Introduction

In our Narrative 1 unit we created narratives through a variety of media. In each class we focused on different parts of narrative making.

English

In English we learned how to annotate and create our own Flash Fictions. We started out annotating John Logan’s play Red, which featured Mark Rothko, a well known artist during the 50s-70s. Red prepared us to explore character, setting, and plot as we started creating our plot maps. We spent a majority of the time refining our characters, challenging us to develop an original character with a believable identity, relationships, and conflict. By assuming the role of our fictional character, we answered questions as if they were answering them directly. We ended our unit by reading and annotating the novel 1984 by George Orwell.

Digital Media

In Digital Media we created parodies, learned in-depth how to use Illustrator, and used Dreamweaver to hack our websites. Making a parody was one of the hardest tasks I believe since we had to create our own lyrics, sing in the studio, and properly learn ProTools. We spent many weeks learning Illustrator, and after many practice assignments, we got into groups of 3 and created a horizontal exquisite corpse. Using our Flash Fiction, we designed something related to our story in Illustrator and then produced it as a physical object. There were many mediums to chose from including embroidered patches to jigsaw puzzles. To spice up our websites, we learned how to use CSS in Dreamweaver to create custom section banners.

Design

During our Narrative unit in Design, we covered the basis of color theory and learned how to make linear perspective drawings in Illustrator using the line tool. To practice using the line tool and one-point perspective, we created the interior of a bedroom. We chose color schemes from adobe color and used the live paint bucket tool in order to fill our rooms with color. With our Flash Fiction done, we created a hybrid creature character which exhibits the varying characteristics of our main character in our story. Our last project was our Narrative Character Portrait Mise en Scene, where we created a photographic portrait based on our main character. Using lighting techniques and props, we emphasized their personality, their environment, and our story.

Story

Our core assignment in English was to create a Flash Fiction narrative that relied primarily on showing rather than telling. We were allowed to write in any genre as long as we demonstrated strong characterization, had detailed descriptions of our settings, and an effective plot structure. We spent a great deal of time revisiting our characters and adding small details to depict a image for the reader.

The inspiration for my story was my cats and their playful personalities. Cats are commonly known well for their curiosity and fierce nature, which describes my babies perfectly. Both of my cats have strong personalities that are dissimilar, yet compatible. Freya, who inspired my character Hera, is sassy, stubborn, and dainty whereas Loki, who inspired my character Atlas, is mischievous, curious, and carefree. My cats are named after Nordic gods (Freya and Loki obviously). Their names heavily influenced my characters names, although not from Norse mythology but from Greek.

Catastrophe

The tile glittered like diamonds as they walked through the doors. They were greeted by the receptionist who recognized Hera immediately, eagerly jumping to her feet at the sign of her most valued customer. A reluctant Atlas slowly saunters in behind her, suspiciously looking at the lavish salon. Immediately they are ushered to styling chairs, sinking into the decadent soft material. A manicurist pushes up a cart with shiny metal tools as Hera purred in anticipation of what her beautiful nails would soon look like. Atlas recoils at the sight of nail clippers resting at the top of the cart. He is unaccustomed to such treatment and unlike Hera, it’s his first time in a salon. Daintly, Hera extends her paw as the manicurist clips away while Atlas watches nervously, his tail fuzzy and his ears folded back. 

Soon, and it’s Atlas’ turn. Oblivious to Atlas’ anxiousness, a pampered Hera is escorted to a relaxing bath where a beautician starts washing her fur. The delicate porcelain tub is surrounded with an assortment of products and dyes. To Atlas’ dismay, the manicurist takes out the nail clippers, reaching for his paw. Atlas jumps out of the chair at the sight of the clippers, and with his tail knocks over a box of blue dye resting on the side of Hera’s tub. An enraged Hera hisses, scampering to the nearest mirror, unprepared to see her beautiful white velvety fur turned completely blue, clashing with her ballet pink nose. Her body stiffens, her hair on end as her eyes narrow in a dagger-sharp glare. Hera freezes in disbelief, furious while the salon attendants gasp at the sudden change in events; a dye job was definitely not part of the treatment. 

Atlas sinks down, trying to become smaller despite his large stature. An angry Hera was the last thing he wanted but judging from her reaction, he knew he had messed up big time. After a moment of contemplation, Atlas sheepishly approaches his newly-blue friend, hoping that he can still salvage the day. Before he could comment, a frigid Hera turns around, fury on her face, and coldly walks out the door, leaving a worried expression on the face of the onlookers. An embarrassed Atlas sits and scratches at his ears as the attention turns to him. He slowly backs up into the manicure cart, knocking an open container of clippers onto the floor with a clatter, sending him bolting from the salon. 

At home, Atlas finds Hera snuggled under a pile of white blankets, her ears and tail sticking out from under the plush fabric. He goes to face her, and she pulls the blanket completely over her head, sinking deeper into the pile. Wanting to make amends, Atlas goes into the closet, rifling through boxes. Hera, intrigued, turns to see him holding her most treasured toy, a small satin shrimp with a black opal eye and pink feather-tufted tail. At the sight of the shrimp, her eyes grow wide. Atlas returns to Hera, softly placing the toy at the base of the blanket pile. She pops her head out from the blankets and delicately picks up the toy shrimp with her mouth. It lets out a small squeak. Accepting his peace offering, she retreats back into the blanket nest, cradling the toy in her paws as she bats at the feathers. A relieved Atlas snuggles up to Hera, who is somewhat appeased, neither one knowing the dye is still fresh. 

She turns to look at him, and is surprised to see how the dye from her had rubbed off onto him. Atlas sees his paws are the same colour blue as Hera’s and tilts his head, looking back at her, confused. Hera realizes Atlas is blue, she is blue, the blankets around her are blue, and all along the white carpet there are little blue paw prints. Hera tries to rub up against him in order to spread more of the dye, and he lets her, content to snuggle with his friend. 

They are an oasis of blue in their modern minimalist home. Blue would never be her first choice, as it is too loud, but here they are.

Illustrations

In our Illustrations unit we were introduced to Adobe Illustrator. We learned how to use tools like the pen tool, brush tool, and live paint bucket. We created wordpress banners, a group exquisite corpse, and our final project choice based on our Flash Fictions from English.

WordPress Banners

In Digital Media we created wordpress banners to customize each section on our website. In Illustrator I designed 5 different banners for each of my sections. Once they were complete I exported them as pngs and coded them into my CSS Dreamweaver. In Dreamweaver I customized the size, color, and location of each banner. To add text I downloaded 5 different fonts and adjusted the color and size.

Exquisite Corpse

In Digital Media we were assigned groups of 3 to create a horizontal exquisite corpse. Without knowing what my group members were drawing I was tasked to complete 1/3 of a drawing in Illustrator. I decided to draw the midsection of an unknown creature with 4 arms. When we were all done, the parts were attached horizontally to reveal our final drawing.

Illustrator Project

In this project we designed anything we wanted using Illustrator and transform it into a physical object. My design is of my main character in my flash fiction, Hera. Out of all the options, I chose to do a sweatshirt because I liked the aspect of being able to wear my own designs.

The inspiration for my project was the main character from my flash fiction, Hera. Hera is originally based on my real cat, Freya. In my story I referenced Hera’s ballet pink nose and posh lifestyle. To recreate her pampered vibes I decided to use a baby  pink zip up sweatshirt and draw Hera on the back in her extravagant salon attire. She is wearing hair curlers, a plush pink robe, and sunglasses. Like Hera, I wanted to be extra so I added stars on the sleeves and elbows. Additionally, I added the title of my story “Catastrophe” across the zipper in the front. A struggle I encountered in the making of the hoodie was lining up the letters close enough to the zipper so it would look like one word when zipped up, without melting the zipper. Although I am very pleased with the outcome, next time I would make the back image of Hera much bigger. 

Music

Parody

For this assignment we were tasked with writing a parody of any song of our choice. All the lyrics needed to be original and approved before we started recording. First, I needed to come up with lyrics that fit the format of the song. The song we chose was ‘Stacy’s Mom’ by Fountains of Wayne. We decided to gender swap our parody and make it about Stacy’s Dad. We decided to include stereotypical ‘dad things’ from grilling to going on fishing trips. When the lyrics were complete we met after school to record in the studio. We took around 4 takes and uploaded them to Pro Tools for editing. I downloaded an instrumental version of the Fountains of Wayne song to place in the background for a karaoke track we could sing over. I took the best parts from each studio recording and shuffled them together to make our final parody.

Lyrics

Design

Narrative Creature

For the Narrative Creature assignment we created hybrid animal creatures which exhibit the varying characteristics of our main character from our Flash Fiction. We compiled parts from a mammal, bird, reptile, insect, and ocean creature. I compiled parts from deer, peacock, bearded dragon, butterfly, and seahorse.

Hera and Atlas, two cats, enter a salon ready for a day of pampering. Hera is overjoyed with the idea of getting spoiled, whereas Atlas couldn’t be more uncomfortable and anxious. While Hera is relaxing in a calm bath, Atlas accidentally knocks over a box of blue dye into the bath. Hera, furious with a cowering Atlas, storms out of the salon, dyed completely blue. To make up for his mistake, Atlas presents Hera with her favorite toy and cuddles up with her, rubbing the blue dye off and onto him. Appeased by his newly blue fur and the way their little blue paw prints look in their home, Hera is satisfied and forgives him.

Using Adobe Illustrator, I created a creature based on characteristics and traits of my main character, Hera. To create my hybrid animal character, I used a seahorse’s tail, a butterfly’s wings, a deer’s body, the head of a peacock, and the claws of a bearded dragon. The deer represents Hera’s dainty traits, the seahorse elegance, the peacock represents vanity. The butterfly stands for her fashionable style and the bearded dragon claws are for her stubbornness and sassy personality. I chose to place my creature in the setting of the home in the story, shown by the elegance of the decor in the room, cat tree, scattered cat toys, and the blue paw prints. I used one-point perspective to make the room, which made it difficult to include the furniture such as the bookcase and fancy ottoman, objects I imagined would be in the room. Overall, I am satisfied with my work, but there are quite a few things I would change. Something I would go back to change is the analogous color scheme, because I feel like it looks a little more of a cartoony style than I intended, giving it the look of a story-book illustration. While I am not disappointed with this effect, it was not my intent.

For this assignment we created a background for our creature that matched a scene from our Flash Fiction. We had the option of using one-point perspective or two-point perspective to create the perfect environment for our creature. The main difference between one and two-point perspective is the number of vanishing points on the horizon line. One-point perspective has lines converging towards a single vanishing point, showing how things get smaller as they get further away. Two-point perspective involves two lines diverging into two separate vanishing points. I chose to use one-point perspective in an indoor setting.

Narrative Character Portrait

My story is about two cats, Atlas and Hera, who are looking to have a relaxing day in the spa. Hera is excited for the day of pampering, whereas Atlas couldn’t be more anxious. During Hera’s treatment, Atlas accidentally knocks over a box of dye onto Hera, resulting in Hera furious. This causes Hera to storm out of the salon, angry. In the end Atlas and Hera resolve their differences and become friends again. My photograph depicts Hera as a human, focusing on her glamorous and posh lifestyle. She sits in her chair at the salon awaiting her manicure with nail polish and magazines next to her. Hera’s confident pose, along with her feather boa, pearls, and sunglasses, show that she has just arrived at the salon feeling like she deserves the best treatment they have to offer. Her choice of attire, a pink tracksuit, shows she’s in the mood to relax while still looking fabulous. 

I first added a curves layer in Photoshop in order to lighten up certain parts of my photo.  Since this washed out a lot of the pink from the lights that I used, I added a magenta photo filter in order to return some of that color. Lastly, I added a vignette around the frame in order to draw the viewer’s attention more towards the center. I used pink and purple lights to create a deep pink color which I imagine to be Hera’s favorite color. I chose to shoot my photo in my living room against a white wall so I could arrange the space however I wanted. To the left of Hera is a table which I covered in a pink cloth and placed a stack of Vogue magazines and an assortment of nail polish. These props were necessary to bring the salon to life. Hera is wearing an all pink Juicy Couture tracksuit with a pearl necklace and a shimmery pink boa to show her posh and glamorous side. Achieving the correct lighting was especially difficult since it took a while to make the correct combination of pink and many shadows were formed. To solve this I had to change the intensity and angle of the light. Next time I will try to reduce the amount of shadows and maybe try a lighter color first and then increase the intensity more gradually. Overall I am very pleased with my work. 

Linear Perspective

Before creating our Narrative Creature and background, we learned how to draw in one and two-point perspective. One-point perspective has lines converging towards a single vanishing point, showing how things get smaller as they get further away. Two-point perspective involves two lines diverging into two separate vanishing points. To practice this we created a one-point perspective replica of our bedrooms. This allowed us to play around with the line tool in Adobe Illustrator and create color pallets. We learned how to use the Live Paint tool and make shades, tints, and tones of our selected color pallet.

Color Theory

This project was about learning color schemes and color theory. We practiced making examples of split-complementary, monochromatic, double complementary, analogous, triadic, and complementary colors with an assortment of colors. For each example we used 3 different color schemes, one to show linear balance, one with diagonal balance, and one with radial balance. We explored making tints, tones, and shades using black, grey, and white colored pencils.

C.R.A.P Video Assignment

For the C.R.A.P video assignment we used colored pencils to represent contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity in a way that makes most sense to us. Each quarter has a different color scheme and subject.

Rubber Ducky

The Rubber Ducky assignment was about learning how to use and navigate Adobe illustrator using the pen tool. We learned how to make shadows and highlights, fill and color strokes, and how to use the feather tool to soften hard edges.