Free Project : Generating Ideas and SMART objectives

 In this post I will be discussing my idea generation alongside the SMART objectives for the free project.

To start this off, I would like to tell you my interest in animation and the way they add effects to give off more realism to what they want to present; this is especially apparent to animation studious who put a lot of effort into adding the smallest of details to their work. This is one of the reasons I had started loving the way of animation and the visual effects they have. Below are animation studios that have inspired me from their films/shows :

• MAPPA studios
• Studio Ghibli
• Kyoto Animation studio
• Studio David production
• CoMix Wave Films
• J.C. Staff

One of the common denominators these studios I appreciate is their attention to detail especially to food and food scenes, for example, the egg dish entrance exam for one of the Shows of J.C. Staff titled "Food Wars" which presents a balance between realism and exaggeration to give a great text for audiences to consume(this scene had made me feel famished even if I had eaten beforehand due to its great animation).

Another example we could take a look at are the Films of Studio Ghibli such as "Howl's Moving Castle" and its breakfast scene which makes a simple eggs and bacon breakfast seem like a banquet fit for a king.

With these ideas in mind, I will have to take into account how to present them. As I read the brief, there are 3 I could consider that may help me convey what I want to present.

• A magazine Article of no more than 1500 words
• A photography project utilizing mobile phone photography with 10 final images
• A Podcast of no more than 5 minutes long

Thinking about the options and considering which may best fit my topic, I have chosen to do a podcast that will last no more than 5 minutes long which would focus on appreciation for certain scenes and studios that contain great detail to food.

Here I will present some scenes that I will be discussing within the podcast.

CoMix Wave Films - 언어의 정원 음식 모음 / The Garden of Words animation food collection

Studio Ghibli -  Gather Around For Breakfast!

J.C. staff- Yukihira Soma- Transfer's in Totsuki cooks for Erina for the 1st time

For the S.M.A.R.T objectives I will be using this photo below for reference.

Source : Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

• The project I have planned will be a five minute podcast pertaining to the animation of food scenes(focusing on anime aka Japanese animated shows) where it will would focus on what details make it look realistic, why the realism adds flavour to the already rich plotline, how even if the scene is not that significant to progressing the story it seems to still be important in its position, and how some animation studios neglect these scenes and how some may even be the best at creating them.
• I will firstly create a structure to make sure the podcast goes smoothly and create more research to help fulfill my project's objective. All of these will be recorded and evaluated by me via blog posts, having two research posts after this, process posts, an uploading to my website post and a reflection for my Final Free project Post.
• Though making a podcast looks tedious and I am very new to the idea of making one, I am positive that talking about the food scenes within that manner is easily achievable and not much of a problem.
• This project is relevant for my progression since this will be discussing animation and the details they use for the visual effects in order to create "perfection" in a short manner of time. This can also help in giving me a chance to think more deeply of why people or studios do this and wh it can affect the storyline, though not significantly.
• This project will be achieved in two weeks. This is easily accomplished by finalizing my research before the end of this week alongside finishing the structure , after which the editing should be accomplished by next week and before the end of next week I will finalize the whole project. As long as I put enough time into the project, this time I have set would be achieved.

Moving on, the plan that I have made is:

• Theme Research and Structure Creation = 24 Feb
• Technical Research = 25 Feb
• Scene and Studio Research = 27 Feb
• Writing Script = March 1
• Recording = March 2-5
• Editing =  March 6-9 
• Finalising and Uploading to Website = 10 March
• Reflection = 12 March 

When theme research is in question, I will be researching about Anime Food scenes such as the ones I have listed above alongside researching about podcast structure in order for my project quality to be better. Technical research will simply be about searching for information on equipment for the podcast. Studio Research, I will be focusing on :

• MAPPA studios
• Studio Ghibli
• Kyoto Animation studio
• Studio David production
• CoMix Wave Films
• J.C. Staff

Lastly, the script for the podcast would be accomplished by then, I have equipment rented from AV Loans, the podcast structure would be finalized and I would have a recording to edit and finish. 

Creative Writing : Chapbook Reflection

 In this post I will be writing my reflection on my chapbook reflection.

The creation of this chapbook made me realize how much I have seen and experienced, it let me experience them once more in what I consider my shallow mind; I got to see the faces I hated to love once more and I get to accept that some of them will never come back to my life. It honed my understanding as an author of how their own writing can affect their emotional state and how avoiding being explicit tells a greater story than overthinking the audience's interpretation. 

I also learned how to accomplish creating Tanka's in a manner that is swiftly but still has the quality and meaning you should find in a poem made with heart and not only with an objective to create one which in turn, also made me learn more about Japanese culture and Matsuo Basho's writing style and how it formed a generation of poets.

This chapbook was fun to create and was also a learning experience I would never forget. A thorned rose I will keep holding onto.

Creative Writing: Chapbook Creation and Uploading to Website

In this post, I will be discussing my creation of the chapbook for creative writing project.

Before this, I created a cover my chapbook using Photoshop. The background color is beige, the title "a withering flower garden". The graphics I use here is the fence presenting transparency as its filled with a filtered picture of leaves that resemble hedges of a garden. I also use flowers and petals falling from it, presenting a withering flower that is akin to a life of a human.

After creating the cover, I went to Pixlr and went to create new image. I then went to print and selected an A4 format, creating two files, one for the text, one for the image.

Secondly, on the poems page itself I simply put the flower name as the title and the graphic of the same flower on the cover. Then, I added five lines of poem, which is my "tankas."

Next, on the other file, I put over the photos of the flowers I made a poem from, which will go alongside the flower that it represents. These photos are taken from Unsplash and I made sure to add the artists' surname and year of publication as reference.

I conducted this process of creating the poem and photo pages for all the flowers and then exported them into a png in a folder. After that I went to abcd pdf.com to convert the pngs into a pdf.

Then, I went to Yumpu and uploaded the pdf file there. I changed the title and added the description to the fit the vision I wanted to present to the audience. Then, I copied the Embed link/HTML link.

Moving to the website's project page to create a new project for the chapbook, I added all of the pages of said chapbook to a project collection and arranged them since they were scattered in the upload. After which, I added to the collection part of my gallery.

To finalize, I did a final check up on the chapbook and its pages to fix any problems that it may have in terms of arrangement and quality. It presents the book the same way as the embed, only slightly different. However, I am satisfied with its outcome and have accomplished the upload to the website.

Here the chapbook is posted.

Alongside the HTML link of Yumpu.

Creative Writing : Chapbook Draft 7

   In this post I will be presenting drafts/final works for my chapbook for this Creative writing task.

Amaranthus - Hope




Flowers abundant

As their smell fills my small room

Yet in this seductive place

I choose to wander farther

Away from bleeding flowers




Lotus Flower - Suffering's end




For long it has gone

Yet in wider eyes, too short

Though one is at their wit’s end

It is yet to be one’s descend,

A lotus flower lies bare.

Creative Writing : Chapbook Draft 6

   In this post I will be presenting drafts/final works for my chapbook for this Creative writing task.

Moonflower - An angel’s tears


The wails we hear now

The origin of unknown

A sound that yields us to bow

The innocence to sorrow

My child I am here with you



Jasmine - A Present


Do not fret and worry

This is but temporary

As the past is history

The next is a mystery,

And here now, a meek jasmine


Forget me not - Remembrance


Please leave your sadness

Though I have to say goodbye

Each time you hear a sad sigh

Oh my dear, try not to cry

You will soon forget me, not.

Creative Writing : Chapbook Draft 5

  In this post I will be presenting drafts/final works for my chapbook for this Creative writing task.

Hibiscus - Her


A year of longing,

Hibiscus in the air,

Beauty beyond our thinking,

A flower, oh so stunning,

Sought out within a million.



Buttercup - Youth


So bright, So nimble

A time one must reminisce

Never let this glass shatter,

Wait, does this even matter?

How come time flies so swiftly




Lilacs - Peace



Silence ever loud,

Yet is cut by Cicadas,

Where have I heard this slow song?

I have missed this warmth I feel,

A rest for my journey’s test.

Creative Writing : Chapbook Draft 4

 In this post I will be presenting drafts/final works for my chapbook for this Creative writing task.

Peonies - Riches




Majestic peonies,

Petals just like fairy wings,

So fantastical,

Beauty that takes the breath away,

Cannot be attained in sway.





Dandelion - Hope




A small humble gift,

The dandelion in bloom,

Whispers onto wind,

It dances, some would take flight,

It looks ahead seeking more.




Chrysanthemum - Severed




Chrysanthemum petals,

Fall in a peaceful sorrow,

Regret fills the void,

The memories burrow deep,

Nevertheless, I still keep.

Creative Writing : Chapbook Draft 3

 In this post I will be presenting drafts/final works for my chapbook for this Creative writing task.

Dark Crimson rose - Guilt




Crimson rose in bloom,

Elegant and bold in hue,

A passion so strong,

It’s flames hot to the touch,

A pain of the heart.




Iris - Wisdom




Iris in the sun,

Petals vibrant and royal,

Nature’s regal grace,

Majestic, noble and strong,

A beauty none can compare.




Wildflowers - We




Wildflowers in bloom,

A riot of colors bright,

A vast tapestry,

Each petal a brushstroke rare,

Each petal, only some heard.

Creative Writing : Chapbook Draft 2

In this post I will be presenting drafts/final works for my chapbook for this Creative writing task.

Daffodils - Improvement

Yellow daffodils,

Spring’s promise of new hope,
A dance in the breeze,

Brightening up a dreary day,

A symbol of joy and growth.

Lavender - Desolation

Purple Lavender,

Scented with a calming peace,

Nature’s gentle breeze,
A balm for the soul’s unrest,
Soft whispers of sweet release.

Lilies - Innocence

Delicate and pure,

Lilies bloom in sweet serenity,

Here a humble grace,

Petals soft as morning dew, I see a childhood frolic 

Creative Writing : Chapbook Draft 1

 In this post I will be presenting drafts/final works for my chapbook for this Creative writing task.

Tulips - Infatuation


Fields of tulips sway,

Colors of the rainbow bright,

Springs Joyful Parade,

Graceful stems and petals tall,

Nature’s beauty on display.




Sunflowers - Friendship


Dancing in the wind,

Golden Sunflowers bow low,

Summer’s radiant light,

Blossoms large and full of life,

A sight to behold and love.




Cherry Blossoms - Childhood


Pink Cherry blossoms,

Fragile, delicate petals,

Whispers of new life,

A fleeting yet peaceful sight,

A moment of pure delight.

Creative Writing: Target Market

In this post I will be discussing the target market research about my Chapbook.

A book of Japanese Tanka poems about specific flowers and their meanings has the potential to appeal to a niche market of readers who are interested in Japanese culture, language, and aesthetics, as well as those who appreciate poetry, botany, and symbolism. However, finding a large and diverse audience for such a book may be challenging, and requires a careful analysis of the interests and passions of potential readers.

Demographic characteristics, cultural affinity, and botanical interests are key factors to consider when identifying the target market for this book. Understanding the symbolism and meaning associated with each flower can also provide valuable insights into what motivates readers to seek out books about specific flowers and their meanings.

Market research, including surveys, focus groups, and interviews, can provide valuable insights into the interests and preferences of potential readers. For example, a survey could ask about readers' interest in Japanese culture, poetry, and botany, as well as their familiarity with Tanka poetry and the symbolism of specific flowers. Focus groups and interviews can delve deeper into readers' motivations and preferences, providing a more nuanced understanding of what readers are looking for in terms of content, style, and tone.

Scholarly sources can also provide valuable insights into the symbolism and cultural significance of flowers. For example, Ikegami and Takano's (2009) study published in the journal HortScience explored the meaning and usage of flowers in Japanese culture. Similarly, Trites' (2006) article in the Journal of Popular Culture examined the symbolism of flowers in literature and art. By drawing on such sources, the book can provide readers with a deeper understanding of the cultural and symbolic significance of specific flowers.

Examples of Audiences for my Chapbook would be:

Fans of Japanese Culture: Readers who are interested in Japanese culture and aesthetics, such as the tea ceremony, ikebana, and haiku, may be drawn to a book of Japanese Tanka poems about specific flowers and their meanings.

Poetry Enthusiasts: Readers who appreciate poetry and its ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through concise language may find the brevity and elegance of Tanka poetry appealing.

Botany Lovers: Readers who enjoy learning about the natural world and the symbolism of different plants may be interested in a book that explores the meanings of specific flowers and their cultural significance.

Art and Design Enthusiasts: Readers who appreciate the beauty of traditional Japanese art and design, such as ukiyo-e prints and textiles, may be drawn to a book that features illustrations and designs inspired by Japanese flower motifs.

Spiritual Seekers: Readers who are interested in exploring the spiritual and mystical dimensions of life may be drawn to a book that explores the symbolism and meaning of different flowers in Japanese culture and spirituality.

Language Learners: Readers who are studying Japanese language and culture may be interested in a book that features both Japanese and English translations of Tanka poems, providing an opportunity to learn about the language and culture in a creative and engaging way.

These are just a few examples of potential target audiences for a book of Japanese Tanka poems about specific flowers and their meanings. By identifying and understanding the interests and motivations of these different groups, the book can be tailored to appeal to a wide range of readers.

Ultimately, a book of Japanese Tanka poems about specific flowers and their meanings can create a sense of connection and meaning for readers who share a passion for Japanese culture, language, and aesthetics, as well as poetry, botany, and symbolism. By carefully considering the interests and passions of potential readers, conducting market research, and drawing on scholarly sources, the book can be crafted to resonate with its target audience.

Reference List:

Ikegami, K., & Takano, T. (2009). The culture of flowers in Japan: Its origins and characteristics. HortScience, 44(1), 8-11.

Trites, R. S. (2006). The Symbolism of Flowers in Literature and Art. Journal of Popular Culture, 39(4), 649-671.