Module 14

Storytelling: Telling Stories with Visuals

Did you ever sit through a bad movie or read a poorly written novel because you were compelled to find out what happened at the end? Stories keep us engaged because they spark our curiosity. We must find out how the protagonist fares and we can’t stop watching, reading, or listening until we know. Stories are also captivating because they touch our emotions. If we feel empathy for the characters, we experience the pain of their struggles and the joy of their successes.

For generations, people have been using the allure of stories to pass on knowledge, skills, and wisdom within communities and cultures. Stories help us make sense of the experiences we have and to learn from the experiences of others. This prepares us for unexpected events that may occur in the future.

In this module, we will learn how to convey a narrative using a combination of images and words. You will see how to use visual language to bring stories to life.

Goals and Outcomes

Goals

During this module, students will:

• be exposed to the ideas on using visuals to tell stories
• understand how to make a narrative more effective.

Outcomes

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• identify the impacts of visual storytelling
• design a visual story
• use visuals to make a narrative more effective.

Selected Readings

Required

• Chapter 15 from the following book:
  Malamed, C. (2015). Visual design solutions: Principles and creative inspiration for learning professionals. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Recommended

• https://www.brainpickings.org/2011/10/25/visual-storytelling-gestalten/

“To Do” List

Before and After #13: Storytelling

In this assignment, you would create a visual that tells a story useful in your profession. (Note: For this assignment, you don’t need to identify any “before” image/graphic.)

Outcomes

After completing this assignment, you will be able to:

• identify the impacts of visual storytelling
• design a visual story
• use visuals to make a narrative more effective.

Instructions

1. Identify an instance, such as a lesson/event/topic/story, in your profession.
2. Create a file (1200 x 1800 pixels, 72 Pixel/Inch) with Adobe Photoshop to convey that instance using a combination of images and words by complying with visual design principles introduced in previous modules and Chapter 15.
3. Upload your image, including JPG and PSD files, onto a Weebly page.
4. In a paragraph (between 200 – 400 words), describe explicitly what visual or design principles you followed in your work.

Submitting and Posting

1. 1. To submit your work, post URL of your Weebly page to the corresponding link under Submissions inside Moodle before 11:59 p.m. U.S. EST/EDT on the following Monday.

on the following Monday.

Grading

Your work will be graded based on the following requirements:

• The image complies with visual design principles introduced in previous modules and Chapter 15 (4 pts).
• The narrative description is provided and it explicitly examines visual design principles introduced in Chapter 15 (2 pts).