Visual Storytelling and Digital Tools

Course Description

With advances in technology and how we obtain media, communication is becoming increasingly visual. Information and stories are presented as illustrations, photographs, infographics, animations, and more. Words are replaced with a single powerful image that can convey all the emotions and knowledge necessary. More importantly, the information presented in an image is more likely to be retained, with approximately 80% of people remembering what they see instead of the 20% that will remember what they read and 10% that will remember what they hear. Visual communication skills are an increasing asset in the realm of storytelling – both fact-based and fictional.

In this mini-course, students will explore how images communicate and how to make compelling visual storytelling pieces using a variety of technology to convey a desired narrative. Students will develop a digital storytelling project utilizing new visual literacy and digital storytelling knowledge gained during the week. They will get hands-on experience learning how to capture and create compelling images with different technologies and explore concepts such as rules of composition, visual hierarchy, colour theory, and typography. Students in the mini-course course will experiment with different software and digital tools for content creation and digital storytelling, including graphic design tools, stock image/icon resources, photography resources, and AI image generators.

After the week, students will know how to create pieces of visual storytelling using a variety of tools. The skills developed are NOT taught so students can incorporate storytelling when they use them – rather, they are taught so students can use them FOR storytelling.

“Visual Storytelling and Digital Tools” is taught by faculty in the Media Production and Design Program at Carleton University. The program teaches how to tell fact-based stories through new and emerging technology by exposing students to new digital tools, ways of understanding communication, and the theories and ethics behind storytelling.