LO2: Job roles, new and emerging (M2)

Within the production of the app there are several job roles, both new and emerging...

Cartographer-
In order to produce the maps to be used as part of the app and the functions to enable the representation of the GPS data, a cartographer would be required. A once traditional job role using physical methods of drawing pen on paper, was tedious and extremely difficult. However, in recent years this has transitioned to a more digital based process with digital drawing and illustration becoming more common and the detail and level of adjustment it provides.

Copyrighter - A copyrighter would be required to ensure the written content is grammatically correct and free of spelling errors or mistakes. However, with development of applications and products this is a role which could be irradiated, this could be beneficial to my proposal as it would reduce costs to the production company due to them not being needed to employ and extra member. This process could be done by the writer using such apps such as Grammarly, which automatically checks for errors, like a copyrighter does. However, free of charge and automatically.

Photographer - A photographer would be needed to produce the visual photography for a variety of sections within the app. However, similar to the other job roles these are also changing as a result of changes and developments in the media industry. Instead of employing a member to the team that is solely in charge of photography like what would be traditionally be done in previous years, now there is a shift to freelancers. This emerging role has become popular as a result of services and sites such as freelancer.com. This website/ service would mean that the production company for the app could employ a photographer on a one job basis to complete and produce the photos needed for the certain section, again this would reduce costs and team size.

Graphic Designer - A graphic designer would be required to design the whole aesthetics of the app. Similar to the photographer, it is now easily accessible to higher certain freelancers for a task. For example if there was a specialized element which needed designing, a illustrator or artist could be commissioned for this one piece. This expands and widens the possibilities for the design of the app.

App Software Engineers - Most importantly, the software engineers/ coders would be required to build the app and make it work. One for both ios and android would likely be required. This is an emerging job role of the last century as a result of the mass developments and influx of apps on the market place, which were not previously available or popular till the convergence of technologies into black box devices such as smartphones or tablets.

LO1: Planning and development and digital technology (M1)

PASS P1

1.       Outline what new digital media product you want to make – give the USP, gap in the market, purpose and target audience and distribution.

2.       Use the research you have done so far to discuss how the digital revolution has had an impact on your proposal for a new digital media product. 

-          This section should include overview of key digital technologies (hardware and software) that have been invented over the past 70 years.

-          Then specific to your chosen sector – what developments have there been based on what type of product you want to make?

-           What audiences can do now in relation to your idea in terms of interactivity/usability. Use theory and key terms from Unit 1, Unit 6 and Unit 7.

MERIT M1

1.       Analyse the industry and businesses (conglomerate and independent) in your relevant sector and outline how the developments within digital technologies have changed the products and distribution of the products produced. 

-          Have companies changed?

-          What new businesses have emerged?

2.       You should then discuss the marketing and product development and join venture/sponsorship opportunities generated from the relationships created between old and new companies in your sector.  Use theory and key terms from Unit 1, Unit 6 and Unit 7.

The new digital media product i want to produce would be new app in which users can interact with one another whilst review. The main premis of the app would be giving users the abilty to find and rate/ review mountain biking trails in there area, this would also be combined with a social aspect where by users can post comments, pictures, videos and other medias relating to the app.

This app would directly target the niche audience of mountain bikers, this covers a varied age range with people of all ages partaking in the sport. However, it is likely that the app would target a more specific age within this bracket, the ages would likely range from around 16-35. This age range actively use social media and therefore would be able to easily transition into interface and be most successful among a user base of digital natives. This app would also be successful as currently there are very few mountain bike related apps on the App Store, neither are there any specifying on reviewing/ finding trails with a social aspect. This lack of similar apps provides a unique selling point for the product and the gap in the market provided by the unsaturated market.

The app will also intergrate the ability for users to track health and ride stats. This makes use of several technologies that have arose as a result of the digital revolution.  One such example which could be incorporated into the app would be gps, this technology would allow the app to track users workouts and where they have ridden as part of there trail, this information can then be used to give tailored information such as calorie counts and activity. Not only can this be used to give health data it could also be used to tailor adverts and content within the app, to show local information for example which would better appeal and engage with the user. The availability of this technology for both commercial and consumer use arose as a result of digital convergence and the digital revolution. Originally, used by militaries across the world dating back to around 1959 when the Navy developed there satellite navigation system, in the years that followed this technology became more frequent and subsequently cheaper for commercial use leading to 1999 when Benfon launched the first commercially available GPS enabled mobile phone. This proved a success and was later seen to be a feature in many phones, to now whereby most modern smartphone device feature GPS tracking capabilities among other features.

Other such technologies include video and photo functionalities in smartphone devices. Within the app there will be the ability for users to create and post images and videos relating to the app in a forum based layout whereby users can interact with one another and gain feedback or inspiration for example. This feature is available as result of technological convergence and all these features being incorporated into a singular black box device/ smartphone. The first mobile to incorporate a camera into a phone was the Samsung made SCH-V200 in the year 2000, despite this it to access the photos it had to be connected to a computer, essentially meaning the camera and phone were two separate components housed in the same body. However, now modern phones seamlessly integrate several components in one small portable device, such as the 'iPhone X'.

Such blackbox devices are only accessible as a result of convergence of technologies and larger conglomerates such as the technology and manufacturing firms combining together. One such example of this would be the use of bluetooth technologies in virtually every new mobile device. This as a reuslt of the bluetooth company licesing their technolgy to smarptphone manfactruing companies. Another example within the industry is the ocnvergence of larger comapnies for specific tasks and it is becoming more common for large conglomerate companies to work as part of a joint venture to further the development of their products. One such example of this is the potential collaboration between Apple and Samsung. It is reported that the in the near future samsung may be commisedoned to produce and manufacture the screen for upcoming iphone models. This one small technical element which makes up the singular blackbox device, and the convergence of many other companies is also seen within most current mobile devices of all major tech companies. This is commonly as it is cheaper to do so, or simply more efficient as the technology is already developed and often protected by the copyright, designs and patents act. Meaning they would have to pay a fee anyway or possible get sued if they made their own iteration of the technology