Project 2 - Forms of Digital Media

 

Different forms of digital media

I have explored various forms of digital media which would be suitable for responding to the brief. These include:

Radio and Podcasts - Whilst live broadcasts and podcasts are good examples of audio media. This really refers to any sort of digital media that relies solely on audio. This can include CDs, tapes, vinyl and so on.

Video and Film - This includes any form of video. TV series, films, advertisements, vlogs, documentaries etc. Most will also include audio of some description, diegetic and non, although you can also get silent films.

Photography and Publications - One of the biggest categories, this includes taking photographs for magazines, newspapers, leaflets, posters, books, photo albums, blogs, online galleries and much more.

Social Media - Social media is a good platform to portray varying media forms due to the vast range of different social media sites and their purpose. These include Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Blogger and more.

Video Games - Video games offer a unique perspective into media. They provide an interactive world explored by the audience. Different types of video game include platform, open world, strategy and table top.

Graphic Design - Graphic design encompasses a lot. It effectively refers to the layout of any motionless media. Logos, posters, banners, film and album covers, business cards, software interfaces, the list goes on.

Digital Art - Digital art tends to have quite blurred lines with graphic design. However, they are not the same thing. Digital art refers to the skill of drawing and using software tools to create art in a digital environment.

So, What appeals to me?

Straight away, I have ruled out video games and digital art. Whilst they are of course still forms of digital media, I do not feel that they are the most appropriate way of responding to the brief. Creating a video game belongs to a game design course, not to mention I have very little experience in how to design a game and it is also more time consuming than the brief allows, so this notion is totally impractical. Digital art is ruled out because although I am competent, this is more art and design than it is media. Also, it simply does not interest me.

Next, I ruled out social media and radio and podcasts. The reason for this being that I find social media somewhat limiting. I do not control the interface of the page and I cannot format my work as I wish which would be a missed opportunity to show my technical skill. I ruled out radio and podcasts because I have no experience of this, so I would struggle to meet the deadline if I were to try and learn a totally new skillset.

I then chose to rule out video and film. This is primarily because although I enjoy video and film, I do not have as much experience in it as the other two. Also, whilst I could still produce a video product, I don't have access to the facilities that would optimise my project, whereas with photography and publications and graphic design, I have all the software and equipment I would need.

I am torn between graphic design and photography and publications, especially because so many elements of each cross over. However, I have decided to focus on photography and publications simply because I am more interested in the photographs being used to create a product than I am in the format of the product itself. Having said that, I have no doubt elements of my work will cross into graphic design.