ePLATFORMS

The digital tools in my work

In my work, almost every tool I use is digital, and the pace at which these tools evolve can be both exciting and overwhelming. New platforms, features and integrations appear constantly, and keeping up requires curiosity and a willingness to learn all the time. Sometimes it feels frustrating that no one can truly be a “super professional” in everything- simply because the field develops faster than anyone can master. Still, this constant change is also one of the things that makes working in media and communication so inspiring. There is always something new to explore, refine or rethink.

The most essential tools in my profession are those that require proper training and hands-on experience. At the core of my work is the Adobe Creative Cloud software suite, which I use daily for editing images, designing layouts for print and digital platforms, creating visual identities and producing video content. These programs demand practice and technical understanding, but they also offer precision that simpler tools cannot replicate. Adobe applications allow fine control of typography, color, composition and animation, which is crucial when producing professional visual communication. They form the backbone of my creative process and enable consistent quality across different channels.

Another important tool for the whole organisation is Microsoft Teams. It became essential during the pandemic, when our workplace had to take a mandatory “digital leap” into remote work almost overnight. Teams centralised meetings, quick questions, file sharing and project follow-up into one place, and collaboration became surprisingly smooth. At the same time, some disadvantages appeared: spontaneous coffee room conversations disappeared, which affected the sense of community and motivation. And while Teams lowered the threshold to contact colleagues, it also increased the amount of interruptions during the day. Teams keeps us connected, but it doesn’t fully replace the feeling of working side by side.

For external communication, Outlook email, is still the most formal and widely accepted channel. It’s great when communicating with partners, customers or stakeholders outside the organisation. Unlike messaging platforms, email allows structured, carefully worded communication and serves as a documented channel for agreements and important decisions. Even though new tools appear constantly, a well-written email still carries professionalism that no emoji can replace (altouhg I do use carefully picked emojis in my e-mails.)

Five social media tools and how I could use them

Jodel
Jodel is a hyperlocal anonymous messaging app, and although I have never used it myself, I can imagine using it as a listening tool for local sentiment—especially among younger audiences. It could help identify themes, moods or concerns circulating in a specific region. The honesty of anonymous messages can be useful, but the same anonymity opens the door to negativity and misinformation. Professionally, Jodel would be more suitable for monitoring than active engagement.

Slack
Slack could serve as a helpful tool in creative projects where fast communication is essential. Its strengths are structured channels, integrations and real-time messaging, which could reduce email overload. On the downside, constant notifications may interrupt focused work, and if channels are not maintained properly, Slack can become chaotic. Still, I see it as a potential way to speed up teamwork and keep project communication transparent.

Issuu
Issuu is a strong platform for publishing digital brochures, magazines and visual portfolios. In my field, it could be used to present annual reports or course publications in an interactive and professional way. The platform offers a polished reading experience without needing to code anything. However, the free version includes ads and limited analytics, which reduces its usefulness for deeper campaign follow-up. Despite the limitations, Issuu remains a valuable tool when aiming for a visually strong digital publication.

Google+
Even though Google+ no longer exists, I find its shutdown itself an important lesson: digital platforms can disappear unexpectedly. For professionals working with content, this means that choosing stable, widely used tools matters. Google+ could have served community-building or sharing content, but its quiet decline highlights the risk of investing heavily in platforms that don’t survive. Longevity, support, and active user bases are key elements to consider when adopting any new digital service.

Snapchat
I used Snapchat years ago, and revisiting it today shows how much it has evolved. For work, it could reach younger audiences with behind-the-scenes content, quick updates or creative storytelling. The playful tools encourage engagement, but the short-lived nature of posts makes it unsuitable for long-term communication or materials that must be saved. It also requires continuous content creation, which may overwhelm smaller organisations. Still, understanding Snapchat helps to stay connected to visual trends shaping the broader media landscape.

What makes digital applications successful?

A successful digital application is more than efficient technology. From my experience, several elements matter:

• It’s easy to use: If people can’t understand the interface quickly, they won’t return or even start.
• It’s accessible: Apps must work for people with different abilities, devices and skill levels, otherwise they unintentionally exclude users.
• It’s trustworthy: Especially in Finland, services must feel secure. Strong authentication and clear data policies build confidence. E.g. Google probably does not have it’s trust back because of Google+’s issues.
• It gives added value: A tool that only duplicates existing work rarely succeeds. A tool that solves a genuine problem usually does.
• It gives emotional experience: If an application feels pleasant to use, people use it more willingly and that alone can determine its long-term success.

Self-evaluation

This assignment helped me view my digital environment more critically and consciously. I use digital tools constantly, but I rarely stop to analyse how they shape my work or what their limitations are. Exploring familiar platforms with a more academic viewpoint made me realise how deeply digitalisation is woven into my daily routines. Digital working enviroment is one of the rapidly changing fields of modern work, but I’m happy to notice there is something that is also lasting – like email, which is a formal way of communication and also crosses organisational and platform boundaries.

Reflecting on the five social media tools also pushed me to think outside my own habits. I chose platforms that are either unfamiliar or outdated for me, and it was surprisingly useful to imagine that some of them could be used creatively despite their limitations. This made me recognise that digital competence is not only technical skill but also the ability to evaluate, adapt and rethink.

Overall, the assignment strengthened my understanding of digital tools as a whole system, and not just individual apps. It also reminded me that being a digital professional requires ongoing learning, curiosity and a bit of humility: the tools will keep changing, and so must I (although I wish to keep some traditions).