Graphic Narrative: Adjustments

To complete my graphic narrative to a higher quality I have added bold pops of colour have a bigger impact on the audience. The completed narrative with colour is here :

Graphic Narrative : Statement of intent 2

Graphic Narrative : Song research

I have researched multiple songs whilst looking of the one to feature in my narrative and a few stuck out from the crowd. Mostly within the country and folk genre as the most meaningful lyrics that i believe told a story the songs I have found are :
 Concrete Angel- Martina McBride
BriBry- Child
Marie Digby- Miss invisable

All these songs faced topical stories featuring emotional characters that could easily be portraited but i chose Child by BriBry. This tracks the story of a father trying to be there for his son whilst growing up.

Graphic Narrative : Evaluation

To analyse the work that I have done I will complete questions per each section debating the use if text, imagery, colour and will include things such as the Hierachy of information and tools and techniques. To complete this I will finish with the evaluation questions.

Use of colour: Bold or subtle ? Limited colour palette or many colours? why do you think the use of colours is successful( explain why) ? 

The use of colour within my graphic narrative and in this image is basic but bold. All the colours included within the greyscale that has firstly been created by the hand drawn imagery but has later been added to all photography through Photoshop techniques. This colour creates a poignant and interesting atmosphere to the images as it has clear connotations dull ness or death. These connections can that the lyrics maybe be from a father who has lost their son and is looking back on what they should have done creating a senario where the life has been taken from the image so the colour has drained to. The mixture of a bold background as a clear statement of the boldness of the song but has the small emotional touches that can be seen through the subtle features such as the light shading seen mostly within the frame and the photography this two opposites shows the harsh reality along with the loving emotions. This song can also be perceived in another light as as a dad looking into the future and seeing memories that are yet to happen, so people are yet to bring love and life to them which is often represented through colour. The limited colour palette I feel has helped express this as the lyrics can bring meaning so has the colour as its rooted connection to the song creates a realistic story. This I think could have possibly been improved by adding colour either dark colours or by possibly adding bold colour blocks, I have trailed this through experimentation but this seemed to sit within the artwork to have any real connection to the story or song lyrics. Overall, the use of greys and black throughout the narrative has successfully created a story that you can empathise with whether you as the reader see's either of the two optional themes as the colour may yet to be added or has been removed. This has created a piece that can divide views in the way that any story does as each person will add their personal experience to decode the story. 

Use of text : choice of typeface( font), scale, colour? Does this reflect the theme well ( explain why) ? 

in each of my slides I have used various fonts depending on the situation surrounding it, the most effective example example of this is within the second page. This is due to the specific font selected to create the realistic effect that I wanted so that the font will be highlighted but will also sit within the image. I do not know the specific name of the font used but it was altered multiple times to fit and sit onto the trophy this was not only done with the use of shadow and embossment but also by finding the correct angles. The font size is altered to exadurate certain points just like on a real trophy where the title they have one will sit above the rest on the her achy of information  after this will be the year and then with the opening. This has been to done to fit within the lyric where the father wants to win the title "father of the year" as stated on the trophy. This has been done in the way that smallest text is a simple size 14 and then the largest seen as " father" is the largest at over 70. This has created a realistic structure to the piece as to text sits into the scale of the image whilst still remaining at the top of the heir achy of information. The colour of the text was kept to the overall hand drawn effect of the black and white colour scheme. I think this does keep to the overall effect of the image as realistic as possible because they have to sit with the idea that these photos are within this one dimensional world as they hold the emotion. So the font was kept basic but does still draw attention. 

Use of imagery: Does this reflect the theme well? Is the imagery abstract or realistic? Is it hand drawn, computer drawn or photographic? If photography has been used, how has it been manipulated? In your opinion, should more/less imagery have been included ( explain why)? 

The  overall idea for this assignment is to take words and to use them for the story or inspiration to create a picturesque graphic narrative. I think I have achieved this within child as this has been completed to the best of my ability through the use of imagery as little text is needed to create the overall effect to see the fathers devotion to their child and the love is reflected within the theme of the overall narrative as it holds an emotional story. All the used is done within a realistic style this can be seen most in the final slide where the two styles of hand drawn and photographic imagery really comes together to tell a story. It can be seen in all of the images that the hand drawn universe accommodates these stories that are brought together with emotion breathing life within them to create this boys childhood memories. I think this was to create the point that situations are realistic due to the emotions that are tied within them. By using the two themes of art I have reflected this theme as much as possible. The photography that has been used is within this black/white/grey colour scheme as during production this fitted better but it has brought some depth to the images that highlights the details in the photography. This is seen at its most in the last slide where it accommodates most the space as a collage of the photos has been used to create a wallpaper behind the thing that started it all the camera. I think slide puts the whole story together pulling the word drawing and photos together to create the overall narrative. I think that overall the correct amount of imagery has been used to define and mold the graphic narrative as the two styles together crewe a story on their own without the text and I think this is what makes it successful. 

Hierarchy of information ( text and / or imagery) : What do you read first and why is your eye drawn to this? What is the order in which you read all of the information? In your opinion is the hierarchy in the correct order ?

The set up and hierarchy of information is very similar in very of the slides apart from the last that has been altered within most of the slides the first thing seen is the largest item which is the frame containing the photograph that tells each lyric. This is the main attraction is to the image as it is the element in which the story is created as we can see in the image above you can see this boy and how his father works as his shadow naturing and caring for him as he will throughout most of his life. To  reaffirm this will look for further information which can be seen in the feature containing the lyric in this case the bucket. In this case the lyric says straight out that the father wants to be their for his child justifying the sight in the image. These together create a story of a father and his child. The order is clear and works effectively this situation. In my opinion this is the correct hierarchy of information as the story is highlighted first although this is not the best direct route I think it is the most realistic.

Tools and techniques used : What tools/techniques did you use to create this. ( e.g. computer, handmade, pens, pencils, illistrator) 

To complete my graphic narrative I have used various tools including in my first step where pencils where used to hand draw the realistic but one dimensional world in which the story is set. This was completed with research and detail into each feature. The only exeption to this hand drawn imagery was within the last slide where a pen was used to add text this was done to highlight this section as the imagery already held so much grey. I chose pencil because of the one demensional quality it held as it emphsises the contrast between the photography and the surounding world. The photography did not need to be completed by me personally as it was openly available but it was further developed through photoshop. The whole of the imagery including the frames where taken into photoshop where any rough details where taken out including any colouration in the images and by adding a filter to the photography the images highlighted each other in the page. The last tool to be used within the process was to add any highlighted or changed text this was completed through illistrater with the help of the font choices I changed them to fit within their surrounding image. This then completed my imagery to  the standard that I was happy with. 

Conclusion 

The graphic narrative assignment has challenged my graphic knowledge by highlighting area that I could improve in for example my illstrater skills and font choices as this lacked in my final narrative. The assignment has also highlighted the skills and creative elements that I have enjoyed for example photoshop and the task of being creative. Altogether I think I have created a graphic narrative that has completed the given task within the given brief. To create my narrative I used a wide variety of graphics skills including photoshop and illstrater. I think this is what has brought my overall images together. The use of hand drawn illistrations was extracted from my inspiration for example Chris Riddell although his work is different in many ways as the illistration still holds life within in it. I think by creating this one dimensional world with hand drawing and comparing it to the realistic world of  photography it think the life it has added to the imagery is what makes the life and emotion of the story brought by the lyrics the most realistic. I think that my graphic narrative makes sense and work in sequence but I think if I was to complete it again I would make some alterations including the use of text as it could have been highlighted further and may have been clearer overall completing the story. I think that the tools and techniques that I have used are the best that I could have used although they could be improved they do make the image and overall the story. The narrative came together with little faults made so I think overall the production methods I have used where successful. Others that have seen the narrative have reacted well to the narrative although it is agreement that the font choices could have been improved. Overall the narrative has come together to form a story that is told with the emotion needed. 

Graphic Narrative : Completed Narrative timeline

This is my finished timeline this is the final stream of edited photos.

Graphic Narrative : The 1st timeline

These are the basic scanned images before any photoshop or the last slide has been completed. This is a rough finished copy. To take these further I will develop the in photoshop to the right definition finishing the look I am trying to complete. The last slide featuring the camera montaged over a selection of photography is yet to be completed but the camera will be edited first.

Graphic narrative - Sketches

To create the start of my graphic narrative I had to sketch the basic backgrounds that will frame the coloured photography of the child growing. Here is my initial sketches without the star photography that creates the story.

The last of my image was my hardest as I will place a hand drawn camera over a selection of photographs shown in a similair style to wallpaper. To draw this camera was my largest task as I beleived that it should look handrawn and not traced. Here are the few steps I took to get to my final image :

My next step is to add my photographs to create the finished timeline.

Graphic Narrative production : Graphic novel research

The book that I have chosen is :

This book shows the styles that are possible to create with graphic narrative. It starts with one basic scene of the created matt asking his wife the time and then opening the fridge, this on the first page was the typical style we rely on from a comic but then on the next page it shows you a different perspective. Madden then creates the scene multiple times using humour to show the multiple angles and styles that comics can actually take for example on one page he uses Bia tapestry but on the next he shows us the scene in a completely different style. The book throughout mostly stays in black and white colour code although there are a few colour prints they are rare. The use of this colour system could be for many reasons for example it causes drama, it is also the most stereotypical colour scheme for most comics as they used to be printed for children in black and  white newspapers that often don't use colour print. This traditional look is kept in many of the comic styles that this book is trying to represent meaning the Madden will be defeating the objective of copying other styles by using colour. 

The use of text within the narrative is limited as each page is the same scene although it does change with the perspective in certain scene there is few added words except those necessary to make the piece make sense such as adding the phrase "I thought" when the perspective had changed to his thought and feelings on the subject. The text is inciteful and gives us the needed look in some scenes to understand fully what is happening especially when the imagery is lacking such as themes shown in the book like minimalist where the scene is not clear. 

Graphic Narrative : Storyboard

To create an outline of what I want my final project to look like and to see how I could creatively create a timeline not only from the photograph's but also using the surronding area. Here is the time line I have created.

Graphic Narrative : Statement of Intent

Statement of Intent/500 words+/Images

Graphic Narrative.

Name : Sophie White

Create a clear statement of intent on which to base your Graphic Narrative. You will need to consider each question carefully and use this form to plan your ideas and possible area of interest.

You can discuss your ideas with your lecturer this week and then email Paul, pparsons@southdowns.ac.uk by the 09.02.15 (5pm) with a carefully written script idea,  (check for spelling, capitalisation and grammar!). You should aim to include and expand your answer from the starting point giving you a clear and concise plan for your Graphic Narrative.

Please answer using the blog, include images, present creatively. Also ensure that your blog is upto date (Jack ‘n’ Jill workshop, Artist review,  Artist response, ideas and storyboarding)

What Song lyrics have you selected? Why?

My main song selection is an indie song called Child by BriBry a small artist mainly known through Youtube. From this song I have chosen the first verse to use as my graphic narrative these are the lyrics I have selected :                             I’d like to win father of the year                                                                                                                      From the day you’re born till when I’m no longer here                                                                              Your number one from all                                                  I’ll take to your first ever school play                                                                                                                               If your villager 6 and you have no lines to say                                                                                         Well I’ll still be in the front row, filming for the upload                                                                             Of your big day I have chosen this song for many reasons including its emotional values as it is easy to empathise. The story that is told throughout the song is deeply emotional and has a clear outlook. The story tells us of his need to be the best father as possible this could very easily be portraited through photos.

What format will your Graphic Narrative take? (Comic, children book, illustration etc…)

My graphic novel will be a mixture of photographic imput and hand drawn illustration.  This will come in the from of hand drawn backgrounds that include a simplistic look such as it just being a photo frame and a single object. I will use older family photos for the photographic element this photos feature my older brother growing I choose these specifically as they suit the lyrics as each element slips into place.

How will you change your script to make it more modern, historical or futuristic twist to your script, illustrating a mood/style or intended target audience?

I will not change the script to make it more modern or futuristic instead I will keep the charters within the 21st century will older elements shown in a flashback manor shown through the photographs. This is bringing an another element to the script but is not straying from the main subject. The house in which these photos are being displayed are within the here and now. The intended target audience will be people that have just started being fathers themselves . This has been done mainly for the audience due to the clear references in the son. This will set the mood as emotial and empathetic this will make the characters in the narrative seem realistic espeacially as the photos are.

What designers or illustrators do you feel will influence and inspire the style you are working toward and why?

I have struggled to find an artist that has a similair style to which I have choosen although I researched various comic artists such as Marjane Satrapi and Chris Riddell. Both individual elements that were inspirational such as the illistration style that Riddell uses and the bold black and white that Satrapi uses. I think that the style that I want to do is unique as a mixes handrawn images with the colour and realistic view of photography. This is how I want my graphic design project to be completed using the hand drawn influences but also with its own unique style.

Which techniques and materials do you hope to use? List and include source i.e. collage, photographic, typography, drawings, diagrams etc…

I hope to use a mixture of photography and handrawn designs to place the photos within a house setting with connected objects. I will use photographs taken from my brothers childhood showing him through the various stages of his life. These photographs will be drawn into the same frame at different locations in the graphic narratives voice. 

Creating a Marjane starapi inspired graphic peice

I have created a hand drawn timeline using the song Child by BriBry. The peice uses the first verse of the song and follows the style of pernepolis author Marjane Starapi.. Here is what I created :

I have decided that this is not the creative direction that I want to take for my final peice and that I will now look at alternate styles. 

Research into graphic artists - Marjane Satrapi

Before creating my own graphic narrative I have carried out research into other artists that have creative styles. I have chosen to research into the Pernpolis author and artist Marjane Satrapi :

Satrapi is an Iranian born graphic novelist, illustrator, film director and children's book author most famous for her graphic novels names persepolis. The books follow a child who was born to a family of radical marxists creating a creative blend of childhood and history the book is known for being a truly unique coming of age story. 

Satrapi takes inspiration from her own eventful childhood as she faced many horrific events such as being whiteness to many family and friends being persecuted , arrested or even murdered. This shows within her art as you can feel the raw emotion of the past.  She speaks multiple language and writes book for each these languages include French, Persian, English, Swedish, German and Italian. 

Satrapi learnt most of her art from her French comic artist David Beauchard who became her mentor. From here she became a famous worldwide leading to many award nominations and wins. she has also contributed to the well known op ed section of The new york times. 

An example of work - An extract from her most popular book Persepolis

This short extract taken from the first of the two book sees the family is struggle after they are told that if the protest against the political election they could be arrested. The decision will harm their family more then most because they are part of the political system. The colour choices made by that artist for the whole novel consist of the basic Black and white apart from the colour on the front cover which is typically a block colour of red or blue . I think these colours are appropriate for the art not only do they highlight the seriousness of the issues the comic faces but they also suit the style in which the novel is presented. Another connection that could be made is that it follows the statement " in black and white" typically used when your saying something is honest and truthful just like this book is as an auto biography from the artist. Overall this use of a limited colour palette is highly successful. 

The text in this artwork shown through speech bubbles appears child like. This may have been done to exsentuate the fact that it is a childs narrative throughout the book although there are so many adult image. This childish approach  appears not only due to the speech bubbles which most children think of first when thinking about making a cartoon speak but also by the small text which appears in a basic almost handwritten font that looks likes its tried to be perfected like they are in the stage before they learn joined up writing often taught at the end of primary school. This text works well with the artwork in the manor that it fits with the basic cartoons.  All together the art fits appropriately to the story and the perspective used.

The imagery used in Persepolis has the same qualities as the text as its vivid but also childlike. The pictures appear basic but also have qualities the are complex as they show features on the people that are not typically highlighted. The cartoons are not realistic in the way that features of he people are pulled to extremes shown in the work above as hairlines are pulled back and cheekbones are severe if seen as all in the image. The face structure is basic reminding you again that this could be the kids drawings. I think the use of imagery has been successful it carried the theme same as the text that its a childs narrative that is in this harsh reality.

The hierarchy of information is hard to figure out on this piece but I think firstly it is pulled to the vivid chacters that stand away from the seeming blank background. I think this is because they are so obvious to our eye where the text is a lot smaller and basic where the images need to have the readers evaluation first. I think the hierarchy of this piece is in the correct order as we see the situation first and read into further later this is what happens when in a real life circumstance which the novel is trying to recreate. 

I think this art was created firstly by being handrawn but I do think that it has been adjusted further to create the graphic look. I think this could have been done in multitude of programmes such as photo shop or illustrator.  Overall the piece is successful as it carries out the job  of being series and telling a story whilst still reminding us that it is a child facing these terrible issues. If i was to alter anything about this piece of art myself I think I would change the text or typeface maybe to match the font shown on the cover. 

A few examples of her other work 

Interview 

Jack and Jill

To create a graphic narrative I have used the given shapes to create a version of Jack and Jill. I have stuck these images onto the given storyboard, Here's what I created :

My completed work fufills the given brief by telling the story through nothing more then the image provided. To complete this I had to use the images in creative ways so that they can be altered to change there original meaning and shape altogether this can be seen most at the beginning when we first meet jack and Jill and purely see the created face made from images such as commers and fire hydrants. By being creative you can see the different actions within the story to shown by not only the movement in what create the water but also the large explosion like images used when Jack breaks his crown. These shapes come together to form these clear images I think this makes the story effective. If I was to make any changes to my finished storyboard I think I would have carried the detail that I put in the scene where Jack is going up the hill throughout by doing this I think the story would have a clearer delivey as many of the image would be put into context. 

From this first set of image I made a creative effort to make the images abnormal and bright looking realistically like comic books. To do this I changes them using basic photoshop blending skills that allow me to add colour and blend it into the image.