Illustration and Visual Narrative [Project 3]

 

Illustration and Visual Narrative [Project 3: Digital Triptych]

 27 November 2023- 08 November 2023/ week 10 - week 11

Rafa Maritza Hertrian/ 0364958

Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

Illustration and Visual Narrative 

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LECTURES 

Gutters: The Invisible Messenger 

In comics, the empty space between panels, known as the gutter, plays a crucial role in conveying the passage of time and movement. Scott McCloud describes this as "closure," where readers observe individual parts but perceive the whole. 

Since comics depict static images, the gutter enables readers to mentally fill in the gaps between panels, creating a sense of continuity. Gutters act as invisible messengers, passing information through empty space. 

The reader's participation in drawing conclusions from gutters is essential for understanding the unfolding narrative. Authors influence these conclusions by employing various panel-to-panel transitions within the gutter, shaping the reader's experience of time and motion in the comic.

Figure 1.1.1 Gutters example by Scott McCloud

Transitions 

1. Movement-to-movement : transitions show basic movements occurring.

   

   Figure 1.1.2 Movement-to-Movement example

   
   
2. Action-to-action: transitions show a single subject progressing through a specific movement.

   

   Figure 1.1.3 Action-to-Action example

   
   
   
3. Subject-to-subject: transitions stays within a specific scene or idea and call for more reader involvement.

   

   Figure 1.1.4 Subject-to-Subject example

   
   
4. Scene-to-scene: transitions take place across significant distances within time and space

   

   Figure 1.1.5 Scene-to-scene example

   
   
5. Aspect-to-aspect: is unique in that it shows different aspects occurring simultaneously within the same scene.

   

   Figure 1.1.6 Aspect-to-aspect example

   
   
6. Non-sequitur: provides no logical connection between panels.

Figure 1.1.7 Non-sequitur example

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INSTRUCTION

The objective of this assignment is to apply Scott McCloud's theory on transitions to create a digital triptych, comprising three panels: one before, one during (climactic turning point), and one after a significant event. Each panel will represent a different transition type from McCloud's theory.

Referencing Scott McCloud's analysis of transitions in "Understanding Comics," you will select one panel before and one panel after the climactic turning point, surrounding a panel representing the turning point itself. Each panel will exemplify a different transition type, creating a digital triptych that showcases various narrative transitions.

• Review Scott McCloud's transitions: moment-to-moment, action-to-action, subject-to-subject, scene-to-scene, aspect-to-aspect.
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  Select one transition type for each of the three panels: before, during (climactic turning point), and after the turning point.
• Identify specific moments or elements in the narrative that align with the chosen transitions.

• Create a digital triptych with three panels that clearly illustrate the chosen transitions.
• Use any digital medium (illustration software, graphic design tools, etc.) to craft the panels.
• Ensure coherence and narrative flow between the panels, capturing the essence of the transitions selected.

• Submit the completed digital triptych via the designated platform.
• Include a brief explanation for each panel, detailing the chosen transition and its significance in the narrative context.
• Ensure that each panel distinctly represents its respective transition type.

• Understanding and application of Scott McCloud's theory on transitions in creating the digital triptych.
• Clarity and effectiveness in using each transition to depict the sequential narrative.
• Coherence and visual storytelling across the three panels.
• Artistic execution and presentation of the digital triptych.

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PRACTICAL

We were told to create 3 panels of transition from either the urban legend illustration that we have created previously or a new narrative. We have to create the main event, before the event, and after the event. I choose to use the urban legend decisive moment that I have already created since it would be more convenient looking at the time given to do this task. 

For the transition, I choose to create aspect-to-aspect transition. 

Figure 1.2.1 Transition Panel 1 process

The Idea of the first panel is to focus on the moon view to emphasize the fact that the event takes place in the middle of the forest and in the middle of the night. This adds a more mysterious feeling to the illustration. 

Figure 1.2.2 Transition panel 2 process

For the final panel I choose to create a first point of view shot emphasizing that one of the kid is almost drowning to the bottom of the water.  This is shown from the use of bubble shape that indicates that the person is almost out of oxygen. 

For both panels, I mostly copy-paste the elements from the digitalized urban legend of La Llorona that I have created in the previous task. 

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FINAL RESULT

FINAL RESULT (slides version)