CREATIVE AND MEDIA PRODUCTION

LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA

Unit 55: Graphic Narrative

Unit 55: LO1, LO2, LO3
Sarah Wilson & Adam Jones
Date Issued: 18th January 2016
Final Deadline: 24th March 2016

Aim and purpose

The aim of this unit is to enable learners to develop skills in the production of two-dimensional
graphic narratives and apply sequential art effectively through an understanding of the principles
of character, dialogue, and plot by means of visual storytelling. Learners will develop transferable
skills, which could be applied across a vast area of visual communications such as film, television,
photographic applications, animation, computer graphics and print media.
Unit introduction
Graphic narratives exist in a variety of formats such as comic books, graphic novels, cartoon strips,
childrens books, photo-stories, packaging, advertising, publicity material, and in digital media such
as CD ROMs and the worldwide web (web comics). They represent a form of fiction that tells a story
in a sequential, graphic narrative. Additionally, many other kinds of media products are originally
thought out and explored using two- dimensional visual techniques. An example of this would be
storyboards, typically used to create scenes and sequences for film and television. They ensure
that a particular storyline, or a series of related actions, comes together to create meaning and has
the desired effect. Storyboards can bring the script to life visually and need to consider such
devices as camera angles and movement, points of view and lighting.
Stories fill our lives and the creation of a story in its basic form involves the construction of a series
of events, conflicts and resolutions. Defined by characters and settings, narrative can be presented
typically in myths, fairy tales, legends and histories but, through innovation, narratives can be
placed within a variety of contexts and manipulated to create a variety of meanings.
Genres such as manga from Japan, and other more mature graphic novels, have inspired a new
generation with enthusiasm for the medium. The synergy with blockbuster style movies and video
games is becoming more apparent and comic books often reference the same kind of dynamic
visualisation found in film and television narratives.
This unit gives you an opportunity to focus on the production of two-dimensional graphic
narratives. You will be able to apply your own ideas and creativity to produce a range of narratives
using a variety of different two-dimensional production methods. You may choose to produce a
stand-alone graphic narrative product such as a comic book, childrens book or a series of cartoon
strips, or plan narratives for other productions such as television drama, film or animation. You may
wish to explore the more innovative graphic novel styles which push the conventions of the visual
frame and draw the reader into a new world no longer governed by the rules of traditional visual
storytelling.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit you should:

Be able to develop ideas and designs for graphic narrative

Be able to use appropriate technology and processes to produce graphic narratives
Be able to reflect upon own graphic narrative work

Guidance
Create a main tab called
UNIT 55: Graphic Narrative
LO1
LO2
LO3

Brief Outline

SelfMadeHero is a quirky independent publishing house committed to producing

groundbreaking work in the graphic novel medium. We commission
independently minded, commercially successful work while championing the
very best graphic novels in translation.
They have commissioned Vibe Productions to produce a series of Graphic novels
for their portfolio of work
They would like your portfolio to contain:
1. A portfolio of idea generations and planning
2. Pre-production and costings
3. A portfolio of graphic narratives in the genre
of either
Pop Art / retro
Horror / Gothic
Children narrative
Superhero
Your portfolio should contain:
a. An independent Flip book showing
movement of characters
b. Front cover to a graphic novel or comic book
c. A 4 page graphic narrative
d. A trailer for your product with sound and voice over
Your narratives can be drawn or photographed and then manipulated
through Photoshop and Premier Pro
4. An evaluation of the process

Deadline is the 24th March 2016

Unit 55 LO1: Be able to develop ideas and

designs for graphic narratives
LO1 Aim: Produce ideas and designs for Graphic Narrative to a technical quality
that reflects near professional standards, showing creativity and flair and working
independently to professional expectations

Task Description:
Vibe Productions requires you to plan and produce a Graphic narrative that can be
produced over a variety of media platforms

Flip book

Novel

Filmed production

You are required to show the following as part of your

planning

Research and critical analysis on at least 3

narratives within your chosen genre from past and
current commercial novels / films (examples can
be found on Vibe productions) along with research
into how these narratives are published in your
chosen medium (Book and TV) and format
(Cartoon strip, flip book, comic strip, photo story),
discussing the new technologies that allows these
publications to happen (computer animation and
interactive media).
Research on how you will carry out your narrative (awareness of hand, mechanical
and digital means and use of design software for image and text construction and
manipulation

Idea generation in the form of mind maps, mood boards, sketches and rough
scripts (at least 2 different ideas)

Feedback in the form of questionnaires or filmed focus groups

Storyboard

Typography research

Considerations: Cost, available resources; quantity; audience; target market;

quality factors; codes of practice; regulation; legal issues, e.g. copyright; ethical
issues, e.g. decency, representation, cultural sensitivity, clearances, health and
safety

Extra Guidance can be found at:

http://thcvibeproductions.weebly.com/lo11.html

LO1 Extra guidance and marking scheme

P: Produce ideas and
designs for a graphic
narrative working within
appropriate conventions
and with some assistance

M: Produce ideas and

designs for a graphic
narrative to a good
technical standard, showing
some imagination and with
occasional assistance

D: Produce ideas and

designs for a graphic
narrative to a technical
quality that reflects near
professional standards,
showing creativity and flair
and working independently
to professional expectations
Ideas mind map
Main characters
Art work is developed to
distinctive features
a professional standard
Main character outlined
outlined
Plot is clear/detailed
Plot outlined
Main characters inner
Pages/Thumbnails
Graphic style illustrated
life
outlined
outlined including
through research
Cast list or character
frames (if appropriate)
experimenting/sketching Imagination and
- face, body, costume
independence
demonstrated
Deadline met
Your narrative is as important as your illustrations your plot must be clear and
detailed

Your characters must have a life story in order to act and behave how they do in the
narrative

You must have proof of casting if you are using people the chosen actors must suit
the characters

Work to be uploaded to UNIT 55 LO1

Deadline for LO1: 5th
February 2016

Unit 55 LO2: Be able to use appropriate technology and

processes to produce graphic narratives
LO2 Aim: Produce Graphic Narrative using appropriate technology and processes
to a technical quality that reflects near professional standard, showing creativity
and flair and working independently to professional standards
Vibe productions require you to explore ideas independently and produce effective and well thought-out
original ideas and designs that are then incorporated into effective graphic
narrative products (Flip book, novel and film) approaching near-professional
standards. Examples will show a very high technical standard as well as
creativity and flair, technical skills being applied not just with imagination but
also with ingenuity, and codes and conventions being used with occasionally
surprising results. Preparatory material will closely follow industry conventions
for presentation, and production work will reflect the high standard of design and
preparation. You will show that there has been a clear progression from
original designs to your completed work, which itself evidences creativity
and flair. Independent application of high quality technical skills will produce a
portfolio of near-professional standard. In all practical activity, distinction grade
learners will be capable of working autonomously and effectively. The term
working independently means that you are able to work on you own initiative,
do not need constant support or supervision, give the work your full
commitment, work positively and cooperatively with others, and meet
deadlines. In other words, you have the kind of self-management skills that
would be expected of you in a professional context.

You are required to complete the following as part of your

production:
1. Produce a flipbook using digital photography or hand drawings The
flipbook must show movement and link in with your novel and trailer as part of
the overall theme of your portfolio. You will submit your flipbook and upload a film
of it showing movement.
2. A front cover for your graphic novel or magazine publication using image
manipulation to create the desire effect for your chosen genre / theme
3. 4 pages of narrative using appropriate layout and design and using image
manipulation to create the desire effect for your chosen genre / theme
4. A 1 2 minute trailer of your comic using your manipulated images and adding
voice overs and sounds

5. Health and safety: Links to and screen shots of Control of

Substances Hazardous to Health regulations (COSHH); display
screen equipment regulations; safe practices in studios and
workshops
Extended task
If you would like to produce a poster for your publication you can add this as an
extended task for your portfolio of work
Extra Guidance can be found at:
http://thcvibeproductions.weebly.com/lo2.html

LO2 Extra guidance and marking scheme

P: Apply pre-production
documentation to produce a
graphic narrative using
appropriate technology and
processes, working within
appropriate conventions
with some assistance.

M: Apply pre-production
documentation competently
to a produce graphic
narrative using appropriate
technology and process to a
good technical standard,
working within appropriate
conventions with only
occasional assistance.

Plot is apparent
Basic process used to
create product
Basic technical standard
demonstrated
Assistance needed
repeatedly during
production

Clear plot features

Several process used to
create product
Good technical standard
demonstrated
Occasional assistance
needed during
production

D: Apply pre-production to
produce a graphic narrative
using appropriate
technology and process to a
technical quality that
reflects near professional
standards, showing
creativity and flair, working
independently to
professional expectations.
Creativity and flair
evident in final product
Excellent technical
standard demonstrated
Production monitoring
system in place
Works independently
from assistance
Costs recorded
Deadline met

You must show how you have developed your product and reviewed and reworked it uploading the final product with no evidence of improvements will only
warrant a pass grade

All 4 products must connect and share the same theme

Your digital photographs MUST be manipulated in Photoshop for

them to gain a grade the process of manipulation must be
captured via screen shot and uploaded as evidence of
manipulation

Work to be uploaded to UNIT 55 LO2

Deadline for LO2: 11th March 2016

Unit 55 LO3: Be able to reflect upon own graphic

narrative work

LO3 Aim: Critically evaluate own graphic narrative work in the context of
professional practice consistently using subject terminology

Once you have produced and create your portfolio of work Vibe
productions and SelfMadeHero would like you to evaluate your and
reflect upon your work and the process.
You must make an accurate and critically objective assessment of
your own achievement with detailed reference to elucidated
examples taken from that work. You will make critical comparisons
of your own work with current or past practice in a relevant area
(research from LO1). You will fully justify the construction of the
narrative itself, explaining the use of elements that create
meaning for a specific target audience. Generally, you will
present evidence extremely effectively, whether in written form
or through recorded presentations using audio or audio-visual
technology and your technical vocabulary will be secure and used
correctly and confidently at all times.
Extra Guidance can be found at: http://thcvibeproductions.weebly.com/lo3.html
LO3 Extra guidance and marking scheme
P: Comment on own

M: Explain own graphic

D: Critically evaluate own

graphic narrative work with

some appropriate use of
subject terminology

narrative work with

reference to detailed
illustrative examples and
with generally correct use of
subject terminology.

4 sections completed:
narrative structure,
image construction,
production processes
and further context.
Key terminology
occasionally used

Detailed explanations
Visual examples used
Key terminology used
throughout

graphic
narrative in
the context
of professional practice
consistently using subject
terminology correctly.
Comparisons made to
industry standard
relevant written and
visual examples used
Key terminology used
correctly

Work to be uploaded to UNIT 55 LO3

Deadline for LO3: 18th March 2016

Checklist
LO1

LO2

LO3

Research on 3 different narrative from 3 different eras

Research on medium: Film, flip books and graphic narratives publications
(magazine and books)
Research on different formats of graphic narrative (Cartoon strip, flip book,
comic strip, photo story)
Discussion on the new technologies that allows these publications to happen
(computer animation and interactive media).
Research on how you will carry out your narrative (awareness of hand,
mechanical and digital means and use of design software for image and text
construction and manipulation
Idea generation for genre (mind maps)
Idea generation for narrative (mood boards and mind maps)
Feedback from peers via survey monkey or filmed focus groups
Storyboard and rough sketches
Typography research
Considerations: Cost, available resources; quantity; audience; target market;
quality factors; codes of practice; regulation; legal issues, e.g. copyright;
ethical issues, e.g. decency, representation, cultural sensitivity, clearances,
health and safety
Flip book (hard copy submitted)
Filmed movement of flip book
Front cover
4 page narrative
Filmed trailer
List of sound effects and script
Raw pictures
Screen shoots of Photoshop manipulation
Evaluation

Textbooks

Baylis P, Freedman A, Procter N et al BTEC Level 3 National Creative Media Production, Student Book
(Pearson, 2010) ISBN 978-1846906725

Baylis P, Freedman A, Procter N et al BTEC Level 3 National Creative Media Production, Teaching Resource
Pack (Pearson, 2010) ISBN 978-1846907371

Bann D The All New Print Production Handbook (Watson-Guptill Publications, 2007) ISBN 978-0823099924
Berger A Narratives in Popular Culture, Media and Everyday Life (Sage Publications, 1996)

ISBN 978-0761903451

Billen M Web Design 4: Web Designer (Image Publishing, 2009) ISBN 978-1906078232

Branston G and Stafford R The Media Students Book (Routledge, 2006) ISBN 978-0415371438

Canemaker J Paper Dreams: The Art and Artists of Disney Storyboards (Hyperion, 1999) ISBN 9780786863075

Caputo T Visual Storytelling: the Art and Technique (Watson-Guptill Publications, 2002) ISBN 9780823003174

Chapman J and Chapman N Digital Multimedia (John Wiley & Sons, 2009) ISBN 978-0470512166 Cope P
Web Photoshop: Start Here! (Ilex, 2003) ISBN 978-1904705048
Eisner W Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative (W. W. Norton & Co, 2008) ISBN 978-0393331271 Fiell
C and P Graphic Design for the 21st Century (Taschen, 2003) ISBN 978-3822816059

Flint M et al Users Guide to Copyright (Tottel Publishing, 2006) ISBN 978-1845920685

Gordon B and Gordon M The Complete Guide to Digital Graphic Design (Thames & Hudson, 2005)

ISBN 978-0500285602
Hart J Storyboarding for Film, TV and Animation (Focal Press, 1999) ISBN 9780240803296
Kindem G and Musburger R Introduction to Media Production (Focal Press, 2009) ISBN
978-0240810829

Krisztian G and Schlempp-Ulker N Visualizing Ideas: From Scribbles to Storyboards (Thames & Hudson
Ltd, 2006) ISBN 978-0500286128

McCloud S Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels (Harper
Paperbacks, 2008) ISBN 978-1435261945

McCloud S Understanding Comics (Harper Paperbacks, 2008) ISBN 978-1435242845 Millerson C and
Owens J Production Handbook (Focal Press, 2008) ISBN 978-0240520803

Sabin R Comics, Comix & Graphic Novels: A History of Comic Art (Phaidon Press, 2001) ISBN 9780714839936

Tumminello W Exploring Storyboarding (Delmar, 2004) ISBN 978-1401827151

Varnum R The Language of Comics: Word and Image (University Press of Mississippi, 2002)

ISBN 978-1578064137
Journals

Creative Review

Centaur
Websites

www.adobemag.com Adobe magazine

www.artsandlibraries.org.uk Arts and Libraries

www.artscouncil.org.uk Arts Council of England

www.bbc.co.uk provides access to related resources

www.bugpowder.com a small press comics community

www.cartooncentre.com the Cartoon Museum exhibits examples of British cartoons, caricature, and comic
art from the 18th century to the present day

www.ccc.acw.org.uk Arts Council of Wales

www.comicsresearch.org detailed information and guidance on further research

www.creativereview.co.uk online version of Creative Review, a magazine for visual communication

www.englishandmedia.co.uk English and Media Centre website, containing resources and publications

www.hse.gov.uk the Health and Safety Executive

www.medialearners.com information about media industries, production

www.mediastudents.com information about media industries, production, qualifications, and an extensive

database of links to other relevant sites

www.publishers.org.uk Publishing Association www.rps.org Royal Photographic

Society

www.scottmccloud.com author bringing comics to life with books and web comics which explore issues of
representation and the creation of graphic narratives

www.theaoi.com the Association of Illustrators, illustration resources for commissioners and practitioners
www.theory.org.uk/student-tips.htm website offering a set of original online resources and relative links