Design as Research Portfolio

 

Gutter Comic

 

Concept

The simple act of framing action with a panel border is a defining characteristic of comics. One of the most important functions of the space between these panels is the implication of the passage of time. In this experiment with form, I incorporated maps in order to play off of the presumed objectivity culturally afforded to cartography. I began playing with the convention of folding maps as seen below, but found the relationship between these different elements to not problematize the function of either form sufficiently.

 

Process

Outcome

Map Comic

 

Concept

While panel borders physically separate scenes and can serve as an indicator of passing time, they also encapsulate place and give navigational cues to the reader. This piece strips back contextual cues as to how the content should be digested, while attempting to retain enough of this essence to still be visually recognizable as a comic. The disjointed, overlapping and 3-dimensionally layered visuals serve to undermine the hierarchy implied by the symbols as well.

 

Outcome