Interviewing the Owner of Curvy Closet: A Journey of Challenges and Values

In this blog post, I’m excited to share my experience of interviewing the owner of Curvy Closet, Tayna. This interview allowed me to delve into Tanya’s world and talk about entrepreneurship, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of running a business that promotes self-confidence and inclusivity. But, as with many journeys, preparing and delivering this presentation had its fair share of obstacles.

Preparing for the Interview: A Bumpy Start

My journey began with preparation for the interview, which turned out to be a lot more challenging than I initially anticipated. I was really excited to interview Tayna, but life had other plans for me. Just a few days before the scheduled interview, I fell sick, and to make matters worse, I lost my voice. Naturally, I had to reschedule, which made me anxious about the impending deadline.

As I laid in bed recovering, I used the time to revisit the guest lectures with Kate, to gain a better understanding of the type of questions I should be asking Tayna. This was crucial in preparing a thoughtful and engaging set of questions that would not only provide valuable insights to my audience but also resonate with Curvy Closet’s mission.

The Stressful Interview Day

Finally, the day of the interview arrived. Before I started with my questions, I explained to Tanya about me using this interview for my BCM313 presentation and got verbal consent from Tanya for this to be used. There was a big obstacle to filming the interview, as Curvy Closet was still open for business. This meant we had to be quick when filming, as customers kept coming in and out of the store. The hustle around us added an unexpected layer of complexity to the interview process. Balancing the need for a quiet and distraction-free environment with the demands of a busy shop was a challenge that put my organisational skills to the test.

Despite our best efforts, the initial recording on my phone had some technical issues. The audio was patchy and inconsistent, making it impossible to use for the final presentation. This led to a decision that was not part of my original plan – we needed to re-film the interview. The setback was disappointing and frustrating, but I was determined to make the most of the second chance.

After concluding the interview and reflecting on Tanya’s responses, it became evident to me that her approach resonated significantly with the concept of the “absent but implicit theory” (Freedman, 2012) that we’ve explored in our class discussions. During our conversation, Tanya and I discussed her role as a problem solver and, at times, as a therapist for her clients. She shared how she values actively listening to her customers and engaging in conversations about her own experiences and personal values. Tanya believes that this approach fosters a sense of importance and appreciation in her clients, as they recognise someone genuinely attentive to their thoughts and feelings, creating a mutual exchange of understanding and support.

Delivering the Presentation: A Leap of Faith

The ordeal of preparing and conducting the interview was behind me, but I faced another hurdle: the fear of public speaking. I’ve never been a confident public speaker, and this realisation led me to a difficult choice. Rather than presenting the interview live, I decided to create a video where I could carefully script and edit my content to ensure it was clear and concise.

This decision allowed me to focus on delivering my message effectively without the anxiety of public speaking. It might not have been the traditional way to present, but it aligned with my values of producing high-quality content that truly represented the essence of the interview.

When standing up and delivering my presentation, I was very proud of what I accomplished and proud to show the person that I worked with. Everybody loved Tanya, and I loved discussing with Wren some details about the interview that didn’t make it into the presentation. When we were discussing, Wren made me realise there was a lot of theory that relates to Arthur Frank and also outsider witness theory. I was very proud of the interview that I did, and I also gained a lot of knowledge from interviewing Tanya.

The Influence of My Values

Throughout this journey, my values played a role in shaping my response to the challenges that arose. The commitment to delivering meaningful content and representing Curvy Closet in the best way possible pushed me to overcome obstacles.

I learned the importance of flexibility and resilience in the face of unexpected setbacks, which resonated with Tayna’s entrepreneurial journey. Tayna’s dedication to promoting body positivity and inclusivity mirrored my own values of empowerment and acceptance, inspiring me to deliver a presentation that did justice to her story and the mission of Curvy Closet.

In conclusion, my interview with Tayna, the owner of Curvy Closet, was not without its share of difficulties, but these challenges allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. They pushed me to adapt, to think creatively, and to stay true to my values. The experience served as a reminder that even when faced with adversity, a commitment to one’s values can lead to success and personal growth.

References:

Freedman, J 2012, Explorations of the Absent but Implicit, The International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work. No.4, pp. 1-10.

The Art of Listening: A Path to the Future of Work

Since we have just recently grown accustomed to listening, I have never given the art of listening much thought, but this subject has actually taught me how crucial it is to daily life. The guest speaker Renee recently gave a compelling speech that I had the chance to hear, and her words have been with me ever since. Her observations strongly correlated with how I understood the topic, which caused me to consider the value of effective communication in the changing workplace.

Renee said something that really resonated with me: “The worst thing that can happen is you’ll have a conversation with a really nice person.” This would appear at first glance to be a straightforward piece of advice for improved social interactions, but as I dug deeper, I discovered that it had significant implications for the environment of the contemporary workplace. We frequently find ourselves dreading conversations that centre on anxiety-provoking subjects like academic or professional problems. The fear of running into an unpleasant or uncaring person can paralyse us, making it impossible for us to express our problems in an open manner. I have definitely experienced this.

Renee’s comment caused me to consider how crucial it is to enter such discussions with an open mind and the conviction that most people are, at their core, decent and open to talking. The capacity to engage in courteous and empathic dialogues will be a crucial skill in the future as workplaces become more diverse and complicated.

One theme in Renee’s statements that struck a chord with me especially was the notion of “normalising.” In the framework of my studies, where I have investigated the art of meaningful dialogues that build connection, this term has acquired tremendous value for me. We had the chance to participate in group discussions and pair-sharing of random stories throughout weeks 2-3 of our course. These exercises reinforced the value of normalising different viewpoints and experiences in order to foster an atmosphere where people can connect in a genuine way, particularly when I had discussions with my group on topics that could be quite personal to them as well as to me.

Renee’s discussion of the idea of a “outsider witness” particularly spoke to me. It is crucial to create a platform that accepts people who frequently find themselves on the periphery as we try to develop a more diverse and collaborative workplace (Carey & Russell 2003). The idea of an outsider witness stems from the realisation of how crucial it is to provide those who might have uncommon thoughts or perspectives a voice. An outsider witness procedure can be carried out by members of the client’s immediate social network, such as family and friends, or by people from external networks, possibly including professionals, who are asked to carefully listen to and validate the client’s preferred stories and identity claims. Similar to what is usually meant by a reflecting team. This method has the potential to challenge accepted norms and promote an inclusive atmosphere in the workplace, acting as a catalyst for creativity and good change. This can be interpreted in terms of Renee’s position as her either being the direct individual where the student will discuss the matter with friends and family or as the third party being introduced into the dialogue.

In Renee’s account, she also discussed the unease that might set in when faced with difficult or new circumstances. This discomfort is a necessary component of development and learning. In this topic, we have looked at how embracing pain may result in growth on both a personal and professional level. People who are willing to face their discomfort and learn from it will succeed in the workplace of the future, where adaptability and resilience are highly valued qualities. The last few weeks have been rather difficult for me because I haven’t worked or had experience in this field, especially since I recently started working in the social media managing profession and have my first client. Renees discussion of discomfort made me realise and reflect on the last few weeks and made me think about how I am growing not only professional but personally as well.

In conclusion, Renee’s experience offered an insightful chance to consider the practise of listening and its significance for the future of work. The ability to effectively communicate, empathise, normalise different experiences, acknowledge individuality, and be willing to face discomfort are all critical abilities for navigating the changing terrain of the workplace. The ability to listen, learn, and connect with others will be the cornerstone upon which we construct a more inclusive and inventive workplace as we confront the complexity and uncertainty of the future. These ideas and concepts I will carry with me throughout the rest of my professional career.

  • Bowles, K. (2023). Wednesday workshops, Weeks 1-8 at 5.30pm.
  • Carey, M.,Russell, S (2003). Outsider-witness practices: some answers to commonly asked questions, vol.1, The International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work.
  • Walther, S., Fox, H. (2012). Narrative therapy and outsider witness practice: Teachers as a community of acknowledgement, vol.29, No.2, Educational & Child Psychology.

Understanding when to say No

When I attempted to reflect on a particular instance in which I underwent a significant disruption or change, I employed the principles and notions of ‘Remembering Conversations’ (White 2007) as a structured approach. My intention was to select a narrative that held a distinct place in my memory when contemplating moments of disruption or change

The Disruption/change

The disruption that unfolded at my workplace originated when my manager left our store for about three months to oversee operations at another store, right during the peak of our busiest season. During that period, a replacement manager was assigned to our store. However, they faced a considerable learning curve as their store’s products and operational procedures differed slightly from ours. Although I held a casual position at that time, I was requested by the management to take on a more substantial role, involving increased hours and heightened responsibilities, a situation that brought about significant stress but still at my casual rate. This situation had a far-reaching impact on various parts of my life, as the demands of work began to dominate my overall well-being.

Saying yes to everything

As I reflect on the past, it’s clear that I fell into the trap of saying “yes” excessively, gradually transforming into a doormat in the process. Initially, my intentions were to be a supportive employee during challenging times, but my eagerness to assist eventually overwhelmed me. In retrospect, I attribute this tendency to my upbringing. Growing up, everyone in my family exhibited an exceptional work ethic and faced their share of hard jobs. Comparatively, my own struggles seemed trivial, making it difficult for me to voice complaints. Moreover, I’d been part of the workforce since I was 14, making it hard to decline tasks and disappoint others; I was determined not to be labelled as an uncooperative employee. This internal conflict severely disrupted my balance between work, university, and social commitments. The situation deteriorated into a toxic workplace environment, largely due to the mounting pressure from managers. I was expected to be on-call no matter what, a role amplified by the fact that some colleagues were inexperienced or lacked trust. This translated to arriving home mentally and physically drained, as my responsibilities exceeded my job description. I even went to work while battling food poisoning, driven by the fear of burdening others or letting my manager down.

Realising the problem

The realization of my predicament struck me one evening when I returned home from work, utterly drained after an exceptionally long and hard day.  I found myself pouring out my troubles to my mum, who held immense significance in my life. At that moment, I found myself breaking down, divulging every detail of the challenges I had been grappling with; she had become my de facto therapist. My partner, sitting right beside me, attentively absorbed both my words and my mum’s advice and agreed (Carey & Russell 2002). Collectively, they arrived at the conclusion that I needed to prioritise myself, as my work demands had escalated to an unsustainable level. My mum’s advice, informed by her own encounters in similar toxic workplaces, proved invaluable. This scenario reinforces the concept that an ‘individual’s abilities, commitments, values and purposes are not developed in a vacuum but rather are shaped by their past experiences and relationships with others and their environments’ (Carey & Russell 2002). The people in my club of life saw this problem and told me the truth, even though it was hard to hear it was definitely needed. 

Learning Something new

Upon realising the need for change, a fundamental shift in my perspective regarding work became paramount. I embarked on a journey to comprehend that work did not define my entire existence. This undertaking demanded a comprehensive recalibration of my thought processes – as I needed to start to foster positivity and prioritize my own well-being. This transformation was not easy, but the unwavering support of my friends and family helped a lot with my progress. Through their guidance, I acquired valuable insights. I learned the significance of understanding when I need rest. Additionally, I grasped the importance of adhering to pre-established plans and allowing myself moments of enjoyment. Although work occasionally did contact me when I told them I was busy with these commitments, I held my ground, asserting my boundaries even when met with resistance. This process facilitated my mastery of the art of saying “no” when necessary.

Reflecting

Reflecting on the scenario, it’s astonishing how a seemingly tiny decision could trigger a chain of events leading to a minor disruption. However, that incident has imparted invaluable lessons that continue to resonate in my workplace. I now possess a better grasp of understanding when I need to say no. My mum’s wisdom echoes in my mind – “You don’t live to work, you work to live.” This statement has become a constant reminder that our well-being must take precedence. It’s a truth that has solidified within me since that pivotal moment. Although I’m still navigating this newfound concept of putting myself first, I recognize that it’s a skill I’ll be honing for quite some time before becoming an expert. 

AI was used to construct more clear sentences and help with vocabulary for this assignment.

References:

  • Carey, M. and Russell, S. (2002). Outsider-witness practices: Some Answers to Commonly Asked Questions. The Dulwich Centre.
  • Carey, M. and Russell, S. (2002). Re-membering: Responding to Commonly Asked Questions. The Dulwich Centre.
  • White, M. (2007). Re-membering Conversation. In: Maps of Narrative Practice. Norton Professional Books.

The final decarbonisation audit.

My DA definitely wasn’t a typical project that I saw my friends or other people in the BCM325 class but I was excited to dive into my project. If you are unsure what I did for my Da I will have my pitch blog post linked. But long story short this semester I decided to make a series of blog posts looking at creators’ social media accounts and auditing their accounts to see what they can do to amplify their voices more on the topic of decarbonisation.

Process

Initially, at the start of the semester, I wanted to release a blog series of 3 blogs throughout the semester (week 6, week 8 and week 10). Then finally in week 13, I will conclude the semester with my final blog post revisiting the project. In my pitch, I did say that I was wanting to do Instagram as another platform for my project but I decided against that and I wanted to do youtube and use SoundCloud instead. I did think that this timeline was achievable but unfortunately, I only produced 2 blog posts instead of 3.

Unfortunately, throughout the semester things became a lot, with working and doing full-time uni and I had some personal issues and getting sick twice really didn’t help with the trajectory of this project.

Research

Researching was definitely the hardest thing in this whole project as, surprisingly there aren’t a lot of social media accounts discussing decarbonisation. But there is a lot about sustainability, which didn’t really help as when talking about this project in class we were steered away from the sustainability point of view, which I will admit I did use some accounts that discussed sustainability but also decarbonisation.

These are the accounts that I wrote about:

@OurYouth4TheClimate

@LottieDaiziel

Blog Post 1: https://miawatton.wordpress.com/2023/04/27/amplifying-the-voices-of-climate-activists-part-1/

In the second blog post, I actually looked at my own peers’ accounts as they were solely about decarbonisation

@sea02campaign

@designfor0

Blog post 2:

https://miawatton.wordpress.com/2023/05/12/amplifying-the-voices-of-climate-activists-part-2

Listed below are a few key resources that I focused my research on throughout the semester:

When we found out at the start of the semester we found out the topic was Decarbonisation and looking at a lot of the weekly topics, I was very unsure about what I could do for a DA and thought about how I could take what I’m studying (marketing) and transfer that into this project, also with some guidance of my tutor Chris helping me form this idea I solidified my idea.

Also throughout this DA, I have had the opportunity to use the platform ChatGPT and Midjourney as another platform that I can use to source information from and make the project easier. I used ChatGPT to help me form my blog posts, and I also used Midjourney to form AI images from prompts I gave it about decarbonisation then I made it into a youtube video.

Proliferation

As I mentioned in this blog post I was going to make an Instagram account but I then wanted to focus on other forms of proliferation. That’s when I decided to focus on SoundCloud and youtube. I felt like those platforms had more reach compared to an Instagram account. Instagram is one of the hardest platforms to break through, that’s why platforms like TikTok, Soundcloud and Youtube have more ability to break through and get more followers and views.

From the weekly lectures and tutorials, I thought the best way I could proliferate content was through Artificial Intelligence. Midjouney was an amazing tool to proliferate as it created my images for my youtube videos, and ChatGPT was amazing to help produce some of my paragraphs for my blog post. This helped me with my script for Soundcloud.

Action

As I embarked on creating this blog post series about social media accounts, my enthusiasm stemmed from not only raising awareness but also amplifying the voices of these accounts. Within the series, I highlighted influential social media accounts that actively championed decarbonization, amplifying their messages and urging readers to follow, engage, and delve deeper into their content.

While it has yet to occur, there is significant potential for the featured social media accounts in the blog series to gain traction. As a result, they could experience a notable increase in followers, leading to heightened visibility and impact. This surge in popularity could also foster collaborations and partnerships, cultivating a network of like-minded individuals committed to advancing decarbonization efforts.

Success and limitations


Upon reflection on my Digital Artifact (DA) and considering my initial intentions for this project, I generally feel content with the outcome. However, I recognize numerous areas where significant improvements can be made. The beauty of a DA is that it is never truly finished, providing me with an opportunity to continue working on it in the future. I believe there is ample room to expand the project by incorporating more options for proliferation and harnessing the full potential of tools such as Midjourney and ChatGPT to a greater extent.

The primary constraint I encountered in this project was the lack of substantial feedback from my audience. While I did receive valuable and enlightening peer feedback, it was limited in nature. However, the feedback I did receive proved to be insightful, enabling me to identify my mistakes and gain a clearer understanding of areas for improvement.

I encountered another constraint during this project, which was the scarcity of resources and social media accounts specifically dedicated to the topic of decarbonization. While sustainability as a whole is widely discussed, I faced difficulties in finding a substantial presence solely focused on decarbonization. It appeared to be a niche and relatively small component within the broader realm of social media.

In general, I am satisfied with this project; however, there are numerous aspects that I believe could have been enhanced and improved upon.

The final tweets

After my first live tweeting summary, I had time to reflect on what I would want to do for the second summary at the end of the semester. I wanted to work towards the goals that I set for myself and wanted to evaluate my tweets even more. 

Looking at the films that we had to analyse, it was quite interesting as the majority of them had a very similar theme to a near future setting and how the world and humans would be in that time period. It made me think about how creative the writers, directors, and producers were to create a fictional world that a lot of people could relate to and see potentially happening, especially in Ready Player One and Her. 

My Feedback 

Reflecting on my tweets from the initial half of the semester, I believe I went reasonably well considering it was my first experience with live-tweeting a screening. Once I grasped the technique, the process became much smoother, enabling me to articulate my thoughts more effortlessly. Between weeks 6 and 11, I made a conscious effort to assess my tweets, striving to establish stronger connections between my opinions, ideas, and the subject matter at hand. 

For the initial live-tweeting assignment, I opted not to seek personalized feedback, as I had already identified my areas of improvement and had a general sense of the direction I intended to take in the second half of the semester. My aim was to incorporate the various topics we had covered throughout the course into my tweets, rather than solely focusing on the specific subject of each individual tweet. By broadening the scope of my tweets, I sought to create a more comprehensive and integrated approach to showcase the breadth of knowledge acquired over the semester.

Additionally, I aimed to enhance my analysis by utilizing the ChatGPT platform more extensively, leveraging its capabilities to gain additional perspectives and insights to help my tweets. Another objective I set for the end of the semester was to improve my tweet planning. I implemented this approach for most of the remaining weeks, and it undoubtedly aided me in staying on track and focusing during class-time screenings. Planning ahead enabled me to capture any missed details during the initial viewing, ensuring that my tweets encompassed a comprehensive reflection of the subject matter.

My favourite theories 

These are some of my favourite theories that I have learned this semester:

The first one was Anthropocene, I found it very interesting as this theory challenges our perception of humanity’s role in the world, urging us to acknowledge our responsibility for the environmental changes we have triggered in this world. The Anthropocene theory not only prompts reflections on our past and present actions but also makes us look into the future and see what is in store for us. I found this theory in a lot of the movies that we watched this semester, such as Alita, Ready Player One, and more. 

Another one of my favourite theories was Cyberpunk, this theory has fascinated me since studying it last year in one of my other classes, as we looked at the colours and themes as a lot of cyberpunk movies have neon and bright colour aesthetics as it is blending traditional and futuristic elements. Looking at multiple movies that had the dystopian future theme, such as Alita, Ready Player One, Westworld, and more. It delves into themes of artificial intelligence, virtual realities, and corporate domination. 

Looking back on this semester 

This semester has proven to be a great learning experience, particularly in the realm of sci-fi movies and the skill of live tweeting. It demanded a comprehensive understanding and effective multitasking, as highlighted in my initial blog post about live tweeting. Balancing the movie-watching experience, gathering accurate information, analyzing the film, and connecting it to the topics discussed in class was undoubtedly challenging. One significant takeaway was the invaluable utility of ChatGPT, which aided me in planning and clarifying concepts. It deepened my comprehension of lecture materials and their relevance to weekly topics, though occasionally I struggled to establish connections between the topics and the screenings. ChatGPT significantly assisted in articulating my thoughts and knowledge into coherent sentences, which has been a personal struggle. Reflecting on the semester, I recognized that I didn’t engage with my peers as much as I would have liked, with most interactions occurring when they responded to my tweets. This realization serves as a valuable lesson for future classes or opportunities, highlighting the importance of improving my peer interaction skills.

This class has definitely been a great opportunity to develop valuable skills in live tweeting and effectively communicating on social media platforms and with my peers as well.

The Journey of MatchMaker Master

Board games have always been a favourite pastime for people of all ages. They are not only a great way to pass the time, but they also provide an opportunity for socializing and building friendships. When my group was given the task of creating a board game for our class assignment, I was thrilled. We brainstormed and came up with the idea of creating a game called Matchmaker Master.

When my group and I were brainstorming our game, we were remembering a game spark from another student in our class which was a dating hotline sort of game and we all liked the idea of romance and a dating sort of game. We decided to use ChatGPT to our advantage and utilise its ability to spit out answers to our prompts. We all used the same prompt to see what ChatGPT can give us, it spit out simple game mechanics and a set of rules.

Here are the links to my other group members’ blog posts, go check them out!

Tara: https://visionarytaza.wordpress.com/2023/05/09/the-journey-of-problem-solving/

Jess: https://penofjess.wordpress.com/2023/05/12/matchmaker-master-a-game-design-experience/

Sianie: https://sianieaitken.wordpress.com/2023/05/11/making-match-maker-master/

Background research

When it came to background research with this project there wasn’t a lot of looking at academic articles but more about looking at games that potentially are in the same market as ours such as cards against humanity, for The Girls and more. We also looked at other games that we played in class as a group and looked at what mechanics we did like and what we didn’t.

Designing

Once our group had figured out what genre and type of game we wanted, we had to figure out how it will be designed. The week when simple ideas were spoken between the group, I was unfortunately not there but was soon caught up on the idea the following week. I had a lot of fun designing the game as a group as we all worked very smoothly and on the same page which made the whole process a lot easier. I remember a specific conversation that we were having about the colours and how we wanted it to look and we wanted the vibe of the character of the queen of hearts, so our primary colours were red and black. We also wanted our colours and fonts to be soft like romance as you can see in this conversation here.

Prototyping and playtesting

Once we had our basic design and game board the true challenge came when we needed to playtest. We played tested collaboratively over the weeks, this stage was probably the hardest for our group as we all had to agree and be happy with the decisions we were making. One of the challenges we faced during the design process was coming up with a game board that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. We all playtested multiple types of game boards and also received some help from our tutor Chris to figure out what could be the best type of game board for us.

We also had difficulty figuring out the point system as we wanted it to be simple as possible but also have a game that has a clear winner at the end of Act 3 which is the final act in gameplay. A lot of our prototyping and playtesting was done collaboratively and I found the hardest thing about this group assignment was to make sure everybody was happy and everybody’s thoughts and ideas were heard. One of our first ideas for our point system was a suggestion I made to the group was what if each individual trait on the cards had a specific point, but with playtesting we realised that putting a point system on the individual traits could put a negative spin on the game because ultimately each person is different with describing their perfect partner. In the pictures below you can see our other options for the type of point systems we were thinking about but ultimately we decided to go with a scoring algorithm card that will be in the game boxes.

Individual contribution

My individual contribution to the group assignment was discussing the game overview. I wrote up a quick summary of the game overview to discuss the genre, the objective of the game and also the mechanics of the game etc. A lot of the points I discussed in the presentation were from our group brainstorming sessions in class, as a lot of the game overview was a collaborative section of the game. My group and I had a shared Google doc that we all contributed to during our class time where we refined the rules of the game, discussed the colours and design of the game and more. I used our group Google doc to refine and shorten a lot of our notes and make a quick and sharp summary for the game overview in our group presentation.

Amplifying the voices of climate activists part 2.

In this blog post, I will be actually reviewing 2 of my uni peers’ accounts discussing decarbonisation.

The first account I will be discussing is the Instagram account @sea02campaign.

In a world increasingly conscious of sustainability, the @Sea02Campaign stands at the forefront of a groundbreaking movement within the skincare industry. Focused on decarbonisation and harnessing the power of seaweed in skincare products, this influential Instagram account promotes the intersection of beauty and environmental responsibility.

@Sea02Campaign sheds light on the environmental impact of traditional skincare practices and highlights the potential of seaweed as a sustainable alternative. Traditional skincare often relies on carbon-intensive manufacturing processes and harmful ingredients. However, seaweed offers a natural and renewable resource that can be responsibly harvested and used in various skincare formulations. By showcasing the immense benefits of seaweed in skincare, the campaign champions a greener approach to beauty.

@Sea02Campaign educates its followers about the transformative power of seaweed in skincare formulations. Seaweed boasts a rich array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that nourish and rejuvenate the skin. Its natural properties not only provide effective skincare solutions but also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the industry. By advocating for the use of sustainably sourced seaweed in skincare products, the campaign encourages conscious consumer choices that prioritize both personal well-being and the planet’s health.

@Sea02Campaign is ticking all the boxes in my marketing checklist, as they have created an aesthetic Instagram and Twitter account, staying within the niche and using hashtags. The only thing I would recommend would be creating a potential TikTok account.

The second account I will be looking at is the Instagram account @designfor0.

In an era marked by pressing environmental concerns, sustainability has become a fundamental aspect of every industry. One Instagram account, @designfor0, has emerged as a trailblazer in the visual communications industry, dedicated to uncovering ways for it to reform its practices and contribute to the crucial goal of decarbonization. With a commitment to creating a greener future, @designfor0 is sparking conversations, sharing insights, and inspiring action within the creative community.

@designfor0 encourages designers, artists, and industry professionals to adopt sustainable materials and processes. By showcasing alternative materials, such as recycled paper, eco-friendly inks, and biodegradable packaging, the account empowers creatives to make conscious choices that reduce their carbon footprint. It highlights the potential for innovation within sustainable design, challenging traditional practices and fostering a more environmentally conscious mindset.

Through its engaging content, @designfor0 plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the urgent need for decarbonization in the visual communications industry. It educates its audience about the carbon footprint of different design practices, encouraging individuals and organizations to take responsibility for their environmental impact. By amplifying the importance of sustainability, the account motivates professionals to rethink their approach and actively contribute to a greener future.

Again @designfor0 is checking all the boxes, Tara has created an amazing platform to spread awareness about decarbonisation in the visual communication industry. The Instagram is aesthetic, tieing into the design for 0 series on Taras blog creating more of an educating platform. Because it is an Instagram account Tara isn’t using music or dances as trends but instead using the trend formats of Instagram and making sure they are suited to the platform she is posting on.

Both Sianie and Tara have done an amazing job at social media marketing their accounts and have really reached a great audience on their accounts

Amplifying the voices of climate activists. Part 1

Throughout this semester I will be making about 3 blog posts just like this one discussing a range of social media accounts and auditing their accounts and seeing how they could maximize the impact with strategic social media marketing choices.

I will be discussing 2 accounts today both on the social media platform TikTok.

The first one I will be discussing is Lottie Dalziel, she is a Sydney TikToker discussing sustainability and also decarbonisation. While her videos are discussing a wide range of issues she particularly focuses on sustainability. She is using her platform to raise awareness about the urgency of reducing carbon emissions and ways ordinary people can make a change to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way of life.

In one of her more popular videos, she shares tips and tricks on how to reduce your carbon footprint. in the video, she explains the importance of cutting down on meat consumption, driving less, and using renewable energy sources. I will be looking at Lottie’s Tiktok and I will be using a guide to help me essentially mark Lottie’s Tiktok and see if there is anything else she could do to maximize her voice.

Lottie’s TikTok does most things on my checklist, the things that I would suggest for Lottie to do so she could maximize her traffic to her account would be to be using some trending sounds to be in the background of her videos, which puts her videos on more FYP through the TikTok algorithm. Lastly, she is not marketing on other platforms, which is not a crazy thing, when researching her account her TikTok is the account for decarbonisation and sustainability and her Instagram is more of a personal account.

The second account I will be looking at in this blog post is @ouryouth4theclimate. This TikTok account is a popular platform for engaging with young individuals and discussing global issues.

The creators behind @OurYouth4TheClimate understand the power of this platform and utilize it to communicate the urgency of decarbonization. By presenting complex environmental issues in a concise and visually appealing manner, they capture the attention of millions and motivate them to take action. One of the primary objectives of @OurYouth4TheClimate is to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and the importance of decarbonization. Through their TikTok video, the account sheds light on the various consequences of climate change, such as extreme weather events, habitat loss, and rising sea levels. Furthermore, they explain the significance of reducing carbon emissions and introduce viewers to sustainable lifestyle choices and technologies.

@OurYouth4TheClimate serves as a platform for young individuals to showcase their innovative ideas and initiatives aimed at decarbonization. the account features videos highlighting youth-led projects, such as renewable energy startups, sustainable fashion brands, and community-driven climate action campaigns. By amplifying these stories, they inspire other young people to take charge and contribute their unique talents and solutions to the fight against climate change. TikTok is not only a passive viewing experience but also a space for dialogue and engagement with their content, fostering a sense of community and collective action. By sparking conversations around decarbonisation, the account helps break down the perceived barriers between generations, cultures and geographical locations, forging a united front in the pursuit of a sustainable future.

Again I will be marking @OurYouth4TheClimate Tiktok and see what they can do or change to make more of an impact and amplify their voices on social media.

The only thing I would suggest would be to engage with their followers more by replying to comments and things like that and also marketing on other platforms as well.

Stay Tuned for part 2.

I actually like tweeting. Surprisingly

I will admit when I saw in the subject outline that we had to be live tweeting on this subject I was nervous as I didn’t really know what to expect from it. The whole 3 years that I have been at uni, I have never really had an ongoing media presence on Twitter except for some general tweets here and there but now having 5 sessions of live tweeting up my belt I can say it’s not that hard. I didn’t really have a game plan for my tweets, I always tried to watch or at least read the lecture notes and understand the week’s concept for example, cyberpunk, future cultures, novums, etc, before diving into the week’s screening and tweets.

Looking back on my tweets I tried to implement as much of the subject materials and what I was seeing in the screenings back into my thoughts for my tweets. In my tweets, I used a lot of media articles and quotes relating back to the subject materials. This helped me understand more of the subject materials and connect things that I’m seeing in the movie. For me personally, that makes it easier as I am a visual learner and some of the screenings I will admit were not in my preferred genre of movies.

ChatGPT

Another platform I used to help me generate my tweets was ChatGPT. I think ChatGPT is an amazing platform that has made generating ideas and questions into easy-to-understand statements. I have used chatGPT in most of the screenings this semester as it has given me the ability to understand the movie more, as it has given a very satisfactory answer to the questions I have asked.

Future Tweeting

Reflecting on my tweets from the last 5 weeks I think there is a lot of room for growth and improvement where I can talk more about the subject material and link it back to the lecture more. If I was watching the movie for the first time I found that I tweeted more about how I was feeling and what was happening in the movie, so I should focus mostly on the subject materials for the majority of my tweets. But I have found that most of my interactions with my peers have been from tweets that are personal opinions talking about the movie or just funny thoughts that I have had about the movie.

some of the student interactions I have done. Tara Whieldon, Taya Gregerson, Andrea Moreira, Jess Dinning

Check out my Twitter for my future tweets.

Peer Reviews

Every Pitch that I had to comment on was very different topics that I have never really researched myself. That gave me the opportunity to research and understand more about these topics such as sports, sustainable fashion, and decarbonising advertising

The Pitches I commented on:

Sean’s Pitch

Elena’s Pitch

Lauren’s Pitch

Critical Reflection:

I personally think the best way to grow and improve is to hear what your peers think. I think it’s a great way to open your eyes to ideas that you may have not thought of. So when I was trying to write my comments for my peers it was difficult at first to give constructive feedback, as all of their ideas were amazing and I wanted to tell them that as it is not easy to create a project from thin air. I also wanted to be helpful and think of ways that they could incorporate new research materials or layers to their project.

But the thought of commenting was quite daunting, to say the least as I didn’t want to upset or offend anyone when suggesting things for their pitches. But I learned throughout this assignment was what would i want people to do for me. I would want people to comment on my ideas and to think about what would make my project better, as I think multiple brains are better than one.

Looking at other students’ work it has made me realise that I need to dive deeper into the subject materials and have a clear line between my project and the subject material. Again evaluating other students’ works has helped me realise what I have missed out on and also the other peers’ comments that I have received on my Pitch have helped me with ideas for improvement before the semester is over.

In looking back at my comments, I made sure that I added in my own research that I think would be helpful for my peers, which I think adds to good feedback as I’m not evaluating something or critiquing my peers without giving something that could help them out. I also told them things they could add like another platform if it was relevant.

Lastly looking at my own pitch and the comments I received I was really happy with the feedback I have received and it has given me more ideas to grow and improve my DA before my first post is published. From the comments, I have decided I need to focus more on adding statistics to my research, how signal boosting is beneficial, and figuring out how I will be measuring the success of my marketing plan and signal boosting for accounts whether that will be from interactions such as views, likes or comments or another way.

Overall, the peer commentary has really helped me understand where the future of my DA is heading and what I can do to refine it due to my peers helping me in discovering new research and resources to enhance my project for the better.