Event

Narratives of the Emerald City

Design is a narrative unfolding in three-dimensional space. Our neighborhoods, buildings, interiors and objects tell the stories of the people who use them and the places where they reside. Storytelling is what makes architecture come to life, whether through words, drawings, photographs or firsthand engagement. We each have our own unique perspective and voice - how can we hone our delivery so that our architectural stories awaken and inspire?

How can we create stories to build momentum around a vision? How can we become better attuned to our environment, creating narratives more authentic to the places where design emerges? How can we utilize new mediums and tools to tell captivating stories that can be shared with wider audiences?

We will address these questions in a day-long, hands-on workshop led by writer Lauren Gallow and visual communications expert Jp Avila. Over the course of the day, students will build a familiarity with different forms of storytelling, adding tools to their arsenal for effective and creative means of communication. First, we will analyze examples of different types of architectural storytelling through print, digital and audio forms. Then, we will explore and document our built environment, practicing some of the techniques we learned as we each build our own architectural narrative. Students will then craft their stories, using tools and strategies learned in class to convey their ideas in visceral, compelling ways.