Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 124
Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0
Minimum number of credits to complete the minor: 18
Visual Storytelling Minor
Interdisciplinary Program Housed in the School of Liberal Arts
The Visual Storytelling Minor is an interdisciplinary minor offered by the departments of English Studies and Visual and Performing Arts. The minor integrates art, storytelling and technology, introducing students to the field of creative visual storytelling utilizing interdisciplinary methodologies. It weaves design, illustration and narrative analysis, providing students with a solid foundation in graphic design and narration; plus cinematic, digital, and traditional illustration techniques; as well as various approaches to storytelling for creative visual presentation.
The minor offers students the opportunity to concentrate in this focused area to satisfy an interest in the printed book and its film, or digital adaptations; to prepare for further academic, or professional study in visual storytelling and visual culture; or to work as cartoonists, graphic novelists, art directors in Advertising or Corporate Communication, Art or English teachers, or film and comics critics.
Educational Objectives of the Minor
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Understand the drawing process, including sketching the human figure
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Understand sequencing and demonstrate the ability to critically analyze stories in terms of their verbal and visual properties
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Understand the differences of sequential imaging for film, print, and digital dissemination
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Understand film theory and demonstrate the ability to critically analyze film transformations of graphic novels
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Know the history and elements of film
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Know the genres and conventions of graphic storytelling
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Write or illustrate a story in various forms
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Use computer tools and handwork for design and imaging
Faculty Director: Nancy Wynn, Associate Professor and Chair of Visual and Performing Arts wynn@merrimack.edu
Administrative Staff: Mary Jane Wheeler