As a content creator, I always want to create materials that have meaningful impacts on the society. While doing an MA in content creation at Nottingham Trent University, I came to the realisation that I needed to push myself and try something new. I want to be the inspiration! That’s why I created my project, “Highlight Yourself”.
1. Reason
I believe one of the biggest global challenges today is social media. While it offers many opportunities, it also has negative effects—especially on self-esteem. Social media can lead to comparison, seeking validation through likes, comments, and even cyberbullying, all of which can impact mental well-being, causing anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
As a content creator, I’ve experienced this first-hand. Hate comments have been one of the biggest obstacles in my creative journey. Here are some examples from my own videos. They affected my confidence, but I didn’t let them stop me. Instead, I asked myself: “How can I make a positive change?”
I believe creativity has the power to raise awareness and influence people to use social media in a healthier way.
2. Inspiration & My Project: Highlight Yourself
The word highlight means to emphasize something important. In makeup, it enhances natural beauty. My project plays on this idea. I will create a CGI video featuring myself and others interacting with a giant highlighter—symbolizing the message:
“We all have our own beauty. Instead of changing ourselves to fit in, we should focus on highlighting our natural beauty and embracing confidence.”
The video will be uploaded on TikTok and shared across YouTube and Instagram. I chose TikTok because it offers a higher chance of going viral. I will also use the hashtag #HighlightYourself to track engagement and inspire more people to join the movement.
Here is my storyboard for the video:
I chose Blender as my main equipment on this project. I’ve learned about how to draw a 3D highlighter and make it move on my video.
Basically, everyone in my video is interacting with the giant highlighter, touch it and being happier.
3. Vision to Visual
First draft of my idea
The video will be uploaded on TikTok and shared across YouTube and Instagram. I chose TikTok because it offers a higher chance of going viral. I will also use the hashtag #HighlightYourself to track engagement and inspire more people to join the movement.
4. Project wrap-up
I made a YouTube video that sums up all the stages of this project. It was hard to show how I really felt while working on it, but I’m proud of what I achieved.
A week to finish my project
5. The result
Here is the final video I’ve done so far