In the conceptual unit, my classmates and I completed a few different projects for my three classes. In English, we wrote a series of poems based off of a "concept statement" that was assigned to us, mine being "I am exploring the feeling of scorn through the experience of compromise." In Digital Media, we created video readings of our poems using Pro Tools to record and edit our audio, and Premiere Pro to create a visual accompaniment to our audio We also experimented with creating music in Pro Tools, and finally, compiled all of our projects into a website, using Dreamweaver. In Design, we had two different photography assignments, which we enhanced using Photoshop. In the first, called "Transport", we had to take a photo of a wheel that was not attached to a motorized vehicle. In the second, which was simply called "Conceptual", we had to take a photo that embodied the concept statement we had been assigned in English.

Click: https://www.freestyleacademy.rocks/~FionaH/conceptual

In the Narrative unit, we started by viewing short films in English, and examining the structure of the stories they told. We used that to inform our own writing, a short story that could include no dialogue, only visual story telling. In Digital media, we recorded ourself reading this story, and added original musical motifs, as well as sound effects, using Pro Tools, before creating a website to house all of our narrative related projects. In this unit, I had to stretch my imagination to create a cohesive story, without the use of dialogue, and I also had to work hard to capture the spirit of my story through music, and drawings This also includes a design project, in which we drew a silly creature in Adobe Illusrator that represented traits of one of our characters using various animals.

Click: https://www.freestyleacademy.rocks/~FionaH/narrative1

In this assignment, we were asked to choose a subject to investigate, which would be the subject of our project. In English, we wrote an expository essay and research paper about our subject. In Design, we designed a book or magazine article in InDesign, with visual elements, and the text from our research paper. Meanwhile, in Digital Media, we created a video in Adobe After Effects, to introduce our audience to the topic, as well as a website. Looking back on the documentary project, I am so glad I chose a subject that I am passionate about, because it took a tremendous amount of time, thought and effort to complete. I had to be pragmatic, and thoughtful about my actions, as a lot of times unexpected obstacles would pop up. In the end though, I am satisfied with how it turned out. I am happy I was able to practice real world problem solving skills, and independent work. I also greatly value this opprotunity to flex my creativity.

Click: https://www.freestyleacademy.rocks/~FionaH/documentary

For the explorations project, we were instructed to create our own project, in order to develop our 21st century skills. The 21st century skills are visual literacy, technological literacy, creativity, self direction, high productivity, teaming and collaboration, social and civic responsibility and risk taking. I chose to develop my teaming and collaboration skills, social and civic responsibility and self direction, by creating an After Effects commercial for the Liberal Action Club in my school. I’m not part of the Liberal Action club, so collaborating with another entity outside of Freestyle was a fun new experience. It was also the most independent project we’ve had at Freestyle so far, so it was interesting being able to decide my own deadlines, and make basically all of the decisions regarding my project.

Click: https://www.freestyleacademy.rocks/~FionaH/explorations