The evolution of an idea.

July 19, 2007 by Alison.

This blog started last year with the intention of somehow organizing my thoughts, links, and work related projects. Well, i went on hiatus and actually “working on projects” began to take precedence over “writing about projects”.

However, what better way to welcome myself back to the world of blogging than tracking the progress on the latest project causing a stir at the Georgia Tech Library : Flash in the Pan 2007. We have high hopes and only time will tell if our current strategy is indeed a strategy for success!

A few of us here are putting together a flash animation competition. An opportunity for creative students to rise to the occasion and “show us their stuff” ..(pun intended-ha). Not only will they have an opportunity to win a great prize , but the competition hopes to familiarize students, interested in digital media, with cutting edge tools and technology available to them at the Georgia Tech Library. If they’re lucky , they will even have their work seen by industry professionals.
There is something to the old phrase “Just do it”. Less meetings and more action-I say! Flash in the Pan has come about in a wonderfully fluid manner- through minimal structure and a series of fairly informal, non traditional meetings–we have produced everything from a loose time line for the event, to identifying who we hope to have as specialty judges, to coming up with our now infamous space monkey mascot! (Look for more on the monkey later!)

Where do ideas like Flash in the Pan come from? How does a simple water cooler conversation morph into a fully fledged, legitimate, learning experience or event for an academic institution? I will try to track the progress as we embark on our animated maiden voyage !…

However, this is not entirely unexplored waters for the library. Earlier in the year, I was chatting with a fellow coworker. A simple conversation about a “Homestar Runner” bookbag and shared admiration for the animated series led to us pulling together for a Q & A session with the creators. This was a rare appearance for Matt, Mike and Ryan and I was honored , the Chaps were willing to share their thoughts with the Tech community. The event was a huge success and the students were receptive; this turned out to be a great litmus test for overall interest, amongst the tech community , in Flash animation. Check out video of the event here! SMARTtech.

Due to an apparent interest in digital media etc. a Video/animation contest idea was spawned in the PR committee. We now have to contend with various issues as our jobs vacillate between librarian and an event planner of sorts.

What will it take to motivate students to participate!?..that is the current issue at hand. This is a bit different than just getting people “to show up”…you actually have to motivate someone to be creative….We’re hoping to do this by bringing in “high profile” industry professionals, (Adobe, Wacom, Sanrio, Homestar Runner and more ) and offering expensive highly sought after “tools of the trade” as prizes and give-aways. Dangling the carrot wont be enough though, will we also have to implement an effective marketing strategy.

Issues:

• Submission procedures
• Time line
• Equipment/Software/Classes necessary
• Press
• Prizes/judges sponsors
• Logistics: how many winners? Showings? event specifics?

Our hope is the competition will act as a publicity tool to raise awareness of appropriate library resources and foster good will with the students and faculty. Additionally, we hope to target specialized programs and student groups on campus, in our marketing efforts. The competition has the potential to promote library efforts in areas such as multimedia software/classes, event space, knowledgeable staff, SMARTtech and Digital initiatives.

Most of all ,we would hope to foster a learning environment that combines academics and entertainment. After all we’re trying to make learning fun aren’t we!.. I dont doubt this event will be a challenge, its a niche market of interest and we have to figure out how to increase interest. I hope to track our progress on the various stages as we go along…so stay tuned!…and of course you wanna know whats up with the Space monkey….dont you?
Along with me, many people are involved in its “evolution”…so check out some additional blog entries on the event from Jon Bodnar, Brian Mathews

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