How To Use Graphics, Narrative, Character & Storytelling | Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud

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📖 Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud
⏩ amzn.to/2SwF9p9
Without doubt, one of the most influential books I have read on creating and presenting ideas. I was recommended this by a senior concept developer at LEGO while at Denmark Office. It has truly opened my mind to things I had taken for granted (and added layers of depth to them), while building gradually to some sophisticated techniques (which arguably one takes a lifetime to master - or possibly never does - the journal is continual).
McCloud takes you through the history of why we use visuals over oral or textural means of communicating, and explore deeply why one picture can paint a thousand different internal images in an individual's mind. How does one ensure any of that is close to the intent of the artist/creator?
Although a tour de force in presentation of what should arguably be worth a PhD, McCloud demystifies the techniques and tricks deployed by legendary and modern artists - and remarkably - makes them accessible to total non-artists like myself. I have found huge practical value in applying McCloud's methods and thoughts to creating new play experiences at LEGO, and in my continued work beyond this. Indeed, even having become a recent father, I have a deeper appreciation for why Winnie the Pooh is a masterpiece, or why the map in Tolkien's books is a vital tool in extracting dialogue from a charter. This book is valuable to anyone working in either visual arts, or trying to help people visualise things which are complex or don't yet exist (I work as a Technologist).
The second book is also enlightening reading, but I am yet to meet anyone not blown away by this first volume. I cannot rate it highly enough.
📖 Making Comics by Scott McCloud
⏩ amzn.to/375b59y

Пікірлер: 4

@williamdoust 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this. I read this yearsbago and took note. I made a clip of your statement. It does deconstruct all Comms, and provides the universal building blocks to "reconstruct" your ideas with solid principles - as long as you tie these to other masters of insights. Well done 👍🏆👏👏

@ThePreciseClimber 2 жыл бұрын

Not sure if McCloud mentions it but when it comes to historical visual storytelling, I find the illustrations from late 19th / early 20th century serialised novels to be quite interesting. Authors like Dickens & Verne believed illustrations were a valuable storytelling tool and worked closely with their illustrators to make sure they got their ideas across accurately. E.g. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea had over 100 illustrations. So, on average, every 4th page was an illustration. I remember that whenever we were discussing such books at school years ago, the teachers never even bothered to mention the illustrations. Shame. To me, they aren't just little "extras." They're a valuable element of the overall work. And they would've made the books more palatable & memorable for the child me.

@JudePullen 2 жыл бұрын

That's such a fascinating point. I was just watching Minority Report again, and knew that it was from a Short Story from PK Dick. It's probably fair to say (given the brevity), that if one simply 'created the world in their minds eye', it's perhaps not as vivid as what Spielberg created. As a Sci-Fi enthusiast, one might have an advantage, but when this was new, Dickens and Verne probably couldn't rely on the general public to just 'imagine a [sci fi thing]'. They would have had a failure of imagination one would have to sympathise to an extent. Of course, this now makes me wonder what we grapple with today that stuffers from a failure of imagination and needs 'support'....I suspect imagines are perhaps less the issue, and perhaps more 'empathy' for the things that exist beyond our physical and mental experiences. Anyway. Thanks for your comment - made me think!! Do you have any recommended books you want to post here (or DM me if you prefer). Thanks again. =)