on our drive to the city. But with the internet, those words can be read again again and again. And you’re welcome to read them anytime or anywhere (well, wherever you have a wi-fi connection, mind you).
This is something that, as a writer, I should use heavily to my advantage. My words can exist in a space where they can repeatedly be referenced, tweaked and shared. Readers can interact with my work and, by proxy, me. And that is a powerful thought.
Beyond the possibilities of interaction, it’s simply important that I understand all aspects of the world I want to work in. How can I expect to write pieces for the web if I don’t understand the strategy behind them? I can’t and I won’t. I refuse to be uneducated about the diverse capabilities of the digital realm.
Inspired by Five [week 2]
- “Chase No Face” by BELL
- Movies from an Alternative Universe by Peter Stults
- “The Rise of the New Groupthink“ by Susan Cain
- Biophilia Educational Program
- Spending 12.5 hours on the set of the up-and-coming Tennis music video where everyone was focused, inspired, and curious. Definitely looking forward to sharing the final video in a few weeks.
New year, new project.
After a few weeks of highly successful me-time, it’s about time I refocused and got back to reality. It is a new year after all. Which means, of course, resolutions and promises to myself that this will be my year. Everyone says that, but do we ever mean it?
Perhaps I haven’t been committed in the past, but believe me when I say that these next twelve months will belong to me. It may only be the 5th of January, but the air feels electric and hints at something great in the near future. It feels exhausting and exciting. Terrifying and terrific. Confusing and colorful. And I’m ready for it all.
In an effort to keep this momentum, I’ve decided I will curate five things each week that inspire me in one way or another. Maybe they’ll inspire you too.
So, on that note, here is this week’s edition. From here on out, I plan on instead posting these on Saturdays (and in their own posts), but today I’m feeling overzealous and want to share right away.
Inspired by 5 [Week 1]
- “Genesis” by Grimes
- Standing along the Pacific Ocean, both at midnight and midday, hearing the waves break and feeling as if it were the middle of June rather than the 1st of January
- Reading this post on being intelligent but lacking motivation to do well in school
- Kanye West’s tweets on creativity, fashion, and DONDA
- Charlie Kaufman’s speech on screenwriting
25: Portfolio
I still have quite a ways to go before it’s complete, but it has the makings of something great. And that’s what I need — a skeleton. An empty template to fill with my work and words to become an extended part of me.
Look forward to a whole person come June.
24: Winter Productivity.
With paper after paper piling up for finals week, I am sincerely looking forward to winter break where I can sleep in past 6am and stay in my pajamas all day. Where my fridge will be filled with something other than baby carrots and hummus. Where I don’t have to contemplate napping in the library under a desk and can instead nap in a comfy bed with my cat.
But for all that potential laziness, I musn’t get complacent. I have a good rhythm and ideas on the back burner I’ll finally have time for, so why not use winter break to get to them?
My main project this break will be to create a comic about an alternate world derived from the dreams of myself and my boyfriend since we were young (yes, I still recall dreams from age three and on). It’s bound to get weird and creepy, but I need to exercise that muscle as I haven’t had the chance to in my recent research papers (understandably so). Neither of us are particularly great artists, but we are writers, and we will make it worth seeing.
I also plan on really diving into film photography as the camera my dad loaned me has be banished to a shelf in my room in favor of homework assignments. My first batch of black and white photos didn’t turn out the best, so it’s time for more practice.
Finally, I’m going to solidify my upcoming portfolio and make sure it’s well on its way to being everything it can be. It’s fairly bare right now, but I can see the potential and now I need to craft the plan.
