Below is a recap of the session I hosted at podcamp pittsburgh.
This session discussed and explored processes and techniques for communicating messages clearly with technology. Technology does not create good ideas it helps to bring them to life.
Our ideas and messages begin as thoughts, and reside in the brain. Unfortunately, brains don’t connect via USB, or at least not yet anyway. As a result, another method of communicating that idea is needed. Such as an audio file, a drawn image, a photograph, or a video clip aiding in the process of communication. The addition of media adds a layer in-between the direct communication stream of brain to brain or thought to thought. Any time a direct link cannot be established a possibility of a loss in translation is introduced. This concept was the the core of my session.
We all have ideas that we want to share and the web is a great way to do just that. However, every layer introduced in our process allows for the potential risk of losing the intent of our original message. A shiny new camera might improve the picture quality but it won’t fix the hole in the plot. An expensive condenser mic would be great to have for a podcast but it won’t improve the content of the show.
Know what you want to say and say it. Keep it simple and keep it focused. Use your resources wisely, and continue to ask yourself “is this the best way to convey my message”? Is the technology or process cool or does it actually help communicate your thoughts.
Processes and technology can help to support the message but often times the amount of options can get in the way. Here are some of the things we discussed in the session.
1. Have some thing to say.
The latest camera won’t make the content any stronger.
2. Keep the process simple.
Do you really need two cameras for a 5 minute video blog? Maybe you do, maybe it saves time on re-shooting, or maybe it increases your editing time. Know your time limitations as well as patience level going in. Otherwise it will lead to unfinished projects and wasted time.
3. Accurately asses your needs.
If you want to start a podcast, does it make sense to spend $1500 on audio equipment like sound boards, software, and microphones when it’s just a hobby? Maybe it does.
4. Stay grounded.
Does your process and technology support your message? Really think about what you want to say and how you want to say it.
5. Prioritizing
Sometimes your favorite ideas won’t fit within the constraints of time or truly support the message. Rank the elements most important to the process and do those first.
6. Feedback and Support
Feedback is a critical tool in confirming wether or not someone else understood the message.
7. Developing a Creative Community
A creative community is an invaluable support system for bouncing around ideas and can help to sustain the drive for creative expression.
Towards the end of the session I was asked about keeping focused as well as my process for deciding what the message truly is. My techniques start with brainstorming and reducing my idea down to the most import thing I want my reader to get out of my blog or web comic. From there I branch out my ideas and quickly revisit them to decide if they are a support or distraction. Then I begin the blog or the comic. Often times my mind will wander and quickly become a distraction. Instead of forcing my mind to think about only one thing, I capture the random thoughts in a floating document to be organized later. This satisfies my random tendencies but keeps me focused on the task at hand.
If I wanted my attendees to get only one thing out of this session it would be this. Don’t let the process bog you down. Let your ideas dictate the technology needed, not the other way around.
