The idea of storytelling comes up frequently in design and in writing, but what does it actually mean? The most explanation for a story would be a traditional narrative arc like you see in movies and literature, but there are additional ways of communicate something in a less direct way. As we begin this semester, let’s consider what kinds of strategies we have for adding interest to our work and explaining what our projects are about.
Topic VS. Story
Sometimes when you begin an open ended project, you might start with a topic rather than a story. Topics are big picture concepts about an idea, while a story is a more specific iteration of that topic. Positioning your work as a story rather than a topic is an easy way to add interest to your pieces and push yourself to explain what you’re actually talking about and why anyone should care.
For example:
Topic
Ikebana
Story
Contemporary ikebana artists using non-traditional materials in their work during the pandemic
Traditional Narrative Arc
A traditional narrative arc is as follows:
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A Writer's Cheatsheet to Plot and Structure
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In other words: we’re introduced to an event, the event progresses and reaches a boiling point, the event gets resolved, the main character learns something.
Non linear storytelling is where there isn’t a clear start and end. Literally, this could take the form of a“choose your own adventure” book, and in a more abstract way, it could be a story through suggestion. There’s not necessarily a narrative arc, but the story is about something that you realize through the design and content.
đź’¬ Introduce Project Fan Page
đź’¬ Storytelling
Topic VS. Story
Traditional Narrative Arc
Examples
Non-Linear Storytelling
đź““ SVGs and CSS Animations