The document outlines Josh Highton's experiments with different digital graphic techniques including shape tasks, rotoscoping, incorporating film quotes, using text, and creating comic book styles. For each technique, Josh provides self-evaluations on what he liked and how he could improve, showing a reflective process of developing skills in digital graphic narratives.

1. Digital Graphic Narrative
Development
Josh Highton

2. Shape Task

3. Shape Task

4. Shape Task

5. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
I really like the penguin and crab task I did because it allowed
me to experiment with different textures and create
something really weird.
What would you improve if you did it again?
I don’t particularly like the cat I did. If I was to do it
again, I’d do a different picture. Because fur is really
difficult to recreate with shapes.
But if I had to do the cat again, I’d improve the level of
depth and detail. Because at the moment, it looks
really plain and flat.

6. Rotoscope

7. Rotoscope

8. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
I’m really proud of my two rotoscopes. I especially like
the Deadpool one because it has a lot more detail and
depth than the Arrow.
What would you improve if you did it again?
I think I could improve the Arrow a lot more if I re-did
it, because it was the first piece I did and it I still
learning at that point.
I wouldn’t change Deadpool. But I find that I miss
small areas of colour, so to improve I would be sure to
be more accurate with the polygonal lasso tool.

9. Film Quotes

10. Film Quotes

11. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
I like how in the first piece, the quote makes up the body of
Forrest. I thought it would have a really nice effect.
I like the look of the second piece because it seems a little bit
emotional, as you know Forrest had difficulties.
What would you improve if you did it again?
I wouldn’t change anything in the first piece. But I
would try to improve the accuracy of the hands and
the look of the chocolate in the second piece.
The chocolate was supposed to look like sprinkles. But
I don’t think I captured that look.

12. Text Based

13. Text Based

14. Text Based

15. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
Although you can’t see Deadpool very well, I really
like the effect that it has on the writing.
What would you improve if you did it again?
If I did it again, I’d probably go for a more clear image.

16. Comic Book

17. Comic Book

18. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
I really like the Captain Phasma piece because,
although it looks simple, I think it has a really nice
effect and makes her look less menacing.
What would you improve if you did it again?
I might make the colours a little darker in the Phasma
piece. And I don’t like the grainy effect in the
Deadpool piece. So I would change that and try make
it look more Comic book-like.

19. Photo Story

20. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
I like how it almost looks like a real Comic.
I also like how the last picture is photorealism, which
suggests the idea that he was in an alternate universe.
What would you improve if you did it again?
I’d find a better comic book outline, because some of
the pictures seem too squished and not readable.

21. Illustration

22. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
I really like my drawings. I know that sounds big headed,
but usually I actually dislike most of my drawings. So the
ones above are the ones that I’ve chosen as my
favourites.
I think the best ones are the skull (top middle) because
it’s not your usual looking skull, the zombie (bottom left)
because of the level of detail and shading, and 2D
(bottom right) who is the virtual lead singer of English
band ‘Gorillaz’.
What would you improve if you did it again?
Nothing. As stated earlier, these are my top favourite
drawings and I wouldn’t change anything.

23. Narrative Environment

24. Evaluation
What did you like about your image?
I really like this piece, not just because I made it, but
because it’s quite peaceful. There’s nothing going on in
the picture, it’s quite dark (as if it’s sunset), and it’s
detailed when it comes to shading and depth, despite the
simplicity of the development process.
What would you improve if you did it again?
I’d make the hills a lighter colour. It seems quite dark,
compared to the hills in the background. But my excuse is
just that it’s sunset.

25. Initial Ideas

30. Proposal
Dimensions
8-12 Pages, 25.4cm (10 inches) tall x 20.3cm (8 inches) wide x 2mm thick (Landscape).
Story Overview
There is a deer in a zoo. His name is Joe. Joe has learning difficulties, and he’s not quite
with it.
One day, another deer named Francis enters the Zoo. When confronting Joe, Joe tries
believes with all his heart that he is the lion (The main attraction of the Zoo. Little do
the deer realise that they are merely bait).
During their discussion, the Lion attacks and Joe disappears. Francis is thrown down a
hill and forgets everything that just happened.
Another deer enters the Zoo. When he meets Francis, Francis says “I am the Lion”.
And the story repeats…
Export Format
PDF
Advantages: PDF files are incredibly easy to email, download and view because it exists
independently from the hardware. Meaning you don’t need a specific OS or piece of
hardware to view the file.
Disadvantages: You can not edit a PDF file. It is essentially an image of a document.

31. Deadline
22/04/16
Audience
My main Target Audience is for both males and females under the age of 12.
Obviously my book will be for any English-speaking country.
My book will have a child-like aesthetic about it. But personally I would not class the
story was specifically child-like. So my less specific Target Audience is for anyone
who is interested, no matter the age, gender or class.
Production Methods
I am going to use Photoshop to produce my pages. This is because I can get the
pages to the exact sizes that I want.
I plan to draw my pages on paper first, then scan them into Photoshop.
This is useful because it is not only easier on me, but it also means I can add any
post-production to my drawings.

32. What are the strengths of the proposal? What areas of the proposal need further work?
The strengths of the proposal are that you have
listed the specific size of your book which gives a
clear understanding of your project.
You have also explained the story well and have
explained your methods simply. You have also
expressed your target audience efficiently.
Even though I said the way you explained your
story was good, however I still don’t fully
understand the concept of it, maybe try and re-word
some aspects, however it might just be me
personally.
What are the strengths of the idea generation? What areas of idea generation could have been
further developed?
I think that the Idea generation is good because all
the Images are relevant to the Story that you have
chosen to do.
I think you could maybe add children’s books onto
the Idea Generation so we know what kind of
genre/type of Children’s books you’re going for.

33. What are the strengths of the proposal? What areas of the proposal need further work?
You have gone for a good artistic style, I don’t think
anyone in my class last year or this year has tried
this style.
How do you plan to create the two different deer
characters to be clearly distinguishable. How are
you planning on colouring your assets that you
have scanned in? If you are using the “fill tool” it
would be a good idea to consider how you are
going to make the colours into the style you have
suggested in your mood boards.
What are the strengths of the idea generation? What areas of idea generation could have been
further developed?
Information is clearly given that details what
techniques are going to be used. Exact dimensions
of the page have been decided. Although I am un
sure which elements you plan to draw and which
you plan to create purely digitally, if any.
Is the story not a bit dark for children? I also sounds
like someone of a young age might struggle to
understand the story.

34. What are the strengths of the proposal? What areas of the proposal need further work?
Your story idea is different and original which
makes the book interesting and different.
You included a lot of detail in your proposal which
gives me a good idea of what the story will be like.
You could give more advantages and
disadvantages.
Also explain why you will use those production
techniques and why the will work best for your
story.
What are the strengths of the idea generation? What areas of idea generation could have been
further developed?
The idea is different and creative which makes the
story interesting. There will be a lot of detail and the
story you went for will allow lots of artistic detail
which is what children like.
I think that the story seems hard to understand
especially for a younger child, therefor maybe you
should simplify it slightly otherwise it seems
confusing.

35. Feedback Summary
Sum up your feedback.
Overall, the Feedback is good.
I got some good constructive criticism and top-tips. However I am now unsure where I
should go with my story.
Which parts of your feedback do you agree with and why?
I agree that my story may be confusing to younger audiences. I also agree that my story
may be a little dark, but my argument to that is: Bambi, the Lion King, Frozen, Lilo and
Stitch and much more stories/films all consist of death. Some darker than others. And
they’re supposed to be for children too.
Like those examples, you don’t see the deer actually die because the story follows
Francis, who is thrown down a hill.
Which parts of your feedback do you disagree with and why?

36. Story Breakdown
There is a deer in a zoo. His name is Joe. Joe has learning difficulties, and he’s not quite
with it.
One day, another deer named Francis enters the Zoo. When confronting Joe, Joe
believes with all his heart that he is the lion (The main attraction of the Zoo. Little do
the deer realise that they are merely bait).
During their discussion, the Lion attacks and Joe disappears. Francis is thrown down a
hill and forgets everything that just happened.
Another deer enters the Zoo. When he meets Francis, Francis says “I am the Lion”.
And the story repeats…

37. Draft Script 1
Page 1
Story starts with a drawing of a sign in a zoo that says “King of The Jungle: The Lion”
Page 2
We are introduced to Francis. He is shown waking up to find himself in a new land.
Francis: “Where am I? This isn’t home.”
Page 3
Francis is shown wandering around, looking for someone else in this strange place.
Francis: “HELLO? *His voice echoes* Is anyone here?”
A mumbled voice is heard from the distance.
Page 4
Francis finds another Deer, named Joe, stood at the foot of a hill.
Joe is convinced he is a Lion, so does not listen when Francis tells him he’s not a Lion.
Francis: “Hello! Hi! Can you help me? I think I’m lost. I fell asleep at home, and I woke up here. Where are we?”
Joe: “I am a Lion”
Francis: “What? No, you’re not. Can you help me or not?”
Joe: “I am a Lion. The sign says so.”
Francis: “What sign?”
Page 5
Joe shows Francis the same sign that was shown at the beginning of the story.
Joe: “Told you.”
Page 6
*Close up of Francis*
Francis: “No. No. This is not possible! How did I get in a zoo!? How did you get in here?”
Joe: “I’m a Lion.”
Page 7
Francis and Joe walk up the hill from earlier
Francis: “Joe, you’re not a lion. I’m sorry but you’re a buck, like me.”
Joe gets sad.
Joe: “For so long, I thought I was a Lion. I thought I was the main attraction.”
Page 8
Just then, the actual Lion attacks. Francis falls down the hill. When he stands back up, he has forgotten about their encounter. And stands still, waiting.
Page 9
Another deer enters, named Jim.
Jim: “Hi there! Can you help me? I think I’m lost.
Page 10
*close up of Francis*
Francis: “I’m a Lion…”

38. Draft Script 2
Page 1
Story starts with a drawing of a sign in a zoo that says “King of The Jungle: The Lion”
Page 2
We are introduced to a Buck, named Francis. He is shown waking up to find himself in a new land.
Francis: “Where am I? This isn’t home.”
Page 3
Francis is shown wandering around, looking for someone else in this strange place.
Francis: “HELLO? *His voice echoes* Is anyone here?”
A mumbled voice is heard from the distance.
Page 4
Francis finds another Buck, named Joe, stood at the foot of a hill.
Joe is convinced he is a Lion, so does not listen when Francis tells him he’s not a Lion.
Francis: “Hello! Hi! Can you help me? I think I’m lost. I fell asleep at home, and I woke up here. Where are we?”
Joe: “I am a Lion”
Francis: “What? No, you’re not. Can you help me or not?”
Joe: “I am a Lion. The sign says so.”
Francis: “What sign?”
Page 5
Joe shows Francis the same sign that was shown at the beginning of the story.
Joe: “Told you.”
Page 6
*Close up of Francis* Francis: “No. No. This is not possible! How did I get in a zoo!? How did you get in here?”
Joe: “I am a Lion.”
Page 7
Francis and Joe walk up the hill from earlier.
Francis: “Joe, you’re not a lion. I’m sorry but you’re a buck, like me.”
Page 8
Joe gets sad.
Joe: “For so long, I thought I was a Lion. I thought I was the main attraction.”
Page 9
Just then, the actual Lion attacks. Francis is pushed out of the way and falls down the hill. When he stands back up, he has forgotten about their encounter. And stands still with
a blank expression.
Page 10
Another Buck enters, named Jim.
Jim: “Hello! Hi! Can you help me? I think I’m lost. I fell asleep at home, and I woke up here. Where are we?”
Page 11
*close up of Francis* Francis: “I am a Lion…”

39. Final Script
Page 1
Once upon a time, there was a buck named Francis.
He lived a boring life. He would wake up, eat some grass, go to sleep, and repeat.
Page 2
One day, Francis was eating from his favourite spot of grass. Until he was distracted by an unfamiliar face.
“Hey there! Can I help?” Francis asked.
Page 3
Francis made his way to the friendly face, and once more said “Hello! Are you lost?”
“My name is Joe. I am a Lion”
“What? No, you’re not. Are you lost?” Francis repeated.
“I am a Lion.” Joe said once more.
“No you’re not!” Francis exclaimed.
Page 4
Francis points to Joe’s feet.
“Look! You have hooves, not paws. You’re the same as me.”
Page 5
Francis takes Joe to a watering hole. He asks Joe to look at his reflection in the water.
“You see? You’re the same as me.” Francis says.
But Joe does not say anything.

40. Final Script
Page 6
Francis takes Joe back to the hill. Just before he’s about to give up, he say’s “Joe, you’re not a lion. I’m sorry but
you’re a buck, like me.”
Page 7
Joe finally understands that he’s not a lion. He says “I’m really not a Lion am I? I’m just a buck”
Page 8
Just then, a real lion jumps up from behind a nearby bush!
Francis shouts “See? Now that’s a lion!”
Page 9
Joe and Francis run away in fear. But Joe trips over and hits his head on a rock.
Page 10
Francis turns around and runs back for Joe. “Are you okay Joe? We need to keep going, he’s right behind us!”
Page 11
Joe picks himself back up and says “I am a Lion…”

41. Digital Flat Plans