#things I was not able to adequately convey in the format:

[irregularjohnnywiggins]

You ever have those moments where an idea just... won't leave your head?

[cheri-translates]

[CN] S2 Gavin - The Stories Project

🍒 Warning: Detailed spoilers for content not yet released in EN!🍒

Trigger warning: Mentions of suicide

Features S2 Gavin but contains no spoilers regarding the S2 storyline

This is a continuation of The Broadcast Countdown Project. Do read that first!

[ This was released on 25 August 2021 ]

[ Chapter One ]

Gavin and I are standing outside Door 501 of the 7th block in Pavilion Village.

This is also the home of Zhang Nian, the kidnapper who handed me an anonymous letter in the TV station before eventually committing suicide.

A thorough investigation of the case involving the anonymous kidnapper and his suicide has ended. The STF has also removed the cordoning around the scene.

I liaised with the TV station, planning to showcase the incident from start to end in a special episode of the show which will be aired in the last episode of “Inquiries”.

Gavin: This used to be a crime scene. If you’re afraid, wait for me here. If you need any materials, I can head inside and find them for you.

MC: It’s okay, I don’t avoid such things... Also, I have a feeling that there’s definitely something behind this case worth seeing in person.

The husband and wife who were kidnapped had related the details to me, and mentioned that even though Zhang Nian had kidnapped them, they weren’t treated harshly at all.

It’s just that Zhang Nian was deaf and couldn't speak. He could only communicate with them with hems and haws, which ended up frightening them.

In hindsight, they realised that Zhang Nian never harboured malicious intentions towards them.

MC: What was Zhang Nian’s goal and what did he want to tell us? The answers to these riddles... they might be hidden here.

Gavin pushes the door open, and we step into Zhang Nian’s house.

Gavin: This place was sealed off since the incident, which is why the arrangement of furniture we’re looking at is the same as when he was still alive.

In contrast to the dim and cold space I had imagined, the living room is well lit.

The cream coloured wood flooring, a white cloth sofa, a simple wall painting of the ocean... all of these elements set off one another in the indolent afternoon sunlight, displaying a warm atmosphere. 

MC: This place gives me such a strange feeling... the person who lived here must have really loved life...

Gavin: His fiancée decorated this place.

Gavin taps on a magnet on the refrigerator. Tiny colourful slips of paper are stuck underneath zebra, bunny, and elephant magnets. 

“Special discount for wax gourds on Tuesday, special discount for pork ribs on Thursday.” - It’s as though the weekly booklet of discounts from the supermarket had been copied down.

“Invitation cards, wedding dress, decide on the hotel.” - The ring which had rolled onto the zebra crossing in the news immediately flashes across my mind.

Aside from that, they have simple recipes on them.

MC: What a pity. If that incident didn’t happen, they would have had a perfect life here.

Gavin: All the furnishings and decor came to a halt when the incident happened to Xu Wen. He did everything he could to retain traces of her existence. As for his own life...

Gavin opens the refrigerator, showing me that it’s more or less empty aside from condiments which had been used a few times. 

White cold mist hover in the empty space, out of sync with the warm tones in the living room.

Gavin: This too.

He opens a wall cabinet to reveal a few boxes of ordinary flavoured cup noodles. The incandescent light in the cabinet is chilly, shining on plastic film surrounding the cup noodles.

Imagining the taste of cup noodles submerged in MSG, I once again turn towards the recipes stuck on the refrigerator.

Gavin shuts the cabinet, then points at the bedroom.

Gavin: MC, I want to show you something.

-

[ Chapter Two ]

Gavin: During the investigation, we found these.

Gavin guides me to the bookcase, then pulls open a drawer at the bottom.

MC: A disability ID, marriage certificate, graduation certificate, guarantee card for a hearing aid and a bank book...

Gavin: We checked his background. He grew up in an orphanage. 

Gavin: Back then, the orphanage didn’t have adequate facilities, and didn’t have teachers or special medical setups for guiding people with hearing issues. He was always reclusive in the orphanage, and didn't have friends. 

Gavin: When he was ten years old, people from the orphanage and community sent him to school.

While saying this, Gavin retrieves a pile of books from the drawer and shows them to me - they are all sketchbooks, and the pages have long since turned yellow. It’s evident that they were here for a very long time.

MC: He can draw?

Gavin: In these books, there are some sketches of streets and still life. Some are comics modelled after existing works. Although I don’t know much about art, I think he could draw pretty well.

While flipping through the pages, I find myself affected by the exquisite details conveyed in these drawings.

Perhaps because he didn’t go through systematic training, he wasn’t limited to one style in the way he expressed his art.

A distinct and unique style leaving a deep impression seems to break through the sheets of paper, revealing the emotions the artist had hidden in his heart.

MC: ...he must have been a really talented artist. 

Gavin points at the wall - there’s a sketch hanging on it. It takes up almost half of the wall, and it’s mounted in a white frame.

MC: The person in the drawing is Xu Wen.

MC: ...it’s drawn really well.

Gavin releases a “mm”, and is unable to hold back a sigh.

Gavin: Extraordinarily well.

It doesn’t matter if it resembles the actual person. It doesn’t matter if it was meticulous or not. 

The person in the drawing has her eyes curved upwards with a smile on her face, and she looks like any other young girl you can find in a crowd.

But the limitless gentleness and happiness contained in her eyes - that’s a unique feature belonging only to one person.

Gavin: They seemed to be schoolmates. I read through Xu Wen’s background - she graduated from the same school for deaf students. But there weren't any questionable points in this case, which is why we didn’t probe further. If you want to know the specifics, we'd have to investigate again.

My heart hovers in the air, wanting to figure out everything about this matter.

But from the STF’s perspective, this case is already closed...

Gavin gives me an affirmative gaze.

Gavin: I know what you're going to say. I want to continue listening to this story too. He wasn’t able to speak, but he left behind a voice that he hoped for others to hear.

After a pause, he turns his head, once again glancing at the drawing hanging on the wall.

Gavin: I can feel such emotions.

Gavin says this softly, and the light in his eyes grow deeper.

Floating dust in the surroundings gather on Xu Wen's portrait. We stand in this warm and tranquil space, as though we can sense their story surging forth without a sound.

-

[ Chapter Three ]

After this, Gavin and I gather information about Zhang Nian and Xu Wen from various sources.

A few days alter, we arrange to meet at a cafe to exchange materials collected from our individual investigations.

MC: I found the teacher from the school for deaf students. He said that when Zhang Nian first arrived at the school, he didn’t even know how to use sign language. He was gloomy and blue. 

MC: Only Xu Wen knew how to converse with him, and would teach him sign language after school. 

MC: After learning of his interest in drawing, she used her pocket money to buy him colouring pencils and drawing paper in secret without her parents’ knowledge. 

MC: They had a pretty happy time in school. Zhang Nian even organised a small exhibition in school, and many teachers and students supported it. 

MC: But after graduation, his days became a little more difficult.

He didn’t have a place to stay, and he couldn’t find work. While Xu Wen could rely on her parents for financial assistance, he could only rely on himself. 

MC: During this time, Xu Wen seemed to have been using her parents’ money to buy him stationery for drawing, and even accompanied him to set up a stall for his paintings...

MC: But they couldn’t earn money at all.

Gavin opens a few files in front of me.

Gavin: Afterwards, he found a job in a finance company. He went around conducting financial transactions for people, and earned commissions based on the number of successful transactions.

Gavin: Not long after, this company was reported for illegal fund-raising. Both he and his boss were jailed for three years.

I recall seeing his ID from before - a crew cut and a white shirt along with a black suit which looked tidy and fitting.

Turns out he wasn’t working at a bank...

Gavin: Even during his time in jail, Xu Wen never gave up on him. She’d visit him every weekend and converse with him via sign language from across the glass.

Gavin: Of course, Zhang Nian behaved very well in jail, and gave his own drawings to many prison guards. After he was out of jail, he found a stable job.

Separated by the scorching 3pm afternoon sunlight, the gaze Gavin gives me is deep with a tranquil light.

Gavin: Do you know why he planned this kidnapping and handed you the video clip anonymously?

I shake my head. This has been my biggest question.

Gavin takes out a few photographs from the file.

Gavin: Before the case was closed, these documents couldn’t be disclosed to the public, which is why I didn’t tell you at the time.

I scrutinise one of the photographs - an A3-sized sheet of paper is stuck on a door, with a few lines written on it.

From the format of the digits, they appear to be bank account numbers.

Gavin: He was behind this door.

MC: Then these bank account numbers...

Gavin: We checked them.

He points at the first line of digits, then speaks calmly.

Gavin: The first account is for an animal treatment centre. It treats stray cats and dogs which meet with accidents. 

Gavin: This one is for a 10 year old girl with hearing issues. She lives with a granny who sells fruits, and is currently saving money for surgery.

Gavin: The both of them had a habit of sending money to these accounts.

Gavin: Even though Zhang Nian continued sending money to them after Xu Wen passed away, he could only maintain his own livelihood with his income.

MC: What you’re saying is, if the video camera could capture this... and document them properly so that more people would know about them...

Perhaps he could help these people. Even if it was for the last time.

MC: ...but that was such a complex method. There was no need to do a good deed in such a roundabout manner, and even kidnap people to reach that goal.

Gavin silently picks up one of the photos from the table - it’s a note that Zhang Nian wrote before he committed suicide. A short message is written on it - It’s Wen Wen’s birthday today.

Gavin: Aside from that, he more or less did think of seeking revenge.

Gavin’s finger remains on the photograph.

Gavin: In Zhang Nian’s life, Xu Wen was the only one who gave him warmth. She was his lover. 

Gavin: After losing such a person, it isn’t difficult to guess what kind of an attitude he had when facing this world, and facing the people who caused such an ending.

Gavin: When people are in pain, their hatred will involuntarily become amplified.

Gavin: From this perspective, at least he didn't take things even further.

Gavin’s voice is dull, as though he’s mulling over something, or affected by their misfortune.

I can’t help but reach across the table, gently bumping the tip of his finger with mine. 

Silence permeates the air. He curls his finger slightly, hooking it around mine.

-

[ Chapter Four ]

The files, photographs, and a few scattered pages of a notebook are spread on the table randomly, as though illustrating their entire story in front of me.

The car accident was a tragedy, but it wasn’t the only tragedy. I find myself hesitating to speak. When I open my mouth, I sigh.

MC: Xu Wen was such a good person. She tugged onto him from beginning to end, and never gave up on him for a single moment. She actually managed to pull him out of the abyss.

Even though she couldn’t hear nor speak, she used her gentle gaze to heal the person she loved.

Gavin tidies the items on the table one by one, storing them properly.

His composed voice is mixed with ruefulness. He seems to be slightly moved, but has more or less come to terms with his emotions.

Gavin: From the perspective of an observer, there were many dismal and extreme traits in Zhang Nian’s personality. This is a point that can’t be denied.

Gavin: However, he was abandoned from the moment he was born. The path he walked on all these years, and the world that he saw - those are things we’d find difficult to relate with.

Gavin: Perhaps from the time he knew about the world, he realised that living was already something requiring courage.

Probably seeing such stories again and again when handling various cases, Gavin’s attitude is objective and calm.

Gavin: No matter what attitude he had when he made this decision, he shouldn’t have done so.

In contrast to the practised manner in which Gavin handles his emotions, I remain immersed in the regretful ending experienced by the two.

MC: Aside from her, he had nothing else.

The furniture, the recipes underneath the magnets, and the drawing hung on the wall... these images flash past me one by one.

MC: If I were the one who experienced this, and the only important person in my life was gone, I’d lose my connection with this world. Perhaps death would be a form of liberation.

Before I can finish speaking, Gavin raises his voice, cutting off my impending sigh.

Gavin: It wouldn’t.

He looks at me resolutely and decisively.

Gavin: No matter when, death will never be a form of liberation. Pain can always be treated. 

Gavin: Whether it’s because someone important is no longer around, or if you were to lose contact with someone, it’s inevitable to carry some pain.

Gavin: Perhaps time is needed, and perhaps meeting a certain someone is needed, to gradually put an end to such pain, and to use various methods to put an end to such pain.

Gavin: But things will always get better.

Gavin seals the brown paper bag which is filled with materials related to Zhang Nian and Xu Wen, then places it at the corner of the table which has been warmed by the sun.

I watch as his palm presses against the paper bag, a moment of hesitation surging past his slightly lowered gaze. Almost at the same time, he looks up at me -

There’s only certainty in his eyes.

Gavin: No matter when, never give up on yourself. Xu Wen was constantly pulling him out of the abyss. He shouldn’t have given up like that.

-

[ Chapter Five ]

By the time Gavin and I walk out of the cafe, much of the sun’s heat has dispersed. Wind blows over from the river, and it’s refreshing and soothing.

Countless little flowers with names I’m unaware of bloom among the grass along the street, swaying in the evening breeze of midsummer.

MC: The weather is really nice today.

After sitting down for an entire afternoon, I can’t help but stretch, relaxing my shoulders and back.

Before I can take a few steps, I suddenly remember the moment I met Zhang Nian face-to-face, causing me to halt in my footsteps. He had walked towards me in a timid manner, a sincere and apologetic expression on his face.

He had handed me a letter, its edges creased from being pinched. Then, he turned away hurriedly before running away.

Too much time has passed. Even his Evol has lost its effectiveness.

Gavin senses that something is off about me, and draws a few steps closer. I wave my hand at him, signalling that I’m fine.

Having second thoughts, I can’t help but sigh with emotion.

MC: If only Zhang Nian was willing to contact me earlier and tell me about what exactly happened...

MC: If only I could tell him how nice today’s weather is. I wonder if he’d have made such a decision.

Gavin responds decisively from beside me.

Gavin: He wouldn’t. 

Gavin: If someone told him that the weather would be nice today, he’d have definitely held on for a while longer.

Gavin: But he couldn’t always wait for someone to pull him along and bring him out of the abyss. He had to muster his courage and walk out by himself.

I nod quietly, gripping the notebook in my hand. 

MC: Gavin, aside from the original plan for this episode, I think I’d need to add some new content...

Gavin halts in his footsteps, immediately reading the thoughts in my heart.

Gavin: Are you thinking about how there are many people in the world like Zhang Nian?

MC: Mm.

There are definitely some people who are shouldering pain alone, and are hesitating at the crossroads of life and death.

MC: Although this tragedy can no longer be salvaged, we could prevent even more tragedies from occurring.

I turn towards the direction of the river, looking afar at the boundless sky.

MC: I want to tell them about the beautiful scenery all around the world, and the beauty of the four seasons.

MC: Tell them about the colours of sunset, the sounds of the ocean...

MC: And tell them that as long as they’re willing to wait for a while longer, there are still people on earth who will love them.

MC: I want their eyes to be able to see the world that I see. I want them to believe that this world is always worth it.

Realising how overly idealistic and visionary my words are, I give Gavin a smile.

MC: ...I might have sounded too exaggerated.

Gavin: Nope. It will be a very meaningful show.

He suddenly reaches out, combing my hair which has been blown messy by the wind. His fingers linger on the ends of my hair for a long time.

The corners of his lips curl upwards slightly, and he brings me into his arms.

Gavin: Thank you.

Gavin: This world is always worth it.

His voice is far too soft. For a moment, I wonder if I misheard.

MC: What did you say? I couldn’t hear you clearly.

Gavin chuckles, then raises his volume.

Gavin: Since the weather’s pretty good, want to go for a drive?

MC: Did you drive here today?

Gavin: Mm. It’s rare to have such nice weather, so I took the car out for a drive.

MC: Wow~ That is rare. It’s been such a long time since I sat in Captain Gavin’s car.

Gavin takes my hand, striding with large steps as he leads me forward.

Gavin: Let’s go. The car’s in front.

- End -

Filming for the special episode of “Inquries” came to an end. When the final episode aired, the show became a trending topic. After watching it, many members of the audience provided assistance and support for organisations targeted at disabled individuals. Although Zhang Nian and Xu Wen have already left this world, they’ve enabled people who experience difficulties in life to obtain warmth. Such warmth continues to last. I guess being able to allow more people to believe that the world is worth loving, and to do what little they can to help those in need is what it means to be a person in the media industry.

More S2 content: here

[dennou-translations]

Violet Evergarden the Movie: Special Interview

Public commemoration for the Violet Evergarden movie! Featuring the series producer, Hatta Shinichirou.

Raw || Index

――Firstly, could you tell us the circumstances from when it was decided that the original novel by Akatsuki Kana-san was going to be animated into a TV series?

The original was the first winning work of the Kyoto Animation Grand Prize, as its story, which depicted the importance of delivering feelings through letters, pierced through the hearts of the judges, who are living in the current digital era, so its victory was decided unanimously. From that point on, comments such as, “I want to transform this deep work into animation” arose amongst the staff members of Kyoto Animation/Animation Do, and this led us to the TV series.

――Was the production of “Violet Evergarden the Movie” decided from time you started making the TV Series?

I was not expecting it when we began the series’ production, but the TV series portrayed the figure of Violet Evergarden living her life, and we believed that depicting the future from then on would be the conclusion point of this work, so taking the TV series into account, we decided to portray it in detail through a theatrical version.

――So you commenced the movie adaptation when the TV series’ broadcast ended.

This topic came up for a little bit when we were making the TV series. In episode 10, there was a story where fifty letters ghostwritten by Violet are uninterruptedly delivered to a girl named Ann for fifty years. While making this episode, we staff members were talking amongst ourselves things such as, “How was Violet doing during the time those letters were being delivered?” and, “What happened to her in the end?”. They linked up in a natural manner with the concept of this movie, which depicts “her future”.

――With what kind of balance did “Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto-Memories Doll”, which was released back in 9/6/2019, progress towards the movie?

The production of the Gaiden and the movie happened at the same time. Director Fujita Haruka was the one in charge of the Gaiden as her directorial debut, so the work also included this challenge for her. The Gaiden is but a sidestory, so the idea was to follow it and make a conclusion in the movie, which depicts Violet’s future even further.

――The movie is an original story in film format, right?

That is right. The narrative of the TV series differs from the novel in the first place, so it is a matter of course that the movie will be an original one. But the author, Akatsuki Kana-san, shared with us conditions for the scenario and settings, thus the movie also properly reflects the essence of what is most cherished in the novel. I hope that the people who enjoyed the original work will enjoy her future again with a different flavor to it.

――Yoshida Reiko-san has been writing the script since the TV series; what do you deem as the charm of her screenplay?

I guess it is the fact that she wrote sensibly about Violet Evergarden as a young woman. On top of having Violet stand at the center, she also granted her the function of narrator, and I think she was able to very finely portray the process where Violet could do nothing at first but then developed through the meetings she had with all kinds of people and through accomplishing the jobs assigned to her by them. I have the impression that she operated in tandem with director Ishidate.

――So she saw the same world as director Ishidate.

Right. The drama’s course of action was the same for both of them, and the outlook configurer, Suzuki Takaaki-san, created the foundation for the worldview that the two had pictured, so the image of a work where they were cooperating with each other became even more solid.

――What are the highlights of the movie’s story?

If I had to say it, there are several parts of the TV series where Violet is the point of view, thus it became a composition where she pieces together the feelings of the many people she met through her ghostwriting job. On the other hand, we are matching the focus of this movie with Violet’s way of life itself, so I believe this will be a big highlight.

――It also has the charm of a “story that tells about love”.

Agreed. To begin with, having been raised as a “weapon” since she was little, Violet had no idea what emotions were and did not understand the “I love you” that Gilbert had conveyed to her, so she was looking for what they were. In the TV series, we have portrayed her until she comes to understand the meaning of “I love you” a little through her many encounters, but in the movie, this “I love you” has become the very base of the developments. How does Violet personally feel about “I love you”? We would like everyone to watch over it.

――Then it seems we will be able to see her growth and evolution in it too.

You are right. If it were the former Violet, there was the fact that she also did not understand her own emotions, so I believe she was pushing her way forward according to the course of events, but now she has become able to properly dig up people’s feelings and take action after thinking about them. This is a growth greater than any other for her, but since she became capable of understanding her own feelings, Violet’s “I love you” has turned into something madder and more dramatic.

――What are the distinctive characteristics of director Ishidate Taichi and the appeal of his work?

He is a director full of obsessions and skills, from the making of the art to the layouts, up to the action of the animation. Moreover, he strongly loves the young woman named Violet Evergarden as if she were his own daughter, so I guess the fact that he had the resolve to handle and depict her life steadily is appealing of him as a director.

――These strong feelings can also be felt from the script. The climax where the complicated thoughts of Violet and the people that she meets will surge and intertwine seems like it is going to be terrific, both drama and animation-wise, so I am looking forward to it.

Director Ishidate’s passion is incredible. From the cityscapes to the landscapes, from the actions to the ways of presenting Violet, every single cut is drawn dynamic and carefully. Not even the smallest detail is compromised, and he carries his obsessions to extremes until the last minute.

This work was developed with the intention of being delivered to people all over the world since the start. The director’s posture during the production transmits his desire to make the series even better, and the staff is also frantically getting to grips with it, so we are working on it as one.

――Following the Gaiden, instead of the TV series’ screen proportion of 16:9, the movie be of a theatre-appropriate size of 2.31:1, which broadens the sides, so are there any obsessions with that as well?

The one who first suggested it to be made with this screen size was director Fujita, who had discussed with director Ishidate about what the adequate animation making would be for watching “Violet Evergarden” in the theaters. Because of this, the sky, sea and mountains are drawn larger and more dynamically. The necessary composition and essence of the paper we use is also related to its size, so along with the Gaiden, it turned out as a challenging work in our production struggles.

――I also believe there are many fans looking forward to the abilities of the character designer and general animation director, Takase Akiko-san.

Takase-san is also someone who has the story and vision inside herself quite clear, such as, “I want Violet to be this kind of woman” and, “I want Gilbert to be this kind of man”, which become the characters’ peculiarities and strong points. I think this plays a big part on the reason why the individuals she draws are so charismatic.

――The nearly-completed movie is about to become a masterpiece over two hours long, and this is also a result of director Ishidate and the staff unleashing their obsessions, isn’t it?

We must handle and depict the life of the young woman named Violet Evergarden in a steady way. The director’s sense of responsibility also shows in that he says we simply needed this much if we were supposed to make a proper “Violet Evergarden Movie”.

――I believe there are also people who will be discovering the world of “Violet Evergarden” through this movie, but can they expect it to be a work that they will also be able to enjoy?

It has turned into something that people can enjoy quite a lot even if they watch only the movie. Aside from the usual work of the young woman named Violet Evergarden and her sentiments from such occasions, the people involved with her and her feelings are portrayed carefully, as they had always been until now, so the easiness to watch this work and dive into it have not changed from the time of the TV series. Should anyone become interested in her way of life after watching the movie, if they go over the TV series and then watch the movie once again, there will be further depth to the story, so I think it would be even more fun.

――Lastly, please leave a message for the fans who are looking forward to the Violet Evergarden Movie all over the world.

“Violet Evergarden the Movie” will be the finale of this work, which started with the TV series. The staff is making it while putting their utmost thoughts into it, and it has gone through to a point where director Ishidate and the screenplay writer, Yoshida Reiko-san, decided that they cannot write any further. I would be happy if people could warmly watch over the lifetime of the young woman named Violet together. I strongly wish that we will be able to share our feelings with the fans who watched this series, and that our thoughts will connect with the future. Thank you very much.

[matthew5310117]

Week 10 Activities

Week 10′s activity was a physical modelling task where students took their preferred 3D model of their lotion bottle and produced a 3D printed scale model. 

{Week 10: 3D printing final 3ds Max model}

To start off I 3D printed out the model I had made in last weeks 3ds Max activity. I am fortunate enough to have access to a 3D printer at my home so I didn’t have to go through UNSW printing process. Using the Cocoon version of Cura I sliced the stl file I had of the model and used the settings I knew would work for the printer and filament (bed temperature: 60 ° , nozzle temperature: 210 ° , layer height: 0.2mm). The model was printed at a 20% density using a spool of 3dfillies light grey PLA filament and took roughly 10 hours to complete.

{Week 10: Sanding and priming model}

After removing the brim off of the bottom of the model I went about sanding the exterior surfaces to smooth out the layer marks. I started off using 80 grit wet and dry sandpaper and wet sanded each surface until I couldn’t see the layers. I then washed and repeated the same process using 100 grit wet and dry sandpaper. For the largest curved surfaces I opted to sand them down by just holding the sandpaper sheet because I felt was able to get the most even coverage. For the flat surfaces I used a sanding block and the top and bottom using sanding sticks. Looking back now, I should have been using 60 grit sandpaper and sanded down each surface far more than I did. While the surfaces were far smoother than they had been after printing, the surfaces could have been smoother and more even. After I was done sanding I washed the model and stuck it to a workbench using blutack. I then applied two coats of plastic primer, going back after each coat and spraying the bottom. 

{Week 10: Spray painting model}

Once the primer had dried I sprayed the model with an acrylic semi-gloss spray paint in the shade “post boy”. I started off with a very light coat and then added progressivly thicker coats as I went. I had always thought that when you were spray painting you were meant to do multiple light layers but it would have taken six or seven coats to get the same amount of paint on the model. After the paint last coat of paint had dried I was surprised to see how many scratches and layer marks were still visible through the paint. In the lecture we were told how important it was to prepare your model properly in order to get a good surface finish. It is clear that I didn’t sand the models enough and should have also applied thicker coats of primer. 

{Week 10: Final photographs of finshed model}

Finally, I photographed the finished model. Using a portable studio, I photographed the model at different angles, also using different backgrounds. The darker background shows the scratches and imperfections on the model better than the white background. Despite the visible imperfections of the models surface finish, I am still very happy with how it turned out. The surfaces are far smoother than they had been directly after printing and the semi gloss paint catches the light far better than the filament did. Its the first time I’ve ever painted a model and I’ve learnt alot from it. I’m sure that the next time I paint a model I will be able to use what I have learnt from this task. 

{Week 10: Process images of final lotion bottle design}

As a recap of the what I have done over the past couple weeks, I compiled together some of the process images for the lotion bottle design. Its interesting to see how the design has evolved from week to week as we learnt and experimented with new physical and digital model making techniques. Overall I am happy with the model that I was able to produce, even if it does look more like a bottle of cologne than a bottle of Olay lotion. 

{Course Reflection}

Over the past semester I feel as though this course has; consolidated, built upon, and taught me information and skills regarding both drawing and model making. I feel that the first few weeks acted as a refresher for what I had learnt in highschool about technical and perspective drawing whilst also building upon my knowledge in both areas. The rest of the term I feel was spent learning new skills in both freehand concept drawing and digital and physical model making. As a whole I think I have learnt alot about the design process, particularly how important it is to experiment with drawings and physical models before refining ideas in CAD. 

Out of the three subjects I took this semester I enjoyed this course the most because of how structured it is. Each week an aspect was taught and then was applied in the form of a practical activity. These activities would force students to build their own skills and form their own stance on what does and doesn’t work. I enjoyed how clear and informative each of the lectures and tutorials were and the style of submitting work online. I think I liked this subject the most because of how black and white everything was, and how that reflects me. 

If I were to do anything again in this course it would be to put more thought into my early blog posts. While they conveyed what I had done to an adequate extent, I feel as though they lacked a lot of the small details which diminished the overall quality of the work that I was producing. From the work of my peers I feel as though I have been able to identify what things I could do differently in order to improve my work. This being organising picture layouts instead of posting individual images and formatting each blog post with subheadings and separate sections for each part of the activity so that post would follow a more cohesive flow. 

The main take away that I have gotten from this semester is the importance of exploring ideas using low fidelity physical models. Take the foam modelling task as an example. It was far easier to just... do than to sit there and think about how I was going to digitally model my idea. This also meaning that I could spend more time experimenting with ideas and concepts, being able to produce multiple physical models in the time it would otherwise take me to produce one digital model. The idea of being economical with your time is another idea that I have taken away from this course. Producing what is viable in the amount of time that you have and not trying to perfect what doesn’t need to be. I’m not saying that I should become careless with what I do but to rather not hold the expectation of perfection above absolutely everything. I think the hardest part of anything for me is starting because of how I hold the expectation of perfection above everything. I think I need to think less and just do more.

[bothsandneithers]

Day 3327

I need to hurry up and write this, because I am forgetting how miserable I was. This is not part of an effort to ensure that I don't repeat this process over again (perhaps as some may be tempted to do after childbirth). Instead, this exercise is consistent with my tendency to ask my friends to describe the most uncomfortable and unfortunate parts of their vacations. Who wants to hear a story that could more succinctly be conveyed within the narrow pages of a travel brochure? To adapt this question to the present situation: Who wants to hear a series of events that could be more adequately summarized by a few pages in a student handbook?

I’m sure that someone could have a field day by drawing parallels between giving birth to a child and writing a dissertation. While this is not my story to tell, I have described my experience by drawing upon the image of a mother who harnesses supernatural strength to lift a car off of her child. The listener is then immediately confused, and I then have to clarify that, in this metaphor, I am both the mother and the child, and that the dangerous, debilitating, threat of the car, is my dissertation.

It may be more effective if I am more direct: I want everyone to know that I (as the small child) was quite miserable, and I (as the mother) accomplished something that I thought was more than I could handle.

I imagine that if a car did end up on a small child, then the entire situation would invoke so much stress on the mother that she may not ever be able to recount exactly what happened during those subsequent moments. In a different way, of course, and for reasons I am still trying to understand, I too remember very little from the summer and early fall leading up to my defense.

In the place of memories, I find myself relying on artifacts to represent months and events that I cannot recall. One such set of artifacts are the six or so issues of The Atlantic magazine that have been set aside into a small pile; each one received a small verbal promise that I would open the pages after my defense. Now, as I review the covers, I imagine that they may never be read. Below are some of the stress-inducing cover stories of these abandoned issues:

How to destroy a government: The president is winning his war on American institutions.

How QAnon is warping reality and discrediting science.

The election that could break American.

How did it come to this? Why the virus won.

In the early days of lockdown, when the virus was beginning to take hold of its victory, I read this explanation for why most of us are not thriving right now: In order to flourish, one must be able to play several different human roles over the course of the day -- something that is arguably impossible when we rarely leave our dwellings.1

After reading this explanation, I starting clinging to the argument that the overwhelming reason why completing my dissertation had become so difficult was because of an absence of variability in my human roles. Even though none of my other typically played human roles were terribly interesting (commuter, friend, peer, coffee shop customer, gym patron), each one offered me respite from the singular human role that I was stuck with: The neurotic graduate student.

The neurotic graduate student human role was difficult to be around, because she was always worried about so many things: that her arguments weren't good enough, that there were errors in her code, that she should be able to understand certain concepts that were still evading her, that more time-intensive analyses were still required, and that overturning new stones would reveal that previous analyses or assumptions were wrong or incomplete. More simply, the neurotic graduate student human role was always worried that she was not good enough.

This persona can be debilitating, and I found that the act of writing a dissertation included a lot of time not actually writing, but rather, a substantial amount of time was devoted to sitting in paralyzing anxiety, not able to do anything.

Even though many of the weeks leading up to my due date were a blur, I do recall choosing this time to watch One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Perhaps I did this because misery loves company. I decided to view this odd movie choice in a particular odd format, whereby I watched the movie in 15 minute intervals, across several nights, as if savoring a segmented Toblerone.

I watched the first few segments in stoic sympathy with the characters, but I eventually found myself amused when Jack Nicholson realizes that almost all the residents are “voluntary”:

You can go home any time you want? You're bullshittin' me. He's bullshittin' me right? Cheswick, you're voluntary? Scanlon? Billy, for chrissakes you must be committed, right? I mean, you're just a young kid, what're you doin' here? … I mean, you guys do nothing but complain about how you can't stand it in this place here and then you haven't got the guts just to walk out?

I remember smiling for a few moments at this scene; it was a gentle reminder that I invited this stress into my life, and that I could, indeed, bring it all to an end if I really wanted to. The smile was fleeting, and felt similar to when you are crying, and your friend says something that is true and funny to try and make you feel better, and you laugh and it feels really good but it also reminds you of how bad you feel, and how far away you are from feeling like yourself.

Yet again, someone else might have a field day drawing parallels between today’s academic environment and a fictional mental institution from the 1970s. I can't do this, in part because, aside from that one scene, I don’t actually remember what happens in the movie.

I did, however, voluntarily lock myself in a hotel room to write, because the suffocating familiarity of my home was preventing me from generating any new sentences. A sticker had been placed between the room's door and its frame, denoting that the room had been thoroughly cleaned. Surely this was only intended to be a symbolic seal to provide some peace of mind that it was safe and acceptable to be outside of one's house.

Once inside the room (that seemed no cleaner than in the absence of a pandemic), I did not immediately initalize my plan to write incessantly. Instead, I desultorily found myself on a support group on reddit that was dedicated to "PhD stress." Feeling compelled to write anything that was not my dissertation, I made a post targeted at those who were also writing their dissertations during a pandemic:

What you are doing right now is really, really hard.

Under "normal" conditions, you would be facing a sheer amount of uncertainty with your work (e.g., not knowing how analyses will turn out, not knowing what your advisor will think of your progress, etc). Under these new conditions, you are dealing with the uncertainty of the state of the world (pandemic), the government (upcoming election -- if in the US), as well as your dissertation! These are absurd conditions, whereby any one of these things would undoubtedly have negative impacts on your well being.

For many, you went from having an entire support group of peers, to sitting in your bedroom, day in and day out, trying to come up with novel ideas and effective ways to communicate these ideas.

As such, I urge you to take care of yourself. I urge you to give yourself permission to ignore unwanted criticism that, while in other circumstances you may work hard to address. Now, in this current context, just don't. Give yourself permission to stop perpetuating the idea that your work and your psyche should not be impacted by the fact that nothing is the same right now.

Defend your ideas, yes. And do good work (-- nah, do good enough work). But know that you are defending your work under surreal circumstances. Account for this when you wake up tomorrow, move four feet from your bed to your desk, and try to do the same thing over again.

Overnight, this became the most popular post in the subreddit’s history. Admittedly, there aren’t a lot of members in this particular community (it should also be noted that this post was recently surpassed in popularity by a post entitled, “PhD has destroyed my mental health”). Still, several users responded with something along the lines of, “Thank you. I needed to hear this.”

I needed to hear those words too -- that is one reason why I wrote them. But I was also desperate to play another human role; one who ambiguously could have already made it to the other side of the dissertation defense, and was able to offer encouragement to those close to the finish line.

Soon after my hotel stay, where I eventually did find motivation to write, I was set to defend my dissertation. This was met with the opportunity to transform into another human role: someone who was nearing the end of her graduate student career, and had no choice but believe that her work was good enough.

The dissertation defense took place via video conferencing. I sat at my desk in my make-shift office in my bedroom.

Five kind and smart professors asked me kind questions that made me feel smart.

And that was it.

After the defense, the stress began to fade away. I recalled the wise words that my therapist once said, “It’s remarkable how, after the defense, people just won’t need anything from you anymore.” I made edits to my dissertation and submitted my final version. I dismantled my “home office” and replaced it with a reading chair and a plant. A new issue of The Atlantic arrived in the mail, and now with time, cognitive space, and optimism that this issue would not be as depressing as the others, I started to read.

I opened to an article about a historian who predicts that the United States is about to experience a terrible decade. He blames this on the overproduction of elites. ("There are still only 100 Senate seats, but more people than ever have enough money or degrees to think they should be running the country.") These elites find alternative ways to disrupt the status quo to influence people; the elite overproduction "creates counter-elites, and counter-elites look for allies among the commoners.”2

Although the article was compelling, it did not feel like appropriate material, as one does not work tirelessly through graduate school to then be compared to Steve Bannon.

I continued to the next article which was about young adults (or old children) who post things to a social media platform I’ve never used (TikTok). Not only do they create short videos that are viewed by millions of viewers, but there is an entire industry of these individuals, and they curate their content together in the mansions that they cohabitate (I am yet to grasp the monetization of this endeavor).3

I settled into my chair. Finding myself enjoying my new human role as a casual observer to an unknown world, I thought: What an absolutely absurd life pursuit.

xx,

Amy, PhD

https://nplusonemag.com/issue-37/the-intellectual-situation/epilogue-for-a-way-of-life/ ↩︎

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/12/can-history-predict-future/616993/ ↩︎

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/12/charli-damelio-tiktok-teens/616929/ ↩︎

[kingkeidoc777]

Murray, M. (n.d.). Welcome to our world! KMP Entertainment. Retrieved March 29, 2022, from https://www.kmpentertainment.org/

Q. How am I feeling?

A. I feel bitter and sweet. Bitter because I know that this class has been given to me multiple times, and I feel that I haven’t given myself to it as much as I should have. As much as I say this is my dream, I should have laser focus and letting close to nothing get in my way of achieving it. Sweet because there are so many things I’ve learned, made memories and gotten to experience on my journey of becoming a professional writer. I’ve gotten to see myself working on a project or idea with a certain energy that made me feel like this is my job, my calling. I know, if I could just show up on time to work, I can do the work, I belong in the room.

Q. What are my thoughts?

A. My thoughts consist of disposal of things that waste my time or don’t add anything to me in life. Things that I thought or felt I should do to make me ready for work. There’s no drink that can make you feel like working, there’s no food that can make you feel like working, only starting the work makes me feel like working. I say that from my personal experience and not from somebody elses experience. We all walk our own paths but some things change and some things remain the same. I believe starting the work is what motivates me to finish it.

Q. What have I loved?

A. I love the spark of new ideas, I love knowing and having the ability to properly format my ideas so that another person can receive them. I love my gift of speech, creativity and the ability to turn dreams into reality.

Q. What have I hated?

A. I hate my procrastination and even more my awareness of it while doing nothing to actively change it in the moments I’m noticing my self procrastinate.

Q. What have I learned?

A. I’ve learned so many skills and formats to place my ideas in. Most importantly, I’ve learned how to convey my self more adequately and simplistically while making my point. I’ve learned that the real work starts with me and my acceptance to wanting and getting it done.

Q. Are there any opportunities I wish I had more fully taken advantage of, such as job leads, pitch practice, etc?

A. Yes, I would have liked to taken advantage of the job applications more seriously and not feeling like I didn’t have anything to offer because it wasn’t on a resume. Now knowing how rare even hearing who’s hiring is, I would have been my best self and not settle for mediocracy. Also, I would have taken better advantage of pitch practice because after how my first real, focused, actively in the room pitch went, I can see why the best ideas can get fumbled if they’re not presented or rehearsed correctly. Being able to pitch and pitch successfully is a course all to it’s own. As well as taking time to talk to more professionals and asking my instructor more questions about professional writing, concepts and formats would have placed me in a more confident position in my recap.

Q. How did it feel to push myself past boundaries I didn't even know I had?

A. It felt amazing! It brings me an overwhelming happiness to think of the things I’ve accomplished being in Ms. Murray’s Master Writer’s Course. A lot of the things I’ve done for class, are things I need to do outside of class regarding my artistry ; things like being an influencer. Going live and making posts about my journey made me break out of this shell of seclusion I’ve been living in. I’m an introvert but having to complete these tasks, not because I want to do them but because I need to do them, gave me the strength and confidence I needed all along.

Q. How have I and my classmates bonded?

A. I think my class mates and I have came along way together. We’ve seen each other grow and been there to support each other in hard or nervous times. We might not be the most talkative to each other or have became the best of buddies, but I do feel a creative connection with them and I know that if I ever needed any thing in this regard, they’re fully capable and they’re there for me, truly.

Q. How has this course influenced my writing?

A. Taking this course has shown me to proof read my work, it has shown me to check my grammar and how to choose the best words to affectively convey my message. It has shown me how to properly structure my ideas and last but not least, it has given me the ability to write what ever my mind has to say, whether novel, script, comics or commercials. If it can be written, then I can write it.

[faisalkhanlove]

What is Motion Graphics? – The Complete Guide

What exactly do 2D motion graphics mean ? And what do they actually serve to accomplish?

2D Motion Graphics is a kind of digital animation that offers motion (and the feeling of living) to pictures. The images can be directly derived by digital resources. They could be original art or photographs or vectors etc.basically any digital image can be used as a basis for. The real power is in the manipulation of the image(s) which transforms an image of a person to a dynamic persona, or even a stock photo into the form of a video clip that is pulsating or even a photograph to a moving video clip and so on. Utilizing 2D Motion Graphics, a designer can design complete video commercials, short films and more.

What is motion graphics?

What's the most important advantage of two-dimensional motion graphics?

This is a significant benefit that was not available until recently. It's possible to do this using an ordinary computer. With a PC with adequate specs and a high-quality processor, you can create quality animations. There's also advantages 2D Motion Graphics has over other forms in animation. Traditional animation can be slow and be difficult to convert to digital. Although you can make 3D animation using personal computers it will require more time, which means processing power.

What industries benefit from 2-D motion graphic technology?

Each and every individual. Absolutely. It's the cheapest alternative for anyone looking to stand out with video. 2-D motion Graphics are used in advertisements or film as well as explainer videos and technology video, television commercials and many other. Every media business requires 2D motion Graphics content.

Where to Begin

The most crucial thing you should make is to select the correct software you require learn. The majority of influencers and animators recommend learning about their Adobe program. I totally agree with the advice. It is my opinion that Adobe Creative Suite is the industry standard, and is an all-in-one solution that covers every aspect of 2D Motion Graphics Animation.

how do I become a motion graphic designer

The software you'll need to be paying attention to is:

Adobe After Effects. This is the program that you employ for animating stages.

Adobe Illustrator. It is where you can create vector images (images which can be scaled to any size, with no loss of quality) to be used for animation.

Adobe Photoshop. Everyone has been familiar with Photoshop. It is true that it permits you to modify and edit images, but it also lets users to create raster images that can become animated.

Adobe Premiere Pro. It will allow you to record everything you've done in video format by using this.

Alongside Adobe Suite Another helpful tool to master could include Cinema 4D. It's not an Adobe product, but it's a popular one and is worth keeping track of. However, it doesn't require an expert user to use it.

Selecting the right hardware for your personal computer

Is it the best motion graphics computer?

When you choose a computer to use, you'll have four main parameters to consider. When selecting the right machine there are four primary aspects to consider.

1. CPU

2. RAM

3. VGA

4. HARD DRIVE

Find out more particulars of the equipment you'll need here.

What NOT To Do

Before you dive involved, you should go through these tips. I can guarantee you that it will be the most efficient method to reduce your time, money, and frustration in the long run.

Do not just search "Top 2D Motion Graphics Animation" for advice.

It's an arduous concept to comprehend, and it's crucial to understand. Google is amazing however it's not able remain in all places at all times. This means that it isn't able to evaluate how well motion graphics are and doesn't consider written articles as the most effective outcomes. In reality, it will see results from people who are skilled at writing SEO. This means you'll receive a lot of clickbait as well as people who are SEO experts, but not examples of a great 2-D motion graphics. This is the reason why you'll start with the wrong idea that you're looking at what you must master, not what you need to learn to achieve. Instead of looking through a maze of sources, I'll present you with some excellent sources at the end of the article.

After Effects isn't "Motion Graphics" and vice versa

Some novices (and beyond) believe that they're employing motion graphics. After Effects are the same thing , and can be substituted with the other. I'm certain you'll be able to be confident that I'm here to provide you with what's real. You'll look like a novice if you switch between them. After Effects is a software. Motion graphics is a method of animation. You should learn each, but remember that it's a technique , and the other involves art.

Motion graphic inspiration 7 websites to inspire the imagination of your. Platforms, designers and companies platforms, as well as many other sites listed here that are all focused on motion-related designs, graphics and motion. Get your creativity flowing and stimulate through motion in the most efficient method using the most reliable sources.

Here's what you need to be aware of about motion graphics

Branding

If it boils to selecting the best design, layout and color for your company's brand, motion graphics play a role for making these aspects seem more authentic. The majority of motion graphics revolves around the business's values and goals and then understanding how they can be conveyed digitally and then creating the artwork that is produced.

If it comes to branding, an effective animated video that communicates the company's vision can go a long way. For instance, Google Chrome uses its attractive style of design and its four colors that create a lively tone that makes it apart from its competition. They push branding to the next level by demonstrating the way Google Chrome is a fast and reliable internet browser . It does this by using animations of a shorter time, e.g., through motion graphics.

If you incorporate motion graphics in branding strategies, businesses can rapidly improve their audio or visual appeal. This is a matter of the creation of a more persuasive place to proclaim, "We're better than the rest!" Without putting too much effort into it and using the very best creative thinking.

Telling A Story

If we were to identify the winning method of marketing, it's a guaranteed method to highlight the art of telling stories. It's because selling a product or service isn't just about the worth of the product you're selling but more about how valuable it is for consumers.

If the marketing strategy to the limits, you need to be aware that you're selling to people. People tend to be emotional and have stories to share. The more authentic your story is the more attractive it is to potential customers which will increase the chances that they will convert.

Motion graphics can assist in telling stories through the use of appropriate methods and formats that produce an immersive visual experience that is attractive and exciting. Take a look at the vast distinction between static images and the visual representation of something. Which is more efficient?

While images are sure to create emotions, motion graphics are the norm.

Explaining Concepts

At times, the topic is so complex that it's easier to present information visually rather than orally. This is because complex concepts are much easier to comprehended by looking at pictures. Many times businesses that attempt to explain how an item functions are more effective in explaining the process with animations in contrast to writing using static images.

Motion graphics can be among the most efficient ways to create engaging video tutorials and explanations. They are ideal for illustrating important concepts. For instance how bitcoin and blockchain work, and how a particular company can assist you in making better choices when it comes to investing in these options.

In addition to the development of motion-based graphics audio within motion graphics may allow businesses to give "their side of the story" and allow users to see the facts from a different viewpoint.

Raising Awareness

In the early stages of a brand's life, it is crucial to establish the brand's name. In particular what are the company or brand looking to resolve an problem? Is it an organization that is not for profit and has an issue that is of significance? Whatever it is, motion graphics should be a part of those organizations working to make a statement.

Tools like Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects can add energy and power in any communication. It doesn't matter if the issue is sustainability on a global scale or a local issue in the community on an individual level. Leave motion graphics to stimulate actions.

Try Motion Graphics Yourself

For people who are just getting started with learning about Motion Graphics, it's crucial to begin with the basics. Learn about motion editing as well as video editing and special effects by following the right courses. We offer Interactive video editing classes along with After effects courses in NYC and can help in the process of establishing yourself using practical projects, techniques taught by industry experts , and personalized focus. Start now!

The guide here is crucial and helpful for animators who are just beginning their careers with motion graphics software 

The ability to create motion-based images using personal computers is still a nascent idea. Motion graphics in 2D have been around for a short period of time, and there aren't any options for those who are only beginning. It's easy to lose track and then take a wrong path and lose a substantial amount of time in just beginning. My aim is to help you in avoiding the mistakes as best it is possible.

This is why I've put together this guide to assist you.

I've been involved with animation for more than 10 years -- basically since the moment it started becoming possible with personal computers that could make motion. I've learned many tricks and techniques, but have also made more mistakes than I can be able to count on my journey. I'm aware of how challenging it is to start up and how challenging it can be for someone who isn't experienced. Sure, you'll face some stressful situations initially, but I'm hoping that this guide will help you save considerable time as well as stress and money!

[sociallyinsmmagency]

Facebook Sponsored Posts: The #1 Exhaustive Guide to Heroic Success

With our daily activities shifting to a digital format, being a stickler for traditional marketing can be a disadvantage. Are you looking for a solution? The answer includes the three magic words: Facebook sponsored posts!

Continue reading to find out how you can yield this magic in your favor:

Facebook Sponsored Posts: The #1 Exhaustive Guide to Heroic Success

The Best Way to Use Facebook Sponsored Posts

Facebook sponsored posts are epic  That is the reason entrepreneurs rely on sponsored posts to get their word across. But if you are new to this field, you may have a lot of questions like:

Should I have a strategy for sponsored posts?

Are sponsored posts even worth it?

How can they boost a business in the long run?

Read on to find out the answers to all of these questions and more!

What are Facebook Sponsored Posts?

In recent years, have you noticed that your organic posts on Facebook business pages don’t seem to have the same reach as they once had?

Consequently, only a small percentage of your following sees your page posts. That is due to Facebook's constantly evolving algorithm.

Brands now have to compete for feed visibility while friends, family, coworkers, and others take the top spot in the feed over businesses.

Hence, we have to pay up to play the game. However, if we play smart, we don't have to spend a lot to boost our reach; an easy and affordable method is to use Facebook sponsored posts.

Here's what we mean by Facebook advertising and sponsored posts:

These are promoted posts that increase the engagement rate.

They act like explicit online advertisements.

Sponsored blog posts increase user engagement and page view.

In today's digital age, can you imagine a better way to gain popularity than through social media? Facebook is one such site that offers sponsored posts through text and rich media. A user can easily spot a Facebook ad as "sponsored" that shows up under your company's name.

How to Create Facebook Sponsored Posts: A Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide

Now that you have decided that Facebook sponsored posts will get you the traffic you desire, it's time to create them.

By following the step-by-step guide below, you are well on your way to creating one within mere minutes:

#1 Go to Facebook's "Ad Manager" and select your objective. You will come across three categories: awareness, consideration, and conversion. Choose "awareness" if you want to increase your audience through brand awareness.

#2 Select the "Ad Set" audience that aligns with your business based on their job titles, education, interests, etc. To reach a specific audience, check out the "Narrow Further" feature.

#3 Set your budget, schedule, bidding, and ad placement. The more audiences you pick out, the more ad sets you have to worry about fixing.

#4 Develop the ad. Once you finalize the ad sets, it is time to work on the ad itself; pick out catchy titles and bright-colored images.

#5 Publish and track performance!

By tracking performance, you can easily see which ad is doing better and lagging (if you post more than one). If you see one that is not doing too well, you can delete it and allocate its budget to the better-performing ones.

Creating Facebook Sponsored Posts Messages

Here's how you can create a Facebook sponsored posts message:

Open the "Ads Manager" and go to "Ad Creation"

Find the "Choose a Campaign Objective" option and click it; select the "Messages" object under this.

Choose a unique campaign name and create a budget; click next.

You will find the "Ad Type" option, click it and select "Sponsored Messages" from the dropdown menu.

Choose a budget wisely, and subsequently, your schedule.

Now open "Message Template" and choose whichever option suits you best: Text Only or Text and Image

Type out the message (and add an image if you pick the Text and Image option)

Additionally, you can add quick replies under "Customer Action".

Click on "Publish", and your ad is up just like that.

So, with this easy step-by-step guide in front of you, you are all set to create your very own sponsored messages.

How to Boost Facebook Sponsored Posts

Boosted posts are a simpler alternative to Facebook ads. Have you ever seen the "Boost Post" option in front of your existing Facebook posts? Well, that is where the journey begins!

Boosting makes use of Facebook's pay-to-play mechanism. They are not paid partnerships with brands.

As a result, your ad will show up higher in people's newsfeeds. (Or just show up period.) Here's how you can boost an organic business post on Facebook:

Click the boost option on the post you want to target people with and engage with on Facebook.

A boost creation menu will show up. Select the audience and targeting criteria.

Set up a budget and duration of the run. Time frame means the amount of time you want the post to play on someone's feed; the longer you choose, the more you will have to pay.

Publish!

And with that, you have successfully created and published a boosted post for the first time! All you have to do now is wait and watch larger audiences reach your business profile. (The hardest part if we're honest.)

The Benefits of Facebook Sponsored Posts

A survey showed that almost one-third of the millennial population chooses to buy products or services after seeing sponsored content.

The fact is that the typical Facebook ad can be a bit of a turn-off.

And this is because ads can be insincere and geared only towards selling for the benefit of the company.

So how then is it possible for such a large chunk of the population to buy the product or avail themselves of the service after seeing Facebook ads? The answer is as follows:

This strategy subtly asks you to buy a product instead of an in-your-face ad that openly urges you to make a purchase.

A creative ad can spark joy; joy is a significant motivator that drives consumerism. Hence, people want to buy your product immediately.

Facebook's links are easy to use; so, people can quickly follow the "buy now" links. Thus, increasing your product sales app installs.

Facebook Sponsored Posts vs Facebook Ads

Facebook ads and Facebook sponsored posts are essentially one and the same in that they both are advertising methods. Both give brands a high return on investment--if the brands use them well.

But with that said, they do have differences in the way they operate. Some key differences are as follows:

Facebook sponsored posts are more useful as they have a specific focus on return on investments

Boosted posts take less time in comparison to Facebook Ads (a total of five minutes compared to an hour or two)

Boosted posts are somewhat cheaper

Facebook Ads reel in a newer target audience while boosted ads are limited to the existing fan base.

Facebook Ads drive revenue and capture leads.

Hence this comparison must have got you thinking that Facebook Ads is the undisputed winner, yea? While Facebook Ads are better for the market and business growth, boosted posts are still a fundamental marketing strategy.

Why is that the case? Because an existing audience can stop seeing your posts in their feeds due to the above mentioned notorious algorithm. Hence, you need to boost a post once in a while at least.

Elements of Attention-Grabbing Facebook Sponsored Posts

Imagine creating a post and then watching it perform poorly. What then? Well, for starters, you need to understand that creating successful Facebook sponsored posts requires five things:

Adequate marketing knowledge

Practice

Incredible copy

Eye-catching content

Testing, testing, testing!

Just like you can't expect to take home an Olympic medal the first time you run a track or take a ski jump, it's imperative that you take the time to practice, test, and adjust to get the best results.

And we're going to give you a head start.

So, without further comment, here's what you need to do to create a post that contains that jaw-dropping "wow" factor:

Showcase only the most vital aspect of your business in the post. Why? Because overfilling the ad with an abundance of content will cause the audience to lose interest; no one wants to do homework on a social site!

Use large, clear fonts. After all, you want people to be able to quickly read and discern what your sponsored posts are about!

Use new and creative ideas.

In a "text-only" ad, use bullet points and short sentences.

Make use of the color theory. Convey a message to people's psyche through colors!

There are many other tips to make a killer ad on social media accounts. But using the color theory is by far the most significant step in today's marketing world. In using this theory, digital designers use their extensive knowledge of:

Human optical ability,

Culture,

Social norms,

Psychology,

Sociology

Instead of spending your time researching the color theory, you can hire a marketing expert to do that for you. Check out SociallyIn--the world's best social media marketing agency--for more information on expert help.

Eye-Catching Facebook Sponsored Posts Examples

As of 2021, about a whopping ninety-three percent of brands had found Facebook sponsored posts to be a mainstream method of engagement.

The good news is that Facebook's ad platform is the easiest to use; even people with very little business knowledge can create and run ads on the site.

Need a little inspiration? We can help!

#1 Google's Facebook Ad Campaign: "Build What's Next"

In an ad for its cloud computing product, Google created one of the most successful ads on Facebook. The color scheme of this ad was consistent with Google's overall theme (same font, blue and white color scheme, etc.), which tells the audience about the brand without even looking at the name.

It uses active verbs that enable the users to visualize a future. It teaches us that consistency and language are key!

#2 Shopify's Facebook Ad Campaign: "Sell You Crafts"

As you may know, Shopify is one of today's largest and most successful e-commerce platforms for online retail stores. What the "Sell Your Crafts" ad gets right is the insight into the fact that not everyone knows how to monetize their talents.

So when people see the ad, it gets them thinking about how they can do that. And once you get them curious, it is only a matter of minutes before they click to find out more!

#3 Slack's Facebook Ad Campaign: "Make Work Better"

Slack is a messaging platform that created a relatable meme-style ad that appealed to even the non-business personals. The ad features a lady sitting on a unicorn with a catchy title stating that this is how it feels to sit through twenty-five percent fewer meetings.

What makes this ad great is not only its excellent visuals but also the caption. The tagline considers that most people despise sitting through pointless meetings that could have been an email.

What Can We Learn From Facebook Sponsored Post Examples?

As a Facebook user, you will come across many such Facebook sponsored posts. Your best chance at success is to study those ads; see how people are engaging with them in the comments. And then go from there; start working on your ad!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to be sponsored?

As a start-up or a small to medium business, Facebook Ads won't be as beneficial for you as getting sponsored by successful corporations initially.

These corporations reach out to brands for sponsorships if these brands have:

A good amount of followers

An excellent work ethic

Good reputation

Engaging audience

Creative content

Do you have all of the above? Well, make sure you do to grab the attention of corporations.  

What does it mean to be sponsored?

Ans: On social media, to be sponsored means to have the financial backing or a product from a sponsor. The sponsor is:

Much like a benefactor

They will provide you with a set amount of money to promote their product to your audience in an organic way.

As a result, the product gains awareness and exposure.

How to get brands to sponsor you?

Ans: Here's what you need to do to get a partnership with brands:

Pick a niche and stick to it -- this defines your brand in a neat manner.

Get to know your audience, wants, and desires -- this way, you will know which product will sell if you promote it.

Be a consistent poster -- this step helps in beating the algorithm, and as a result, you gather more followers; the more followers, the more brands will want to sponsor you!

Use geotags and hashtags -- this enables your posts to show up on brands' feeds.

Be the first to reach out -- if all else fails, you can reach out to brands yourself! Make sure you have an outstanding pitch.

How to do a sponsored ad on Facebook?

Ans: To do a sponsored post on Facebook, you have to keep in mind the following:

You can not say negative things about the product or brand that sponsors you.

Be explicit with your audience about the sponsorship; do not hide that you will get paid for the sponsored post.

Do not promote harmful products like diet pills.

Diving Deeper: FAQ around Facebook Sponsored Posts - for beginners!

What does "sponsored" mean on Facebook?

Ans: Have you ever seen a Facebook sponsored post? Chances are, you will have since Facebook labels the post as such for clarity. Sponsored posts mean that the company has paid some cash to boost this post. Due to the paid promotion, users who would not have come across the brand's content also see these posts.

How do Facebook sponsored posts work?

Ans: These paid posts work by beating the social media algorithm and prioritizing your posts over non-promoted content. They show up on feeds for a set duration of time (the amount of time you choose while creating the ad) until expiring.

You can reuse these posts or create new ones after the expiration of the first ad campaign.

How do I delete Facebook sponsored posts?

Ans: A user may want "un-sponsorships" for an array of reasons:

There was a typing error in the post

The post is not performing too well.

The Facebook ad has served its purpose

You want to reallocate the budget into a different strategy.

Un-sponsor a post in three easy steps as outlined below:

Go to the " Facebook Ads Manager" on Facebook.

Click on the option you are looking for (Ad Set, Campaign, or Ad you want to delete)

Select the trashcan option, and you will delete your ad or ad set immediately.

However, if the trash can does not appear, click on "More" and select the "Delete" option from the dropdown menu. In this way, you can successfully delete Facebook sponsored posts.

How much do Facebook sponsored posts cost?

Ans: The cost of an average sponsored post on Facebook varies; it depends on several factors. Nonetheless, Facebook sponsorships are still one of the most affordable marketing options.

A single post can cost a minimum of one dollar per day. But the more you invest in an ad, the larger the size of the audience that sees your ad. Your reach depends on your budget. So be sure to spend wisely!

The post Is  Facebook Sponsored Posts: The #1 Exhaustive Guide to Heroic Success appeared first on the Sociallyin Insider blog.