jr-creative-collaboration

[jr-creative-collaboration]

As part of our final submission we were tasked with making a video of our project that had to be roughly 1 minute long. As I have some experience with using Premiere I said that I would put this together. I tasked everyone with writing a 10/12 second voiceover for the video so that we all had a role in the video and we delegated what part of the video we each would take. We made a plan of what images we wanted to include in the video: 1)-Quays Culture exhibition video/photos-Using Jack's IG filter-Footage of scrolling their IG 2)-Footage of existing examples of AR leaflets etc-AR from DIT experiments-Stock (covid/empty streets/qr code) 3)-Screen recordings   -blender-Footage of storyboarding 4)-Screen recordings   -using our AR-Footage of making the bottle IRL I got all of the relevant videos together (lots of them were filmed or made by Josh and Piers) and started to cut them together to fit with the voiceovers that everyone recorded. I had to edit the levels of sound as everyone had recorded using different methods as well. I also decided to look out some license free music to put over the background so had to get the levels of that versus the voices correct. I’m really happy with how it turned out and I think we did a really good job on keeping it succinct but still covering the essence of our final project!

[jr-creative-collaboration]

Project Snags!

At this point we’ve been working flat out to get this project realised on time to be sent out to the general public. Communication with Gemma has been slightly difficult as it is obviously manic over on their end trying to get the entire main project off the ground. This has led to a couple of huge issues for us. What we thought was going to work for our augmented reality marker has turned out to be incredibly glitchy. For some reason when we used the test model to see if the QR code would work as a marker it worked fine, but when using our own model it glitches between different areas of the QR code and is impossible to see properly, not to mention that it is appearing incredibly small. We consulted with Gemma and have decided, in order to give users a more streamlined experience that we are going to pivot to making our animated model appear as a simple (and stable) overlay. This still allowed us to use github, and to give it the appearance of being AR as it would appear over the camera image on the smart phone. Unfortunately it isn’t the outcome that we would have wanted but due to the sever lack of time that we had for testing and debugging before we had to give the marker to Gemma for printing this is the compromise that we have to make, as at the end of the day the User Experience is the most important thing in this case.

[jr-creative-collaboration]

Mystery Bird Website Showcase

The group was tasked with making slides to be put on the mystery bird website to showcase our work. They wanted some information and images about what our ideas were and the work we had done so far.

I decided to put this together as I knew I wanted to make it look as good as I possibly could because it was going to be viewed by the “general public”. I started by looking at the imagery already put on the website by the mystery bird project itself. I took a few of their images and put them through the adobe colour picker to get the colours for the slides, and decided to make it look as dynamic and interesting as I could so had text overlapping with images instead of following a strict grid pattern. I think my use of their colour really ties us in with their project which is something I wanted to do as our work was going to be rolled out alongside theirs. I think, especially in comparison to what other groups submitted, ours turned out really professional looking and I’m really proud to have those up on the website! https://www.mysterybird.co.uk/bird-boys

[jr-creative-collaboration]

Mid-way reflection.

At this point I’m really happy with how the project is going. As a group we are staying really organised and getting all of the work done. Our idea is really good and has been green lit to actually be sent out to real people so it’s all very exciting. I think one of the things I’m doing really well at is keeping people on track and steering our ideas. I often take charge during our weekly meetings to make sur everyone is getting involved. I’m also really good at bouncing off of other people’s ideas and do really well when working with others in that aspect.

[jr-creative-collaboration]

Client Review

Our pitch to Quays Culture went incredibly well. They were especially interested in our augmented reality bird feeder instructions as they were already going to send out instructions on making bird feeders to the audience. However, they had overlooked the potential use of AR. As a result, they have chosen to use our project in their show, specifically the AR bird feeder!

We were also informed during the pitch that The Mystery Bird Project was already working on their own Instagram filter. Because we received such an enthusiastic and positive response to our suggestion of an AR birdfeeder we decided to focus more time and energy developing the bird feeder instructions in conjunction with the pack they were already sending out.

Furthermore, as we were expected to create our project without a budget, we could no longer make our AR bird feeder in conjunction with a printed leaflet. Fortunately, because they liked our idea so much they agreed that a small QR marker could be printed and added to their existing user packs allowing us to continue development with these constraints.

[jr-creative-collaboration]

The Pitch

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Client Pitch Preparation

This week we began to inform on what our pitch to Gemma of the mystery bird project would be. We knew the crux of our idea is to make 3D animated models of birds that augment out of a leaflet, alongside a 3D modelled instruction on how to make a bird-feeder at home. I had the idea to use prezi (which is a website online) to make a more convincing presentation than an ordinary power point. We know that we want to impress with our idea because we have so much faith in it, so I volunteered to start putting this together ahead of the presentation so we could practice the pitch. One of my strengths is visual communication, and I think I have a good eye for making content visually appealing.

[jr-creative-collaboration]

Augmented Reality Pamphlet Research

None of us could find any pamphlets that were related to bird concervation with AR so we changed this to find different ways that AR is used in flyers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqeIXS8bim4 This is very similar to my initial idea about the AR leaflet. There's a QR code that your phone scans and takes you to a web page that allows you to view the AR that's coded to the leaflet. It then takes you to video information related to the leaflet that floats on top of it.I think where this falls short, and where we would improve on it, is the use of 3D modelling and animation. Just playing a video that floats over the leaflet isn't very engaging and actually seems a bit pointless when the QR code could just link you to the video that would be easier to watch if it wasn't AR.If we made the leaflet, like this, with the QR code on the front and then inside the AR marker could have a 3D model of a bird feeder with animations on how to assemble it. I think it would be really cool. We could tie the leaflets aesthetic to the Quays culture project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWH2iEh3YjQ (great use of 3D... This makes me really think AR is going to be the future of print marketing. Being able to see 360 degrees of the buildings in a picture is really useful. Only issue I have is that you need to download proprietary software in order to view and interact with it, as opposed to using an existing web based app that doesn't require the end user to download anything new to their phone.) 

[jr-creative-collaboration]

Team Meeting. pt 2

Josh brought an idea to the table at this weeks meeting that I really liked and we have decided to pursue.

Instead of just creating an augmented reality marker, we could create a full pamphlet/leaflet that could cover topics that are in the Mystery Bird’s own brief. It gives us scope to do so much more than just 3D modelling and allows us to have more tasks to delegate amongst ourselves. At this meeting I also brought us into Trello so that we could better see what tasks we have to do, what tasks are being done by others and what tasks have been completed. I think this will help us greatly in our project management and is something that I do for my projects individually!

Wel also decided to rely heavily on the Microsoft Teams programme as a repository for any research we complete so that everyone has access to it at a glance. This is also where we have our weekly team meetings so it’s easy to have meeting notes on there as well.

[jr-creative-collaboration]

Conservation research:

I did a bunch of research into the bird populations native to Britain. It was hard to find info that pertained specifically to Greater Manchester. The main thing I gleaned from looking into this is that conservation efforts really do have a positive effect on declining bird populations, even though climate change and disruptions to marine food chains is causing more birds than ever to be in decline in Britain. This led me to come up with the idea of encouraging people to make some sort of bird feeder, or bird table/home to put in their outdoor spaces. This fits well with the ideology of the mystery bird project, and I think would be an excellent enhancement to their show. It’s also something that can be done using AR fairly easily (in theory). I showed this research to the guys and everyone seemed to be on board! From here we are going to continue to pursue the 3D model AR route, and create 3D models of birds, but also try and create a 3D how-to guide for building a bird table or something similar.

[jr-creative-collaboration]

Team Meeting - 1

The first team meeting with the guys went really well. I had some thoughts and ideas ready to take to the table which I think went over really well with everyone.

First they all caught me up with where they had gotten to the day before at the in person session (which I was unable to make). Once I was on the same page we then pushed forward with solidifying what we wanted to do research one. We were all drawn to using an AR marker (that we had just learned about in the Innovations and tech module) as this is something that fits the brief really well as it doesn’t require a budget and can be used by anyone with a smart-phone (which is pretty much everyone these days). Our idea was to have some sort of 3D model that could possibly be animated that appears when you point your smartphone camera at the marker. This could be any number of related things, such as the birds that were being used in the actual event, or even just birds local to the greater Manchester area. I also thought that we should have a focus on conservation efforts in the area, as it gives our idea more purpose and fits well the the ideology of the mystery bird project. We then decided to delegate research amongst ourselves to bring to the next planned meeting in a few days time: Research jobs:

Josh - AR and 3D research

Me - Bird conservation research (get as much data about greater manchester bird populations and conservation efforts)

Piers - Social media filter research

Yueh Chen - 3D research

James - 2D style research

[jr-creative-collaboration]

TEAM TIME!

This week we have been put in teams and to say I’m relieved is an understatement. I will be working with Josh, James, Piers and Yueh-Chen. I think this is a good group as during our 1st year I got quite a lot of peer feedback from josh and having seen the work of each of these guys I know we’ll be able to make something great!

[jr-creative-collaboration]

Client Briefing

Clients Work:

“Mystery Bird We are living through unprecedented times with the COVID-19 crisis, human rights inequalities and the climate crisis at unbearable levels of sustainability. Birds have often been a symbol of hope in mythology and many of us experienced a renewed interest in nature and birds during lockdown - noticing birdsong again at a time when the world was held at a temporary standstill. It is widely recognised that engaging with nature has a positive impact on humans making us feel more alive and connected with our fragile eco-system of birds, insects and nature. We could also reflect upon the migratory habits of birds and our acceptance of their passing across This piece acts as a meditation about our attitude to our fellow human beings and ideas of belonging as well as encouraging us to engage with the nature around us. It looks at the present and our ideas of human community and belonging but also to the future - imagining a world where we are left with the shadows and the memories of birds.”

First Impressions, before the client briefing:

This is a very exciting art project especially because the limitations created by COVID19 have helped mould a project that is even more inclusive than it might normally be! Art installations involving community engagement will always pique my interest but even more so when the art is being brought to people instead of requiring people to go to it.

Gemma’s Briefing:

During the briefing with Gemma, we were presented with what exactly Quays culture were doing; they are creating an arts show that will be travelling around the Salford area. The show will focus on the idea that, during lockdown birds and insects have thrived. In the show there will be a projector on the back of a truck that will project an animated story onto the surrounding area. Our job is to produce something that will be an addition to the show. This can be anything as long as it: fits with the theme, does not draw crowds, and is suitable and greenlit by Quays culture.

Second Impressions, after the client briefing:

The scope is incredibly broad, which slightly fills me with dread as it’s pretty overwhelming. I feel like it has highlighted within me my lack of experience with creating digital mediums.It’s stymied my excitement for this module, as initially I thought we would be involved with the actual art exhibit that is being brought to people, but now I’m not quite sure what our purpose actually is.Hopefully, through working with whatever group I end up being in, this will become more exciting and engaging again, and less overwhelming.

[jr-creative-collaboration]

Personal Audit: how do I work in teams?

Strengths:

Ideas,

Collaboration,

work ethic,

Not shy,

enthusiastic

Weaknesses:

Easily frustrated

imposter syndrome

articulating problems

[jr-creative-collaboration]

Christo Javacheff: The Floating Piers

“Based on your research about Christo Javacheff project, can we say that this project ‘belonged’ to the author alone? How many more specialists were needed? Can you think on ways in which this project could have been 'augmented’ with digital technology?“

I think this project didn’t belong to the author “alone” but I also think it’s fair to say that it is “his” project.When a building is designed by an architect the credit isn’t given to the thousands of workers, builders, electricians, plumbers, regardless of how essential they were for the building to be made real. The same, I think, goes for this. The idea is the creative property of the person who has it and sets about making it a reality, whether they have to consult specialists to work out how to make it real, or they can do it all entirely themselves.

As for how this project could be augmented: There are SO many ways this could be augmented. You could augment fantastical creatures that dive over the walkways to create excitement. You could have educational materials appear about the surrounding landscape, different stories about things that have happened in the surrounding mountains, or the areas. You could augment different sorts of games with checkpoints along the path, creating a start and finish line for people to play with their friends.

[jr-creative-collaboration]

Creative Collaboration: The Beginning.

We will be working with Quays Culture, who has done lots of incredibly interesting and cool work at and around the Salford Quays! Obviously, as the module suggests, we will be working in collaboration with other students. Fortunately, in my opinion, we were told that this only has to include others on our own course and we don’t have to necessarily work with Animation students this time, if the project idea doesn’t call for that collaboration. I’m excited about working on a brief for Quays Culture, but I’m also apprehensive about having to rely on others. Mostly my apprehension comes from being unsure of who my group will actually be and hoping that I don’t get a group of other students who don’t share the same enthusiasm for the course or the subject that I do and so I might end up having to manage other people’s time as well as my own, which isn’t ideal on a 200 hour module! Hopefully my fears will be allayed, and I’ll get a good group, and all will be well!