SofiaUnplugged

“Shits and Giggles” is our digital artefact centered around the idea of reviewing affordable eats and talking on common, everyday topics. My fellow uni friends Sophie and Jessica noticed we have similar interests to each other and also live close so we found this to be a suitable and appropriate idea for our digital artefact. Our goal is to create a platform that combines humour, authenticity, and utility, where we explore hidden food gems while also tackling relatable life discussions. This project grew out of the idea that food experiences shouldn’t be restricted by budget or intolerances, and that everyone has something in common when it comes to the everyday challenges and joys of life. The openness of the idea lay in its accessibility, both in the literal sense of affordability and in the relatability of the topics discussed. 

To bring “Shits and Giggles” to life, we chose YouTube as the primary platform for prototyping. We decided on this because of YouTube’s accessibility and its ability to serve as both a podcast host and visual platform for showcasing the food reviews. Our approach to prototyping involved creating and uploading a video to monitor its performance and learn how to approach further videos. The iterative nature of this process allowed us to evolve and adjust the content to align with the expectations and interests of our audience. 

One of the most significant learning moments for us revolved around time management. Between our day-to-day commitments and other responsibilities such as full time uni and part time jobs, finding time to film was often a challenge. There were moments when we had to cancel shoots or rush through filming and editing to stay on schedule. This struggle taught us the importance of planning and prioritising. We realised that consistency, a key factor in building an online presence, could only be achieved if we organised our filming and production schedules in a more structured manner.

Another critical moment came when we realised the videos weren’t receiving as many views as we had hoped. Despite putting effort into the content, the view count remained the same. This was a tough but important lesson in the digital space: quality content alone isn’t enough. The algorithm, audience engagement, and strategic promotion all play pivotal roles in a podcast’s growth. Instead of being discouraged, we took this as an opportunity to learn about social media for cross-promotion such as posting on platforms like TikTok to further promote our YouTube channel. 

Furthermore, centralised and decentralised networks are crucial in influencing the podcast’s interaction with listeners. Centralised networks like YouTube offer uniform distribution but disadvantages like algorithmic exposure favouring popular content, making it harder for up-and-coming producers. Decentralised networks offer users direct content distribution options, allowing them to share episodes more freely. Combining community-driven growth from grassroots sharing across decentralised channels with the stability of centralised platforms like YouTube can enhance audience growth. 

Ultimately, “Shits and Giggles” is a testament to the power of persistence and adaptability in the digital age. The process of prototyping on YouTube allowed us to learn not only about content creation but also about the intricacies of building an audience, managing time, and staying true to our creative vision.

reference list:

Editor, C.C. (n.d.). Decentralized network – Glossary | CSRC. [online] csrc.nist.gov. Available at: https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/decentralized_network#:~:text=Definitions%3A.