TMU CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
Choosing a program of study wasn’t an easy task for me—after debating between programs across multiple fields (including English, Commerce, Environmental Studies, and even Math), I decided to pursue a BA in Creative Industries at TMU because of the vast range of learning opportunities. The wide selection of courses has not only allowed me to explore my interest in marketing but also expand my critical thinking on the cultural and consumer trends around us. It’s a pretty cool program (if I do say so myself)—here are a few of my favourite projects.
CREATIVE URBAN PLANNING
Imagining the Creative City has been one of my favourite classes I’ve taken so far. The urban planning content seemed inapplicable at first, but I enjoyed incorporating my own creative ideas and leveraging my strengths for each assignment. For my final project, I decided to put my pandemic-fueled screen addiction to use—curating content from the apps on my phone, I shared the story of COVID-19 and its impact on my hometown of Markham, Ontario. Although I enjoyed the researching and writing aspect, I was especially proud of how the project turned out visually.
TEXT, IMAGE, AND SOUND
The final project for this course was to analyze the use of text, image, and sound within contemporary culture. As the instructions were extremely open for interpretation, I decided to take this opportunity to explore the branding of Nike—an industry expert from a marketing perspective. While I could have created a simple slideshow, I challenged my storytelling skills by scripting and producing a documentary-style video.
FASHION JOURNALISM
Do skinny jeans stand a chance with Gen Z? I searched for the answer to this question in my reported fashion feature, the final project for my second-year journalism elective. And after handing in the assignment, I also submitted a version of the article to be published on Her Campus.
PERSONAL ESSAY
I was also tasked with writing a personal essay, describing the relationship between my own experiences and any article of clothing. As a lucky member of the class of 2020, I chose my high school cap and gown—the piece isn’t published, but here’s a link to the creative essay on Notion.