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1014 - Narrative in Art and Design

Freshman Foundations Level Course

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Introduction to the principles of visual narrative through various art disciplines and media in 2d, 3d,
and 4d.

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Objectives:

  • Use art and design terminology and vocabulary in written and oral communication.

  • Apply principles of visual organization to finished projects utilizing a variety of visual art media, ranging from traditional to emerging studio technologies.

  • Apply color theories and models across media in art and design projects.

  • Critically evaluate through the lens of art and design, formulate a unique artistic perspective, and apply their perspective to art and design projects.

  • Create two-, three-, and four-dimensional art and design projects that utilize linear and non-linear narratives and story storyboarding techniques.

Animation Project - Animatic

Project Overview: In this project, students will create a short animation using Photoshop that brings their own storyboarded narrative to life. Starting with detailed storyboards that outline the key scenes and sequences, students will animate these panels to create a visually engaging flow. They will then add sound effects and/or narration to enhance the story, resulting in a completed animatic that demonstrates their skills in storytelling, timing, and sound integration.

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Project Objectives:

  1. Develop & Strengthen Storyboarding Skills: Create clear, detailed storyboards to map out the animation’s flow, key moments, and visual pacing.

  2. Develop Animation Proficiency in Photoshop: Learn and apply Photoshop’s Video Timeline tools to transform static images into animated sequences with smooth transitions.

  3. Enhance Audio-Visual Integration Skills: Select and synchronize sound effects and narration to complement and enrich the animated visuals, adjusting audio levels for clarity.

Illustration Project - Single Page Narrative

Project Overview: This project involves creating a detailed, single-panel, full-page black-and-white illustration. The illustration should be fully realized, with no visible sketch marks, and should convey a story or emotion through visuals alone—without text or color.


Project Objectives:

  • Develop Narrative Skills: Illustrate a moment in time that encapsulates a larger story or emotion, drawing the viewer into the narrative without words.

  • Develop Compositional & Detail skills: Use line, shape, value, space, and figure/ground relationships to create a balanced, striking image that draws attention to key elements.

  • Refine Technical Skills: Create a finished piece that’s clean and detailed, showing proficiency in ink and shading techniques to evoke texture, depth, and mood.

  • Creative Problem-Solving: Generate a unique interpretation or character and refine preliminary sketches, working through compositional and visual storytelling challenges.

Illustration Project - Multi-Panel Narrative

Project Overview: This project focuses on creating a multi-panel, full-page illustration in color, using a minimum of four panels to convey a story. The artist is encouraged to choose any subject matter, character(s), or scene and to incorporate text as an integrated part of the composition.

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Project Objectives:

  • Develop Sequential Storytelling Skills: Learn to structure a narrative across multiple panels, creating a sense of progression, continuity, and pacing.

  • Develop Compositional skills and Use of Color Theory: Use color, line, shape, value, and space to enhance the visual impact and mood of the illustration, while integrating text to guide the viewer's experience.

  • Explore Character and Scene Development: Invent or depict characters/scenes that convey emotion, personality, and story in a visually compelling way.

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