Graphic narrative evaluation

1. Graphic Narrative Evaluation

2. Use this template to help you evaluate your project.
You should give specific details about your work.
You should provide both written and visual examples to explain your project.
You should find areas to praise in your work. Be specific about why you think they are
good or why you are proud of them.
You should also find areas that could be improved. Look for areas that you could make
better if you went back to them. Be specific about what you would improve.
Add additional slides as you need to. Don’t be restricted by what is here.
Any blank slides should be deleted before submission.

3. Does your final product reflect your original
intentions?
• Compare your planning/digital flat plans/ storyboards to your final product
• I think that my planning for the project and my flat plans, both replicate the final product. As I have
looked at them very carefully and used the research that I have done in order to help with the final
product. For example I have researched the original story of the tortoise and the hare, then I have
looked at ways I could add my own outtake on it and use different Animals so that it adds my own
personal outlook on it. In my own personal story, I decided to use a killer whale and a sword fish. The
killer whale is the replacement to the tortoise as in comparison to the sword fish, the killer whale is a
lot slower. So thought that it would be appropriate to use these animals. One other aspect of the story
that I wanted to make my own was the use of Location. From the research that I found their wasn’t a
lot of fictional children’s books which have a killer whale in the story. Especially similar to mine, so I
feel I have created an original story and it has my own personal take on it. Most of the aspects in my
book are my own work, I have used real objects and rotoscoped them using the techniques which I
have learnt. This is shown on my flat plans which I have created and my planning for the project. One
specific aspect which I think works really well is the use of scenery and the background. I feel that I
have used my research to my advantage and the backgrounds are my own personal work. I have also
made the characters in my book from an actual killer whale and swordfish so that it doesn’t copy any
other pre-existing designs within the media industry. One other aspect about my Children’s book
which I think works well is the use of character positioning on my flat plans, I feel that in comparison
to my final product I think that the positioning matches the flat plans and any specific direction where
the characters are I think that they go with the storyline.

4. The picture above shows my original flat
plans and it shows the setting what I want
to base my children’s book on. As you can
see the characters in the book and the
environment all would suggest that I want
to create a book which is based in the
ocean. I essentially picked this idea because
I thought that the idea of my story is original
and the whole concept behind the book is
my own idea and has my own personal
outlook on it.
The picture above shows what my page looks
like in comparison to my original intention, as
you can see from the flat plans I intended to
create a page that showed the dimensions of a
different aspects of the ocean. This will help
with the concept and the scenery of the story
so that each section of the ocean is different. I
feel that from the proposal and the planning
which I have done my intentions are their to
be shown.

5. How well have you constructed your images?
• How well have you constructed your images? You could talk about the overall visual appearance and
well as the use of texture and colour.
• I think that I have constructed my Images sufficiently, as I have used an original, real life Image and
rotoscoped it as well as adding my own personal look to it. I think that I have constructed my Images
well because I have used the techniques which we learnt in class so that I can make my own look to a
sufficient standard. One of the other aspects I like about the way that I have created my Images is how
detailed the Sword fish is. As I feel that in comparison to the original Image that I used I think that it
was near enough identical and it still gave that cartoon/illustration look to it. I also used the shape tool
in order to get the outline of a rock so that it creates natural characteristics and makes certain areas
within the background look realistic. One specific aspect I liked is how detailed the rocks are in some
of the scenes, for example on the 4th page which I have created I think that the attention to detail on
the rocks and the whole work at the bottom of the page works really well. I used the rectangle tool in
order to get the sand at the bottom of the page and decided to use a pencil tool in order to give it
definition. One other aspect about my work which I like is the way that the Ocean contrasts with
different colours of it so that it adds definition and makes the book follow professional conventions. I
think that the visual appearance of my book looks good to a sufficient standard, for example the way
that I have used the “ Polygon Lasso tool “ in order to go around the Images so that it makes the
background look realistic.

6. As you can see from the designs that I
have created, I think that my work is
made well and to a fairly professional
standard as the background in the
images that I have created show
definition and detail to the surroundings
in the background. From the way the
characters look in the foreground I feel
that I have used my own characters and
they show my own personal style of
what a children's book should look like.
With regards to the texture and
colour of my product, I think that
the use of colours which have
been used suit the theme and the
main dimension of the book, as
the book is set in the ocean I feel
that the design itself is simple and
easy for the reader to understand.
I also like the attention to detail
on the sand or the characters as I
feel it brings the characters to life.

7. How well have you used text to anchor your
images
• You should talk about the combination of words, images and text.
• I feel that I have used the text and the Images in order to anchor them together really well. Especially
with the 7th page, where the text said “ Perhaps I should rest “ and the image at the bottom of the
page showed the swordfish sleeping under the rock. This would indicate to the reader what the
swordfish is doing, this will make it clear for the reader to understand. One other way in which I have
used good combination with the Images and texts is where it shows you the opening page where the
main point of focus is the two main characters in the page and I feel that at the top of the page the
text is linked and it makes sense for the reader. As it shows the swordfish and the killer whale in the
shot which will indicate some sort of attachment towards the reader. I think that the way I have
structured my text on the page, the majority of the images that I have used and created they don’t
clash with the text so that it is easy to understand. One other aspect which I have used is the spacing
between the texts so that it is easy to understand and read, this will make it easier for my target
audience to read and understand the whole concept of the story and the child may also learn new
words in the process. As I feel that my book is easy to understand follow, I also think that in terms of
the link with the text, words used and the Images which I have created I feel that I have created my
own book and used my own conventions so that it doesn’t copy any pre-existing children’s books or
follow any current styles out there.

8. Here’s some of the examples of how the text has anchored the Image, at the top of the page you can clearly see where it
says “ It was race day the crowd and the competitors were ready. “ On the Image you can clearly see the startup flag
and the competitors who are ready for the race. I also think the background of the Image is consistent so that the reader
won’t be confused and misinterpret the idea and plot of the story.
One other way in which my work anchors well with the image is where it says “ Bubbles was pacing himself along the
swirling currents of the ocean saying to himself, slow and steady wins the race” I feel that the Image created in the
foreground and the background are both appropriate to the text and it links well from a visual perspective. This will
allow the reader to understand the story from a visual perspective.

9. Is your product suitable for your audience?
• Reference your proposal
• Give an audience profile and describe suitability in reference to content
• The audience which I aimed my product at was the ages between 6-11, as I felt this was
the appropriate age for the books content and the writing style. I think that some of the
words which have been used in the book also reflect on this age category as it isn’t a
complex book to read and the whole plot and the storyline will be easy to understand, so
this means that the book will be appropriate for this age category. With regards to other
aspects of my audience I think that in terms of the demographics of the my audience
that I have aimed at I think that my book is appropriately fitted towards this audience. In
terms of any specific demographics to aim at I think that my book doesn’t have any as I
feel that the content in my book would appeal to anyone who reads it as it doesn’t have
any offensive content or generic stereotypes. My book also doesn’t have any content
which would harm younger audiences with explicit content. My book also doesn’t
contain any racism in it as the characters in the book are non-human. Some other
examples of why my book will be appropriate for other readers will be due to the fact
that it doesn’t contain any political agendas which may offend or harm anyone who
reads my book. Overall I think that my audience would be aimed at anyone as there is no
demographics which the book is specifically aimed at so that this will allow my book to
be suitable for everyone that wishes to read it.

10. My audience will find this content appropriate for
them as the content within the book isn’t offensive
and the context of the book and the words used don’t
offend or will cause any controversy for anyone who
reads it. As you can see from the pages that I have
created, the Images used in the book are appropriate
for my chosen audience as there is no explicit content
and the majority of the characters are suitable for my
target audience as the characters used won’t cause
Any uncomforting towards my audience.
With regards to the content used within the
book I think that it matches my target audience
which is from the ages of 6-11, I feel that the
words that have been used and the vocabulary
has been used efficiently and it is appropriate
for this age category. I also like the way the text
layout on the page this has made the book look
clear to read and it has made it follow
Professional conventions. I also feel that this
was
the appropriate plot to do for this age category.

11. What do you like/dislike about the techniques you
have used?
• Reference specific tools you used with images
• The techniques that I liked to use when creating my image was the rotoscoping task, I feel that it
allowed me to create and construct the book which I wanted to create. The way I created the
characters in the book was also used with rotoscoping, saving and cutting out the images off the
internet and attempting to add my own outlook on what I want the characters in this book to look
like, this will allow the content in my book to look like my own personal work. With regards to the
way that I have created my background any added detail, I used the shape tools in order to create the
circles and the shore line in the background and then I used the colour picker tool in order to give the
background definition and make it look realistic. One other example of what I have created and liked
about my work is the added definition onto the sand on the bottom of the Images in order to show to
the reader where the bottom of the ocean is. I used the pencil tool and set the dimension to 1, so that
it doesn’t look to thick and almost gives the sand depth of field so that it doesn’t look plain and so
that it matches the background of the Image. One final aspect of the techniques which I have used
and which I liked is the way that I used the paint brush tool in order to create the Coral’s at the
bottom of the ocean this would give my work an aesthetical look to it and it would also show my own
personal touch onto the book. However, there is one technique which I didn’t like about my work is
the way that I created the characters, I felt that I could’ve given the characters more of a certain look
to them and given them a sense of character, as I think that they do look slightly plain. So I think if I
used the pencil tool and the transformation tool it would help with the way they look and it will give
them a identity.

12. These are the tools which I used in order to create one of the pages
Seen above, I used these tools as I felt that these would be the best
way of creating my characters and the background, this will allow
My book to follow a certain aesthetic. One other reason why that I
Used these tools was to show and demonstrate the skills to a
Sufficient standard and So that it shows professional conventions
And style.

13. What do you like/dislike about how your final
product looks?
• One of the aspects about my work which I don’t like or I think
doesn’t work well is the design of one of my characters Bubbles. I
think the concept of the character works well its just the fact that I
think that the character look kind of plain and doesn’t really have an
identity. I feel that I could’ve used some of the other tools in order
to create characteristics for my character e.g. Maybe add teeth or
more facial features and add some facial expressions in each scene.
• One other aspect of the work which I don’t like is the way that my
vegetation looks, I feel that it doesn’t look realistic and I don’t think
it looks like seaweed at first glance. I feel that I could’ve used other
tools within Photoshop in order to give it a different look or at least
make it look realistic and less rushed.

14. One other example of what I think could be
Improved is the way that my flag looks in this
Page, I think that I could do more with the
Image and add a different angle to it, so that it
actually looks like a starting line. This will then
Enable me to get a realistic look and add some
Definition to the page so that I can Improve the
look to the page. I could create this starting
Line better by making two brown poles on
Either side of one another using the pencil tool
this will allow me to put the racing flag on it
Which will help me improve the overall
Appearance of it.
One of the characters which I don’t like is
the way that Razor looks. I think the
Whole appearance of the character looks
Good and the overall style looks okay.
However I think that the character could
Have a certain look and could have some
Form of characteristics so that the
Audience has some form of identity
Towards the character.

15. Why did you include the content you used?
• Images, fonts, effects, colours Images- The images that I have been chosen to make
are what is reflected to my own production, for
Example the image of a killer whale has been used to
show the character of my story who is in fact a
killer whale. This is because I planned to use these
Creatures in the book. One other reason behind the
Images is so that it links in with the theme of the
Book as it is set in the ocean.
Arial
Font- The font that I chose to use was Arial this was
due to the fact that I feel that it is a suitable font to
use and it also is a clear font to read. I have used
this font because I feel that it suits the way the
book looks.

16. Colours- The colours that I have used for the
Page are blue, orange,green, beuge. The reason
that I have used these colours is because I feel that
these colours best represent the theme of the ocean
for example, the colour of the ocean is blue, the
colour of the sand is beuge and the colour of the
seaweed is green. With regards to the orange I
have used it as i’ve seen any many cartoons and
books and from my own personal experiences, that
starfish are orange and some of the sea corals etc
are orange or other colours.
Effects- The effects which I have used in my pages for
the book are that I have used textures on certain objects
at the bottom of the ocean. So that it adds some dimension
to the Image and I have also used it so that it adds some
realistic aspects to the Image. I also added strokes onto the
images so that they add detail onto the pages and so it looks
professional.

17. What signs, symbols or codes have your used in
your work?
• Choices of colour, style, locations, character design and tone all give additional meaning to your work.
• The signs and symbols which I have used in my story are whats representing on what goes into the majority of
children's books. I don’t think that there is any symbolism or codes which have been used for any effect or
purpose. However I think that some of the colours etc. Have been used for a purpose.
• Choices of colour- The reason behind the choices of colour are to show to the reader the location of the story
and the setting. For example I have used the colour blue in order to show the colour of the ocean and that is
where the species are inhabited. I have used the colour beige in order to show the colour of the sand and so
that it contrasts with the ocean. One other aspect of the colours which I used were the colours red, orange,
pink and yellows were mostly used as miscellaneous colours as they were used for aspects such as Crabs,
Starfish, corals and reefs etc.
• Locations- The location of my book is set in the Atlantic ocean because I felt that it would be an appropriate
location for the plot of the story. Also some the characters in the book or the extras, do tend to live in the
surrounding waters of the Atlantic ocean, this could educate the reader.
• Style- I think that the style which I have gone for is what best replicates my work, I think that my style is my
own and has my own unique look on certain aspects. However I feel that some of the aspects are similar to
some books, but overall I think that the work which I have created is my own personal style and I feel that it
shows my own personal outlook.

18. Character Design- I feel that the character design shows
my own personal look on the character. I used the
Polygon lasso tool in order to rotoscope the Images and
make sure that it shows my original conventions and it
Shows my own work so that I don’t plagiarize any
Existing characters that have been made on the internet.
I have flipped the Images of the characters in the book in
Order to show the different locations.
Tone- With regards to the tone of the Image and how it
Looks I feel that I have conveyed the task well, for
Example the way the certain landmark features look in
The pages and the attention to detail on the corals and
The rocks at the bottom of the ocean. I feel that the
Meaning which is conveyed is that it shows different
Themes of the ocean and it shows the artistic style.

19. What representations can be found in your work?
• How are men, women or children shown in your work? Does your work feature different
ages, races, social groups or religions? Does a lack of any variety of character types create
its own representation?
• The characters in my book are represented in different ways, due to the fact
that my characters in the book aren’t aimed at a specific audience as the
characters in the book are based around fish or mammals with non-human like
features and non-human names. I also feel that the characters in my book are
different because the plot of my story isn’t set round any different religions or
does it show any interest towards social groups as the characters in my book
are just animals. I feel that my book doesn’t have any variety of character
representations as the majority of the dialogue used in the book is fairly
simplistic. This could be due to the fact that the characters names in the book
and the type of characters which I have used in my story are different as I don’t
think that I have made the characters genders clear, this will be due to the fact
that the characters aren’t justified gender wise. I feel that this will allow my
audience to have there own outlook on what they think the characters could
be.

20. What style have you employed in your products?
• Discuss influences/ existing products
• What visual style does your work have and why did you choose it?
• The influences that I have used when creating my product is the fact that their isn’t
enough children’s books with Swordfish in them and killer whales, as most of the books
are non-fiction texts. One of my other influences is the story tortoise and the hare. Seen
as though my book is based around this story and the whole plot is basically the same. I
decided to do this story as it is one of my favourites growing up. One other example of a
book which I think that my book is influenced by ‘’ where going on a bear hunt ‘’ I
thought this kind of book was a good influence when creating my own as it was one of
my favourite books when I was younger so I thought this book would have a huge
influence on me. I also think that the visual style of the book is similar to mine so it
allowed me to create my own. Overall I think that my book has a certain visual style, the
bright colours and the contrasting colours are all brought together in order to create a
certain style. I think that the use of these colours all work well with one another and it
creates the theme and it adds the dimensions to the page. One other aspect about the
visual style of my book is that the characters have their own unique look in my opinion
and they don’t copy any pre-existing characters in the industry. I think that the reason
that I chose these kind of art styles is because I felt that it best replicated the way my
work looks.

22. What were the strengths and weaknesses of the
pre-production and planning
• How did the planning and research help
• How well did you manage your time
• Reference specific examples
• I think that the strengths of the planning were that I felt that the plan which I created
showed that I had a good idea of what I wanted to create. This enabled me to find the
setting of the book which I wanted to create and the types of characters which I wanted to
include in the story. I also found that from the way that the mind map was structured, if I
wasn’t happy with my original idea I would move onto something else, as I felt that I had
many other ideas available. This would suggest that I am organised and have a backup plan
to fall back on if it wasn’t happy with my original idea. With regards to the research side, I
thought I had a look at the various children’s books and the most popular ones. This then
lead me to the conclusion that from the research that I have done I thought doing a
children's book on two different creatures in the ocean would a good and original idea. As
from the research which i did their isn’t a lot of children's books out there which are based
on killer whales or swordfish. Overall with regards to the way that the product looked and
the whole overall look of the book, I think that I managed my time well overall and I also
feel like that I have matched the criteria that was set when creating the book. I specifically
felt that I used my time wisely because on my plan I feel that I really go into detail about the
plot of the story and I understood the task that was needed to be achieved.

24. Historical and cultural context
• How does your work compare to what has come
before? What other similar products have existed in
the past? What current products exist?
• I think that my product is similar to some books which have been made in the
past, this could include adventure books such as “we’re going on a bear hunt”
the reason that I feel that my book is similar is because of the layout of the page
and the way it looks overall. I think that some of the illustrations which I have
created show my own style and I haven’t seen many children’s books which have
a unique aesthetic look which differs from other books. I think that some of the
books which have existed in the past are different to mine as I feel that mine has
a different aesthetic style to my own. With regards to the way that I think
current product looks now and compare it to my own. I think that with the
advancements in technology in comparison to old books, I think that most new
books which have been made are different to mine but follow the same
conventions. Such as the colour use and the way the text is placed on the page, I
think that it does show some similarities. Overall I think that the product which I
have made I feel that it does compare to most of the current products and I feel
that it also has it’s own style along with looking different to products in the past.