Introduction

During the Documentary unit, we were challenged to creatively and truthfully portray a subject, and create a documentary surrounding it. We conducted personal interviews followed by using secondary research to create a compelling story that portrayed an issue to an audience. The research paper that was created in English was the copy for the 40-page book that was created in Design, as well as the copy for the 6-page article that was created in Digital Media. This unit focused heavily on narrative-style journalism.

For my book in Design, I chose to focus on music and counterculture of the 1960’s, music that has been a major part of my life, and is a topic that I am very interested in. Using books that students made in previous years as inspiration, I was able to create a book that I am extremely proud of. With this book, I wanted to be able to write a compelling documentary, and also create a visually appealing book.

What I really valued from this project was that I was able to go outside of my comfort zone and interview people that I otherwise never had talked to. I also valued being able to learn more about InDesign, after this it has become one of my favorite applications to use. Being able to create a tangible product of a book was also really satisfying because it really does feel like all of the hard work that I put in paid off. Overall, this project has become one of the most valuable to me, because it taught me a lot about exploring new interests and about how I am capable of much more that I think I am.

Reflection

        When I began this documentary project, I was initially stuck when I tried to come up with a subject. I wanted to pick something that I was passionate about and that would have an interesting story, all in order to create a product that I was proud of. When I finally came up with the idea of focusing on music of the 1960’s, I was excited and intrigued, but I felt like it was an impossible subject to capture in such a short amount of time; I felt like didn’t know anything, except that I enjoyed the music.

        Diving into this project head first, I was terrified, as it required me to step out of my comfort zone and connect with complete strangers. My desire to deliver an interesting story allowed me to pour all of my effort and passion into this project, leading to the creation of a book that I am extremely proud of.

        Personally, this project was so much more than a documentary. I have had a passion for music all my life, and although I was not blessed with any musical talents, nothing could stop me from listening my way through record after record. For me, music of the 1960’s was a way that I could escape no matter how I was feeling, and the music that I love has become a part of me as I have grown up. The spirit of the music in the 1960’s shows the incredible passion of the people that created it, they wanted to share a message about themselves, and that message connecting me to the past is why I chose to focus on this era.

        As I listen to The Rolling Stones, The Doors, and The Beatles, I am able to recognize how this music has transcended generations. While John Lennon sings through my headphones, “Come together, right now, over me,” I am reminded of how this song has the ability to unite people through its iconic sound, and further, how current music is able to do the same.

Documentary Paper

Why does the music of the 1960’s transcend generations and how does it maintain it’s relevancy? These are the questions that I attempt to answer in my documentary paper. Through discussions with experts on the topic of pop culture and pop iconography, to people that were fans of the music, I attempted to find what was at the root of people being so passionate about it, as well as how that passion for music still continues today.

Design Documentary Project

Click the image below to see the finished book!

Photogallery