Mikaela's San Giorgio – Digital Portfolio

Digital Artefact Exploration Theme: Exploring Templete Media

*AI tools were used to enhance the readability of this blog post and to ensure it aligns with the marking criteria.

For my third frame in BCM114, I explored Template Media by designing a series of Canva templates connected to my virtual human/OC, Kumere. My goal was to build upon her existing Instagram presence and experiment with whether I could share or even sell templates through her. Throughout this process, I learnt that template media can be both creative and functional, and that designing for personal meaning often leads to more authentic work.

After receiving feedback on my previous assignment, I wanted to provide more meaningful context and show stronger creative direction through Kumere as an Original Character (OC). I focused on making her more grounded and real, rather than just a digital figure. This meant thinking about how her personality, story, and design choices connected together to create a sense of verisimilitude.

My intention was to continue developing my virtual human/OC Kumere by giving her a life timeline that mirrored my own. Recently, I got engaged, so I decided to create an image on ChatGPT of Kumere getting engaged too (which I uploaded to Instagram). I thought this would help create a natural link between her online story and the templates I was designing, such as invitations and bridesmaid proposal cards.

The plan was that Kumere could promote and “sell” these templates on her Instagram, combining creativity with utility. I even imagined setting up an Etsy store to eventually sell them. This idea excited me, but when I posted the engagement image, it just didn’t feel authentic, I felt like I was playing a make-believe kids game.

At that point, I shifted my focus back to the design process itself. I began watching design and motivation videos on YouTube to inspire me, including this one below. It reminded me of something Travis said earlier this year: “The worst thing you can do for your productivity is stop ideating and iterating.”

This helped me reframe my mindset. I learnt that every version, even the imperfect ones, moves me forward.

SEE IMPACTFUL VIDEO BELOW:

I continued posting on Kumere’s page and kept exploring different creative directions, but of all the frames we worked on this session, I still think my favourite was “AI Media”. I found myself returning to it often because I really enjoyed using OpenArt to place Kumere in different scenes. It made the process of visual storytelling more engaging and reminded me why I had enjoyed creating her in the first place.

After reflecting on the youtube video, I wrote a short piece that I shared on the Discord page, reminding myself that the best time to create is when no one is watching. This helped me to rediscover my motivation and reconnect with why I love making things in the first place. Taking my feedback into account, this reflection also reminded me that creative development isn’t about producing polished outcomes, it’s about building a believable and original world for my character to exist in.

Overall, I learnt that it is okay to deviate from an original plan. When I focused on creating for myself first instead of Kumere, I ended up with templates that were more meaningful and likely more useful to others too.

Below are some of the templates I created for possible, resale – I have kept the backgrounds white as it is intended to be customisable:

In our final peer discussion, we focused on the theme “Exploring AI Media,” reflecting on how generative AI influenced our creative direction, workflows, and digital artefacts throughout the session. We also shared advice on what we’d tell our past selves at the start of the session in the hope it will help future BCM 114 students – encouraging openness to experimentation, collaboration, and the evolving role of AI in media-making.

Watch our peer discussion below:

IN BCM 114, I have learnt that authenticity and iteration go hand in hand. This helped me to value the process over perfection. My biggest takeaway is that creating for myself first not only keeps me motivated but results in stronger, more genuine designs for others.

REFERENCES:

Canva n.d., Canva, viewed 30 October 2025, https://www.canva.com.

Discord n.d., Discord, viewed 30 October 2025, https://www.discord.com/.

Etsy n.d., Etsy Australia, viewed 30 October 2025, https://www.etsy.com/au/?ref=lgo.

Kumere.ai 2025, Kumere.ai [Instagram profile], Instagram, viewed 30 October 2025, https://www.instagram.com/kumere.ai/.

OpenAI 2024, ChatGPT, OpenAI, viewed 30 October 2025, https://openai.com/index/chatgpt/.

OpenAIT n.d., OpenAIT, viewed 30 October 2025, https://openart.ai

Caleb Wojcik 2023, How To Keep Creating When No One Is Watching, YouTube video, viewed 30 October 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmLGwWHfx-k.

Brenda Cadman, Canva Verified Expert 2023, Introduction to Canva Templates (aka How to Use Canva Templates for Beginners), YouTube video, viewed 30 October 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDQEP9pv5Kw.

The Animation Reel 2023, What Is An Original Character (OC)? – The Animation Reel, YouTube video, viewed 30 October 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X19vYi5_4kc.

Fictional Journeys 2023, What Is Verisimilitude In Literary Realism? – Fictional Journeys, YouTube video, viewed 30 October 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJsjtxqzEuA.