Narrative 1


The Visual Narrative Project across all my classes provided a platform to hone my storytelling skills through a visual medium. Engaging in this project allowed me to experiment with different digital art techniques and develop a deeper understanding of visual storytelling principles. As a result, I emerged with enhanced abilities as both a storyteller and digital artist, equipped with a diverse set of tools to convey narratives effectively.


In crafting my English narrative story, I began by delving into character development through a detailed Character Questionnaire, exploring their backgrounds, motivations, and quirks. Next, I constructed a Plot Map, charting the trajectory of the narrative from its inception to resolution, ensuring a cohesive and engaging storyline. These process works served as invaluable guides, laying the foundation for a compelling narrative enriched with well-rounded characters and a captivating plot.

In producing the audio version of my story, I embarked on a journey of learning to utilize Adobe Audition, mastering techniques such as voice recording, editing, and sound effects integration to bring my narrative to life. Transitioning from writing to audio production allowed me to explore storytelling in a new dimension, understanding the nuances of pacing, tone, and atmosphere crucial for an immersive audio experience. Through this process, I valued the opportunity to expand my storytelling repertoire, merging literary creativity with technical proficiency to create a dynamic and engaging audio rendition of my short story.

Dorthy Clifton has always been intrigued by the past. The old little library in her small, British village had become her sanctuary; the strong, musty scent of aging paper captivated her with a strong allure, and the pages of the ancient books spoke secrets to her nobody else could understand. 

On one dim, overcast morning, Dorthy’s strides echoed through the rustic stone walls of the streets as she approached the library. Her emerald green eyes glistened with anticipation as she swung open the library’s heavy wooden door. The shelves were lined with endless volumes of literature, each filled with untold mysteries, tales, and legends. She was drawn to the battered spine of an ancient book, and her heart raced as she knew this was her newest adventure. 

A mysterious bookmark was nestled between the pages as Dorthy flipped through them, tucked between stories of hidden treasure and historical artifacts. It was a tiny locket, composed of mainly silver, beautifully crafted and engraved with an elaborate floral pattern. Her heart was skipping beats as she carefully examined its many intricacies. The lock contained a secret compartment, its combination a mystery, only known to the one who had placed it there. Dorthy, intrigued, decided to keep the locket and put it around her neck as a good luck charm. 

Days turned to weeks as Dorthy’s curiosity to uncover history grew. Her literature was thriving, packed with fresh perspectives and lifelike imagery. However, her appetite for the past had made her solitary and held off from society. She disclosed very little about her personal life, maintaining an aura of mystery.

One dim evening, after hours of perfecting her literary crafts, Dorthy strolled through her local meadow, known for its beautiful stargazing views. The sky was immense; stars with vibrant hues of purple, green, and blue radiated through the pitch-black sky, creating a heavy contrast. She put down a blanket and laid on her back, tracing constellations, feeling a deep connection to the wild universe. 

It was in the meadows, beneath the stars, that Dorthy met Johnathan, a fellow historian and enjoyer of the stars. Their eyes instantly met with a spark, and a blooming conversation filled with shared passions and ideas emerged. Johnathan’s interest in the universe, stars, and history perfectly matched with Dorthy’s, and a profound connection began to sprout.

As their connection grew, Dorthy caught herself letting go for the first time in years. She shared not only her love for the adventure of history but also details of her own life, especially the thoughts about the locket she had discovered in the library.

Henry was an avid listener, his eyes filled with understanding whenever Dorthy spoke. After hours of conversation, Henry revealed he had a similar locket, a family heirloom passed down through six generations. The code, like Dorthy’s, was a mystery. Their shared passion for the mysterious and their shared possession of lockets deepened their connection. Nearing the end of their conversation, they started moving towards the past and future, discussing the complex nuances of history and the possibilities of a future they may have together.

In this newborn connection, Dorthy realized that her love for history and her love for the locket, which both symbolized her love in the past, were connected to her need for profound and real human relationships. The tranquil nights under the stars with Johnathan transformed the once-solitary locket into a magical key that opened a window not only into historical secrets and portals but into the mystery of their profound connection stemming from their hearts.     

This is a snapshot from my Pro Tools Session in the process of creating my short story audio recording.

In my story, meet Dorthy Clifton, a woman with an insatiable passion for history and literature. Picture her, stumbling upon a mysterious artifact tucked away in the cozy nooks of her neighborhood library. This discovery propels her into a whirlwind adventure with Jonathan, sparking a soulful connection as they unravel the artifact’s secrets, leading to a hidden treasure trove.

Now, envision my artwork—a reincarnation of Dorthy, fused with the essence of an owl, zebra, chameleon, octopus, and a shark. She roams her sanctuary, the deserted library, poised for her next literary escapade. Crafting this creature was an adventure in itself. I embarked on a journey of brainstorming, carefully selecting animals whose traits mirrored Dorthy’s inner spirit. The zebra embodies her intricate mind and artistic flair, while the owl symbolizes her serene wisdom. The chameleon reflects her adaptability, the shark her quiet strength, and the octopus her vast knowledge.Despite challenges, like designing the backdrop to fit my creature within the spacious library setting, the end result fills me with pride. This project honed my Illustrator skills and taught me the art of infusing meaning into my creations. Through Dorthy’s journey and the embodiment of her essence in my artwork, I discovered the power of storytelling and visual expression.

In this image, you’re gazing upon the embodiment of Dorthy Clifton, the central character of my narrative. Dorthy, a woman in her middle years, possesses an insatiable curiosity and an unwavering passion for history and literature. Despite her gentle demeanor, she often retreats into solitude, finding solace in the pages of ancient tomes within a quaint village bookstore. Her journey unfolds as she stumbles upon an aged map tucked within the pages of a weathered book, igniting an unexpected alliance with Jonathan, a kindred spirit in historical exploration. Together, they embark on a quest for hidden treasure, their bond deepening with each challenge they overcome. As they unearth riches beyond measure, they come to realize that their true treasure lies in the enduring companionship they’ve discovered and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

Crafting this image proved to be a meticulous endeavor. It commenced with the meticulous creation of a Mise en Scene Plan, where I meticulously delineated the elements – objects, individuals, and hues – essential to capture Dorthy’s essence from my story. This initial stage demanded considerable time and deliberation, as I sifted through myriad expressions and combinations to distill them into a cohesive vision. Transitioning to the shooting phase, which consumed approximately two hours, I meticulously arranged three lights – the key, fill, and back lights – and meticulously positioned my subject against a black backdrop, capturing nearly a hundred shots with varying lighting and postures. Finally, in the refining phase, I meticulously curated the finest images and applied an array of adjustment layers and filters in Adobe Photoshop, meticulously refining them to culminate in my ultimate creation.

Digital Media Creation

Illustrator Project

For my art project, I decided to make a patch because I like its detailed and 3D look. I chose the Egyptian Ankh for my design, a symbol of life that’s been around for a very long time. I started creating my patch digitally. First, I traced images in Adobe Illustrator and filled them with live paint. Then, I smoothed out the lines and added the final touches. After finishing the digital version, I sent it to the sewing machine. It took about 5000 stitches and 15 minutes with black, light brown, and beige thread to complete my patch.

For some context, about the the Ankh symbol: The ankh is an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol depicting the concept of eternal life.  It is a cross with a loop at the top, which symbolizes the concept of eternal life, and was closely tied to the ancient Egyptian belief in the afterlife and the soul’s journey after death.  The ankh was a prominent symbol in ancient Egyptian religion, mythology, and culture, often depicted in the hands of gods and pharaohs as a symbol of divine power, protection, and the ability to grant eternal life.