Final Thoughts

As my last semester comes to a close, I would like to share my thoughts. The two main things I worked on were an essay and a media project. In my opinion I did a progress and improved my writing essay skills. I discovered what truly means doing research. I understood for what I'm doing my blog. 

My project were to create a cookbook. Here I share the link to the project - Taste of Romania, where you can find it and I hope - enjoy it! I think I did well. I like the idea of Romanian recipes as Romania from family reasons is close to my heart. What went well is the time management during the process of creation. I like how I designed the cover of my cookbook. I like the idea of menu as a content page. Also I like how the illustrations on the cover page work together well. I did few changes to the choice of recipes. I have enjoyed doing the cookbook. What I could improve is to work on further design, perhaps add some traditional illustrations. Using Lucidpress software were familiar to me. Also it was convenient to use. The journey I did with idea of my cookbook was fantastic and also I discovered much more looking about famous chefs persona. 

Website: View from a smartphone

Most people are using smartphones now and it is important that they will see my website in appropriate way. Now I would like to check if everything is working well. 

I did just few tweaks for my homepage and the place of the logo and also the letter of my surname. 

Portfolio page working well as I have tested it:

Here I hide unnecessary element and leave this page as writing

Here the design looks fine, although between the background and word photography there is not too many contrast. But I would like it to stay like that.

 

Now I have tested and I can be sure all elements of my website works well. I'm happy how my website looks like and also the fact people can easily access it from the smartphone. I'm surprised that I were able to create professional looking website. 

Media Project: Cookbook finalizing

 

Now is to present my cookbook. To do that I will be using Flipsnack software and create a flipbook:

I will simply upload screenshots of my cookbook, clicking on upload files:

    

Then I click next and the process of creation of flipbook is done

Now I can customize the background:

Now is to embed the flipbook to my website, I copy embed code and add into the website

Now is to add introduction to my project on my portfolio - writing page

Now I have an introduction and ready flipbook on my website

I think the process of creating flipbook and adding it to my website ran smoothly. I think this is because before I began my project I have tested and explored the software, also in every term I have used Flipsnack software to present my work. 

Media Project: Cookbook Developing

 

Now I would like to show the further process of creating my cookbook. Today is to focus on writing the list of ingredients and preparation and add some narrative. I continue to work in Lucidpress software. 

I start with adding name of the dish using headings from left menu bar

Then add list of ingredients 

Now is to add directions for receipt

On the opposite site I add picture of the dish

I will repeat the process in every receipt by adding name of the dish, list of ingredients and preparation instructions. 

In my opinion that kind of layout and structure will be not too much complicated for beginners in the kitchen and they can easily follow the receipt and prepare it at home. 

Ideal Customer Profile & Target Market: Taste of Romania Cookbook

 

To better understand the importance of target audience I looked into statistics in the UK. As I'm in the process of creating a cookbook I would like to create an Ideal Customer Profile for my cookbook. I was curious about reading habits of people living in the UK. 

                                                                  World Book Day Infographic, 2021

I have discovered some facts, for example one in five British people prefer reading from the screen, moreover 11% of 18-34 year old reported to reading more than 14 hours per week, also 33% respondents declared they were reading more that one year ago. However, over 75% of women would prefer digital version of book. 

In terms of target marketing there a few important factors such as demographics, sociographics, psychographics, geographic and behaviors. When thinking about our target audience we should consider the gender, age, race, marital status, number of children, occupation, income, level of education and also living status. These factors determine the spending amounts of the people. 

Then in terms of psychographics we consider needs, activities, interests and values but also customer emotions. Geographics and location as well is very important, what works in one country, could not work in other one. 

Also interesting fact is that we are divided by generations and all of them have different behaviour and spending habits. I consider my audience as Millenial, people between 26 and 40 years. 

Now I would like to create my Ideal Customer Profile using venngage.com. This software allows to create infographics. First was to choose the template and then simply adding elements from menu bar

Reference:

Cartridgepeople.com. 2022. World Book Day Statistics: How The UK Is Enjoying Books In 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.cartridgepeople.com/info/blog/world-book-day-statistics> [Accessed 6 June 2022].

Readingagency.org.uk. 2022. Reading facts | Reading Agency. [online] Available at: <https://readingagency.org.uk/about/impact/002-reading-facts-1/> [Accessed 6 June 2022].

Media project: Cookbook - The Beginning

 Now I begin the work on my project. I would start with cover of my cookbook. Cookbook will be in A4 format. Also I did brainstorm about it's title. I will create the cover using Lucidpress digital software. 

First is to choose the appropriate template. I choose this one as I like it as idea of e-book:

Now is to design the cover by adding text using left menu bar - headings and images using Image Manager:

Also I would like to change the background by using right menu bar and click on Shape-> Fill

I add also name of the author using text heading and flag of Romania as an image:

Now is to start work on content and copy-right page. I add chapters to my cookbook and list of courses

I add name of the author, year of publishing and copy-right symbol 

Here is the outcome of first pages of my cookbook:

                                          

I think the work on my cover page run smoothly as I was already familiar with Lucidpress. I have chosen copy-right free images to create my cover. I have added flag of Romania to give an idea to the audience which of cuisine it consist. I have chosen image with elements of traditional Romanian folklore and I think it works well to the idea of cookbook. I think the idea of using restaurant's menu language in contents page such as aperitif or main course creates impression that recipes are special, coming straight from chef's restaurant but in the same time easy to cook them at home. Next steps will be to cook, make some shots and describe the recipes. Can't wait! 

Software exploration

Today I will be testing the software for making sure it will work good to my project. As I'm writing cookbook I will be testing Lucidpress software and also Flipsnack software for presentation of my project and also testing embedding it to my website. 

I opened first Lucidpress and then login and choose the template. 

I choose adequate one:

Now I test it by working with left menu bar and textbox, add heading and subheading:

Then work on design, add or change copy-right free or own pictures by uploading them:

Here is the testing cover:

Then is to work with with creation of pages and contents by adding illustrations and texts:

And further design:

Now is to check it is working with Flipsnack software, I will make screenshots and upload them to the Flipsnack to create a flipbook with presentation:

I click the button Upload PDF:

And then is to click next:

And here we have final flipbook:

Now is to test how to embed it to the website:

First I click on Publish and then embed:

Now is to copy embed code:

Now I open my Wix website and add embed code as a widget, clicking on + 

I click on enter code button and add embed code:

                              

Now the testing  flipbook is placed on my website:

I like the idea of flipbook, because I can easily present my project in it and also the software is intuitive. I'm sure during my Media studies I will be using these mostly. Now I'm ready to begin creation of my cookbook media project. Can't wait!