Symbol, Icon & Index
To Do This Week
read: Symbol, Index, Icon
Journal
After reading the short explanation of the terms symbol, index and icon, explore the works below and choose one work to view/read in depth. In your blog post, reflect on the role of symbol, index and/or icon in the story's presentation. How does the type of sign and/or system of signs help in the narration or presentation of the story? How might you use different types of signs in your own project?
Class
Watch Video Narratives...
Late work. Let me know in Slack when and if you complete work!
Hypermedia Narrative: 10% — DUE TBA
Digital stories created by and for a computer environment can include non-linear navigation, direct access to data, stored data in databases, variables, conditionals, search, interface design, random and parallel processes, hyperlinks and other forms of user interaction or “agency.”
“Hypermedia” refers to linked media. Hypermedia can be a linear or directed path of links — for example, from text, to image to video — like pages in a book. A work of hypermedia can also present a network of links — branching or open — where repetition of story elements are part of the experience of navigation.
In this assignment you will explore the possibilities of storytelling using any of the above computational processes. This is an exercise that might be the start or framework of a larger idea that can develop further as a final project.
- Your Twine project must begin with the project Title and Your Name.
- Your project must involve user choice and interaction. Please don't create a single link in each passage that proceeds in a linear sequence.
- Your Twine project may be a game, but it must also be a story that considers storytelling techniques discussed in class — character, events, plot, setting.
- If you have images or other media files, export ("Publish to File") your Twine project to a folder (the folder name should include the project title and your last name) and name your Twine HTML file index.html. The folder name and all files should be lowercase. If you do not have media, then your exported Twine file name should include your last name and the project title. Upload the folder or file to the server and link to this in a blog post. If you do not have access to the DTC server, then send me a Zip file trough Slack and I will return a url you can use in a blog post.
Twine
- Twine — download is better than using Twine online!
- Twine template (ZIP) — this is a zip containing both the simple and advanced templates discussed in the video. Just import the two HTML files into Twine and play around. Also, you can click the HTML files in this folder to test them in a browser and see the image.
- Twine template with media and (ZIP) — this template includes more advanced techniques for adding background images, sounds, music, etc.
- Example Twine: The Tiniest Room
- Harlow 3.33 — programming examples
- A Good Guide for more advanced stuff
Twine Stories for Inspiration
- With Those We Love Alive, by Porpentine
- “Even Cowgirls Bleed” by Anna Anthropy: http://scoutshonour.com/cowgirl/
- “Magical Maiden Madison” by Christine Love: http://scoutshonour.com/madison/
- “Arcadia” by Jonas Kyratzes: http://www.jonas-kyratzes.net/arcadia/arcadia.html
- “Conversations with My Mother” by Merritt Kopas: http://mkopas.net/files/conversations/conversations.html
- Howling Dogs
Final Project — 30%
The final project may be a significant reworking of a previous project or a new idea and direction. You may also work on a group project (maximum 3 per group) with my approval. The requirement for the final project is that you incorporate typographic, visual, hypermedia elements and that you work on story structure.
Final Project Rubric
You get an A if your digital story...
- demonstrates an understanding of narrative structure: plot, character development, recognition/reversal, twist (kishotenketsu), climax/resolution, open database structures, etc.
- considers typography as an expressive narrative element
- uses design elements (imagery, color, type, layout) to create/support narrative context (genre, setting, character, backstory)
- uses "closure" between images and between images and text to create interest and imaginative projection in the reader/user
- has thoughtful interaction design (linear sequence-slides, comics panel layout, hypermedia/hyperlinks, branching structure, scroll etc.) with navigation that is clear, yet also in support or integrated with the narrative purpose
- is proof-read, checked for errors in grammar, spelling and code
- has complete content and is finished
- includes an artist statement with the blog post and/or in the work itself
a B if your digital story...
- Any work that is deficient in one of the above criteria
a C if your digital story...
- Any work that is deficient in two of the above criteria
an F if your digital story...
- Any work that is deficient in three of the above criteria
PAST STUDENT WORK
- class projects
- bethany-dubeck-narrative
- 2084 — Ross Griffus
- Bed Bug — Holly Slocum
- The Betrayal — Bryn Kristi
- Into the Woods — Tyler Frazier
- Conscious Rain — Haley Zach
- Escape: A Refugee Story — Madeleine Brookman
- Appleseed, Brianna Savage
One-on-one Zoom meetings
Hypermedia Story — DUE TBA Workshop...