Illustration and Visual Narrative | Task 3 : Digital Triptych

29/11/2023 - 05/01/2024 (Week 10 - Week 14)

Yong Xiao Tong / 0368290

Illustration and Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

Task 3

---

Instructions

For this assignment, we have to apply Scott McCloud's theory on transitions to create a digital triptych comprising three panels: one before, one during (climactic turning point), and one after a significant event. Each panel will represent a different transition type from McCloud's theory.

After reviewing Scott McCloud's transitions: moment-to-moment, action-to-action, subject-to-subject, scene-to-scene, and aspect-to-aspect. I have chosen the subject-to-subject transition for my three panels.

Sketch

                                                       Fig 1.1 Panel 1 sketch                             Fig 1.2 Panel 3 sketch

Digitisation

Panel #1

Fig 1.3 Draw the car interior radio, and then draw the side profile of the couple with the car seats covering their bodies

Fig 1.4 Draw the outer part of the car, and then draw the rearview mirror

Fig 1.5 Add background and face features 

Panel #3

Fig 1.6 Use the completed decisive moment artwork, erase The Hookman, identify the part that fits my artboard, and then tweak the background floor to the appropriate position

Fig 1.7 Add the blood-dripping hook to hang on the car door handle

As I have chosen Scott McCloud's subject-to-subject transition, below is a brief explanation for each panel, detailing the chosen transition and its significance in the narrative context.

Fig 1.8 Explanation for each panel

Fig 1.9 Digital Triptych

Final Outcome

Fig 1.10 Final Digital Triptych with Textures

---

Reflection

Experience

Continuing the Hookman narrative with Scott McCloud's theory on transitions was an enriching experience. Drawing the before panel challenged me to set the scene effectively, ensuring a smooth transition to the climactic turning point. It required a different mindset to capture the anticipation leading up to the significant event. Creating the after panel allowed me to explore the aftermath, depicting the consequences and resolution of the urban legend.

Observations

In the before panel, I observed how each detail played a crucial role in setting the stage for the urban legend. The subject-to-subject transition allowed me to focus on the character's expressions and the atmosphere in the lane before the ominous event. This approach heightened the suspense, preparing the viewer for the impending climax. The after panel provided an opportunity to showcase the impact of the turning point on the characters and the environment.

Findings

Applying McCloud's theory in the three-panel digital triptych was a valuable exercise in visual storytelling. The subject-to-subject transition type proved effective in conveying a gradual build-up of tension and anticipation. The continuity of visual elements across the panels strengthened the narrative flow. Exploring the after panel deepened my understanding of the narrative's resolution and the lasting effects of the urban legend. Overall, this task enhanced my skills in creating a cohesive and engaging story through sequential art.