Perks of Digital Storytelling

Digital Storytelling, or the combination of text, videos, and pictures, has a variety of advantages for the intended audience. First and foremost, these multimedia packages are highly visual and definitely keep the reader engaged. As technology currently has a huge influence on media and story telling, it is clear that presenting stories in a more creative manner is not only essential but an adaptation organizations must make. No one wants to read a plain old text story when creative images can be integrated into a piece in the snap of your fingers. It is highly valuable to utilize photographs and other creative components to keep the reader engaged. Click here to find a detailed article on how to create a great multimedia story.

Additionally, digital storytelling enables the viewer multiple ways to attain the information, making this option convenient and preferable. For instance, imagine if you were in a huge rush, but wanted to get some information about a recent event that was posted in the New York Times. Having the option to watch a video versus reading the entire story will help you get an understanding of what happened much faster. Further, while some people prefer reading, others prefer visuals. A multimedia story will allow the viewer the option to retain the information according to their preference. In particular, I am all about the visuals, and don’t love to read. With that being said, I would chose to watch the video far before I would read an entire story.

I would like you to now visit this page by clicking here. As you can see, this digital story is highly interactive and inspiring. Why? Because it utilizes a brief amount of writing, intriguing photographs, bits of video, and it is presented as if it were a journal. Additionally, on the top bar, you will links to this individuals Blog, Education, Playlists, and more. Evidently, this site enables the reader to connect on various different platforms, which is important and essential for all digital media stories. It also presents links that connect you to the Twitter account, Facebook page, YouTube link, Google +, Pinterest, Email and more. As you can see, this individual has established themselves on a variety of social media sites, which is absolutely vital in order to gain more credibility and to boost viewership.

Below you will find a tweet regarding Brent McDonald, who was named 2014 Multimedia photographer. It is important to note the quality of images means a lot as well. It is important to post meaningful and powerful images, relevant to the story being portrayed. The images and video can literally make or break the story. When trying to communicate a story effectively, all components must compliment one another and relate back to the story.

Brent McDonald Named 2014 POYi Multimedia Photographer of the Year http://t.co/eC8ikRQER6

— The Click (@theclick) February 26, 2014

Understanding how to put together a multimedia story is highly valuable. Additionally, utilizing the tips I’ve shared, I hope you are prepared to mesh together videos, pictures, text and more to reach your targeted audience.

 

Everything but Winter Activities: Interlaken

On Thursday, February 30, my friends and I travelled to Interlaken through the company Bus2Alps. I highly recommend going through this company, as they provide transportation to and from the airport in Geneva, which is approximately 3 hours away from the hostel. Bus2Alps gives you the option to stay at Balmers Hostel or Backpackers Villa, and we chose to spend the extra 10 euros to stay in the Villa. Again, I would recommend staying here after hearing that Balmers was highly unsanitary. We arrived to the villa late Thursday night, and we immediately went to sleep to ensure a productive Friday.

When we woke up Friday morning, we walked to a place known as Utopia, which serves bagels, wraps and breakfast food. I indulged in a Greek Salad Wrap, which was absolutely delicious. Next on our agenda, we went to the Chocolate Factory, where we got a slight tour of how the chocolate is made, but most importantly we got free samples. Switzerland is particularly known for their chocolates, and I must admit after consuming a variety of treats I understand why. At around 5 o’clock, we headed towards Balmers for happy hour. They offered a two for one deal, so it was only appropriate to order wine. By dinner time, a large group of us headed to Hooters for chicken wings, fries, and everything greasy. Here, we pretended it was my birthday and I got a free cake! We ended our evening back at Balmers, which has a club located downstairs. It was really fun and different from the night life in Barcelona, resembling a fraternity house.

 

On Saturday, we headed towards the Victoria Hotel because it was only necessary that we got pampered with massages. After our spa treatments, we showered and got dolled up, feeling cleaner than ever. Additionally, we headed towards the Happy Inn, where we consumed cheese fondue, another Switzerland speciality. After it was only appropriate to burn off these calories and walk to the scenic lake. I made my way to the lake with one of my roommates Jamie, and we walked for over 2 hours. Dreading the walk home, we decided to take the bus back to town. Next, we headed towards Balmers yet again, where I made a reservation to go paragliding at 9AM Sunday morning. When I woke up Sunday morning, it was rather hazy and foggy out. My friend Chloe and I made our way to Balmers, praying our session would not be cancelled. However, the weather prohibited us from going prior to our departure. Being that I am not the most adventurous person in the world, I was almost relieved that my paragliding was cancelled. If your somewhat interested in what paragliding looks like, watch the video below! Overall, Interlaken was a very memorable trip despite the fact that we did everything BUT winter activities.

Citizen vs. Tradtional

What is the difference between citizen journalism versus traditional journalism and how would you rate their value in todays world? Citizen Journalism is when average citizens, including myself, participate in the telling of news and information. It is evident that citizen journalism is an up and coming trend, as people are generally the most reliable sources in establishing opinions and providing facts. For instance, prior to eating at a restaurant, it is typical for people to read reviews regarding the quality of food and other information about the place. These comments and ratings are highly valuable, as they literally save both time and money.

For example, last week, my family and I were in Morocco and made dinner plans at a notable French restaurant outside of the hotel. We had a long travel day and felt rather jet lagged as dinner time was approaching, so we looked up the restaurant online and read multiple comments about it. Although none of them had negative remarks, the comments exemplified that the restaurant was very fancy and there was minimal options on the menu. We therefore came to the conclusion that we should skip this dinner and have a light bite in the hotel. Through this minor example, it is clear that we as individuals can be highly influential in attracting clientele, and shaping perceptions about businesses. Additionally, in modern society with the high emphasis on Web 2.0, individuals are truly becoming a valid source of information. There are various bloggers that have established themselves online and are now considered experts in their particular field. For example, you may have heard of the site Bro Bible. Here, the writers explore various fields including Girls, Sports, Music, Entertainment and more. From simply writing and providing news on a day to day basis, this site has receive credibility and serves as a source for gaining knowledge particularly for males.

 On the opposite of the spectrum, traditional journalism refers to newspapers and news outlets that are extremely credible and focused solely on news and information. These outlets include FOX, CNN, Huffington Post, Wall Street Journal, and various others. However, in my eyes, these traditional news outlets are slowly dying down as a result of citizen journalism. First and foremost, newspapers will soon be obsolete due to the fact that the Internet is taking over. Why would someone take the time to buy a newspaper, skim the pages, and find the details of the story, when it can simply be googled? Due to the fact that everything is moving online, it is giving citizens a large opportunity to establish themselves as experts regarding news and information. I highly believe that citizen journalism will continue to thrive simply because we rely on Internet heavily, and we seem to trust what our peers have to say.

Family Trip: Morocco

Last Saturday, my parents embarked on their journey to Barcelona, where we spent a few days exploring my new home prior to our departure for Morocco. My mother was born and raised in Rabat, yet after immigrating to the United States she had little desire to ever return. However, the tables turned this year and we made our way back to my mother’s old home. Our first stop was in Marrakesh, where we checked into a luxurious hotel notable for their architecture and design known as La Mamounia. We explored the resort to find fresh vegetables growing in a quaint garden, along with a serene pool and unforgettable spa. Shortly after settling into the hotel, we headed towards the Souk, which translates to the markets. Upon arriving to the square, I was overwhelmed with the amount of activity and movement. We witnessed first hand snake charmers, men with pet monkeys, and an array of different types of people trying to sell you different goods. As we were walking through the square, a man carrying a snake put it on my father’s shoulders without his consent. I will never forget how scared I was for him, and again how different the culture was in this situation. In Morocco, there seems to be no regards for personal space. Additionally, these street characters will never take “NO” for an answer. They will continue to beg for you to buy a certain bracelet, or literally throw a snake on you in order to receive tips. We spent our two days in Marrakesh exploring the markets, which had beautiful lights, tea sets, jewelry, leather goods, olives, nuts, dried fruits and more. Here, I was also able to ride on a camel for the first time!

After two days spent in Marrekesh, we headed to Richard Branson’s Hotel known as Kasbah Tamadot. The hotel was located in the mountains, so we spent the next few days relaxing and dining. One of the traditional Moroccan spa treatments is known as the Hammam, which is when one gets bathed. As a rite of passage, my sister and I both got this treatment, which was rather interesting and different from anything I have ever experienced. We started off the treatment in the spa room, then we were exfoliated, and then we were covered in a clay-like mask. After we were literally bathed, and I must say I have never felt so clean and fresh in my life. Although this treatment was initially awkward as it would never be practiced in the United States, it was so interesting to note how vastly different culture can be. Additionally, one morning my family and I went on a hike up the mountains with a tour guide. This was incredible, as we got to see both the desert and mountains and a high overarching view.

Last but not least, the Moroccan food was a treat. Being that my grandma is Moroccan, I am familiar with the spices and interesting food present there. I would highly recommend indulging in the Moroccan salads, which are typically an array of different vegetables in different types of sauces. Additionally, the couscous is a must; if you leave Morocco without trying it, I would say you definitely missed out. Last, you must try the Moroccan tea. Hope you enjoy these quick tips as well as my experience visiting this country.

Do you Heart it?

Have you heard of We Heart It? I would like to briefly introduce you to this website I found roughly 4 years ago, as it is interactive and highly visual. When joining we heart it, it gives you the option to sign up utilizing either your Facebook or Twitter account. This is interesting to point out because all your activity done on we heart it can then be linked back to these accounts, making this site highly interactive. When you log onto we heart it, you can search just about anything you would like to see visually. For instance, if you wanted to view pictures of delicious cupcakes, you would search the word and explore what they have to offer. The images below reflect what pops up upon searching “cupcake”:

There are over 10,000 pages of images under the tag “cupcake,” which represents how popular images are in today’s day and age. It seems as if people would much rather view it, than read it, write it, etc. As one can notice, apps including Snap Chat, Instagram, Flickr and various others are becoming very popular. You may be asking, why? It’s simply because the task of the consumer is viewing; it cannot get easier than that.

One of the main reasons I enjoy We Heart It is because it is truly inspirational. For instance, when I am having a bad day, I will type into the search engine words including inspiration, happy, music, colors, food, and a variety of different words that genuinely make me feel happy. Here, I will find a series of images that lift my mood and spirit, and it is all through this image-based social network. Not only can you be the viewer, but you can upload your pictures to this site. Therefore, if you are a photographer, we heart it can be beneficial to get your name out there. This is because we heart it enables you to favorite, or like pictures, and those with the most likes would then be featured under “Most Popular” pictures. Personally, as a dedicated Instagram user and individual who loves photography and unique images, this site inspires me to take better quality shots. Additionally, last semester at the University of Miami, I was required to take an advanced Photo Shop class. Here, we were asked to manipulate a photograph by combining two different images. When I had no idea what I could possibly do, I sat on We Heart It for a short period of time, which was all I needed to find inspiration and a starting point. We Heart It is a great visual site, which enables even amateur photographers to share their images.

We Heart It established a partnership with notable brands including Lucky and Conde Nast, which will further lead them to success. For more information, click here. I would definitely recommend joining we heart it, as it is purely a leisure site that can enhance your photography skills and inspire you on a daily basis.

Fantasy Land: Prague

This past weekend, my roommate and I travelled together to Prague. Upon our arrival, we checked into our hotel known as the Grand Bohemia and headed toBake Shop, a delicious pastry, sandwich, and salad place. We heard delicious reviews about this casual restaurant, and it unsurprisingly turned into our weekend spot. Next on the list, we walked towards Old Town Square, which was evidently the center of everything. There, you will find magnificent buildings and the Astronomical Clock, which rings every hour. It was fascinating to admire the medieval architecture that truly resembled a fantasy world, one far different than I have ever seen. We then made our way to the Charles Bridge, which was necessary to cross in order to see the notorious John Lennon Wall. We arrived at the wall around sunset, thus we decided to make our way there again in broad daylight the following morning. At around happy hour time, we sat at a cafe known as Follow Me, where we were shocked at how generous the glasses of wine were. Nearly two put us over edge, but we still had an appetite for James Dean, a diner where the waitresses are dressed up in character. Our first day in Prague was a huge success, hitting recommendation spots and touring until we could no longer feel our bones we were so cold.

Bake Shop lunch was a plate of flavored chicken and delicious fresh vegetables.

Where you would least expect it, the street sausage was the best.

On our second day, we again stopped at Bake Shop for a light bite and made our way to the Jewish Quarter. Although we were able to walk around this area, no tours were available on Saturday due to Shabbat. If you plan on traveling to Prague, I would highly recommend visiting this sight Friday before Shabbat. Next, we headed back to Old Town Square to eat some of the typical food including the street sausage. My roommate Melanie absolutely loved this, so we made sure to stop there multiple times. We spent a portion of our afternoon indulging in some of Prague’s known specialities including the Sausage, Hot Chocolate, Hot Wine and Sweet Bread. Feeling like it was time to burn a few calories off, we hiked up top to the Prague castle, which overlooked the entire city. This view was magnificent and I must admit the trek was worth it. Even better, we stopped at McDonald’s on the way down for the notorious fried cheese, which is as good as they say. It was interesting for me to visit Prague because just one year ago my boyfriend studied abroad there with CEA. I spoke to him prior to make sure I stopped by all of his favorite places, and having his recommendations made the trip a success. This trip was definitely one of our favorites, and I still cannot get over how picturesque and perfect this little place could be.

Must Eat: Bake Shop, James Dean, Cafe Savoy, Yami Sushi, McDonald’s, Sweet Bread

Is Online Dating Good or Bad?

Upon our last class discussion, we learned about social networking and its role within our fast-paced society. One of the immediate question that arose during our conversation was, “Who is behind the computer screen?” There have been a series of incidents where cyber bullying occurs, credit card numbers get stolen off of fake websites, or relationships are established based on artificial information. Consequently, it is safe to say the Internet serves as a mask, and is very powerful in hiding, shaping and changing identities. This issue has led me to question whether or not Online Dating is a positive or negative way to meet individuals.

I would like to begin discussing some of the positive outcomes that result from online dating. First and foremost, it is likely that individuals feel more comfortable when they initially talk online. While face-to-face communication is restricted, people get to learn a lot about others through discussing thoughts, feelings and opinions over the computer in a more confident approach. Perhaps it is easier for some to communicate over the computer if they are rather shy or timid in new situations. Additionally, online dating enables two individuals to get to know each other prior to actually going on a real life date, setting them up for more success. This could be positive because it not only saves money, but it saves time. If you two do not hit it off online after conversing multiple times, you can then establish you should not meet in person. However, if the two individuals share similarities, mutual Facebook friends, and feel an immediate connection, they can conclude that meeting for their first date would be ideal. Click here to read an interesting article set forth by the Huffington Post, providing tips on how to ensure safety and success with online dating.

On the other hand, online dating can lead to falsified relationships and have serious consequences. For instance, it is likely to find individuals that are online scammers, who make fake profiles in order to find out personal information about you. This is truly scary because people can make up a new identity and personality that can perhaps lead to negative consequences. At the end of the day, you do not know who is hiding behind the computer screen; thus it is valuable to follow these tips:

• When you meet someone on an online dating site, check their personal Facebook account and make sure you have mutual friends or interests in common. It is important to make sure these people are real people so also check out their Twitters, Instagram and more.
• If you decide to meet in person, definitely meet in a populated area or space to ensure safety.
• Stick to reliable online dating sites that you have heard about through peer to peer recommendations.
• Be cautious of what you share with these individuals, anything written, sent, or shared can be permanently found on the Internet in the future.
• Be smart and be aware.

 

Zara Barcelona

Upon observing the role of fashion in Barcelona, I strolled along the populated street known as Passeig de Gracias, where I walked through notable stores including Zara, H&M, and Mango. What I have concluded through my exploration is that the Spanish population generally sticks to the basic shades of black and white, and shares both similarities and differences to the typical style in the United States.

As seen in the first image, I captured a photograph of Motorcycle Boots with Silver Buckles, as I found them relatively important to the Spanish population. Since Barcelona is relatively chilly and requires endless walking, motorcycle boots are ideal, as they are comfortable and ensure a fashion-forward look. I noticed a table of young girls indulging in tapas, some of which were wearing motorcycle boots. Similar in the United States, especially in New York, motorcycle boots have been a popular trend and are definitely one to stay.

Second, I captured a photograph of the mannequin display at Zara, as I found it interesting to note the complimentary relationship of the Black and White. As I walk along the streets of Barcelona each day, it is rare that I notice a brighter color that catches my eye. Thus, I have established that in Barcelona, it is considered a social norm to stick to basic colors. Additionally, I took note of this Blazer, as I believe it to be a hot trend in Barcelona. Why? I noticed that a blazer was also displayed on the mannequin at Mango, which led me to believe it is a desirable look in this city. Below you can identify a tweet from  a fashion blogger who goes by Miss Marbles. I found this fascinating to include because she uploaded pictures of herself from this past Barcelona Fashion Week, wearing neutral colors and a blazer type jacket.

Let's get this week started with some pictures of 080 Barcelona Fashion. New on http://t.co/iolPBgNzwd 😘😘 http://t.co/29kfGtlygI

— Claudia Albons (@Claudia_Albons) February 3, 2014

Last but not least, I photographed a simple Black Leather Dress that seemed desirable for an evening out in Barcelona. Whether headed to one of the popular night clubs or a fun dinner with friends on the beach, you could never go wrong pairing this dress, with tights, a jacket, and boots. Notable designer Coco Chanel, displayed towards the left, is forever known for the creation of the LBD, or the Little Black Dress. Consequently, it is evident that the LBD continues to be a popular trend in Barcelona, as it is easy to wear and maintains a sense of simplicity. Similar to trends in the United States, the Little Black Dress continues to remain popular as well. It is definitely easy to wear, and seems to be an essential across the continents. Overall, I found it highly interesting to pay attention to the street wear style that exists in Barcelona, as it is simple yet chic, and shares similarities to trends in the United States. Additionally, being that I have a high interest in fashion, it is valuable to pay attention to what people are wearing, how people are wearing it, and cultural differences around the world. Next summer, I will be interning at Design History, a contemporary sweater designer for women. I find it highly important to pay attention to ordinary people because they ultimately dictate what sells.