






CUNY York College – Digital Storytelling
History speaks of a family bond by the heavens to protect mankind and spirits alike from impurity and discord, but this generational clan of protectors, disappeared leaving the world fragile and defenseless. Four siblings must uncover their long-forgotten duty to the world while struggling to find themselves in a world that expects so much of them. How will their story play out? Where did this mysterious clan go? Find out in The Protectors.
If you’re a nerd and that sounds interesting to you I definitely encourage you to check it out, especially if you like anime. (Just be warned it’s all writing and not many pictures)
Here's the book cover I made a few months ago^^
Here are some of the characters and OC art I’ve made over the past few years.
Other than being a way to channel my creativity, working on this story is not just a hobby, it’s my comfort. It’s the thing I turn too when I want to shut the world out and focus on something I can control. My characters are a part of me, and represent the various aspects of my personality or concepts that hold significance in my life.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed getting to know a little more about my passions.
Since I was a young kid, I would go to the public park and play baseball with neighborhood friends. By playing baseball in my public park, it gave me a love for baseball. My cousin always would mention the Yankees to me and it piqued my interest. As a young child, I would watch the Yankees game on my television and I was hooked from the start. I can recall players like Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez being some of my favorite players in the mid-2000s.
I would watch most of the Yankees game on TV and I remember just being emotionally invested into the team that I would be upset if they lost. My diehard Yankees fandom became a passion throughout my life and I would voice my frustrations if the team was struggling to meet expectations.
What felt great as a young fan was witnessing them win another championship in 2009. I felt ecstatic and I would express how ecstatic I was to my friends in school the next day. In this current day, I am a diehard Yankees fan, and being a diehard fan has been my passion since I was 6 years old.
Here is a photo I took of Yankee Stadium :
Ever since i was a kid i loved climbing things, the scaffoldings outside the school was my playground and my mom would always yell at me to get down. One time i climbed the really tall fence in 4th grade and i was too scared to climb down, so the parents of everyone watching called the fire department, and when they came i was so scared of getting in trouble that I just ended up climbing down!!
I stopped being interested in climbing around when i went into high school and got with the wrong group of kids. Below are the kinds of people i was hanging out with
But everything changed when i was 18 i was on a cruise with my family, and they had a rock-climbing wall. Everyday, 2-3 times a day i climbed this rock wall and was absolutely hooked. I looked at my mom and told her “i think im going to join a climbing gym when we get back home.”
This was probably one of the most crucial development points in my life and saved me from a bad path i could have went down. Fast forward to now i have become a stronger climber than i had ever dreamed of being and going on sick adventures with friends that have become family!!
Me and my friends getting ready to rockclimb!
The link above is a video of me and my friends getting ready to repel from the top of a mountain! i know it looks illegal but its not, the fence is only to keep hikers and other foot travelers away from the cliff side!
There are a few people who really inspired me and totally changed my life and perspective things. One of the most important people is Dean Potter. Dean is known for practicing what he calls the “dark arts” activities’ such as climbing without a rope AKA a “Free solo,” or Slacklining without a tether thousands of feet off the valley floor!
What is art? Well for me this is pretty much it! The google definition says “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination,” and who can deny that making memes is all about creative application and imagination! When i googled are memes art, i found some interesting stuff like this article from the UK that is deff written by some old, wine sipping, art fanatic!!—> Angry British guy!
When it comes to fashion, there’s no denying that Africa has a unique and mesmerizing identity that has been gaining global recognition in recent years. From the intricate patterns to the rich history embedded in every stitch, African fashion textiles have captured the hearts of fashion enthusiasts all over the world. Join me on a journey through this colorful and diverse realm of creativity, where tradition meets innovation, and each piece tells a story.
Image: African Fabric
Chapter 1: The Essence of African Fashion Textiles
African fashion textiles are more than just garments; they are a representation of culture, heritage, and identity. From the intricate Kente cloths of West Africa to the bold and vibrant prints of East Africa, these textiles are a testament to the continent’s rich history and diverse traditions.
Image: Kente Cloth
Chapter 2: The Art of Textile Making
Behind every stunning African fabric lies a meticulous and often labor-intensive process. Traditional weaving, dyeing, and printing techniques have been passed down through generations, resulting in textiles that are not only visually appealing but also culturally significant.
Chapter 3: Modern Interpretations
In recent years, African fashion textiles have experienced a renaissance. Designers and artisans are infusing modern elements into traditional textiles, creating innovative and eye-catching designs that appeal to a global audience.
Image: Modern African Fashion
Chapter 4: Inspiration from Nature
African fashion textiles often draw inspiration from the continent’s rich natural beauty. The use of vibrant colors and motifs inspired by flora and fauna create a deep connection between fashion and nature.
Image: Nature-Inspired Textiles
Chapter 5: The Global Impact
African fashion textiles have transcended borders and are now worn by people worldwide. Celebrities, influencers, and fashion enthusiasts have embraced these textiles, celebrating their beauty and significance.
Chapter 6: The Future of African Fashion Textiles
As African fashion continues to gain global recognition, the future looks promising. Emerging designers are pushing boundaries and exploring new ways to incorporate African textiles into contemporary fashion.
Conclusion: Celebrating African Fashion Textiles
African fashion textiles are more than just fabrics; they are a celebration of culture, history, and creativity. Whether you’re wearing a traditional Kente cloth or a modern African-inspired dress, you’re contributing to the preservation and evolution of this beautiful art form. Join me in celebrating the vibrant world of African fashion textiles and embracing the stories they tell through every thread and color.
Let’s continue to be inspired by the beauty and cultural significance of African fashion textiles. Together, we can keep this tradition alive and thriving, making sure that its rich history continues to weave itself into the tapestry of global fashion.
“Art is constantly evolving, but if the purpose of art is to express a human truth, the Internet meme fits the bill.” I have to give it up for Jeannine Gliddon Owens; this was well said. I side with her opinions on the topic of Memes being equal to Art; you may find some valid points that you hadn’t thought of yourself on Meme as Art.
I believe Memes are good for Art. It can be considered a category of its own like painting and graphite drawings. When it comes to communication, I feel like the horizon has been broadened. How so? When you think of Memes, I’m sure it’s not the same way you’d think of The Mona Lisa. Therefore, the thoughts in your mind are different from what they would have been had you looked at an original painting of an image compared to a Meme. This is how the communication changes, and this is why I think it’s good. It’s the same topic, art, but in a different light.
Memes can be used for any and everything. I’ve seen them used for self-expressions but it doesn’t mean that they haven’t been used for more than just that. It’s just what I have paid attention to, what I’ve used Memes for and the purpose they serve in my world. Memes tell stories; they may not be the lengthiest of stories but they deliver the message and can be very addictive to read, share and constantly reference in jokes.
My passions are writing and being a part of the Armed Forces. These are my passions because its something that I’ve had an interest for since a young age.
Writing is one of my passion. I remember that I was Thirteen years old in eighth grade and we was told that we can contribute something to put in our yearbook, so I had an idea to write a poem to put in the yearbook. I wrote the poem and the next day I showed the poem to the coordinator of the senior class and it was approved but I never put it in the yearbook because I did not think it was good enough.
THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS WRITTEN WHEN I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL!
“IT’S THE LAST YEAR YOU’LL NEVER FORGET
YOU’LL ALWAYS COMEBACK WITH NO REGRETS
ITS EVEN THAT WHEN THEY STAB YOU IN THE BACK
THE MEMORIES LAST THEY ALWAYS BE FAST”
Another passion of mine as previously mentioned is the armed forces. The specific branch of the armed forces that I got introduced to was the Air Force. I got introduced to the armed forces because of the high school I was in, that had a JROTC program that deals with the Air Force.
This meme is one of my favorites because sleeping is indeed my hobby.
This meme was once sent to me by my sister, and it speaks my truth—my reason for calling it another one of my favorites.
According to the YouTube video, I believe internet memes should be considered art forms because art reflects a human’s emotions, culture, beliefs, and truth, which internet memes do. Like many other art forms, memes are used to understand, analyze, and exchange ideas about the world around us. Memes are acceptable forms of art that have an impact on society that extends well beyond the digital realm. They become ingrained in our minds, aiding our understanding of the world around us, and form part of our cultural mindset- Memes as art. Digital art can be transformed into tangible objects like 3D-printed ceramics and Photoshop files, while memes can be printed on products like mugs, shirts, and bags. However, the classification of these as “memes” can be unclear- Memes: Entertainment or Fine Art
However, an article by The Courier disagrees with this, stating that memes are visual platforms rather than art. Memes, while providing cultural commentary, are not considered art due to their lack of symbolism and emotional impact, and their generic replication has led to their exclusion from the category of art.
Internet memes, as described by Dawkins in 2013, are rapidly spreading concepts that are deliberately altered by human creativity, mirroring current cultural events and becoming part of the period, exemplifying the meme theory at work.
Linked-in states that memes can have a negative impact on us; excessive meme-viewing may indicate phone addiction, as it can be used to procrastinate, escape reality, maintain mood, and prevent boredom. This habit can develop into a lifetime habit. However, exposure to negative sentiments on social media can lead to carryover effects in real life, making processing facial emotions more challenging. Phubbing, which combines snubbing with using a phone, can damage relationships and lead to doom scrolling. However, memes can convey information and encourage rethinking, making them a valuable tool for discussing mental health issues like depression. Research during COVID-19 showed that anxious individuals found memes funnier, more sympathetic, and more shareable. Studies also show that depressive individuals find memes funny and relatable, which can boost their mood. The level of self-defeating humor can mediate these effects, proving that memes can be beneficial for depression sufferers.
I’m an early 90’s baby, and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen the meme of The Dancing Baby somewhere, but I was never curious about its existence until now. Now I know it’s the first viral internet meme that was created just a few years after I was born. However, I’m not familiar with The Ally McBeal show but, after a little research, I came across this YouTube video that gave me insights into Ally’s going through a biological clock crisis, hence the dancing baby.
According to Water Hub, memes and graphics can convey various emotions and shared values, but it’s crucial to consider the feelings and values they activate. Leaning into humor and pop culture can provide a unique way to deliver messages in a familiar package, enhancing the impact of our work. Memes are used on the web for various purposes; according to Sprout Social, memes are used for viral marketing and social engagements.
Crafting a narrative using memes and personal experiences can be a creative and engaging way to communicate ideas and emotions. To begin, you can select memes that align with the themes or messages you want to convey. Memes are often humorous or relatable, so you can use them to add a lighthearted touch to your narrative by thinking of how your personal experience can enhance the narrative and by sharing insights from your life that relate to the topic at hand. It is important to strike a balance between using memes and personal experiences. Here are some memes that I’ve created to express my sentiments for the CT101 class.
I believe that art is what you make it. And that memes definitely tell a story in just a simple meme.Memes are good for art because it expresses what a person is feeling it can be view through social media platforms such as Facebook, instagram, twitter and such.Memes are new ways to show self- expression weather your sending a hug through text (virtually) or through gif its a way to show the way you feel.
Memes can express different types of emotions a person goes through. Like many art it can give off emotions etc. Memes for me gives off expression of emotions and thoughts that many of us use especially through text. According to spoken vision and I quote “If you take the definition of art, you can see that memes do fall into its definition. There was also an art movement around the 1950’s that used popular media as a source of inspiration: Pop Art. If one thinks about it, memes can fall under the category of Pop Art (using popular media styles to create art).”
I choose this meme because it expresses a hug sometimes we have such a long day we need a hug.
Memes can be use for story telling because it can inspire others and send political messages.
Here are 2 memes I created that related to CT101:
Memes are art.
Thats it. Thats the post. Thanks for reading!
Well not really. A hotly debated topic like that can’t be solved with just a single micdrop line and never referenced again. I guess I have to give y’all evidence or whatever 🙄. Now of course memes aren’t typically beautiful or moving but they can be beautiful based on what they mean for us. Memes are community art. Pieces of art or media that we take part in and use together to communicate across the boundaries of time and space. Memes connect our internet culture across time, tying us with people, places, and things that are no longer with us.
They’re topical and relatable, connected to our daily life and the shared human experience in some way, shape or form. We can all relate to being thawrted by the bus driver or procrastinating when we know we shouldn’t but we’ll all express it a different way. For some, Spongebob will be the muse of expression, for other? Bad Luck Brian is just the man for the job, but then there will be others still that we have yet to discover!
More, importantly, in my opinion, Memes are historical content. They are the painstaking work of our generations saved online. The memes of current events, the memes of historical marvels, the memes of TV shows and movies and anime. They bring about the resurrection of age old media, find the lost media, and connect us around the world.
Some of my favorite memes have been collaborative works of fandom. My best examples?
Avengers.
With.
Acrylics.
I can’t explain what it is about Avengers with Acrylic Nails that makes me so happy but it really makes me happy to see these. Is it the super long acrylics? Is it the humor of seeing the unexpected in a reaction image? Is it how naturally it all fits it? I have no idea T-T. But it speaks to me. It speaks to my soul!
The meme that never was
During lockdown there were so many different memes that popped up but one that I thought was really going to blow up was the young lady doing dance aerobics during a coup! The backstory here is that she was dancing because she was filming a video for a competition. She was focused on her task and was used to military activity in the area so she had absolutely no idea of what was happening! Life is happening all around us and we are apart of it all and a part of the preservation of our history through our interactions with media.
Welcome Back!
**Here is the class recording from 9/26
OK – its time to dig into a bit of history as we continue practicing, learning and experimenting with our new blogging skills. As you can see, it takes practice, time, revision and also patience.
*Remember, my posts are also examples of the formatting and things that we should include in each post 🙂
(Images, GIFS, Memes, Hyperlinks, Videos – can be made, shared and embedded here)
Let’s dig in ->
Blogging and digital storytelling are two concepts that have been intertwined since the rise of the internet,
Blogging, refers to the practice of writing online, where people share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences through personal or professional platforms.
Digital storytelling, on the other hand, involves using digital media to create and share stories through a combination of images, text, and multimedia.
This week, we will explore a bit of the history of blogging and digital storytelling. I’ll provide a few common case study examples, and offer a fun activity for students to express their passions!
(The assignment details are below)
The origins of blogging can be traced back to the early 1990s when the first personal blogs began to appear on the internet. These early blogs were simple online journals where people would share their daily lives and thoughts with others. However, it wasn’t until the late 1990s and early 2000s that blogging became more mainstream.
The rise of blogging can be attributed to the introduction of platforms such as LiveJournal, Blogger, and WordPress (thats Us!). These platforms made it easier for people to create and publish their own blogs. As a result, blogging became more accessible to the masses, and people from all walks of life began to create their own blogs to share their thoughts and experiences with the world.
In the early days of blogging, most blogs were personal in nature. People would share their thoughts and opinions on various topics, such as politics, entertainment, and personal relationships. However, as blogging grew in popularity, businesses and organizations also began to use blogs as a way to connect with their audience.
Today, blogging has become an essential part of digital marketing. Many businesses and organizations use blogs to provide valuable information to their customers and to establish themselves as experts in their industry. Blogging has also become an excellent way for individuals to build their personal brand and to showcase their expertise on a particular subject.
(a brief history of the Internet – 1st Meme / 1st GIF – this is context!)
Case Study Examples of Blogging:
2. Mashable: Mashable is a news and entertainment website that covers topics related to technology, social media, and digital culture. The site was founded in 2005 by Pete Cashmore, who began by writing blog posts about social media news and trends. Today, Mashable is one of the most popular websites on the internet, with over 45 million monthly visitors. The site has also expanded to include video content and social media accounts on various platforms. Mashable was acquired by Ziff Davis for $50M on Dec 5, 2017
3. Huffington Post: The Huffington Post was launched in 2005 by Arianna Huffington as a liberal news and commentary website. The site quickly became popular and was acquired by AOL in 2011. Today, the Huffington Post covers a wide range of topics, including politics, entertainment, and lifestyle. The site has won numerous awards and is considered one of the most influential news websites on the internet.
The concept of digital storytelling emerged in the 1990s, and it involves using digital media to create and share stories. Digital storytelling can be used for a wide range of purposes, including entertainment, education, marketing, and advocacy.
Digital storytelling typically involves combining different forms of media, such as images, text, audio, and video, to create a cohesive narrative. The end result is a powerful and engaging story that can be shared with a wide audience.
One of the most significant advantages of digital storytelling is that it allows people to share their stories in a way that is more immersive and interactive than traditional storytelling methods. Digital stories can be viewed on a range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, and can be shared on social media platforms or personal websites.
Over the years, digital storytelling has become more accessible to the general public, thanks to the development of tools and software that make it easier to create and share digital stories. This has led to an increase in the use of digital storytelling in education, where it is used as a way to teach students how to express their thoughts and ideas in a creative and engaging way.
Case Study Examples of Digital Storytelling:
2. The New York Times: The New York Times has been a leading source of news and information for over a century. In recent years, the publication has embraced digital storytelling as a way to engage its audience and provide more immersive and interactive content. The Times has used a range of digital storytelling techniques, including interactive graphics, virtual reality experiences, and multimedia features, to tell compelling stories that resonate with readers.
3. National Geographic: National Geographic is a well-known brand that is synonymous with photography and storytelling. The publication has embraced digital storytelling as a way to reach a wider audience and to provide a more immersive and interactive experience. National Geographic uses a range of digital storytelling techniques, including photo essays, videos, and interactive features, to share stories about the natural world and the people who inhabit it.
A great way to practice and apply your new blogging experiences is through self-expression! What are your passions? What are you passionate about in this world?
Create a new “digital story” by crafting a new blog post about what you are passionate about!
To get started, 1st, you should first choose a topic that you are in fact passionate about! Perhaps it’s a hobby? Sport? Creative expression? A political or social issue? Baking? … etc,
But, What is a Passion? <– READ THIS
2nd, then you should gather images, videos, and other multimedia elements that relate to your passions. This could include images, photos, drawings, audio recordings, GIFS, memes & videos. These things will help give “Context” to your storytelling and help others make a connection and stay engaged.
3rd, Write! Describe your passion(s)! Share your personal stories and reflections! How did you get introduced to your passion(s) -details details details!? Let your personality flow through your post!
And don’t forget to add hyperlinks!
Memes are definitely art let’s be serious here. Memes have established their position in our online society, and their influence on art, communication, and self-expression has been mixed. Memes may be a double-edged sword in terms of art. I feel as though they frequently include artistic qualities such as visuals and comedy, offering new and relatable art forms to a broader audience.