Aubrey Leonard - Study Abroad

In the world of Advertising, there are seven seconds before you lose the interest of your audience. In the world of fashion and design, split second impressions are crucial as each company is assessed for what they uniquely provide to the world. As I considered both these realms of design while venturing Europe, I was taken aback by how much they have in common. Every city that we explored on this study abroad made an impression that held my attention for much longer than seven seconds. Each following short video attempts to capture your attention for one minute at a time.

Throughout this portfolio you will be provided with lessons learned from each city, new elements subsequently incorporated, and a timeline recording hours spent completing all of the above.

Behind the scenes;)

Edinburgh_Short_ FINAL.mp4

EDINBURGH

Techniques learned/incorporated: patience in the process.

From watching weavers hand pick imperfections out of tartan, I learned I too can take time to create something beautiful. This first video is slower paced than any other video I've made to highlight this new found patience and stillness.

Hours Spent: 7

This first week I decided to pivot my project from creating a wall hanging to these short videos. I spent time shooting film, picking out a song, and perfecting the final product on the train to London.

LONDON

Techniques learned/incorporated: attention to detail.

This video's soundtrack has a more complex beat and pace than any of the others, thus its composition is more meticulously structured. Spending two weeks in London, and meeting several big and small name designers, I learned that details distinguish one brand and person from another.

Hours Spent: 11

This video alone took me at least four hours. That seems like a lot of time for a one minute video but narrowing down which videos to use and getting the timing right took high focus and patience.

London Short_ FINAL.mp4

Paris Short_UPDATED.mp4

PARIS

Techniques learned/incorporated: simplicity is key.

Learning about the famous Coco Chanel inspired me to be more simple; more simple with what I film and more simple with when I film. This Paris video captures simple moments of the everyday.

Hours Spent: 7

There is a balance between having too many videos to incorporate and too little. Due to my efforts of simplification, and thus less footage, I needed to be more creative with how I utilized my material.

FLORENCE

Techniques learned/incorporated: include your audience.

Historically, artists made efforts to invite their audience into their work: an empty spot for an audience member at the table, a hand reaching out inviting them into the painting etc. Seeing this art up close inspired me to make a video that really includes the audience in the experience.

Hours spent: 5

Less time in the city meant an increased necessity to think on my feet and collect clips that would suit my vision for this all-inclusive video.

Florence Short.mp4

Venice Short_FINAL.mp4

VENICE

Techniques learned/incorporated: innovation breeds uniqueness.

There is no where else in the world like Venice. There is also no one else who experienced Venice through my eyes but me. This video incorporates original sound bites from my recorded videos to give this short film a unique and personal feel.

Hours spent: 5

I wanted to really take in Venice while simultaneously capturing it through video. I took my time editing this video as it brought me back to the study abroad I already missed!

xoxo, Aubrey

Overall, this trip opened my eyes to the many facets of creativity. From Araminta Campbell I learned to stay true to who you are, and that the satisfaction of doing what you love greatly outperforms any other kind of popularity that came from the pressure to conform. I learned from Liberty of London and Hamilton that messy stories and patterns can be turned into something incredible when they are organized and refined. From the Eiffel Tower I learned that building something beautiful doesn't need a reason besides being wonderful and different. The Duomo showed me that lasting statements can be made from curious color combinations and funky workmanship that might not be considered conventional. Finally, places like Burano in Italy inspired me to keep life colorful always.

I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to study fashion and design in Europe. I hope that, even for just a minute at a time, you got to experience the magic that I did on this study abroad.

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