We have undertaken the following as pilot projects in the areas of media and animation creation, electronics and art, practical skills. We are seeking to collaborative with partners to develop them further. These project include, retro video news reporting, local radio (podcasting), screen printing and 2d logo design using FLOSS software, Animation and digital art, Hi-tech, Lo-fi Fanzine creation, and Test a Trade.
Retro Video News Reporting #
Project Status: Resources and pedagogy needs updating.
Take advantage of older broadcast quality cameras to make short news reports and feed them back to the community a video screenings.
Tools used: Tape based Video cameras, Kdenlive, Video projectors
Topics explored: Media literacy, non-linear video editing
Notes for Improvement: While there are existing resource on short video making and a video editing manuals using Kdenlive is in place, these resources need updating.
Radio, audio news reports and podcasting #
Using old equipment from radio stations to record audio podcasts, or portable equipment to record radio out and about on the street or at events.
Making radio reports allows an exploration of issues of social or environmental significance. Recoding audio only can be less stressful than video recording, which can put both interviewers and interviewees more at ease.
Topics explored: Media literacy, non-linear audio editing, sound recording
Tools used: Audacity audio editing software, microphones, audio mixers, portable digital audio recorders.
Project Status: Resources and pedagogy needs updating. While Mick has good background knowledge from previous experience with adult learners, and access to existing documentation, both need updating.
Screen printing and logo design #
Project Status: Resources and pedagogy need significant development.
Screen printing is fantastic accessible and messy technology. Using Inkscape we design our print logos which is a great way to learn about vector graphic editing.
Tools used: Inkscape, Screen printing kit.
Animation & Digital Art #
Using paper / pencil and then varied software packages to develop digital art and animation projects.
Software used: Krita, Gimp, Kdenlive.
Topics explored: Media literacy (especially gender representation and violence in media), drawing techniques, Animation and layer based graphical editing.
Project status: Exploratory stages.
Test-A-Trade #
The process of learning what would be involved in a trade is explored through hands on experience. This work is inspired in part by the work with young people at the Makery workshop repairing objects brought in by the public, and in part by Hayley’s work at Plumb learning teaching young people plumbing skills.
- Web designer: creating a simple website via a github repository and a JAM stack approach.
- Graphic Designer: Use of vector and layer based graphic design and working to a brief.
- Electrician: Fuses, household wiring, circ
- Electronics Engineer: Arduino based electronics.
Tools used: Varied
Topics explored: Varied, but include evaluating future possible professions.
Project status: Exploratory stages.