Skills and Experience
I have been working with media since the age of 13 and as a result, have many different skills that are transferable to the workplace.
My skills in media range from production to research as I have explored various aspects of media, believing that a mix of both practical and academic understandings of the subject is necessary to create the most meaningful products. My skills and understanding have come from a place of both academic and personal interest, and I have a drive to progress this further.
Practical Skills
I have skills using professional media production equipment including the Adobe Creative Cloud and a variety of professional cameras. This has given me skills in designing, coding and producing short films and videos. I have used my skills in a variety of creative projects where I have to think critically about what I design in order for it to fulfil its purpose, whether that be to advertise a business, entertain an audience or ensure the legality and usability of a product. I have done work in a variety of coding languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript and C# and have used these languages in creative coding, website redesigning and creating small games on applications such as Unity. These skills have allowed me to experience many different aspects of media from classic to more digital forms and allow me to gain more knowledge of the subject.
Research-Based Skills
Since coming to university my skills in researching media products have greatly improved. I have learned how to conduct consumer research along with the various types of research options available depending on cost, time and availability. This allows me to stay up to date with my knowledge within the media industry along with current events and the desires of consumers, which allows me to better design my future practical projects. I believe it is important to look at historical and current trends in media, meaning I can combine both my research and practice-based skills to create an appropriate and entertaining piece of work. I have in the past had to perform my own types of research, most commonly using questionnaires, which gives me a unique view into the social world and helps me with future practical projects.
Workplace Skills
On top of my skills and experiences working in a media setting, I also have skills working within a professional working environment. I have experience working in retail environments in which I had tasks to complete and had to work in a team with others. This gave me skills in working with others and allowed me to have a sense of responsibility within the workplace. Furthermore, by completing a work placement with WhiteHead Ross I experienced receiving both critical and positive feedback on my created media products, helping me to discover the experience of working in a critical and professional setting. This gave me further workplace skills as it forced me to create quality work while under pressure and gave me my first experience working in a media environment. While in university, being elected to be on the Rock and Alternative society's committee further added to these skills, as the need to advertise and promote events within a certain time gives me further time management skills along with allowing me to receive healthy critique on my work throughout the designing process.