LA VIE ETC.

After discussing and brainstorming, Alex and I have come up with a digital artefact idea! Whilst considering potential ideas, we agreed we wanted our product to  be aimed at girls our age. So what’s our project?

We’ve chosen to create a website, which will be targeted at 18-22 females who are typically enrolled at university. We chose to the aim our project to this age demographic as most girls are currently studying, working or trying to figure out what they want to do in life. It’s a period where a lot is going on and changes are happening. During this age range, we often seek advice from friends and family on subjects such as personal life matters, relationships and all the bits in between like uni and money.

The page will include a menu bar, which will contain all the topics we will cover as well as a comment section where readers can share their own experiences. We aim to publish 1-2 articles per week. Alongside this, we will also have an Instagram page, where we will post weekly tips and links to our latest articles on our website.

Our overall objective for this project is to create an online safe space where girls can become informed on a broad spectrum of topics and issues, without fear of embarrassment. 

From the moment I wake up, I am scrolling through Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat to inform myself of any big news I may have missed since I last checked social media. This endless cycle is one which occurs every day as try and pull myself out of bed or when I am doing the last scroll when I really should be sleeping. As a child, I have been raised in a family, which is always up to date with the news and current affairs, which would more than likely be discussed at dinners or family events. 

Today I will explore the concept of the ‘Public Sphere’ and what this notion means to me. This universal concept is considered as a place where individuals gather the news and debate about issues. Generally, it is viewed as a social space where a range of opinions and outlooks are presented or general concerns are discussed with collective solutions being offered. 

For myself, my public sphere is my friends and family. Jurgen Habermas imagined the public sphere to be ‘like an 18th-century coffee house’. Linking this image to my own personal experiences I would consider my dining room as my 18th-century coffee house. As a child, one of my favourite weekend activities was to wake up early Sunday morning and walk up to the local paper shop with my dad and our dog. 

As we got home my dad and I would sort through sections of the paper for each of us to read and we would sit at the table having breakfast whilst reading up on the latest news. Afterwards we would talk about the ins and outs of what we did and did not like. As of a night time, my whole family would sit in front of the television and watch the news together. 

However, as I grew up these traditions changed and my main source of news updates now comes from my phone. No matter the topic, from festival lineups, to celebrity goss or even global news I have at my disposal the wide world of news. It is now so easily accessible to read about what’s going on in the world and with a simple click I can share the news with whomever I wish. Day-to-day my friends and I often discuss the hot topics we see on a wide scope of social media platforms.  

I’m sure most of you can agree or relate to some degree that we are largely surrounded by the news and current affairs whether we like it or not. It is within my public sphere where I feel most affected by the media as I discuss topics relevant to me with those closest. 

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In a matter of seconds we have the world at our disposal. Everything we want to know or see is accessible with a few simple clicks. The world of Facebook (for some of us) surrounds our day-to-day life, whether we like it or not. This global networking platform allows messages to be sent and received instantaneously to those all across the globe with the hit of a button.  

Created by none other than Mark Zuckerberg and a few of his Harvard colleagues, Facebook was created in February 2004. With more than 1.2 billion users, Facebook accounts for approximately 17% of the world’s population actively engaging with the platform. This global social program has transformed the way we use the internet. People now read the news on their Facebook ‘news feed’ rather than reading online newspapers or even buying a newspaper for that fact. Not only do users post about their personal life, but they are also sharing content on news articles and the latest updates. It starts with a ‘News Feed’, a never-ending stream of content shared by connections formed with people and business on this platform. https://mashable.com

Although Facebook is not for everyone, it is has become increasingly popular for a wide spectrum of ages. It openly invites multitudes of visitors every month, prompting a shift in communication. Facebook eliminates the barriers which may restrict our regularity of communication with individuals, upholding the geographic differences, busy lifestyles, social status and financial influences that may usually discourage us from regular contact (Cooke, 2011).

For myself (i’m sure some of you can relate), Facebook is definitely a big aspect of my social life. It is an easily accessible platform where I am regularly updated with what’s going on to those closest to me (friends and family) and as well the current global issues. Facebook offers users a wide scope of both public and professional content. This allows readers to rapidly attain their news as well as construct views on the subject matter presented to them.

Facebook has the ability to inform users across the globe of political debates, environmental concerns and the latest crises. With the majority of news corporations using Facebook we can now be regularly informed with reliable information and as well, express our own opinions. The global rise of Facebook has led to greater connections and greater accessibility to current affairs.

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The snow leopard, a magnificent cat and once considered king of the mountains. The once prominent feline was located in over 10 countries including regions like China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia and Mongolia – but their population is now rapidly diminishing. This is the sad but true reality for many species across the globe.

When searching for a complex advertisement or campaign, I wanted to find something that really stood out. It’s safe to say this project campaign definitely did the job. This advertisement in my opinion sends out a strong, powerful message, without the use of extensive information. The catchy five word slogan, “Main Aids or Nature Fades” presents the reader with a powerful issue. Without having any prior knowledge to this issue, it is clear this campaign conveys an environmental concern. Media advertisements can often be subject to misinterpretation.

However in this circumstance I believe is not the case. The illustration located front and centre forces us to contemplate what the issue is. It depicts a Snow Leopard that is gradually deteriorating. By employing a minimal colour choice, we are presented with a ‘black and white’ issue. This issue is that our actions take on harmful consequences to our nature and environment.

In the previous year, WWF conducted a census only to find a total of 61 Snow Leopards in Russia’s Altai-Sayan Ecoregion. For those of you who may be unaware this is considered an extremely remote area and sadly for the Snow Leopards this area stands as a final refuge. WWF has taken an interest into the population of Snow Leopards in Russia for the past three years. Since this monitoring commenced, the species population has remained moderately stable. Nonetheless, this species is considered endangered, with approximately 7,000 remaining in the wild.  https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/new-survey-finds-stable-snow-leopard-population-in-russia

The Snow Leopard plays a vital part as a leading predator but also as an indicator of the health of their high altitude environment. How well Snow Leopards thrive and increase in population, has a direct impact to the survival of numerous other species. 

So, who are the main predators of this endangered creature? HUMANS! 

Humans take the sole responsibility and are the predominant reason this species is under threat. The main causes of endangerment can be related to hunting and habitat loss. The reality is, Snow Leopard’s habitat continues to diminish as a result of human industrialisation.

In summary, this Snow Leopard Project advertisement presents us with a critical concern as a result of our own actions. It reveals that media advertisements or campaigns do not need extensive information to get a point across. By employing a descriptive illustration and a powerful five word slogan we are confronted with a global issue.

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At some point in our life, everyone including you and I will experience the feeling of being part of an audience. I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love this feeling! An audience in my eyes, encompasses individuals’ (majority who are strangers) brought together by a shared interest. In my mind when I consider audiences I think of festivals and concerts.

For the majority of my upbringing and even to this day, I have been immersed into the wide world of music! Coming from a family who’s whole life has been music both performing and observing, I have always held a deep appreciation for the many forms of music and have been lucky enough to see my most loved artists and bands. Each performance I witness holds a different experience and special meaning in my life.

The feeling I get when I’m surrounded by a complete bunch strangers, all sharing a common love for a particular artist, is something I will always love. Being part of an audience brings a sense of unity and togetherness.  I can safely say that all of my music experiences have 100% been pleasurable and enjoyable.

Growing up our family’s tradition each year was to road trip up to Byron Bay and spend the whole week at the ‘Byron Bay Bluesfest’. This childhood experience is where my love for live music originated from.  This musical adventure / experience holds a big place in my life and let me tell you why… 

Firstly, I don’t know about you but I absolutely love the atmosphere of music festivals! The whole setup of having multiple stages of music at your disposal and the vibe of everyone in their own little world enjoying the music surrounding them. Being a kid, this was something I had never witnessed before… who knew I would end up now going to multiple festivals a year and enjoying them more and more every time! I have to admit, I am guilty of getting quite emotional when I see one of my most loved artists on the stage so close to me. 

For any of you out there reading this and who may be a music lover like me, I hope you can relate to what’s coming next. Standing in the mosh, sweaty as anything, feet hurting from standing too long and squished up against everyone, you find yourself in a state of complete euphoria. Besides witnessing the magical talents of the artists, the incredible feeling you get when a whole arena is singing along together, is 100% my most treasured aspect of a festival. 

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“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” ― Billy Joel

http://www.cmuse.org

Hi! My names Kira and welcome to my blog! I am 21 years of age and living in Sydney. I’m a current student at the University of Wollongong, studying Media and Communications (marketing and advertising) with International Studies (global sustainable development). At this moment I have no clue where this degree will take me in the future, but hey how exciting!

Here’s a little bit more about myself; I am an energetic, easy going gal who loves sport, music, travel and am very interested in humanitarian work and helping others! Prior to university I obtained a qualification in a TEFL course, which allows me to teach those whos second language is English!

I hope this blog provides an insight to my world as a young adult as I share my experiences and views. Hope you all enjoy

Much Love,

Kira xx