Summary
The main task assigned to us for Unit 175 (1st semester of the Bachelor of Multimedia Design course) was to read "Understanding Comics, The Invisible Art" by Scott McCloud and to "Relate what is said in this chapter to a work/artist/designer you have seen in lectures/anywhere else. Image, brief description, link to a source of information on the web" on a weekly basis.
I really enjoyed reading the above-mentioned book and was enlightened about many different theories and concepts that I had just Not thought to "think about" before I read this book! All the lectures I attended for this unit were entertaining and very informative. They always linked back to one of the chapters in the book by either portraying examples of a theory McCloud might have mentioned or by introducing completely different ideas that would relate back to the book in some manner.
Some of the main aspects about this assignment would be the way I "see" media these days! I find myself analyzing movies of all kinds from animated, cartoons and feature films ( to non-animated, action movies (Die Hard and James Bond!) I have also been made aware of the ability to branch out into other cultures and watch movies made in Japan and China! For Example: "Princess Mononoke" and "Dragon Ball Z" in week 4. This helped me understand theories McCloud discussed in his book, such as audience identifying with characters, closure, relationship between form and content, the language of icons and symbols, etc. It was really helpful to be able to have actual exmaple of the information in McClouds book in class everyday for me to see and understand, and be able to investigate further.
Multimedia Design 175: Theory and Practice has allowed me to look at the mediums of communication in a new light! Film, radio, television, comic books....all of these shall never be the same again. I also learnt about interactivity, literacy and the design of above-mentioned communications and their individual advantages and disadvantages.
I found this unit to be entirely enjoyable, and owe a big thank you to Andrew Hutchison for being such a kind and fun lecturer. Thanks for everything!!! :c)
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Chapter 9 ~ Putting It All Together
"Understanding Comics, The Invisible Art" by Scott McCloud
Relate what is said in this chapter to a work/artist/designer you have seen in lectures. Image, brief description, link to a source of information on the web.
This is the final installation to the wonderful comic book/book by Scott McCloud! In this chapter, McCloud reflects on the reason why the medium of comics is so important, and why we should try so hard to better understand this wonderful and flexible medium.
Hallmarks of Felinity by Brooke McEldowney
[Ref: http://www.ramblestrip.com/catphysics.jpg ]
"Today, comics is one of the very few forms of mass communication in which individual voices still have a chance to be heard" [p.g.197]
McCloud states that comics could be seen as a means of communication because we all have something to say to the world, and most of us love to be entertained and read a good story!
Comics is a medium based on communication; the message or story the artist is trying to convey to an audience, and understanding; the ideas and perceptions that an audience will take away with them after reading the comic. It is purely sight-based and includes a full range of pictorial styles ranging from realistic representations to simplified lines and shapes, as well as an entire world of symbols, language and icons!
"Throughout its history, comics has harnessed the power of cartons to command viewer involvement and identification, and realism to capture the beauty and complexity of the visible world" [p.g.204]
Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Waterson
[Ref: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-7/785459/calvin.jpg ]
Another important point covered time and again in all our lectures is audience/reader/viewer involvement and participation. This is done by several interesting methods including "Closure" and "Simplification" (which leads to a more universal recognition) Space and time is also explored in this book.
McCloud expounds on the idea that all languages must evolve, including the language of comics! He also states, and I completely agree with this, that the possibilities for comics are endless.
"...all that's needed is the desire to be heard, the will to learn, and the ability to see" [p.g.213]
[Ref: http://blog.karlribas.com/images/dilbert-cartoons.gif ]
Dilbert by Scott Adams
Relate what is said in this chapter to a work/artist/designer you have seen in lectures. Image, brief description, link to a source of information on the web.
This is the final installation to the wonderful comic book/book by Scott McCloud! In this chapter, McCloud reflects on the reason why the medium of comics is so important, and why we should try so hard to better understand this wonderful and flexible medium.
Hallmarks of Felinity by Brooke McEldowney
[Ref: http://www.ramblestrip.com/catphysics.jpg ]
"Today, comics is one of the very few forms of mass communication in which individual voices still have a chance to be heard" [p.g.197]
McCloud states that comics could be seen as a means of communication because we all have something to say to the world, and most of us love to be entertained and read a good story!
Comics is a medium based on communication; the message or story the artist is trying to convey to an audience, and understanding; the ideas and perceptions that an audience will take away with them after reading the comic. It is purely sight-based and includes a full range of pictorial styles ranging from realistic representations to simplified lines and shapes, as well as an entire world of symbols, language and icons!
"Throughout its history, comics has harnessed the power of cartons to command viewer involvement and identification, and realism to capture the beauty and complexity of the visible world" [p.g.204]
Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Waterson
[Ref: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-7/785459/calvin.jpg ]
Another important point covered time and again in all our lectures is audience/reader/viewer involvement and participation. This is done by several interesting methods including "Closure" and "Simplification" (which leads to a more universal recognition) Space and time is also explored in this book.
McCloud expounds on the idea that all languages must evolve, including the language of comics! He also states, and I completely agree with this, that the possibilities for comics are endless.
"...all that's needed is the desire to be heard, the will to learn, and the ability to see" [p.g.213]
[Ref: http://blog.karlribas.com/images/dilbert-cartoons.gif ]
Dilbert by Scott Adams
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Chapter 8 ~ A Word about Color
"Understanding Comics, The Invisible Art" by Scott McCloud
Relate what is said in this chapter to a work/artist/designer you have seen in lectures. Image, brief description, link to a source of information on the web.
This chapter is pre-dominantly about colour and the use of it in comics over time with the main influences being commerce and technology.
McCloud also discusses the different ideas of "Additive" and "Subtractive" primaries, the main gist of which is illustrated in the picture below:
[Ref: http://www.diycalculator.com/imgs/console-09.gif ]
The first use of color in comics would be in newspaper comics, where sales rocketed, which called for more streamlined and cost-effective processes to be implemented. The fact that this cost-awareness indirectly produced the "look" and "Feel" of comics in America is amazing! In order to produce more cost-effective newspapers, the standard "Four Color" process was used, which: "...restricted the intensity of the three primaries to 100%, 50% and 20% using black ink for the line work" [p.g.187]. This resulted in a distinctive "look": the comics were printed on cheap newsprint, with bold black outlines and simplified colours. To remedy this "dulling down" effect and to make the comics stand out more; "...heros were clad in bright, primary colours and "fought in a bright, primary world!" [p.g.188]
Comic colors could be said to be an icon in themselves. By using the same colors repeatedly for a super-hero, a comic artist can render the hero unforgettable, especially in a child's mind!
Some famous super-heros!
[Ref: http://comicsmedia.ign.com/comics/image/article/674/674213/dc-superheroes-get-licked-20051207021349520-000.jpg ]
Colour is used in comics in various ways, a few examples are noted below:
-flat colours ("Tintin" by Herge)
[Ref: http://www.bunchofmonkeys.com/words/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/Tintin.jpg ]
-intense, subjective colours (Claveloux, Caza & Moebius)
-colour as a sensation, or as an environment!
McCloud also touches on a very important point: the differences between black-and-white and colour. I believe that this is one of the most important points as they make a huge difference in what the audience sees and perceives. I personally love Frank Miller's graphic novels; they make use of bold, contrasting black and white shapes, and manage to look absolutely stunning even without all the added complexities and emotions colour brings to a comic.
A page from a graphic novel by Frank Miller
[Ref: http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/gallery/1143969/photo_21.jpg]
Relate what is said in this chapter to a work/artist/designer you have seen in lectures. Image, brief description, link to a source of information on the web.
This chapter is pre-dominantly about colour and the use of it in comics over time with the main influences being commerce and technology.
McCloud also discusses the different ideas of "Additive" and "Subtractive" primaries, the main gist of which is illustrated in the picture below:
[Ref: http://www.diycalculator.com/imgs/console-09.gif ]
The first use of color in comics would be in newspaper comics, where sales rocketed, which called for more streamlined and cost-effective processes to be implemented. The fact that this cost-awareness indirectly produced the "look" and "Feel" of comics in America is amazing! In order to produce more cost-effective newspapers, the standard "Four Color" process was used, which: "...restricted the intensity of the three primaries to 100%, 50% and 20% using black ink for the line work" [p.g.187]. This resulted in a distinctive "look": the comics were printed on cheap newsprint, with bold black outlines and simplified colours. To remedy this "dulling down" effect and to make the comics stand out more; "...heros were clad in bright, primary colours and "fought in a bright, primary world!" [p.g.188]
Comic colors could be said to be an icon in themselves. By using the same colors repeatedly for a super-hero, a comic artist can render the hero unforgettable, especially in a child's mind!
Some famous super-heros!
[Ref: http://comicsmedia.ign.com/comics/image/article/674/674213/dc-superheroes-get-licked-20051207021349520-000.jpg ]
Colour is used in comics in various ways, a few examples are noted below:
-flat colours ("Tintin" by Herge)
[Ref: http://www.bunchofmonkeys.com/words/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/Tintin.jpg ]
-intense, subjective colours (Claveloux, Caza & Moebius)
-colour as a sensation, or as an environment!
McCloud also touches on a very important point: the differences between black-and-white and colour. I believe that this is one of the most important points as they make a huge difference in what the audience sees and perceives. I personally love Frank Miller's graphic novels; they make use of bold, contrasting black and white shapes, and manage to look absolutely stunning even without all the added complexities and emotions colour brings to a comic.
A page from a graphic novel by Frank Miller
[Ref: http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/gallery/1143969/photo_21.jpg]
Chapter 7 ~ The Six Steps
"Understanding Comics, The Invisible Art" by Scott McCloud
Relate what is said in this chapter to a work/artist/designer you have seen in lectures. Image, brief description, link to a source of information on the web.
In this chapter, McCloud examies the concept of art in relation to "Comics". He firmly states that comics can be art and defines art as:
"....art is the way we assert out identities as individuals and break out of the narrow roles nature cast us in." [p.g.166]
McCloud believes that in almost everything we do has some element of "art" in it: from singing in the shower, to our hairstyles, to the way we sign our names. He also maintains that art is a form of self-expression and that all forms of occupation involve some form of self-expression or another.
Another interesting theory McCloud puts forward is the fact that all art; "Any work in any medium", will always follow a defined path. The path consists of six steps:
1. Idea/ Purpose
2. Form
3. Idiom
4. Structure
5. Craft
6. Surface
Comics can be considered form of Art because they follow the above-mentioned cycle from beginning/creation to finish.
"Creators who take this path are often pioneers and revolutionaries-- artists who want to shake things up, change the way people think, question the fundamental laws that govern their chosen art." [p.g.179]
[Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Incal_Moebius.jpg ]
[Ref: http://www.stwallskull.com/blog/ ]
[Ref: http://capitalfax.blogspot.com/2006/02/ron-picasso-and-budweiser.html ]
Everyone perceives "art" differently, as every person is unique with his/her own experiences shaping the way they think and react. An interesting example of this came up in the Week 3 lecture where we watched "Southpark". This series has a range of different views about it, from "hate it, its horrible"(Nour!) to "love it, its awesome" (Me!) I believe there will always be a difference of opinion about what is art and what is not, especially when comics address crass, maybe even just colloquial, subject matter.
Relate what is said in this chapter to a work/artist/designer you have seen in lectures. Image, brief description, link to a source of information on the web.
In this chapter, McCloud examies the concept of art in relation to "Comics". He firmly states that comics can be art and defines art as:
"....art is the way we assert out identities as individuals and break out of the narrow roles nature cast us in." [p.g.166]
McCloud believes that in almost everything we do has some element of "art" in it: from singing in the shower, to our hairstyles, to the way we sign our names. He also maintains that art is a form of self-expression and that all forms of occupation involve some form of self-expression or another.
Another interesting theory McCloud puts forward is the fact that all art; "Any work in any medium", will always follow a defined path. The path consists of six steps:
1. Idea/ Purpose
2. Form
3. Idiom
4. Structure
5. Craft
6. Surface
Comics can be considered form of Art because they follow the above-mentioned cycle from beginning/creation to finish.
"Creators who take this path are often pioneers and revolutionaries-- artists who want to shake things up, change the way people think, question the fundamental laws that govern their chosen art." [p.g.179]
[Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Incal_Moebius.jpg ]
[Ref: http://www.stwallskull.com/blog/ ]
[Ref: http://capitalfax.blogspot.com/2006/02/ron-picasso-and-budweiser.html ]
Everyone perceives "art" differently, as every person is unique with his/her own experiences shaping the way they think and react. An interesting example of this came up in the Week 3 lecture where we watched "Southpark". This series has a range of different views about it, from "hate it, its horrible"(Nour!) to "love it, its awesome" (Me!) I believe there will always be a difference of opinion about what is art and what is not, especially when comics address crass, maybe even just colloquial, subject matter.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Chapter 6 ~ Show and Tell
"Understanding Comics, The Invisible Art" by Scott McCloud
Relate what is said in this chapter to a work/artist/designer you have seen in lectures. Image, brief description, link to a source of information on the web.
"The mixing of words and pictures is more alchemy than science" [p.g. 161]
This chapter explores the beginnings as well as the interaction of words and pictures. The origins of sequential art begin with prehistoric man almost 20 thousand years ago: from cave paintings to Egyption heiroglyphs to modern day comic books filled with Super-heros.
Early cave painting of auroches (''Bos primigenius primigenius'') in Lascaux, France.
[Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_painting ]
McCloud states that pictures predate the written word by a large margin as the very first marks made by humans were drawings and etchings on cave walls. He also says that the earliest words were actually "stylized pictures" in that they looked very much like pictures, but were more symbolic of what they represented.
Ancient writing then started becoming more abstract, until the modern written languages used these days lose all resemblance to the 'pictorial' or "visible" world and starts representing 'sound' instead.
The use of words and pictures, together and separately, have been varied throughout the years. At first, even when words and pictures Were combined, they were kept rigidly apart and had their own space [For example: German comic from the 1400's on p.g. 144]. Western art and writing drifted apart and developed into highly specialized fields of their own: art/pictures became less abstract and symbolic and grew to become more representational and specific. The written word also became more abstract and specialized, as well as more elaborate and complex.
"By the early 1800'ss, western art and writing had drifted about as far apart possible as was possible. One was obsessed with resemblance, light and color, all things Visible... ...the other rich in invisible treasures, senses, emotions, spirituality, philosophy..." [p.g.145]
McCloud illustrates how pictures and words were once used together (e.g. egyptian hieroglyphics) but drifted apart again during the 1800's. There was then a period of time where art/pictures developed at a rapid rate and artists strove to show more "meaning" in their work. In contrast, the written word started moving away from being elusive and abstract and started heading towards a more direct, informal approach.
"In prose, language was becoming even more direct, conveying meaning simply and quickly, more like pictures" [p.g.147]
To summarize, the primary functions of words and pictures became interchangeable and in modern day comics, are used in separately, or in combination. There are a few distinct categories into which words and pictures can be combined in comics, which include:
1. Word specific: Pictures illustrate but dont significantly add to a mostly complete text.
2. Picture specific: Words usually act as a soundtrack to a visually told sequence.
3. Duo-specific: Words and pictures send the same message.
4. Additive: Words amplify and elaborate an image or vice versa.
5. Parallel: Words and pictures follow very different routes without seeming to intersect at any point.
6. Montage: words are treated as intrinsic parts of the picture.
7. Inter-dependent: Words and pictures go hand-in-hand to convey an idea that neither could convey on its own.
Example of a "Montage"
[Ref: www.art.com ]
I found this chapter really interesting and thought provoking as it informed me about concepts and ideas I had never really thought about! For example, the use of words and pictures, and how they are separate entities but at the same time, how I have used them time and again and taken them for granted. It was really interesting learning about the history of words and pictures, and their interaction, and this chapter helped shed light on a different way of looking at the history of comics.
Relate what is said in this chapter to a work/artist/designer you have seen in lectures. Image, brief description, link to a source of information on the web.
"The mixing of words and pictures is more alchemy than science" [p.g. 161]
This chapter explores the beginnings as well as the interaction of words and pictures. The origins of sequential art begin with prehistoric man almost 20 thousand years ago: from cave paintings to Egyption heiroglyphs to modern day comic books filled with Super-heros.
Early cave painting of auroches (''Bos primigenius primigenius'') in Lascaux, France.
[Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_painting ]
McCloud states that pictures predate the written word by a large margin as the very first marks made by humans were drawings and etchings on cave walls. He also says that the earliest words were actually "stylized pictures" in that they looked very much like pictures, but were more symbolic of what they represented.
Ancient writing then started becoming more abstract, until the modern written languages used these days lose all resemblance to the 'pictorial' or "visible" world and starts representing 'sound' instead.
The use of words and pictures, together and separately, have been varied throughout the years. At first, even when words and pictures Were combined, they were kept rigidly apart and had their own space [For example: German comic from the 1400's on p.g. 144]. Western art and writing drifted apart and developed into highly specialized fields of their own: art/pictures became less abstract and symbolic and grew to become more representational and specific. The written word also became more abstract and specialized, as well as more elaborate and complex.
"By the early 1800'ss, western art and writing had drifted about as far apart possible as was possible. One was obsessed with resemblance, light and color, all things Visible... ...the other rich in invisible treasures, senses, emotions, spirituality, philosophy..." [p.g.145]
McCloud illustrates how pictures and words were once used together (e.g. egyptian hieroglyphics) but drifted apart again during the 1800's. There was then a period of time where art/pictures developed at a rapid rate and artists strove to show more "meaning" in their work. In contrast, the written word started moving away from being elusive and abstract and started heading towards a more direct, informal approach.
"In prose, language was becoming even more direct, conveying meaning simply and quickly, more like pictures" [p.g.147]
To summarize, the primary functions of words and pictures became interchangeable and in modern day comics, are used in separately, or in combination. There are a few distinct categories into which words and pictures can be combined in comics, which include:
1. Word specific: Pictures illustrate but dont significantly add to a mostly complete text.
2. Picture specific: Words usually act as a soundtrack to a visually told sequence.
3. Duo-specific: Words and pictures send the same message.
4. Additive: Words amplify and elaborate an image or vice versa.
5. Parallel: Words and pictures follow very different routes without seeming to intersect at any point.
6. Montage: words are treated as intrinsic parts of the picture.
7. Inter-dependent: Words and pictures go hand-in-hand to convey an idea that neither could convey on its own.
Example of a "Montage"
[Ref: www.art.com ]
I found this chapter really interesting and thought provoking as it informed me about concepts and ideas I had never really thought about! For example, the use of words and pictures, and how they are separate entities but at the same time, how I have used them time and again and taken them for granted. It was really interesting learning about the history of words and pictures, and their interaction, and this chapter helped shed light on a different way of looking at the history of comics.
Chapter 5 ~ Living in Line
"Understanding Comics, The Invisible Art" by Scott McCloud
Relate what is said in this chapter to a work/artist/designer you have seen in lectures. Image, brief description, link to a source of information on the web.
In this chapter McCloud explores the idea of a picture invoking an emotional or sensual response in the viewer: ""...the power of line, shape and color to suggest the inner state of the artist and to provoke the five senses" [p.g.123]
He futher goes on to explore the idea called "Synaesthetics":
"Kandinsky and his peers were searching for an art that might somehow unite the senses, and in doing so, unite the different art-forms which appealed to those different senses. We call this idea Synaesthetics." [p.g.123]
I believe the idea that elements of a picture such as line, shape and colour could be manipulated in order to make the viewer respond in a pre-ordained manner, or feel emotions or have a response that is somehow planned by the artist, is a very possible and exciting concept!
This idea could be said to have had its birth in the works of Vincent Van Gogh and Edvard Munch, both of whom were artists belonging to the "Expressionist" period of art history. Expressionism could be described as "a style of painting, music, or drama in which the artist or writer seeks to express emotional experience rather than impressions of the external world."[Ref: New Oxford American Dictionary"]
These artists produced works that were an honest expression of the inner turmoil they were going through. For example:
[Ref: http://www.vangoghgallery.com/ ]
"The Skull" by Vincent Van Gogh
[Ref: http://www.alibaba.com/catalog/11100639/Rep_Edvard_Munch_The_Scream_Oil_Painting_Art_Prints.html ]
"The Scream" by Edvard Munch
In the week 8 lecture, we explored the ideas of Synaesthesia in various media, mainly focusing on the means of making images and sounds more "graphic". A quote from class is as follows:
"A picture is only “graphic” if it is exaggerated, explicit, or otherwise carefully contrived to have particular impact. Abstraction, composition, exaggeration are important elements of making “graphic” material. Graphic images show us things in a way that are not normal"
The above idea could be said to link to "Expressionism" as they are ideas that are not represented as is; they are images and pictures and sounds that try to get a response from a viewer; they try to invoke certain thoughts and feelings in the audience.
In class we viewed contemporary T.V. commercials where the main idea was obscure and incomplete, however the images and sounds and other aspects of the commercials all combined to form a sort of complete "Picture" that was perceived differently by everyone in the audience.
"Levis Engineered Jeans in Odyssey" Advertisement (as viewed in class)
[Ref: http://www.duncans.tv/2005/levis-engineered-jeans-odyssey ]
Relate what is said in this chapter to a work/artist/designer you have seen in lectures. Image, brief description, link to a source of information on the web.
In this chapter McCloud explores the idea of a picture invoking an emotional or sensual response in the viewer: ""...the power of line, shape and color to suggest the inner state of the artist and to provoke the five senses" [p.g.123]
He futher goes on to explore the idea called "Synaesthetics":
"Kandinsky and his peers were searching for an art that might somehow unite the senses, and in doing so, unite the different art-forms which appealed to those different senses. We call this idea Synaesthetics." [p.g.123]
I believe the idea that elements of a picture such as line, shape and colour could be manipulated in order to make the viewer respond in a pre-ordained manner, or feel emotions or have a response that is somehow planned by the artist, is a very possible and exciting concept!
This idea could be said to have had its birth in the works of Vincent Van Gogh and Edvard Munch, both of whom were artists belonging to the "Expressionist" period of art history. Expressionism could be described as "a style of painting, music, or drama in which the artist or writer seeks to express emotional experience rather than impressions of the external world."[Ref: New Oxford American Dictionary"]
These artists produced works that were an honest expression of the inner turmoil they were going through. For example:
[Ref: http://www.vangoghgallery.com/ ]
"The Skull" by Vincent Van Gogh
[Ref: http://www.alibaba.com/catalog/11100639/Rep_Edvard_Munch_The_Scream_Oil_Painting_Art_Prints.html ]
"The Scream" by Edvard Munch
In the week 8 lecture, we explored the ideas of Synaesthesia in various media, mainly focusing on the means of making images and sounds more "graphic". A quote from class is as follows:
"A picture is only “graphic” if it is exaggerated, explicit, or otherwise carefully contrived to have particular impact. Abstraction, composition, exaggeration are important elements of making “graphic” material. Graphic images show us things in a way that are not normal"
The above idea could be said to link to "Expressionism" as they are ideas that are not represented as is; they are images and pictures and sounds that try to get a response from a viewer; they try to invoke certain thoughts and feelings in the audience.
In class we viewed contemporary T.V. commercials where the main idea was obscure and incomplete, however the images and sounds and other aspects of the commercials all combined to form a sort of complete "Picture" that was perceived differently by everyone in the audience.
"Levis Engineered Jeans in Odyssey" Advertisement (as viewed in class)
[Ref: http://www.duncans.tv/2005/levis-engineered-jeans-odyssey ]
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Chapter 4 ~ Time Frames
"Understanding Comics, The Invisible Art" by Scott McCloud
Relate what is said in this chapter to a work/artist/designer you have seen in lectures. Image, brief description, link to a source of information on the web.
In this chapter, McCloud explores the concept of time in comics.
"...words introduce time by representing that which can only exist in time--sound" [p.g.95]
[Ref: http://www.comics.com/creators/bc/archive/bc-20080517.html ]
McCloud introduces the importance of the "Panel" itself as the most important icon in the vocabulary of comics.
"The panels acts as a sort of general indicator that time and space is being divided" [p.g.99]
[Ref: http://kotaku.com/gaming/metroid/metroid-flash-manga-163315.php ]
Another important point made is how the manner in which time is 'depicted' in comics is related to the way time is 'perceived' by a reader. The length of the panel could be made to feel like time is "stretching" (if the panel were more elongated than the rest!), alternately by using single frame panels that take up half a page; this could give the panel a feeling of timelessness or a "frozen in time" feel to the story.
An interesting way to look at the way time is made use of during the creation of a project was discussed in class during the week 2 lecture. The lecturer showed us a video of a popular song called "Come into my world" featuring Kylie Minogue. In this video, Kylie is walking around an intersection while in the background people are engaged in their daily activities. However, once Kylie circles the square (pun intended!) and returns back to her original starting point, she multiplies! To further complicate matters, the people in the background all multiply too! So the first circle of the video continues playing while Kylie takes a second walk around and the second set of people in the background start doing things slightly differently to the first set!
[Ref: http://ezivideoklip.blogspot.com/2008/04/kylie-minogue-videography.html ]
[Ref: http://www.director-file.com/gondry/kylie.html ]
This video conveys a sense of time overlapping, and although I found it slightly boring, it was a very impressive and elaborate effort that definitely has my admiration!
Relate what is said in this chapter to a work/artist/designer you have seen in lectures. Image, brief description, link to a source of information on the web.
In this chapter, McCloud explores the concept of time in comics.
"...words introduce time by representing that which can only exist in time--sound" [p.g.95]
[Ref: http://www.comics.com/creators/bc/archive/bc-20080517.html ]
McCloud introduces the importance of the "Panel" itself as the most important icon in the vocabulary of comics.
"The panels acts as a sort of general indicator that time and space is being divided" [p.g.99]
[Ref: http://kotaku.com/gaming/metroid/metroid-flash-manga-163315.php ]
Another important point made is how the manner in which time is 'depicted' in comics is related to the way time is 'perceived' by a reader. The length of the panel could be made to feel like time is "stretching" (if the panel were more elongated than the rest!), alternately by using single frame panels that take up half a page; this could give the panel a feeling of timelessness or a "frozen in time" feel to the story.
An interesting way to look at the way time is made use of during the creation of a project was discussed in class during the week 2 lecture. The lecturer showed us a video of a popular song called "Come into my world" featuring Kylie Minogue. In this video, Kylie is walking around an intersection while in the background people are engaged in their daily activities. However, once Kylie circles the square (pun intended!) and returns back to her original starting point, she multiplies! To further complicate matters, the people in the background all multiply too! So the first circle of the video continues playing while Kylie takes a second walk around and the second set of people in the background start doing things slightly differently to the first set!
[Ref: http://ezivideoklip.blogspot.com/2008/04/kylie-minogue-videography.html ]
[Ref: http://www.director-file.com/gondry/kylie.html ]
This video conveys a sense of time overlapping, and although I found it slightly boring, it was a very impressive and elaborate effort that definitely has my admiration!
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