1014 - Narrative in Art and Design

Freshman Foundations Level Course

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

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.

Project Objectives:

Develop & Strengthen Storyboarding Skills: Create clear, detailed storyboards to map out the animation’s flow, key moments, and visual pacing.
Develop Animation Proficiency in Photoshop: Learn and apply Photoshop’s Video Timeline tools to transform static images into animated sequences with smooth transitions.
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.

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.