Narrative 1: Digital Media

In Digital Media, we focused on learning Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Pro Tools during this project. I feel like I got much better at all three, but Illustrator especially, during this project. I spent a great deal of time learning how to use the Pen Tool, and I think that it paid off!

Illustrator Project

We had the opportunity to create a physical product of our choice with a design created in Illustrator. I chose to make stickers of some of my favorite films, and ones of Michael Raccoon, the main character in Mr. T’s web series RaccoonToons.

First, I designed my stickers in Adobe Illustrator using image trace and the pen tool.

My Illustrator file where I designed my stickers

Next, I printed and cut out my stickers using a specialized cutting machine.

The stickers ready for cutting

Finally, my stickers were ready!

My stickers!

Illustrator Project Artist Statement

Film is genuinely one of the best classes that I have taken in my entire life. I love everything about it; the fast-paced nature of it, the amazing technology we get to work with, and the tight group of like-minded peers I have. I have always liked watching and discussing films, and learning about how they are made, but when I started taking film, my appreciation for them was greatly increased. I began focusing on watching more “classic” films; not necessarily ones from Hollywood’s Golden Age, but ones that are widely regarded as being good films. I started watching more Tarantinos and Kubricks and learned how to appreciate their films for being more than just “good”. I rewatched the Godfather and was finally able to understand why it’s regarded as the best film of all time. I wanted to pay homage to these films through my Illustrator product, so I made stickers of several movie posters of some of my favorite films and gave them a watercolor feel.

The second part of my Illustrator project was the stickers I made of Michael Raccoon’s face. I had struggled with pen tool throughout the Illustrator unit–I just didn’t get how it worked! At first, I gave up on trying to learn pretty quickly, resolving that I was better at Premiere Pro and didn’t care about Illustrator. But it needled me; I wanted to be able to master it to become, like Mr. Flo says, even more unstoppable. So I spent an afternoon on YouTube, FaceTimed some friends, and finally got the hang of it. To demonstrate my newfound skills, I decided to make stickers of Michael Raccoon, a character in Mr. Taylor’s webcomic and animation series RaccoonToons. Mr. Taylor has showed me that you should always make time for your passions even when life gets busy, so I wanted something that could help me remember that.


Geometric Light Cover

My Geometric Light Cover Illustrator File

We made a Geometric Light Cover, a 3D laser-cut object that we are going to hang on Christmas lights. This was my first brush with Pen Tool, and I didn’t enjoy it very much at all.

My finished light cover!

Geometric Light Cover Artist Statement

For my Geometric Light Cover, I used Adobe Illustrator to create a light cover that celebrates the MVHS Oracle student-run publication. The Oracle has been a crucial part of my development as a student, not only because it provided me with a sharper worldview, but also because it taught me how to persist. It has been more than just an extracurricular for me; it’s been a community, a place to learn and grow, and the class where I’ve developed my passions. In fact, being a member of the Oracle, more specifically video editor, was what prompted me to join Freestyle. In Oracle, I discovered my love for using technology to create, which I am able to realize in Film and Digital Media.

I’m very proud of several things that I’ve done in Oracle. Firstly, during Cycle 4, I left my ‘safe zone’ and decided to try writing. My article on a substitute teacher, Mr. Ortiz, received very positive feedback and encouraged me to continue writing. Secondly, prior to becoming Video Editor, I hadn’t done any video work and, while this was daunting, I jumped in head first, eager to learn the necessary skills and technologies. I am proud of how I was able to teach myself many of the technical skills necessary for my role. This led to my overall understanding of Oracle’s technology. I have spent a great deal of time working with our computers, server, cameras, and website, and have gone beyond my job duty as video editor in these areas.

Oracle has also taught me the importance of local journalism. Through this program, I have met other student journalists and built a network of like-minded peers. The community I’ve been introduced to has been incredible, and I look forward to continuing to grow it.