Section 3

Unit Title Storytelling

Unit Code ACT101
Programme BA (Hons) Design for Interaction
Credits 10 Level 1 Unit Status Mandatory

Contact Time 25 Access to Resources 20 Independent Study 55

This unit aims to introduce students to the uses of narrative in visual
communication.
Interaction designers design the interfaces which enable humans to
engage with products, media and information. It is important that
these interfaces are self explanatory (i.e. tell their own story
visually). An understanding of the nature of stories and storytelling
Introduction
enables a designer to do this effectively.
Students will work on a project which examines the nature of
storytelling and how it can be used in design. Since all designers
need to present their designs to clients, students are introduced to
the basic presentation skills which they will build upon and develop
during the rest of the course.

Topics that may be covered in this unit include:

Indicative • The structure of stories;
Curriculum • Visual techniques for the communication of ideas;
Outline • Cultural influences on storytelling;
• Basic presentation techniques.

In order to pass this Level 1 unit, students must show that the
following learning outcomes have been achieved:

Knowledge and Understanding

1. Knowledge and understanding about the nature of stories,

storytelling and the creative possibilities of narrative in
interaction design; (LO1)
Unit Learning 2. Knowledge and understanding about the interrelationship of
Outcomes visual communication and the content of that communication.
(LO2)

Skills

3. An ability to present their ideas to a defined audience through

visual communication; (LO3)
4. An ability to use storyboarding to develop and present an
interaction design proposal. (LO4)

Faculty of Design Definitive Document: 21 July 2006

 Section 3

This unit will make use of the following:

Teaching and • Briefing(s);

Learning • Studio based lectures;
Strategies • Self directed student study;
• 1 formative assessment;
• 1 summative assessment by presentation.

Formative Assessment
Students will receive written feedback from project presentations,
giving them an indication of their performance in relation to the
learning outcomes before the final submission of their work.

Summative Assessment
This will include:
Assessable • A storyboard explaining the use(s) of a given artefact;
Elements
• A project log containing background sketches and research.

Each assessed element will contribute to the final grade, in the

proportions shown in the following table:

Assessable Elements Percentage of Final Grade

Storyboard (and presentation) 80%
Project Log 20%

Students will be assessed on the following:

Storyboard
• The degree to which the storyboard meets specified formats
and conventions; (LO1, LO3)
• The effectiveness of the storyboard in articulating the
Assessment purposes of a given artefact; (LO2, LO4)
Criteria • How clearly the associated presentation explains the solution
to the intended audience. (LO4)

Project Log
• The level of research and use of available material; (LO1)
• Evidence of generation and exploration of a number of
concepts. (LO4)

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 Section 3

Unit Relevant Books

O. Fraioli, James. (2000) Storyboarding 101: a crash course in

professional storyboarding.

Bell, Roanne (ed). and Sinclair, Mark. (ed) (2005) Pictures and
words: new comic art and narrative illustration.

Propp, Louis. and Wagner, A. (ed.) (1969) The morphology of the

folk tale, University of Texas Press. (Analyses storytelling into
formulae)

Indicative The Beano and other examples of comic narrative art.

Reading List
Manuals for any electronic appliances i.e. VCR, DVD, Microwave
cooker etc.

Unit Relevant Websites

www.animationexpress.com

www.animationexpress.com (Students will need to subscribe to this

website for a weekly email)

http://pages.prodigy.com/suna/storytel.htm (The History of

Storytelling)

Faculty of Design Definitive Document: 21 July 2006