An Exploration of Visual Mediums

The Exploration of Visual Mediums

There’s is tremendous magic in diversity.

Not only in the communities we build but also in the skills we hone. Each of you, as artists, possesses a unique voice within a genre. But what happens when you channel the intersections of these genres?

A whole new world unfolds.

It’s a journey of exploration:

From Photographer to Writer:

Start with Captions: Before delving deep, begin with captions. What story does the image tell? Can you put it into words?

Journal the Journey: Every photo shoot, every trip, every candid moment has a backstory. Document it. Before you know it, you’ll have a treasure trove of narratives.

Collaborate: Work with writers. Understand their process, their way of seeing the world. The synergy between visuals and words can be enlightening.

From Designer to Motion Graphics:

Animate Elements: Begin with simple animations. How can a design element move? Maybe it’s just a subtle transition or a playful hover effect.

Tutorials & Courses: There’s a wealth of knowledge online. Platforms like Skillshare or Udemy offer courses that can introduce you to the basics.

Seek Inspiration: Platforms like Vimeo or Behance showcase incredible motion graphics work. Observe, learn, and let yourself be inspired.

From Writer to Photography:

Visual Narratives: Use your writing skills to craft a story, then capture it. It can be a single moment or a series.

Documentary Approach: Write about events, people, or places and complement it with photography. Let the visuals and words dance together.

Photo Essays: Create a blend of visuals and narratives. This not only sharpens your photography skills but also gives depth to your writing.

From Motion Graphics to Design:

Still Frames: Extract stills from your motion work. Analyze them. How would you improve its design?

Storyboards: These are essentially designs. Before animating, create a storyboard. It hones your design thinking and lays a solid foundation for motion.

Collaborate: Work closely with designers. Understand their perspective, their choices. It will only enrich your motion graphics.

How can you see your specialty being blended into one of the other ones mentioned here?

Now, let’s weave these threads together.

Why embark on this exploration?

For a cohesive, powerful business offering.

When you integrate photography, design, writing, and motion graphics, you’re not just offering services. You’re offering experiences. You become a storyteller who uses multiple mediums, creating layered, rich narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.

Brands and businesses are no longer looking for mere service providers. They seek visionaries who can encapsulate their essence in diverse ways. By mastering these intersections, you not only diversify your portfolio but also amplify your market value.

Art, in all its forms, is about connection. By expanding your horizons, you create multiple touchpoints with your audience, building deeper, more meaningful connections.

To the artist ready to evolve, the horizon is vast, and the potential is limitless. Dive into these intersections, explore, experiment, and most importantly, enjoy the process.

Introduction:

You’re here because you’re ready.

Ready to go deep.
Ready to explore.
Ready to reimagine.
The world of visual mediums isn’t just about what you see.
It’s about what you feel. It’s about connection.

Understanding Different Mediums:

Mediums are tools. Just tools. But how do you use them?

That’s art.

• Photography: The capture of a moment. Freezes time. Evokes emotion.
• Design: Organizes chaos. Communicates visually. Connects the dots.
• Writing: The silent voice. The whisper in your ear. Paints pictures with words.
• Video: Movement. Flow. Life in motion. Tells stories.

Each has its own basic beat, its own dynamic pulse.

It is up to us to listen to the mediums we have, and to get tuned into the different ways they can move a client’s message.

Analyzing in Action:

Look around.
Big brands.
Small brands.

They’re talking to their customers. In days past they talked AT their customers. Engaging with consumers these days means photography, text, design, and motion (stop motion, motion graphics, video).

Using visuals.

Find a campaign.
Any campaign.
Dissect it.
What mediums are they using?
Why?

• Apple: Clean design. Crisp photography. Tells a story.
• Nike: Motivational videos. Bold designs. Drives action.
• Coca-Cola: Words that sing. Designs that pop. Emotional connection.

They’ve made choices. Learn from them.

Your Turn: Let’s Do Some Research

Pick a brand.
Yours.
Someone else’s.
Doesn’t matter.
Choose a medium.
And get to work.

• Photography: Create an image. One that stops. One that resonates.
• Design: Make a visual. Clean. Bold. Memorable.
• Writing: Craft a message. One that sticks. One that moves.
• Video: Shoot a scene. Simple. Impactful. Honest.

This is your art. Your voice.

Mediums and Messages:

Different messages. Different mediums. A cohesive approach.

• Want emotion? A photograph might steal a tear.
• Need to instruct? A video shows the way.
• Seeking clarity? Design can clear the fog.
• Telling a story? Words can weave magic.

But why?
Ask questions.
Explore.
Discover.

A journey of exploration. Of understanding.

Assignment Idea 1: The Stillness in a Frame

Grab your camera or phone. Step out. Find a moment, a simple one, and capture it.

Not just any moment, one that tells a story without words.

What does silence look like?
Can you show sadness without a face?
Prove it. Share it.

Silence.

Assignment Idea 2: Words, the Invisible Picture

Words can be pictures too.

Write a short description, 50 words or less.
Describe a scene so vivid, so tangible, that we see it without a photo, without a video.
Paint with your words.
Make us see.
You can do this.

___________
“The frame of the house had finally given up its strength, and let the roof slide down the hill. As dawn arose behind it, the light revealed what was left as a skeleton, devoid of life. The stillness was palpable and he could feel the sweat beginning to pour down his neck. He remembered it so much differently.”
___________

Assignment Idea 3: One-Minute Cinema

Motion. Much more than just moving pictures.

They’re stories. Life.

Grab a video tool – phone, camera, whatever.

Craft a one-minute story.
No dialogue. Just visuals.
Let the scenes talk.
Let them sing, cry, or laugh.
Can you say a lot in a little?
Yes, now show us.

Suggested:
No more than 5 seconds per clip.
Use Canva or Adobe Express.
Don’t forget color grading.
Grab a piece of music in Canva.

Mixology 101

Take a message, any message.

Be it from a meme, a book, a newspaper article, a blog post.

Break it down.

Convey it in four ways – a photograph, a design, a written message, and a one-minute video.

Here’s an idea: “Where do we go?”

That could mean anything, right? It could be metaphoric, or literal, and anything in between.

So what does your video show:
How would you capture that in a photograph?
Write one paragraph that asks that question from your standpoint.
How would we design the work for a presentation?
Would that matter? Of course!!!

How did each medium change the feel?
The impact? What did you learn?
Go deep.
Explore. Reflect. Share.

__________________________

The Business Case for Creating a Deeper Toolkit.

You’ve mastered a medium.

Maybe two.
But the fact is the world is diverse.
So are opportunities.
And so are audiences.
By blending mediums, you aren’t just enhancing your art.
You’re opening doors.
New channels.
New income.

The Multi-Medium Magic:

It’s simple math. One medium = one audience.
Two mediums?
That’s double the audience.
Double the resonance.
Maybe even double the income.

• Photographer? Blend in writing. Offer photo stories. Create motion.
• Designer? Fuse in video. Design motion graphics.
• Writer? Pair with photography. Write and produce photo-essays.

Think multi-medium.
Think wider reach.

Unseen Opportunities:

When mediums collide, stuff happens. And so do opportunities.

• Teach: Offer workshops on how photography complements design. Or how writing elevates video. Teach the fusion. Share the magic.
• Merchandise: A writer? Sell posters with your quotes. A photographer? Create books, start a YouTube channel. Diversify.
• Collaborate: Team up with creators from other mediums. Create holistic campaigns. Attract diverse clients.

Unlock. Unveil. Unleash.

Audience Expansion:

Different people consume differently.
Some read. Some watch. Some gaze.
By mixing mediums, you meet them all.
On their turf.
In their language.
The result? A bigger, more diverse, more engaged audience.
And yes, more income channels.

From packaging your work into consumable modules that make sense to clients, you can gain work from companies that need more than one thing. This expands your reach and grows your value.

Client needs a Pitch Deck.
Photographer shoots it, designs and creates the deck, and the client is happy.

Client needs an email strategy.
Writer develops a content strategy, creates a graphic feel for it, and art directs a photographer to get it done right.

Client needs a new brand.
A visual specialist helps design the new brand, photographs what is needed, art directs another vendor, and hires the writer who takes over the marketing.

In every situation, the artists make more money and create more value for their clients.

Tools & Platforms:

Leverage platforms that celebrate diverse mediums.

• Instagram: Photos meet stories. Videos meet captions.
• Medium: Words meet visuals.
• YouTube: Videos meet design. Narratives meet visuals.

Go where the audience is. Go where the potential is.

The world is a mosaic.
A blend. Just like art.
By mixing mediums, you’re not just amplifying your voice.
You’re amplifying opportunities.
Revenue streams.
Impact.

What You’ll Learn

In this module, we will learn to analyze visual communications, how to evaluate their ability to connect to people, and how we can use better visual skills to help you and your clients succeed.

Moments Frozen in Time

Think about the last picture you took that made you feel something deep.
Maybe a tear, a smile, or a memory flash.
Why that photo?
Why that moment?
Share the story.
What’s behind that captured slice of time?

* I know there is not enough time in the week, or even the month, to do all of these assignments. That is why we have the PDF for you. Do what you want, think about others, and do them when they are appropriate for you to spend the time.

Design’s Invisible Nudges

Alright, let’s get real.
Think about the last design that made you stop and look.
Maybe a poster, an ad, or even a coffee cup design.
What pulled you in?
Was it the color?
The layout?
The unspoken promise?

Words vs. Imagery

Here’s a question: When does a story need words, and when does it thrive on just imagery?
Can a picture always paint a thousand words?
When do words outshine a visual?
Debate. Ponder. Reflect.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Different Mediums:
– Photography captures a moment and evokes emotion.
– Design organizes chaos and communicates visually.
– Writing paints pictures with words.
– Video tells stories and brings life in motion.

2. Analyzing in Action:

– Big brands like Apple, Nike, and Coca-Cola use visuals to connect with customers.
– Different mediums are chosen to convey specific messages.

3. Your Turn: Go Deep:

– Pick a brand and choose a medium to create your own visual art.
– Photography, design, writing, or video can be used to express your voice.

4. Mediums and Messages:

– Different messages require different mediums.
– Photography can evoke emotions, video can instruct, design can provide clarity, and words can tell stories.

5. Mixing Mediums: Unlocking New Revenue Streams:

– Blending mediums can open doors to new opportunities and income channels.
– Teaching, merchandising, and collaborating with other creators are some ways to unlock these opportunities.
– Mixing mediums allows you to reach a bigger and more diverse audience.