F A S H I O N T H E
05 MUST-HAVE WINTER JACKETS
DESTINATIONS
Top 3 city breaks for a weekend away
GIFT GUIDE
The Ultimate M&S holiday hamper TECH SHOPPING
How AR is changing how we buy
01 reflection
FIGURE 1: Feedback email to teammate using the Sandwich Method.
LETTER FROM
As an editor, a fundamental skill for success is communication (Indeed Editorial Team, 2024; Bradford, 2014). In my role, I was mindful of the potential to upset my teammates’ feelings when providing feedback. To ensure I collaborated with my team professionally, I used the Sandwich Method when sending feedback and addressing concerns. This technique involves starting with positive feedback, addressing areas for improvement in the middle, and concluding with encouragement (Procházka, Ovcari, and Durinik, 2020). This method allowed me to provide thoughtful, well-structured responses that balanced constructive criticism with praise (Procházka, Ovcari, and Durinik, 2020), motivating my team to meet deadlines without compromising quality (See Figure 1).
Creativity is another important skill because it allows an editor to approach articles with a fresh perspective (Pires and Varajão, 2024). For example, one of the pieces I had to edit contained a couple of long paragraphs that made the article dense with written information. According to Nielsen and Nielsen Group (2013) chunking information into smaller, digestible segments improves readability and enables easy skimming, the preferred method of reading online (Morgan, 2010). Using this principle, I suggested to my teammate to restructure the content into clearer sections integrating imagery throughout.
This not only enhanced the flow but also made the article more engaging and easier to navigate for our audience (Morgan, 2010). Overall, this experience enhanced my personal development by teaching me the importance of effective communication and creativity, both in teamwork and problem-solving.
02 Print
BEYOND THE SCREEN:
How Augmented Reality is Transforming Your Shopping Experience
Augmented Reality (AR) is everywhere, but what is it? Put simply, AR merges digital elements, like images, sounds, or information, into physical environments, creating an interactive experience. Imagine being able to try on that new top you wanted without even having to set foot in store? AR makes that possible.
BY: JULIA BULLEN CONTENT CREATOR
Although the concept isn’t that new, the launch of the Pokémon Go app in 2016 propelled AR into popularity. Fast forward to today, AR is being used in more than just games, its changing how we shop, engage with brands, and even how make decisions. So why is AR booming? Each year technology becomes smarter and more accessible, and combining this with Gen Z’s growing desire for entertainment and personalisation it’s the recipe for success. I don’t know about you, but constantly being bombarded with static ads or scrolling through endless pages of tops that all look the same drives me mad. I’ve even started to tune them out entirely, swiping straight past them without a second thought. Using AR is a fresh way for brands to create experiences that will make you want to stop and engage. One of the coolest things about AR is it transforms traditional shopping into an experience where you can actually try on products without even having to leave the house.
“AR allows individuals to be present in the world but hopefully allows an improvement on what’s happening presently.”
- Tim Cook, CEO of Apple
Take makeup, for example. Sephora has introduced a Virtual Makeup Artist on its app that lets you virtually try on different makeup products, providing you with shade matches, and personalised product recommendations. The same goes for hair colour: Garnier has introduced an AR feature that eliminates the guesswork, letting you see exactly how that bold shade of red will look on you. It’s not just beauty brands: over the last few years social-media platforms have also started to jump on this trend. For instance, H&M partnered with Snapchat launching a digital party collection through an
interactive filter that allowed users to try the collection on before the physical products launched later that year. This approach was a hit because it built excitement for the collection, allowing customers to explore it in real time, while creating a fun and exclusive way for them to engage with the brand. We are also starting to see AR change how we shop for home goods. Ikea is a stand-out example of this using AR to help customers visualise how furniture will look in their homes.
Making a more expensive purchase like a new wardrobe is a big deal and getting it wrong is inconvenient. When shopping online with Ikea you can scan a QR code linked with each product to view it virtually. You can even place pieces of furniture in your room to see how they fit, what they look like in your space, and whether they match the vibe you’re going for. These three examples alone show just how effective “try before you buy” features can be in bridging the gap between the digital environment and the in-store experience, allowing you to see how the product looks in real-time. So, when you finally go to click “buy,” you’re confident in your choice.
But why stop there? AR has the potential to revolutionise other industries too. Imagine this, you’re shopping for a new car and start your search online. After 20 minutes, you’re bored, and every car starts to blend together. Now, picture this, if AR were part of the experience, you could hold up your phone and see the car appear right in your driveway. You’d be able to customise the colour, explore the interior, and even see how it fits in your space, all in real-time.
Suddenly, car shopping becomes exciting, interactive, and completely personalised. What makes AR unique is how it merges the convenience of online with the desire for the tactile experience brick-and-mortar shopping provides. By making the purchase process more intuitive and customised, AR instils confidence in the decision-making process. Nowadays, it’s not just about seeing a product, it’s about experiencing it. These examples show that AR is not just a trend, it’s the future of shopping. Whether it’s experimenting with new styles, planning the perfect room layout, or simply finding ways to connect with brands on a deeper level, AR is transforming how we shop, and it’s only just getting started.
03 online
Access Here: https://fashion-social.com/2024/12/10/the-top-3-cities-for-an-ideal-weekend-escape/
Access Here: https://fashion-social.com/2024/11/25/the-ultimate-ms-christmas-care-package/
04 social
Access Here: https://www.instagram.com/thefashionsocial.york/
Carousel format
APPENDIX
Screenshot of my Pinterest Board showing the inspiration for some of my report design.
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