Testing...

The first test shooting went well in the sense I was able to set up the camera and lighting with ease, but I had difficulty arranging the props I had. I was looking for really simple images but found the images looked very basic. 

I did not plan what I would do for this initial testing as I was really looking at the lighting and set up in the still life studio. This was my first time working in there.

The studio has a great vibe and I loved working in there. I enjoy that is quite and no one disturbed me so I was able to experiment by myself with no pressure.

I’m really looking forward to getting back in there with a planned still life shoot.

#usesappropriatematerials  #responsibilityforindependentlearning

Domain name and Header Image

Domain Name 

• .co.uk is best to be recognised as being from the UK
• .com is usually for international trading
• .co.uk is significantly lower in cost

 I have purchased www.liladescent.co.uk

Initially I wanted a .com site, as I thought it was more memorable and hope to reach a wider audience than the UK, as the majority of natural and organic beauty bloggers come from the states due to the weak FDA regulations. However, after looking around I discovered a .co.uk would suit best for this moment in time as blogs do not happen over night and can be developed over time.

Blog Header Image 

This was my first attempt at the header image, I found as soon as I uploaded the image onto my blog it did not look how I had hoped. The banner is too busy and does not make good use of white space, which is what I was initially trying to do, but felt it was too simple.

After uploading this image I discovered I would need to perfect balance between less and more, while less can look too simple, more is definitely too busy.  

This is my second attempt, while the banner looks much better on the page, I’m still not satisfied with how it looks.  The symbols I have chosen above the title are spiritual symbols used in the new age movement. The star represents protection, in my meaning it is that of the earth and body. The female symbol represents female energy, it is not suggesting that the content is exclusive to females, but rather the positive energy when related to yin yang. The triangle also represents protection and the crescent moon is a symbol represents balance, renewal and emotion to name a few.

 Third time lucky, here is my final banner image. I have adjusted the colour scheme and removed the sub heading. I feel it is clear and clean without being too simple. I have changed the triangle for the symbol that represents the element earth. I may adjust the heading once my content is uploaded to the blog, but I am happy with the logo.

I used the 2016 Pantones released as a guide when choosing the colour pallet. 

Storyboard overview

After a meeting with Emma and Elizabeth, I have adjusted the blog story board to better fit the blog I'm creating.

 In the beauty tab, I have decided it would be best to have skincare as the main feature, I thought I was most passionate about organic make-up, but have discovered it is the skincare I am most excited about, and this will be my main priority. Then comes organic and natural products in make-up followed by hair care.

I was struggling with my life style section, one of the sub sections I was thinking about was a smoothie tab, with different ingredients to target various issues. However, the more I thought about it the more articles I came across debating whether to juice of smooth and then I came across horror stories of how some women were relying on either smoothies of juices for their entire diet. I realised then I would not like to focus on something that could potentially encourage this unhealthy lifestyle.

It was then I had an epiphany, I needed a section to promote positivity, a wellbeing section was far more appropriate.

In the wellbeing section there will be a crystal of the week feature, this will initially cover the more common stones, their healing properties and uses and then look at newer technologies to create contemporary stones and so on.

The book section was something Sharon suggested in the very early stages of research, I thought more about the benefits of having a book section and it will open up a space for conversation in the comment section, and hopefully I will also be recommended books I have not yet found.

The holistic tab will be for products that cannot simply be defined as skin care for example, the Wild Medicine soap cleans both the physical body and mind with the use of crystal healing. Essential oils and alternative fragrances will fill this space.