This unit focused on mastering narrative techniques to craft compelling stories. We explored how to use dialogue, visuals, plot development, character arcs, and more to strengthen storytelling, and then applied these skills to our own projects.
In English, we read Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler, which showed us how social and political commentary can be woven into a narrative to give it real-world significance. Inspired by that, we each chose a real-world issue that mattered to us and wrote an argument essay. My research essay focused on the rising cost of prescription drugs and what it reveals about the challenges and inequalities in our current healthcare system.
Our final English project was the Worldbuilding Narrative Project. Throughout it, we learned how to collaborate to create a cohesive and engaging story, complete with compelling plots, characters, settings, and visuals. I worked closely with God and Sam during this process, and together we built a strong, unified narrative world.
In Digital Media, we started with the Surrealism Project, using photoshop techniques to combine images into surreal, dreamlike artworks. After that, we moved on to our Multilayered 3D Art project. I chose to create a lightbox for my final piece. First, we sketched our ideas, planning how each layer would contribute to the overall depth. Then, we learned to design in Adobe Illustrator so our files could be processed by the laser cutter. Finally, we assembled our layered pieces into finished 3D artworks. Once complete, we compiled all of our process evidence into a video, and also used After Effects to create a 3D animation that showcased the layering digitally.
More detail can be found in the dropdown menu under the “Narrative 2” tab.