Architecture and Comics

ARCHITECTURE AND COMICS: THE VISUAL NARRATIVE

[ARC60903]

PROJECT 1: BUILDING NARRATIVES

For this project, we need to identify a building and research it, from finding the relevant architectural drawings to research its unique cultural and historical stories. Stories may be technical, historical, fictional, anecdotal, or autobiographical. We are required to assemble and design a 2-page comic about the selected building utilizing design elements of the building or orthographical drawings of the building in the layout of comics. I had chosen Saigon House as my building and I create a story about a thief broke into Saigon House and steal a lot of funny stuffs inside. Through this story, reader can have a look at all the spaces in the building.

Reflection:

Through this project, firstly I had understand the staggered processes typical to produce a comic. This is the first time I really go and understand how is a comic look like. I was now able to plan and manage the organized production of the comics. Besides, I was able to produce a series of sequential art monographs on a specific topic related to Architecture, with consideration on how the style of art presentation reflects architectural notions of detailing, spaces, proportions and themes.

PROJECT 2: THE ARCHITECTURE OF COMICS

For this project 2, we are required to create a proposal of comic, describing the story covering one of the theme given. I had chosen to write on the story that reflect ideas of lifestyle related to architecture/ design concept. We are required to produce a slideshow presentation showing the synopsis and concept of the story. I had came out with the story named "Jenny's Dream".

Synopsis of story:

Story starts with a thunder storm night in Chicago city.

A girl who worked as an assistant architect, named Jenny, drove to the office alone to continue her unfinished work that need to be presented on the next day. She passed by Mies van der Rohe potrait in the office corridor, and she was wondering how Mies would made his building using simplicity approach. She went to her seat, seeing lots complicated models and drawings on her working desk, she felt stress and sad. Moreover, she started to recalled her recent life which were encountered lots of problem on work and family.

While doing work, Jenny fall asleep. She found herself in front of Farnsworth house. She expressed her anger and suddenly Mies van der Rohe was beside her. Mies started to talked to her. Knowing Jenny was facing difficulties, Mies had given some advices to Jenny which turn her from anger to realization. She woke up and realize it was just a dream. The conversation with Mies had changed Jenny's thinking. She throw away her previous complicated model and start with new model making. During the meeting on next day, Jenny's client and boss were very proud and happy with her new proposal.

Jenny passed by Mies's potrait when she wanted to leave the office. She felt that the dream with Mies had change her point of view no matter in architecture or life. Less is more.

Scripts and layouts:

Comic Book:

Reflection:

Throughout this project, firstly I had learnt to appreciate the diversity of the medium, by identify styles and how they may be varied to adjust for the context of the narrative or concept. I had learnt to differentiate the genre of comics and classified them into different styles. Besides, based on the genre of Jenny's Dream, I research on how the comic styles being applied such as tone, expression, line weights, etc. In short, I had learnt a lot of knowledge regarding comics and increase my interest towards comics. The knowledge that I gain are useful not only in comics but also can be applied to other subject when come to visual communication.