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GlobalLife: Live Together, Grow Together, Create Peace Together
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TitleGlobalLife: Live Together, Grow Together, Create Peace Together
AuthorHoldaway, Felice
AbstractThis thesis outlines how the author, who benefitted greatly from travel abroad, will create a travel company called GlobalLife, the goal of which is to enable others to experience the benefits of interactive world travel. The author hopes to use her skills and education in graphic arts and communication to build and further the goals of GlobalLife. The company will use the trade system, where a traveler will stay with a family in return for helping to improve the lives of those family members in some way. The ultimate goal of GlobalLife travel is to promote education, compassion, and peace among people throughout the world.
EditionElectronic reproduction
Date Original2012-11-06
Publisher DigitalPublished digitally by Utah Valley University Library
Date Digital2012-11-28
Physical Description23 pages; 22 cm.
Owning InstitutionUtah Valley University
SubjectDissertations, Academic
Business planning
Graphic arts
Travel
Local SubjectsIntegrated Studies
Languageeng
Collection NameUtah Valley University Thesis Collection
RightsThe author retains all copyright ownership. The right to download or print any of the pages of these theses is granted by the copyright owner only for personal or classroom use. The author retains all proprietary rights, including copyright ownership. Any reproduction or editing by any means mechanical or electronic without the express written permission of the copyright owner is strictly prohibited.
Copyright Status/OwnerAuthor
TypeText
Formatapplication/pdf
Contributor MetadataMcIntyre, Catherine
Metadata Entry Date2012-11-28
Metadata Entry ToolCONTENTdm Project Client v. 5.4
Full TextGlobalLife; Live Together, Grow Together Create Peace Together By Felice Holdaway Senior Thesis Integrated Studies Utah Valley University Communications and Graphic Design November 6, 2012 Global Life 1 " Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow- mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime" -- Mark Twain The Discovery of GlobalLife Traveling for me started as a child with annual road trips to different states seeing, historical landmarks, breath taking architecture and natural wonders. Like many who travel we used the to time to relax and enjoyed discovering new places. My father always said " Traveling is a continual way of learning and appreciating." Our travels were enhanced when given the opportunity to live in Oxford, England for four months at the age of twelve. We enjoyed the sights and history offered, and were able to live side by side the people in the community. The stay there was enhanced by experiencing the local culture. Our love for the country intensified with our understanding of the lives lived there. The expansion of knowledge gained from living a different way had a greater impact than ever expected. When we returned home and began a new school I realized the recent travels had given me confidence and a stronger desire to learn. Educational curiosity continued while pursuing my Bachelor degree. With a scholarship in hand an exploration of many fields began while taking classes in accounting, marketing, engineering, psychology, digital media, communications and more. As the scholarship came to its end, there was one last goal to accomplish: experience a Study Abroad. Due to hard economic times the university was unable to send a professor which caused all the students to Global Life 2 drop out, except me. The UVU advisor, the University in Spain and a Spanish family worked together to make the goal possible. The added aspect of living with a family is what made this trip different. A true insight to a different way of life was gained. This lesson of living a different way and enjoying a family from a different land opened my perspective in life to allow entirely new possibilities. A sort of shift occurred from being hesitant and fearful, even ignorant to differences to becoming intrigued, enlightened and even compassionate about differences. Negative outlooks dissipated and I gained more patience and compassion for those around me. Returning home in late August the next semester of classes began with a new objective for my education. I wanted to share this transformation with everyone and make it possible for others to experience different lands and have their stays enhanced by living with families and contributing to their ways of life. The goal is to have others experience the same growth of intrigue, enlightenment and compassion for differences in life, and ultimately Creating a world full of people compassionate towards differences and open- minded to other ways of living. This goal became my passion. I chose a degree reflecting my variety of the education gained focusing on my two favorite fields and a thesis project combining my passions. I am graduating with a Bachelor's of Art in Integrated Studies with emphases in Communications and Graphic Design and my thesis which includes the creation for the travel company; GlobalLife. By combining the strengths and strategies of Graphic Design and Communications I will create the travel company " GlobalLife" that will enable others to gain the valuable influence of interactive travel in their lives and contribute to creating a world compassionate, understanding and united through our differences. Global Life 3 The Purpose of GlobalLife The creation of GlobalLife is my contribution in creating an improved future. By completing a Bachelor degree specialized skills and lessons have been acquired to contribute to our world and making an improved future. GlobalLife's goal and purpose is to help in creating a future with more patience and compassion for differences with a dissipation of ignorance and disrespect towards others by experiencing life around the world. GlobalLife will accomplish this by using the trade system; stay with a family where one is exploring in return for help improving essentials of life for that family. The GlobalLife website will enable connections to be made and the details of projects arranged44. The traveler and the home provider will work together in arranging the details needed to make the projects possible. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate strategies of Communications and techniques of Graphic Design that will facilitate in the creation of " GlobalLife" that will enable others to gain the valuable influence of interactive travel in their lives and contribute to creating a world compassionate, understanding and united through our differences. Lessons of Communications Through each new revolution of communication, we've learned from the mistakes and built upon successes. Through those improvements we have arrived at our current era of Social Media where communication world wide is rapid and abundant. Through social media, we have advanced globalization and improved our communication skills. Theorist Marshall McLuhan interprets our technological advances as a theory known as the global village; a planet connected through world wide communication ( McLuhan 1). He explains that today's users of technology Global Life 4 are caught between two very different ways of perceiving the world. McLuhan and associate Bruce R. Powers explain a Visual Space-- the linear, quantitative mode of perception that is characteristic of the Western world; and the other view of the world as an Acoustic Space-- the holistic, qualitative reasoning of the East ( McLuhan 1). Two different views of perceiving the world are explained, the western world abundant with technology which has become a main source for interpretations. While the Eastern world's perceptions are mainly based on the world in direct contact with them. They explain these world views " are slamming into each other at the speed of light" and the key to peace, is understanding both of these systems simultaneously" ( McLuhan 147). A better way to understand a different way of thinking is to go where it resonates and not only learn about it, but experience it. This experience based model provided the basic purpose for GlobalLife: through experiencing different lands and incorporating the cultures while giving back to the people who live there, we can create the peace needed for the future. Today our lives are filled with media and because of new technologies and communications media companies there more ways and opportunities to communicate with consumers. The constant barrage of communications from a variety of sources is making it more difficult for any given company's advertising to pierce the babble to communicate with an individual consumer. According to a study conducted by Ball State University nearly 30 percent of the observed waking day is spent with a form of mass media as the sole activity, 20.8 percent for work activity and an additional 39 percent of the day is spent with media while involved in some other activity ( Ransford, 1). With all the outlets of media available people are spending almost the entire waking day with mass media. Mike Bloxham, testing and assessment CMD Global Life 5 director at Ball State University acknowledges the struggle for a company to successfully get its advertising message to its consumer and states, " from an advertising perspective, the research has both good and bad news, there is an array of new media outlets and along with the challenge of more outlets there is a growing competition for attention" ( Ransford 1). Media Relations Manager Marc Ransford states, " Media strategies should perhaps no longer be media centric, but should focus on consumers. For example, if media usage increases on Fridays based on the assumption of people planning social activities, then this would be potentially the best day to advertise movies, drinks, food and specials and other products" ( Ransford 1). We see this strategy used by Facebook with customized ads that stream on the side of the webpage. When I became engaged and changed my " relationship status" advertisements full of wedding dresses, decorations, magazines and so on poured in. We now have the ability to not only put out an idea and hope it will find and attract the right people, but the idea can now be pinpointed to the people we are trying to attract. With this strategy there is substantial advantage in knowing your target audience better and therefore making the desired goal of grasping consumers more achievable. New ideas and strategies for effective communication are needed in our society flooded with media. The Journal of Travel Research recently featured the article " Preparing for the New Economy: Advertising Strategies and Change in Destination Marketing Organizations" which discusses a shift in how communication occurs and specifically how travel companies should focus their approach towards potential customers. The article features The National Laboratory for Tourism and eCommerce that organized a workshop in an effort to identify effective strategies for tourism advertising on the Internet. They concluded that the change occurring in the new economy involves a rethinking of who partners and competitors are and how networks Global Life 6 with other organizations can increase organizational capacity to learn ( Gretzel 146). This shows there is an increased importance to partnerships and relations with other companies in the industry. In other words the reputation of a company and its reputations with other companies is showing to have increased benefits. With the ability of opinions to spread like wild fire a good reputation holds increased value. Therefore, success of destination marketing organizations in the new economy is more about change in approach than technology itself ( Gretzel 146). There is a increase in the value for the relationship with the consumers and partners. Furthering the knowledge of the current era and understanding what needs to change to improve our future article, " The Theoretical Foundation for Intercultural Business Communication: A Conceptual Model" featured in The Journal of Business Communication, continues the importance of networking with other businesses ( Varner 39). The article shows that in the past, discussions on the theory of intercultural business communication have mostly focused on intercultural communication using businesses as examples rather than including businesses as crucial part to the business ( Varner 39). Networking has always been a valuable tool and now more than ever, networking is shown to be a key to success. The sense of belonging and becoming part of something larger than oneself will be a driving force and crucial element for gaining success. Mass communication has given us the ability to communicate with thousands more people around the world, and has thrived because of that capability, but with it a void has been created in the lack of genuine human connection. People too often are choosing electronic devices over direct human contact. The use of blogs, chats, and status updates are used to fill the need for this human connection. However, nothing can replace the value of genuine connection Global Life 7 gained from physical interaction. Shearon A. Lowery and Melvin L. DeFleur authors of the book Milestones in Mass Communication Research introduce the concept of a decrease in direct human connection with Modernization ( 10). There is an increase of people experiencing alienation with the lessening of human contact as a result of increased use of media. Lowery and DeFleur explain this change has created " social differentiation and psychological isolation" ( 11). They show us the effects with the progression of media has a deeper effect that many of us are failing to acknowledge. We have become isolated because we are replacing social activities with isolated activities provided by the media. Author, editor and poet Hans Magnus Enzensberger reiterates this concept in his writings saying, " In its present form, equipment like television or film does not sever communication but prevents it" ( 68- 69). It is crucial to be aware of this isolation occurring in order to not continue the damages caused. We need to put a stop to the decrease of direct human interaction and instead focus on how to gain genuine human connection. Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of Wine Library, listed in BusinessWeek's list of top 20 people every entrepreneur should follow, gives his opinion on the most important factors for success in our ever- changing world. He believes the most important aspect a business should focus on is brand equity ( Vaynerchuk). He emphasizes the value of a good reputation, with the future driven by social media where opinions spread like wild fire. He believes we are on the verge of another big change and argues that the best way to become part of the next revolution is be desired ( Vaynerchuk). He puts it simply, " If you are talked about enough, you'll find success" ( Vaynerchuk). As people use social media, like Facebook, you want them talking about your product and exchanging your ads, thus magnifying the effect of your advertising. Global Life 8 Vaynerchuk shares advice he has kept in mind while on his own path in finding success: " Legacy is better than currency" he suggests the purpose and impact made by a company should always remain the driving factor. To have success you must have passion and believe in what you're doing. Success is impossible without the patience to find it and the passion to continue the journey. Vaynerchuk teaches without the objective to leave a legacy and a lasting impression on the earth for the people you care about, there is no point in your business. After listening to Vaynerchuk I felt empowered to create the legacy of GlobalLife. Graphic Design's Influence Gary Vaynerchuk teaches that having a business model to learn from is crucial in order to have success, therefore mine will be modeled on mainly National Geographic, with a lesser focus on Smithsonian and NETC. National Geographic has a history of more than 120 years' experience in traveling and learning about the world. It seems as if National Geographic has covered almost every corner of our earth in those last 120 years, showing the world the wonders, the people, the animals, and the elements. National Geographic aims to give the traveler a life-changing experience by providing sights of natural wonders and exotic wildlife, explorations of archaeological sites, the opportunity of learning about different cultures and environments, meeting local people and sharing in their traditions ( National Geographic Society). Their mission statement continues " increasing global understanding through exploration, geography education, and research" ( National Geographic Expeditions Team). National Geographic attracts many customers solely by their reputation. The National Geographic Expeditions website is packed with images of people, locations and animals. The variety of trips offered includes voyages on small ships, photographic treks, family trips, rail Global Life 9 excursions, land journeys, private jet flights, Nat Geo adventures ( their newest program), private safaris, and student expeditions. They started with producing a magazine and have continually worked to expand. The middle of their homepage provides links to their email newsletter. I quickly signed up and received a newsletter within 24 hours. The first newsletter thanked for the inquiry and briefly informed me about trips they offer and encouraged a request for a free catalog. National Geographic's newsletter comes sporadically. Directly below the newsletter link there is another link to request a catalog. After selecting the " Request a Catalog" link one is brought to a page to give name, address and email address. At the bottom there are four catalogs one may select. I ( naturally) selected all four and received them all within ten days. The catalogs sent included two featuring expeditions, one featuring all trips offered, and one highlighted trips aboard the National Geographic Lindblad Fleet ( Fahey). The two catalogs featuring expeditions cover student expeditions, and National Geographic adventure presenting " unique trips for the active traveller." ( Fahey). These catalogs are very visually exciting with images packed with stunning landscapes with an adventurous style, perfectly representing National Geographic and what makes them so prestigious. National Geographic's logo is simple and iconic. Their logo of a gold frame implies to the consumer the experiences with National Geographic are those that belong in a gold frame. They are memorable and leave a lasting impression. They use only two colors and very descriptive words to represent their company. The two words chosen, National Geographic, communicate a clear focus telling the consumer precisely what the company does. Global Life 10 Smithsonian continues to be the most well- known educational travel company. Their goal is exemplified by their mission statement to: " immerse you in innovative learning vacations around the world bringing depth, excitement and substance to the travelers" ( Currie). A great deal of their success in gaining business is simply by word of mouth, and their reputation is world- renowned. People talk about them and trust in them to provide a worthwhile travel experience. Smithsonian sends out emails almost daily, never going longer than two consecutive days without an email. After signing up for their newsletter on smithsonianjourneys. org I found that 54% of the emails are from the Smithsonian store, featuring specific items. Another 31% from the Smithsonian magazine which features articles and offer specials on the subscription. The remaining 15% have been from Smithsonian Journeys. I found this surprising, as I signed up for a newsletter with the Smithsonian Journeys. However, this exemplifies how they incorporate all departments within their company. If one is interested in their travel opportunities, why wouldn't one be interested in their magazine and merchandise? This allows the company to maintain communication with their customers by sending a variety of content, as well as bringing more opportunity to the company to gain profit, and not solely by travel, but in a variety of additional content as well. Smithsonian offers an impressive variety of tour types including College Study Abroad, Family Programs, Land- based, Ocean/ River Cruises, Private Departures, Private Jet, Signature Tours, Small Group Travel, Small Ship Expeditions, Train, and Travel Adventures ( Currie). After one selects a tour types one will be brought to a new page giving more details of the current trips available. The layout is set up with a large photo at the top which one can scan Global Life 11 through to show different photos representing the different locations offered. As soon as you select the highlighted " tour details" a new page is displayed and when the page is fully loaded, a prompt appears asking for an email address in order to receive details of the trip. The original page appears cloudy and is unavailable until you enter your email address to close out the prompt. The pages displaying different destinations use a similar layout relevant to the tour type. The layout consists of a tight grid system. An image occupies 2/ 3 in width at the top and the other third of the page is filled with more details about the trip. The destinations page has a creative title for the trip, dates, a sentence description, price, a number to call, and a " Book Now" option. Under the large image are previous photo and next photo, which scan through several photos ranging from 8- 12 with titles underneath. No more than three colors are used for texts and vivid colorful photos have a balance of people and nature or architecture, depending on the destination. Smithsonian executes a grid system very clearly and simply. By keeping their layout simple and organized, the inquirer is given an easier ability to gather information quickly. By providing a large image at the top of each page, the customer is able to gain an insight to the trip they are considering. It is interesting to note that the options given on the side of the page consist of links such as itinerary, study leader, tour map, accommodations, etc. There is a link to print a brochure again, thereby giving two options on the same page to print a brochure. This shows Smithsonian believes they will have a greater chance of gaining a client if the client can print a tangible item to look at and study. By having a brochure one is able to see the desired trip more frequently therefore increasing the desire to make the trip happen. Smithsonian aims to create a desire in Global Life 12 people to travel through a large variety of trips, brand equity, images with people, nature and architecture, simple organized layouts, and prompts to obtain personal information. Unlike National Geographic, Smithsonian's name says nothing about what the company does. People gain knowledge of the companies objectives through its reputation. Their logo and name are simple and recognizable with its two- toned image sun. It's interesting to see their choice of a sun that is from a mythical and theological design. They obviously are using a symbolic approach to their design. When one searches on the internet for an Education Travel company, one will likely see NETC educational travel. Their tours primarily target students and teachers interested in traveling as a part of their school standards. The home page gives offers for students to save $ 300 dollars, teachers can win a free trip and even military families are given scholarship options ( educationaltravel. com). Their homepage features three pictures. One is a closeup of a smiling student, the next of a teacher standing in front of a British telephone booth ( call box) and the third, a group of students each holding artwork. The NETC tours offered are The Americas, Spain, Spain and France, Italy and Greece, Britain and Ireland, Central and Eastern Europe, Europe Combinations, Australia, Asia and Africa, Middle School Discovery and Service Learning Programs ( educationaltravel. com). NETC takes a different route with its use of initials. They explain their company below with the words " educational travel." Their image is enhanced with two bold, complimentary colors, purple and yellow in their smooth logo. Looking at the logo one gains a sense of traveling with a whimsical person whooshing around the world with their hands in the air creating a sense of excitement. Global Life 13 Professor Howard Fullmer at Utah Valley University taught the importance of designing a logo that offers resemblance to other logos in the industry. When people see the logo, they should subconsciously sense the company's goals and purposes. The look and feel of GlobalLife's logo will incorporate similarities from other travel companies, humanitarian, and nonprofit organizations in order to create a sense of gaining global experience while improving the essentials of life in the communities explored. A similar color scheme with like shapes and icons will be incorporated into my own logo to also add subliminal knowledge of the goals for GlobalLife. After spending time gaining a sense of the competition and feel of their logos I began the journey of creating the logo for GlobalLife. GlobalLife's Design Journey A logo is the visual identification of a company and needs to visually describe the company. The qualities that make a company unique and more desirable than its competitors must all be summed up in a little picture displayed at times smaller than a pinky nail. I began with inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci, who stated " Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." I strive to accomplish this goal in my design. I have also been inspired by a quotation from Rockport in the book Graphic Design that Works, " A new logo for a nonprofit group begins with a series of literal illustrations and ends with a sophisticated abstraction" ( 28). With these two quotes in mind I began as the professional says, my " literal illustrations." While discovering just how to accomplish this task, I distinguished the characteristics of GlobalLife. For one, it aims to eliminate one of the the largest costs with traveling, a place to stay. Through an exchange of a place to stay for help in building or improving the essentials of life for the family who offered their home. This trade is only possible through a connection with Global Life 14 others. In order to visually explain this aspect, I thought " What is the most genuine and representative aspect of ourselves?" I began to think of our fingers, even the term " the green thumb" felt right for the added aspect of building and growing, but then it occurred to me, the most genuine part of a human is the eyes. Eyes are the gateway to our souls; I believe you gain a sense of who a person really is simply by looking into their eyes. Now I had the challenge of describing more about the company and adding my own personality. The goal of GlobalLife is to enable people around the world to help each other and learn about each other in order to create a world full of respect, appreciation and love for all of those around us who share this earth. How could I say all that in a logo and impassion other people the same way I am enthused? And there came the image of wings. What comes to mind when you think of wings? What if you could fly? I want my company to give people the feeling of accomplishing the impossible. So many times we dream of traveling to all the beautiful places seen in magazines, movies and books but simply sigh after the idea, brushing it off as, " if only." By launching GlobalLife, people no longer will have to let those dreams go! Those who dream of flying around the world experiencing different people, cultures, and climates will have a way to make it possible. Eyes, wings and okay-- I'm starting to get a visual but it needed more. There is more to describe. How will people connect with people around the world? By helping them. The trade is simple; everyone needs help with something in their lives and everyone has a skill to share. So my travel company connects all these skills and places that are needed. The traveler chooses their destination, the project in which to use their skills, or the people to help. And in return for the help given, a place to stay, and maybe even some home cooking with new friendships gained. Global Life 15 Both the traveler and the local's lives are enriched. Now, describe this system in a logo! This connection was the hardest to represent. I pondered on the specific potential skills that could be bartered and how people can build and help one another. The connection became clearer. The most universal things for people to help people with across the world are the basic essentials of life: water, food, shelter, and I also believe education as an essential element in our world today. This stream of thought gave me the image of water and seeds which are the beginning steps in each essential of life. The breakdown of my logo felt complete and the sketching refinement was ready to begin. I gained direction and inspiration by looking at other travel companies, humanitarian and nonprofit organizations. As expressed by Graphic Designer Howard Fullmer, it's important that a logo resemble its competitors so customers can distinguish what type of company it is. While my company is not a humanitarian company, and focuses on an individual exchange, I felt it appropriate for the logo to have similar characteristics to give the idea of helping people. Common characteristics in humanitarian companies are a bird or hands illustrated with clean lines. Other humanitarian logos also tend to be one or two toned designs and most commonly blue. With the illustration of water involved, blue was the perfect color to incorporate into GlobalLife's logo. After the long process of sketching and tissue overlays, the logo was beginning to appear: simple, abstract and descriptive, just like National Geographic's. The appropriate steps were taken and a final production was complete. Friends and family were shown the logo for GlobalLife to see if it communicated what it was designed to. I soon realized it needed another Global Life 16 aspect. The idea of traveling the world needed more emphasis. So I decided to add the shapes of the western and eastern hemispheres. And there it was-- GlobalLife's logo was complete. As I read back on my description, it sounds so fast and easy! It was not-- and the hardest part was accomplishing simplicity. Leonardo's voice repeated frequently in my head, whispering " simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" and I continued to push myself more. It's always so simple to add more, but to remove elements and know what to take away is a battle that nearly overwhelms me. On the other hand, I found the most rewarding element of simplicity is when you get it right, you instantly know. After completing the logo I began the website design, an exciting project for me because I had never designed a website before. The process of depicting what goes where was fascinating because it was soon realized I had to direct people what to click on and give a strong impression of what GlobalLife is all about. I used National Geographic and Smithsonian's websites as mentors and compounded on the importance of imagery. Knowing the strength that imagery has, I chose to make my icons images, versus only words like we typically see. I want the website to translate easily to other countries around the world which reiterates the use of images. The most exciting aspect of the website is the new vocabulary developed. I'm presenting a new travel company so a new vocabulary seemed necessary to making it unique. When L. L. Zamenhof created Esperanto: the universal language, he believed a new language would help in relieving tensions and creating more peace and unity ( Lejuwaan). He used aspects from the romance languages French and Spanish, so I chose to use aspects from English and Spanish; the two languages influential to my education. Livity; the essentials of life one will help improve: water, food, shelter and education. Lovices: the people you will help and stay with. And Global Life 17 Lancions: the locations you will explore and have your adventures in. The words have similar aspects already in our language to accomplish the same goal as the logo: imply characteristics. The next important aspect of the website was the social media feed. Worldwide communication is the most powerful driving force in our current revolution and will drive the next revolution. I separate the news feed from lovice news ( the people you will help and stay with) and GlobalLife news such as information about different countries, ideas in construction ( how to build chicken coops, for example, or gardening tips, etc.) While on the social media page, the curious traveler can see very helpful links in their personal profile. I give typical links such as personal profile and help, but also include a calendar, current flights, supplies, and bookmarks. These links give each lovice the capability to plan all aspects of their trips right from the GlobalLife website. I also provide a map where you can place pins and make notes, add links to flights, projects or whatever you'd like. I want to give the ability to completely customize the page as each lovice would like. With the completed website up and running lovices around the world will have the tools needed to build a world and create a future with compassion and understanding. People around the globe will be united and able to explore the world while contributing to the places they adventure in. Conclusion My dream of enabling others to gain similar experiences of exploring the world and enhancing their lives through interaction with others and communities has been made possible through my education of Communications and Graphic Design. My Communications experience has given me confidence to gain successful connections with people while Graphic Design has given me the skills of creativity to visually connect with people. Global Life 18 The education in Communications has taught strategies needed to grow my travel company, GlobalLife. The strengths from our current era of mass communication such as the immense opportunities for advertising and marketing, and the ability to learn so much about the consumers will be techniques I will continue to pursue. With the strengths of mass communication, we also suffer from the weaknesses from loss of genuine human to human connection. This loss of wholesome connection is the most important issue I want to change for our future. By launching GlobalLife, I will have a part in helping people regain and enhance this connection all around the world. I will use the strength of mass communication and social media to create a powerful interaction of genuine human connection by enabling people to stay with others and give back to them by improving their essentials of life. People will have their lives enhanced by exploring different lands and building the lives of the people who have enabled them to have adventures. Graphic Design skills help to communicate with people visually. I have learned how to intrigue and excite people using imagery and different layout styles. Graphic design has been very valuable because it is universal. While developing a universal company it has been extremely valuable to gain the skills of communicating with language borders through visual intrigue. Using the business model of National Geographic, I have learned the importance of building brand equity. National Geographic has been a growingly successful company for over 120 years with an impact on numerous generations. They have conquered the skills of successfully communicating to people and exciting them to have passion about our planet. I will Global Life 19 strive to follow their example while launching my travel company with the same personable aspect and perfection. As theorist Marshall McLuhan emphasized, the key to peace for our future is understanding the differences between the east and west simultaneously ( McLuhan 147). With the strategies I've learned to successfully connect and communicate with others, I aim to build this understanding and create the peace for our future through GlobalLife. There is no better way to understand differences than to experience them. The joy and value of my own travels have been the most influential events in my life to create who I am today. There is a special gift received when you travel outside the comfort zone and experience life in another land while relying on the people of that land. If our world can live together and grow together we will find peace together. GlobalLife gives people the tools to create, develop and sustain this peace together for our future. GlobalLife is my immediate contribution to our world from the work I have put into gaining a Bachelor's Degree and therefore will always remain a gift. My dream for GlobalLife is to launch the website, inform others about it with the power of social media and submit it to search engine websites. Google, yahoo and msn all offer free URL submissions through their sites which I will take advantage of immediately. Plans after that will include continuing my travels and sharing the website with the new countries I plan to explore. When I meet new families and friends they too will join GlobalLife and will contribute to sharing its tool. I am excited for the future and to begin a new chapter in my life where I will give back to this world by utilizing the education I have been acquiring. My education at UVU has given me confidence and enthusiasm to dive into career paths where my journey will continue. Like my Global Life 20 journeys around the world, the excursions through my college experience has impacted my life more than words can explain. Lessons learned have been expected and unexpected, the unexpected rewards in life are the most valued. I hope to fill peoples lives with unexpected rewards through enabling them to explore this amazing world we've been given. As my father always told me, " Traveling is a continual way of learning and appreciating." Global Life 21 Bibliography ACIS. 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Publication TypeThesis
DegreeBachelor of Arts
DepartmentIntegrated Studies
School/CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Sciences
Degree Granting InstitutionUtah Valley University
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Refresh2015-11-28
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