Reflection
This was a tough challenge! I had to explore the different emoji options prior to deciding which movie, show or book I would ‘write’ about. Translating text-based thoughts into emoji was tremendously challenging for me: clearly my brain prefers words over images when I’m trying to convey meaning or tell a story. Is that because I grew up as computers were becoming a thing rather than being immersed in all-things digital as a child?
Creating the Story
I first examined the emoji available to represent the title of my potential artifact. Immediately, I had to discard one option because the Scottish flag wasn’t available. Once I found suitable emoji that could describe one potential option, I was able to make my selection.
….I did NOT choose my artifact based on whether this task would be easy (or not). In keeping with the spirit of the task, I selected the work I’d most recently ‘interacted with’ and settled in to create my emoji story. (I should also add that since this course seems to have become a family affair, my selection was closely monitored by my two kids).
….I did NOT choose my artifact based on whether this task would be easy (or not). In keeping with the spirit of the task, I selected the work I’d most recently ‘interacted with’ and settled in to create my emoji story. (I should also add that since this course seems to have become a family affair, my selection was closely monitored by my two kids).
I started thinking about the message I wanted to convey to my audience. How would I take the words I was imagining in my mind and display them as emoji on my screen? I quickly dismissed syllables and words as options on their own: there simply aren’t enough emoji to make a perfect word-for-word translation. However, I was able to combine ideas and words together; it took some thought, creativity, and quite a lot of time, but I think I got there in the end!
After building the title, I attempted to record the overall plot of my artifact using emoji, whilst simultaneously translating those images back into words in my head to make sure I designed the story correctly. Did the translation from emoji back to words make sense? Can my ‘reader’ make the same translation? And, is it necessary for others to make this translation at all (or is it just me)?
This week, Bolter (2001) discusses the shift in prominence of image over text. Where once images were surrounded by text, (suggesting Text was keeping Image in its place), with our shift toward online and digital media consumption, images (and videos) have become quite ubiquitous (Bolter, 2001). However, will images ever completely replace text? I don’t think so. At least, if it does, it will take some time. I don’t think I’m alone in my reliance on text to convey meaning (though of course a great image can sometimes convey meaning more effectively than words); however, I can certainly see the shift we’ve made in my lifetime from mainly text-based websites to more image-based sites that capture your interest and hold your attention.
What this task has shown me though, is that emoji alone cannot adequately tell the whole story; emoji are the visual/image equivalent to bullet-point notes: quick and to the point.
Reference
Chapter 4. Bolter, J. D. (2001). Writing space: Computers, hypertext, and the remediation of print (2nd ed.). Mahwah, N.J: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. doi:10.4324/9781410600110
