Methods for developing creative storytelling outputs can be varied. Indeed, stories lend themselves to a plethora of creative mediums – limited primarily by the scope of your imagination!
In this section, we aim to evoke inspiration by asking questions about key aspects of the design process as you consider different mediums. You will also find a selection of case studies and pen portraits below from a range of creative storytelling outputs.
As with Collection and Curation, it is best to keep in mind the purpose of the creation, people and places it relates to, and the voices your story(ies) and creation represent.
What is the best method for your creative storytelling output?
There may be a variety of reasons that you choose to pursue a certain creative medium for your storytelling output. These may be governed by the purpose of your project, skill set, time constraints, innovation, and audience.
You may also need to consider how appropriate creative methods are for telling your story and how these align with the place they represent. For instance, written formats are not always representative of the way some cultures tell stories, for others illustrating certain objects or figures may be deemed culturally insensitive. An understanding of the place and people a story involves may drive or inspire approaches to creative methods.
Questions to answer
- What is the purpose of your creative storytelling output? And how does this influence your approach?
- What resources do you have available (skills, time, finance, etc) and how will this impact your creative storytelling method?
- Who are your audience? Are certain methods more/ less appropriate?
- Are you aware of any restrictions (cultural or otherwise) that may influence your choice of method and output?
- Do you have the buy-in from any relevant stakeholders who can support your work or project?
What design choices do you need to consider when developing your creative storytelling output?
As you embark on the development of creative storytelling outputs there are a range of design choices you may need to consider ensuring that your work is relevant, accessible and fits the aims of your project outcomes.
Design choices can be important for the aesthetic value of your project and help with interpretation and engagement. They can also impact how accessible your creative outputs are, and which audiences might engage (and how).
Questions to answer
- What colours will you use in your creative storytelling outputs? Are they appropriate? (for instance, do the colours you are using carry particular meaning?)
- Will you be using any symbols in your creative storytelling outputs? If so, are they easy to understand? Are they appropriate?
- Does your chosen design impact the meaning of the story in any way? Consider questions of positionality, voice, people and place, explores earlier in this stage.
- Do you need to provide extra interpretation to explain the design, symbols, colours chosen for the creative storytelling project, and their relevance to the story?