SUMMER, FALL, SPRING I 

VNG-5040
Black, White and One Color
Summer semester: 3 credits
Lighting, temperature, character, mood, setting, continuity and rhythm: These are but a few of the basic, yet fundamental, building blocks of visual storytelling. Favoring content and narrative over finished product, this course aims to help students examine their assumptions of these visual fundamentals in their own work through a limited and focused palette. Using only black and white, mixed with spot colors, students will be given a series of exercises that are intended to disrupt and challenge current working methods. The goal is to gain a better understanding of storytelling as both artists and as authors.

VNG-5080
Web and Digital Media I
Summer semester: 3 credits
The proliferation and advancements in technology and mobile media have redefined, if not revolutionized, how narrative art is created and received. Artists and authors now have unprecedented access to advanced digital toolsets, and a global audience at the tap of a touchscreen or the click of a mouse. In this course, we will explore the production aspects of digital technology, from Adobe Creative Suite techniques for print to web design and interactive media development.

VNG-5130
Narrative Writing
Summer semester: 3 credits
An author is broadly defined as “one who originates or gives existence to anything; a creator.” More narrowly defined, it’s someone who practices writing as a profession. Skilled writers use language to successfully portray individual ideas and unique images, and skilled visual artists can take those ideas and images and push them far beyond the written word. Combine the two and great things can happen. Exploring the “artist as author” is the goal of this workshop. Personal artistic voice will be explored through on-location and in-class writing exercises, often done in tandem with, and inspired by, images created in VNG-5040, Black, White and One Color. Universal themes present in literary genres and popular culture will be analyzed and debated. Students will be required to keep a written journal to help them promote, practice and refine a relationship between visual and narrative storytelling. An extensive reading list will be scrutinized and discussed, and lectures by guest authors will be scheduled.

VNG-5170
History of Visual Storytelling: The Picture Book
Summer semester: 3 credits
This seminar provides an overview of visual storytelling and graphic media in North America, Europe and Asia. We will focus on children’s books and comics from the 18th century to the present, as the focus for all different approaches to telling a story with words and pictures. Students can expect a thorough history of both mediums and their various points of intersections, from children’s adventure books to comic strips to modernist approaches to storytelling and the underground revolution. We will also look at contemporary approaches, including those in digital media. The works of major figures such as Sendak, Herriman, Crumb and Wyeth will be covered. Guest artists and lecturers will address the class and field trips to local archives and collections will also be organized.

VNG-5540 / VNG-5545
Story I and II
Fall and spring semesters: 3 credits
The artistic translation from the written word to visual narrative will be emphasized in these online courses, as students begin the process of developing original content from both fiction and nonfiction sources in a limited form. Assignments will address a variety of narrative subjects, as well as prose related to contemporary literature, current events and popular culture. Students will begin to incorporate their own written material from Creative Script I with their artwork. As students transition to Story II, they will focus on the development and execution of a one-of-a-kind short story that includes type and image. Presentation of a finished narrative for critique and exposition, in both digital and print formats, will be required.

VNG-5580
Creative Script I
Fall semester: 3 credits
Concept, character, structure and craft—the fundamentals of creative storytelling and the architecture of a well-defined outline—will be the focus of this course. Students will develop writing skills in the core components of storytelling through exercises, such as an active but flawed protagonist with a concrete goal, a story with a sound structure based on character story arc and a unique concept with a specific target audience. The similarities and differences between theater, film, television, comics and interactive media will be explored through readings and discussions. The end product will be a rough draft of a short script for a visual medium of each student’s choice.

VNG-5585
Creative Script II
Spring semester: 3 credits
The secret to writing is rewriting. Working in tandem with VNG-5545, Story II, in this course students will write, re-examine and rigorously improve a first draft of their narrative project. We will focus on editing and story continuity. One-on-one instructor feedback and peer critique are included.

VNG-5650 / VNG-5655
Lecture Series I and II
Fall and spring semesters: no credit
This lecture series offers students the opportunity to hear from a wide variety of professional perspectives. Given by artists and authors from around the world, these presentations will address several aspects of storytelling.

SUMMER, FALL, SPRING II

VNG-6120
Color, Process, Text and Image
Summer semester: 3 credits
The history and use of typography, image, and color as a form of visual expression in storytelling is the focus of this course. Amplification of the narrative power of words through a combination of type and image as well as the use of letterforms will be discussed and explored. We will also address the strategic and aesthetic use of color to further enhance the author’s creative voice. Through short projects and lectures, students will gain a greater understanding of how they view and utilize type, color and image in their own work.

VNG-6150
Book and Print Media
Summer semester: 3 credits
This course will examine the various ways an artist can go from concept to print to store with a book. It will begin with a short history of mass-market printing techniques to explain how we got to where we are and give background on the various options in front of us. The course will include presentations on book proposals, manuscripts and the processes toward the final draft. And to facilitate that draft, we will look at a variety of printing and binding techniques, from silkscreen to letterpress to sewing and stapling, and on down to both lower- and higher-tech models. There will be studio visits to printers and artists, as well as in-class critiques from editors and agents. Through the course, students will gain a conceptual and practical understanding of how to make a book.

VNG-6210
Visual Writing
Summer semester: 3 credits
Dedicated to writing and drawing as a process of thinking, this course explores the ways in which visual imagery can function as a form of narrative. We will experiment with different forms of non-traditional storytelling, including diagrams, maps, collage, illustration and typography. Throughout the course, students will interrogate their surroundings by combining techniques from both objective and non-objective writing. In the end, our goal will be to approach the creative process with journalistic rigor.

VNG-6240
Form, Empathy and Character Play
Summer semester: 3 credits
Sometimes the only way to find a character’s “voice” as a storyteller is to get into character. This course is designed to further develop skills in character development by physically designing, constructing, acting and animating a single character of their own creation—bringing that character to life in a believable way. One of the most important elements in storytelling is creating a believable character by giving it a strong personality and an individual voice. Through guest lectures, improvisational exercises, short projects and character play, students will explore aspects of acting, directing, sculpture and design in the practice of character development. Set design, basic animation, video and audio techniques will also be addressed.

VNG-6310 / VNG-6315
Thesis I and II
Fall and spring semesters: 3 credits per semester
Students will work one-on-one to define, research, write and create an original visual narrative thesis with supervision from their course instructor and additional support from an approved mentor. The direction and visual medium for the thesis is open to each student’s interpretation and the completed project should demonstrate strength and vision as a storyteller and visual narrative artist. The thesis project will culminate in a group exhibition at the end of the third summer session. An interactive, digital version of each narrative thesis is also required.

VNG-6340 / VNG-6345
Script I and II
Fall and spring semesters: 3 credits per semester
These writing courses are meant to instruct and inform the written development of thesis projects through research, evaluation and critical analysis. Students will maintain and update a written journal that documents the progression of their narrative thesis from inception to completion, including detailed accounts of their discourses and critiques with their advisors. In addition, one-on-one and online group discussions and lectures by guest authors will be scheduled.

VNG-6370 / VNG-6375
Thesis Review I and II
Fall and spring semesters: no credit
To support the work in the thesis courses, the department chair will schedule individual meetings with students for review and critique of thesis projects.

VNG-6410 / VNG-6415
Mentor Review I and II
Fall and spring semesters: no credit
To enhance students’ experience and exposure to working professionals in the field, each student will be paired with a mentor of their choosing. Critiques, online presentations and an individual review of each student’s progress will be scheduled.

SUMMER III

VNG-6820
Web and Digital Media II
Summer semester: 3 credits
This course follows the evolution of storytelling from a one-shot, analog experience to dynamic, digitized new media. Students will examine and scrutinize the social and cultural impact of narrative content in a connected world, and the relevance of the “artist as author” in an ever-changing marketplace. Mobile devices and interactive technology will be studied through readings and discussions. By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of where the craft and marketing of visual narrative is headed.

VNG-6850
Guest Critic and Editing Seminar
Summer semester: 3 credits
Through lectures and studio visits with guest art directors, editors, critics and curators, this seminar is designed to offer each student a deeper understanding and insight into how narrative art is viewed, edited, chosen and critiqued in the industry. Portfolio reviews from noted professionals is included.

VNG-6870
Professional Practice
Summer semester: no credit
It is increasingly necessary for artists to have a strong professional outlook and understanding of the laws and core business practices central to independent art practice. Through a series of instructional seminars, we will focus on four main goals: an understanding of the publishing, gallery, and narrative art marketplace; how to review, prepare and pitch a cohesive body of work; the development and application of the student’s brand and identity tools as both an artist and author for communicating, showcasing and promoting that work; the legal limitations and responsibilities of self-authorship, intellectual property, copyright and art law.

VNG-6900
Thesis Production
Summer semester: 6 credits
As storytellers, we create original works of art and literature for the public to consume, for history to judge and for critics to validate. As creators of original content, what responsibilities, if any, do we have to our audience(s), and what expectations or gratifications do we require in return? In the grand scheme of things, are we contributing something of worth and note? Is there even a need to do so, outside of personal expression or artistic commentary? Part philosophy seminar and part thesis studio, this course aims to evaluate these issues in the creative process of storytelling through insightful review, discussion and criticism. Through work on projects that address different contemporary and historical views on narrative art and input from guest speakers with varying points of view, the students will begin to think about how these issues are addressed in their artistic work and thesis prod

VNG-5040-A Black, White and One Color (summer)
VNG-5080-A Web and Digital Media I (summer)
VNG-5130-A Narrative Writing (summer)
VNG-5170-A The History of Visual Storytelling: The Picture Book (summer)

VNG-5540-OL Story I (fall)
VNG-5580-OL Creative Script I (fall)
VNG-5650-OL Lecture Series I (fall)

VNG-5545-OL Story II (spring)
VNG-5585-OL Creative Script II (spring)
VNG-5655-OL Lecture Series (spring)

VNG-6120-A Color, Process, Text and Image (summer)
VNG-6150-A Book and Print Media (summer)
VNG-6210-A Visual Writing (summer)
VNG-6240-A Form, Empathy and Character Play (summer)

VNG-6310-OL Thesis I (fall)
VNG-6340-OL Script I (fall)
VNG-6370-OL Thesis Review (fall)
VNG-6410-OL Mentor Review (fall)

VNG-6315-OL Thesis II (spring)
VNG-6345-OL Script II (spring)
VNG-6375-OL Thesis Review (spring)
VNG-6415-OL Mentor Review (spring)

VNG-6820-A Web and Digital Media II(summer)
VNG-6850-A Guest Critic and Editing Seminar (summer)
VNG-6870-A Professional Practices (summer)
VNG-6900-A Thesis Production (summer)