MMAM（FTP） Meeting on 6 December 2023 to discuss the pitch to RD8

MMAM ( FTP ) Meeting on 6 December 2023 to discuss the pitch to RD 8

Present:

Gela Nathaniel, Jonathan Danners, Alyson Lang, Ludya Parak, Jem Badhuri, Patrick Bright

Apologies for absence:

Cameron Wesley

Notes taken by:

Patrick Bright

Agenda:

Discussion of roles

Research into RD 8 and cloud solutions Ideas! Ideas! Ideas!

Gela began by assuring everyone the roles she’s given us will not be changed and that when we’re out of our comfort zone it’s an opportunity for learning and growth. If we think we’ve been given the wrong role, it’s something we can bring up in our long essay.

Gela asked us to present our research. Jem volunteered to go first. She spoke at length about another area of RD 8’s business: binaural sound, which she studied on a course recently. Apparently it’s a complex mix of sound waves that are so precise and intense they can make you feel things – a science called ASMR (I looked it up and it stands for ‘autonomous sensory meridian response’). Jem played us some YouTube videos, so it’s a proper thing. Binaural sound is recorded using a microphone shaped like an eye-less human head on a stick. Downright creepy, if you ask me! Young Jem had more to say, but Gela suggested we move on to the actual project.

We spoke about ‘cloud solutions’ and what it actually means – put simply, computerised things that happen automatically, not on your laptop or phone, but in the atmosphere. There are locations for the storage, but it uses old-fashioned radio waves too. I have to admit I really am none the wiser, even after it was explained several times. My technological know-how extends only to whether a button I press works or not. All credit to the others, who grasped it immediately. I think the younger generation is just more attuned to this sort of thing.

RD 8 have been around since the Second World War and developed technology for walkie-talkies, guided missiles, pagers and microwave ovens. However, in recent years they moved into secure payment transactions. So when you tap your card to pay for a meal, you can bet RD 8 had a hand in whatever device the waiter is holding.

Gela then tried to explain how RD 8 have made further advances in security that mean businesses all over the world can exchange money over the cloud. This technology will be launched by the company to its clients at an event in May. That event is what we are creating an installation for. Luckily we’ll hear all this from the horses’ mouths when we do our pitch.

Next we threw around some ideas relating to technology things. Jem suggested binaural experiences for the guests, with a blackout room where they could immerse themselves in sound alone, delivered through special headphones where ASMR recordings could be played to them. Alyson felt we could move away from technology completely. Her idea was that we half-paint a large canvas with our designs, then give each guest an apron, a paintbrush and some paints, so that every one of them has a hand in completing the picture. I should have said before, the company’s brochure is entitled ‘Completing the Picture’. Ludya said we could leave the wall blank and the guests can start the picture as well. I suggested a one-handed game. This got some laughs, until I explained: everyone will have a champagne glass in one hand, so we could make an electronic game they can play with the other. RD 8 make remote controls and the like, so I would hope they’d have a game somewhere people could play. Jonathan mentioned an exhibition that came to his gallery, where each frame was empty and artwork was projected onto it. The art was created by a computer out of every painting that had been fed into it. Gela said that as it had already been done, we didn’t really want to go there. Ludya said she was at an Albanian wedding where they had a tunnel that the guests walked through to get to the ballroom. We could have a tunnel leading into the room where the event will be held, so guests feel they are walking into ‘ RD 8 land’. Jonathan suggested a chronological journey, starting with abstract designs of radios, planes and missiles, then moving on to credit cards, as if the guest is being drawn through the history of the company to the present day.

Finally Gela said that was exactly what she hoped we’d do. Use everyone’s ideas to create an exciting presentation for the client, which we will spend the rest of this week rehearsing and refining.

We ended by discussing what we’d wear to the pitch – whether creatives are expected to don suits and ties or something more relaxed. Gela suggested wearing what reflects our personality, but also makes the client feel confident that we are on the same page as they are. She said appearances are crucial, and that reflecting your client can mean they choose you over someone they see as less like them.

The meeting ended at about twelve-thirty.

Doodle message group [Private] Jem and Patrick, 6 December 2023:

Jem Badhuri

You didn’t put anything in your notes about the argument.

Patrick Bright

I messaged Gela and asked if I should. She said no.

Jem Badhuri

But if her behaviour isn’t documented, then she can’t be judged on it. No one should get a better grade just because Gela doesn’t want anyone to fail the course.

Patrick Bright

It’s exciting, no? The project. Designing something for a real event. I feel buoyant about it. We all had something to contribute. I hope they don’t use anything I said – it was the ramblings of a dullard in comparison!

Jem Badhuri

What did *you* think of my ASMR idea?

Patrick Bright

It was ace, Jem! I’ve never heard of ASMR or binaural recording, but it ‘sounds’ amazing. You never know, perhaps RD 8 would like to see it in the installation. You can always ask at the pitch meeting.

Jem Badhuri

I have every intention of asking at the pitch meeting.

Doodle message group MMAM ( FTP ), 11 December 2023:

Hannah O’Donnell

Hello MMAM s! Just to say good luck for your pitch tomorrow. Has everyone got transport to RD 8? Gela asked me to post a reminder to share cars and travel together, where possible.

Jem Badhuri

Patrick is driving me. Hannah, can I fix a meeting with you about something personal? It’s about another member of the group.

Hannah O’Donnell

Of course. Send me an email at the admin address, please, Jem.

Doodle message group [Private] Alyson, Ludya, Jonathan and Gela, 11 December 2023:

Ludya Parak

Jem has asked Hannah for a meeting ‘about another member of the group’.

Gela Nathaniel

I’ve briefed Hannah on what happened yesterday. She’ll deal with it.

Ludya Parak

Could I get dumped from the course, when I’m the victim?

Gela Nathaniel

That won’t happen. Jem is on a learning curve. She’s not used to working as part of a team. Her family life is all about her. Her BA degree was all about her. We all learn at some point that we’re not the centre of the universe; she’s just learning a bit later than usual.

Alyson Lang

Gen Zs – love ’em, full of bolsh. Jem’s fine, she has the skin of a rhino.

Ludya Parak

She’ll be fine? What about me, FFS ?

Gela Nathaniel

Her idea was totally in line with the company’s business and her skillset.

Alyson Lang

I thought it was good.

Jonathan Danners

Me too. Better than my idea and Patrick’s put together.

Ludya Parak

RD 8 are in the business of connections, communication. They are all about bringing people together. The immersive installation at their launch party should be a collective experience that unites the audience. That’s why they’ve chosen a group of ARTISTS on an ART course to devise and construct it. Jem’s idea was EXCLUSIVE. The exact opposite. Headphones, blindfold, an internal experience … it meant sending people away into their own worlds. Alone. I don’t care how amazing binaural ASMR is, it doesn’t bring people together.

Jonathan Danners

I get it, but is that the hill you want to die on? Arguing with Jem?

Ludya Parak

Argh! No. Just so tired!

Gela Nathaniel

The RD 8 panel will decide. If they don’t like our main idea, then we can pitch the others.

Ludya Parak

True. Clients go gaga over the very thing you only mentioned to fill up time.

Jonathan Danners

What are the RD 8 people like, Gela?

Gela Nathaniel

As you’d expect. Straight. Corporate. Unreadable.

To: Hannah O’Donnell

From: Jem Badhuri

Date: 11 December 2023

Subject: Ludya

Dear Hannah,

As you suggested, I’m putting my complaint in writing. It’s about the way me and my work are dismissed. Ludya in particular was scathing about my ideas in the pitch prep meeting. She got very heated – far in excess of the situation. Patrick didn’t include in his notes everything that happened.

My ideas are excellent and they incorporate leading-edge technology of the future, but it’s so difficult to be heard on this course. It’s as if what I say counts for nothing. I’d like to submit a formal complaint about it now, in case this sad situation continues and I have to escalate things beyond MMAM to Central admin.

Best wishes,

Jem

Doodle message group [Private] Gela and Hannah, 11 December 2023:

Hannah O’Donnell

As you said, Jem has put her complaint in writing.

Gela Nathaniel

What exactly is her complaint?

Hannah O’Donnell

As far as I can tell, her voice not being heard by the rest of the group.

Gela Nathaniel

Did she mention that she threw a chunk of clay and hit Ludya square between the eyes?

Hannah O’Donnell

No. Are you serious? That’s unbelievable.

Gela Nathaniel

Ludya had a clay stain, in a perfect circle, slap-bang in the middle of her forehead.

Hannah O’Donnell

That’s classed as physical assault, I’m afraid. Was Ludya hurt? Shall I oversee her complaint?

Gela Nathaniel

She won’t be making a complaint. Luckily, it was soft and unfired. Jem was just making a point. We had a chat. Ludya doesn’t want the aggro, and I don’t blame her.

Hannah O’Donnell

OK, well, best of luck for your big client meeting. Hope nothing like that happens there.

Gela Nathaniel

Don’t even joke about it.

To: Gela Nathaniel

From: Mae Blackwell, RD 8 Systems Ltd

Date: 12 December 2023

Subject: Thank you

Dear Gela and the MMAM team,

It was a pleasure to meet with you today and discuss the launch of our new Integrated Cloud Exchange System ( ICES ) scheduled for next summer. Listening to the ideas that we have sparked in your students was delightful. We are very happy for you to focus on our company heritage, provided there is equal emphasis on the future, where this product will essentially be positioned.

Your entire team impressed us with their vision for the fabric time-tunnel that will lead our visitors through the company history. However, we were especially taken with Jemisha Badhuri. Her idea for the ASMR experience and interactive sculpture of a binaural microphone demonstrated a perfect blend of past, present and future. The sensory aspect – to unite sight, sound and touch – is absolutely what we, as rather dull computing specialists, particularly enjoy! If only smell and taste could be incorporated too, but we will rely on our wonderful catering contractor for that!

While Jem explained her vision, we noted the reluctance of the rest of the team to commit to it within budget. We have since made some enquiries and I’m happy to report there’s a solution. Our company has an archive storage facility in rural Somerset called Thorney Coffin, which, despite the name, is in a very beautiful location. They store documents, prototypes, plans, research, etc., but also collect, restore and curate a great many examples of historical communications equipment in a fascinating private museum. I can make a few phone calls and book your sourcing group an appointment. At the very least it will provide information and inspiration for the historical aspects of your design, and I’ll ask if they have any authentic items that you might like to incorporate in the installation.

We understand you’ll start work after the Christmas break, so we look forward to liaising with you from then on.

With thanks and best wishes, Mae Blackwell

Doodle message group [Private] Jonathan, Gela, Alyson and Ludya, 12 December 2023:

Jonathan Danners

So much for Jem toeing the party line.

Alyson Lang

I admire her. Can’t help it.

Ludya Parak

She’d better not change the entire direction of the project, Gela.

Gela Nathaniel

She won’t. It’s annoying, but Mae and I get along. I’ll have a quiet word.

Doodle message group MMAM ( FTP ), 12 December 2023:

Gela Nathaniel

Well done, everyone! You were all fantastic. I’ve had hugely positive feedback from Mae that includes an invite to the company’s private museum! Now it’s the holidays: rest, relax and recharge your batteries ready for an exciting spring term, when you’ll have the chance to explore unfamiliar mediums on an individual basis as we work on the final project together. I’ll see you all on 9 January. In the meantime, Happy Christmas to those who do … happy holidays to those who don’t. Gela x

Jem Badhuri

Thanks, Gela. Just want to thank the group for supporting me in presenting my vision to RD 8.

Patrick Bright

They loved your idea to the moon and back, Jem. Well done.

Alyson Lang

Well done.

Jonathan Danners

Great, congrats.

Ludya Parak

See you all 9 January.

Cameron Wesley

RD 8 store old shit purely for the tax benefits they get as curators of national heritage. Ditto supporting educational establishments – i.e. us. Merry Crimbo.

Message group: 2024 Examiners, 30 May 2024

Ben Sketcher

Did all the students submit their final essay in person?

Tilda Ricci

They did. It’s a requirement of the course – of any course here – that final-grade written work is submitted both online and in hard copy at the admin office. They have to sign a disclaimer that the work is theirs. Practical work is submitted via the technicians.

Ben Sketcher

And if their circumstances mean they can’t be there in person?

Tilda Ricci

They can apply for special consideration, either in advance or in retrospect, if, for example, they have a car accident on the way.

Ben Sketcher

When they handed their long essays in, did you see each and every one of the MMAM students yourself?

Tilda Ricci

No, Gela did. She did the relevant paperwork in the admin office. Why?

Ben Sketcher

There are bizarre discrepancies between what the students say on Doodle and what they write in their final essays. I’ve broken up and inserted sections of these essays, so you can see what I mean.

Tilda Ricci

I wouldn’t expect the essays to be identical on every point. People are so very different. Not to mention the fact they know they are being marked.

Ben Sketcher

Sure. But you wouldn’t expect accounts to differ on whether one of the students disappears or not, would you?

Tilda Ricci

No. Indeed.