Visual Storytelling: Activity 2 Concept Mapping
Overview
The Visual Storytelling lesson plan is a series of four learning ladder activities designed around mobile/digital technology for use by intermediate art and design students. It is a framework for concept ideation, visual design planning, and production. Activity 2: Concept Mapping is a foundational activity for developing narrative visual storytelling skills. Mapping is utilized to exampine concepts for story development and visual design.
Concept Mapping Summary
National Core Arts Standards
- VA: Cr1.1, Cr2.2, Re8.1, Cn10.1
Instructor Step by Step:
- Provide lecture notes and/or video.
- Provide customized instructions as needed.
- Technology Support: Include relevant links for tech tutorials as needed.
- App Limitations: Include instructional parameters for image resolution and file size based on forum limitations as needed.
Additions:
Extend this activity with an exploratory essay on visual metaphors. Create an eLearning forum with a series of (or one single) movie poster. Have students pick one poster and outline the metaphors and/or motifs.
This activity provides students with an opportunity to examine and explore conceptual development and how it impacts visual design for storytelling. They will use their own story concept to start building a foundation for more insightful creative expression.
STUDENT OBJECTIVES
Student Goals
- Invent a new story concept.
- Define and describe project goals and audience.
- Create a mindmap of ideas relevant to all goals. *final artifact
SUGGESTED TECHNOLOGY
Any mind mapping app (Mindomo) (Mindmeister) or a simple table and text editor (Google Docs) (Word). This can also be written by hand then captured and saved as a PDF file using a scanning app (Scannable) or photographed.
Concept Mapping Read & Watch
Storytelling is a craft that combines both science and artistic creativity. Understanding how the different elements play a part in the audience experience should help the artist develop more powerful images.
Suggested Presentation
Prezi Slidedeck: Thematic Design by Kristene Markert
https://prezi.com/view/HKQMeFpKtgS9Hd5undVD/
Video:
Theme by Brainpop https://youtu.be/x1MqqDOxAl0
Dark Knight by Ekalavya Bhattacharya https://youtu.be/VpuC7HhCPWA
Suggested Video Content & Prompts
Video: Visualizing Big Ideas, TED-Ed Lesson
Writing Prompt: Can metaphors replace story themes?
Video: The Magical Science of Storytelling by David JP Phillips
Writing Prompt: What is your favorite piece of art and how does it make you feel?
Concept Mapping Activity
Student Step by Step:
PART 1
Invent a simplified story idea based around the following. Write a one paragraph description for each item.
Story Prompts:
- One character
- One location
- One action or event
PART 2
Using the Concept Mapping Worksheet to brainstorm ideas for how to convey this story to viewers. This exercise is text based to allow for exploration of multiple options prior to creating visuals.
Brainstorming Prompts:
- What type of themes and/or motifs would your story be based on?
- What type of experience would you viewer have? Will they be feeling certain emotions or taking any actions in response?
- Who would your viewer be? Would you adjust elements of the story based on different viewers?
- How will you exhibit this work? Will the viewers engage with it in different ways or at different locations and times?
PART 3
Extend your concept map to a second page if needed. Include ideas for how you might visually design this story. What design elements would be used?