This document contains a student's proposal for a digital graphic narrative project. The proposal outlines a story about a fox trying to steal grapes from a garden. Key details include: - The story will be 4 inches by 8 inches in size and target an audience ages 1-3. - Pages will be created in Photoshop using paper cutout textures to resemble a scrapbook. - Feedback on the proposal noted the file format choice was clear but dimensions and page count were missing. - Idea generation focused on using textile-like textures to make images seem innocent and friendly, potentially for sensory exploration. More development of ideas could have occurred.

1. Digital Graphic Narrative
Development
Joseph Headford

2. Shape Task

3. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
As a first task I found that this was a simple and effective image. It is composed of only
three separate shapes and it creates the effect of a sharp corner. Because of the subtle
shading and small aspect ratio the image could be either the outside or inside of a corner.
What would you improve if you did it again?
If I was to repeat this task I would not change the original version of the image as I feel that
it is a simple and effective image. However I would develop and experiment with different
styles of this same image.

4. Shape Task

5. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
This image is another example if how simple shapes can create an attractive and interesting
image. I like how the simple use and manipulation of basic shapes can create an almost 3D
looking image.
What would you improve if you did it again?
I would spend more time perfecting the effect by experimenting with the effect in order to
create a more perfected image.

6. Shape Task

7. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
I enjoyed creating this image. The bright and block colours, defined lines and basic shapes
allowed me easily build an aesthetically pleasing and easy to understand picture. It is not
very technical meaning that it was not difficult to produce quickly.
What would you improve if you did it again?
If I produced this or something similar again I would spend more time on the image and try
to make it more technical with more layers. I would also build up more details in order to
make the subject for the image (a spider) more obvious. I would perhaps create an
abdomen behind the head to create depth and a more realistic, recognisable character.

8. Shape Task

9. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
Similarly to the previous image, I enjoyed the simplicity of the image and how despite
the simplicity it is easily interpreted by the viewer because of its use of black colours
and simple shapes
What would you improve if you did it again?
Despite it the aim of this task being the use of simple shapes and colours to convey an
image I would like to have added more detail such as a mouth, body and possible a facial
expression. If done again I would explore these options and attempt to create these
features while maintaining the simple and attractive image through use of shapes and black
colours.

10. Rotoscope

11. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
I liked the simplicity of rotoscoping. I also liked how after creating the new image you can
still recognise the character that it was based off despite the lack of detail carried onto the
new image. I chose to rotoscope an image of the internet celebrity as there are many high
definition photos that can be found online which simplifies rotoscoping as I do not have to
guess where colours stop and start across the image.
What would you improve if you did it again?
I would more time to practise and improve my use of highlights and shadows in order to
contour and define areas of the face. This way I do not lose the comic book aesthetic but
still retain the features that are unique to the subject in the photo. I might also consider the
use or creation of a texture on parts of the face and body such as the beard, tee shirt and
hair.

12. Text Based

13. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
For the first design found that text work was not too difficult. I liked that it is a simple was
to produce an interesting graphic to represent something. I can see this technique for logos
and personalised designs for companies. For the second design I created a image based on
a quote from the novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’. I used all of the text from chapters one, two
and three for the background and a quote from the first page of the novel. I liked that it
looks like a cover page because my use of Jane Austin’s name at the bottom of the page.
What would you improve if you did it again?
If I did these tasks again I would try to create a more complex and thought out image.
However I would only improve the ‘Pride and Prejudice’ image as I am very happy with the
layout and overall design of the image.

14. Comic Book

15. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
This is a very basic Photoshop project as it only requires knowledge of how to use the filter
gallery. I like this because you can create an eye catching and interesting image from an old
one with little effort and with very little experience with the software. I specifically used the
cut-out filter giving the photo a comic-book look that is simple and attractive. I quickly
learnt that for this technique to be effective you need to use a high quality and preferably
large image otherwise it can easily come out pixelated and muddy as colours are mixed.
What would you improve if you did it again?
If I were to recreate this type of image I would attempt to use different effects and editing
methods. I would possibly attempt to make use of rotoscoping to try and get a more
stylised and comic-book look to the image. However as evidenced by the second image that
I created, rotoscoping can take a very long time and may not be the most reliable
technique.

16. Photography

17. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
I like how, depending upon how you frame a photo and the effects you place upon it, you
can easily change the message or mood shown. For example in my frames I conveyed a
feeling of claustrophobia and fear by using a … and dark colour saturation. I specifically
chose the colour purple because it innately represents mystery and curiosity, a theme that
is included in the idea and what might behind the door.
I took direct inspiration from photographic titled ‘Hellgate’ uses large amount of saturation
and light to convey emotion and themes within it. I also took note of the comics use in
colour for the typography, yellow against purple. The use of this I believe is because purple
contrasts yellow very strongly making it ‘pop’ and draw the readers attention. I made use of
this in my comic to the same advantage.
What would you improve if you did it again?
If I was to do this project again I would spend much more time planning, testing methods
and techniques in pre-production in order to perfect the images and finish with as high a
quality image as possible. I would also have liked to spend more time looking for the best
shoot location so that the photos were set in an appropriate area for the story.

18. Illustration

19. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
I enjoyed the process of drawing the imaging and found it to be a very expressive and
easily influencable medium. Along side the use of a scanner this could be a very useful
method to create images.
What would you improve if you did it again?
I would spend a lot more time on this image because as you can see from the image
above the process takes a long time meaning that I did not manage to actually
complete the image. I would also spend more time planning the image and drafting
different versions until I was completely and utterly please with the final result.

20. Initial Ideas

21. Textile elements and bright
colours provided inspiration for
my book.

22. Idea Generation

23. I am focusing on a textile, paper
like textured look to make the
imagery seem innocent and
friendly. This could also be used to
create a physical element of
texture for sensory use.
The use of textures like
cardboard make the
images look
homemade and as if
they’re made up of

24. Proposal
Dimensions
4 inches x 8 inches
Story Overview
The story is a short and simple one about a fox that tries to get some grapes that are
growing in a garden. First we find the a fox and her cubs in a forest. The cubs become
hungry meaning that the fox goes to look for food. Soon while wandering she spies the
grapes from afar hanging in the garden. She sneaks into the garden (this could provide
a few pages as he encounters each obstacle), and attempts to get to and steal the
grapes. She cannot reach them so tries many different times, eventually giving up and
walking away into the jungle. However this could be changed. I could use the fox as an
anthropomorphic character as well to add extra dialogue and allow the reader to have
a character to relate to.
Export Format
JPEG
Advantages: It is a universally supported format and allows for small file sizes.
Disadvantages: This is a lossy file type, with each edit it will lose definition.

25. Deadline
6th November
Audience
My target audience will be between the ages of 1 and 3 (to be read by a parent) as
the novel will be mostly a visual experience. In proper production of a physical copy
it could also include textile elements to as sensory exploration to the book. With
this addition the book may be appropriate for very young children as well as
children with learning difficulties or physical ailments that limit their movement and
tactile function. The story has no masculine or effeminate connotations and so the
product is targeted an androgynous audience. The main character is also only
known as ‘The Fox’ and is only labelled as such to remove any specific gender from
the character.
Production Methods
I decided to design the novel in a paper cut out style. I will use Photoshop to create
intricate layers of basic shapes and different textures similar to that of card and
paper to create something that resembles a scrap book. These textures could also
be used to create a physical textile element.

26. What are the strengths of the proposal? What areas of the proposal need further work?
The file format that you have used is clear and the
advantages/ disadvantages are clear and accurate.
The story is also clear and easy to follow. Good job
You just need to add the dimensions of the pages
that you will work with and how many pages the
book will be.
What are the strengths of the idea generation? What areas of idea generation could have been
further developed?
The method that you will use and the program that
will be used in production are clear. You have also
talked well about what your target audience will be
and how you will aim your story towards them.
You could explain why you have chosen the
production method that you have and why it suits
the audience well.

27. What are the strengths of the proposal? What areas of the proposal need further work?
Your proposal contains a very in-depth yet brief
look at your story, it is a very good look at what your
book will be about, the story is explained very
clearly and the your audience choice is also
explained in great detail.
You need to complete your dimensions of the page.
What are the strengths of the idea generation? What areas of idea generation could have been
further developed?
Your idea generation contains a good look at what
to expect, a good chunk of information is in the
mind map.
The mood boards could use some annotations,
maybe explaining what gave you the ideas and why
you think a specific idea would be a good choice.

28. What are the strengths of the proposal? What areas of the proposal need further work?
Good, in depth explanation of the style you want to
use, proper creative and different something a
young audience would enjoy, having a visual book
rather than a complex storyline behind it.
Just stick something in the dimensions box to
explain the sizing of the book.
What are the strengths of the idea generation? What areas of idea generation could have been
further developed?
Lots of ideas and a clear visual style that you are
aiming for can be seen in this evidence. Also a
pretty lengthy mind map, which is a good thing, it
shows a lot of ideas.
Maybe write some annotations on to the mood
board to explain your thought process and reasons
behind it. Overall not too shabby!

29. Feedback Summary
Sum up your feedback.
Overall the feedback seems to reflect that I have included more than enough
information into the mind map and proposal. However my mood boards clearly need to
be improved and worked on to add more depth and detail to them.
Which parts of your feedback do you agree with and why?
I would personally agree that the amount of information in the mind map is sufficient I
do also recognise that the mood board is the weak section of this work. I will take advice
given and so will add more annotations and variations to the imagery included.
Which parts of your feedback do you disagree with and why?
I do not disagree with advice given in any way. It gave me an insight into what my work
was missing and clear instructions upon how to improve it.

33. Original Script
One hot summer's day a Fox was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of
Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch. "Just the
thing to quench my thirst," quoth he. Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a
jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a One, Two, Three, he
jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he tried after the tempting
morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying: "I
am sure they are sour."
Original post: Here

34. Final Script
1st page: One hot day a fox and her hungry cubs were laid in the edge of a dark
forest.
2nd page: The Fox decided to go looking for food for her cubs.
3rd page: No narration.
4th page: She soon found a garden full of flowers and a marvellous grape tree
and a small house at the edge of the forest.
5th page: She had to be careful, the gardener that this garden belonged to was
very cruel.
6th page: No narration.
7th page: Nearly (Nearly).
8th page: The cubs weren’t going hungry today.

35. Final Script
1st page: (1 panel) Shows the Fox with her hungry cubs in a small clearing
surrounded by clean bones and apple cores.
2nd page: (2 panels) Fox is shown exploring surroundings, looking for food (this
could be shown by a thought bubble with a food in it).
3rd page: (1 panel) Fox is looking through undergrowth towards a lit area.
4th page: (2 panels) From a distance (over foxes head) through undergrowth a
garden can be seen full of flowers, a grape tree and a dark blob (the currently
unrecognisable gardener).
5th page: (1 panel) Close up on gardener’s glasses.
6th page: (2 panels) Fox gradually reaches for grapes)
7th page: (3 panels) Long distance shot of the fox facing away from the garden
as the gardener stands and shakes tool above his head (three red jagged lines
to show anger) towards the fox.
8th page: (1 panel) Fox is back with cubs eating the grapes.