Visual Narrative

Catalog description

Visual Narrative is an introduction to the practice of storytelling with images. From news and information to art, law, and science, visual storytelling is a critical aspect of creating and navigating contemporary culture. This course is situated at the intersection of design, art, and visual culture, focusing on relevant forms and topics including the photo essay, information design and visual explanation, the photographic sequence in contemporary art, scenario design and concept visualization. It proposes that studying and making sequential images and visual essays in a wide range of media- comics and graphic novels, propaganda, environments and installations, social media, animation, video, and digital media- are critical to understanding culture. The course immerses students in the study of narrative craft and creation of visual stories covering topics relevant to designers and photographers. Beginning with the photo series an the photo documentary tradition, the course evolves through multimedia narrative and non-narrative forms. Students will explore principles of narrative construction in design and photography through lecture, studio projects, and with presentations by visiting artists, designers, and photographers.