The (In)Visible Art

The (In)visible Art step-by-step

In a nutshell?

Using the art of comics to explore your identity through a combination of text and images Who came up with it?

An ancient art! but Denisse experimented with this technique to reflect about interviews she conducted for her undergrad thesis The inspiration:

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art​ is a book by American cartoonist Scott McCloud about the magic and power of visual storytelling to engage our imagination and senses with our ideas.

Changed my life!

1

What do I need?

1. Paper 2. Pen or pencil 3. Colours 4. I don’t know, what do ​ you ​ need?

How long does it take?

Set aside half a day after a data collection activity to build the storyboard of your interview.

Research Stage: Data collection and Research Communication

How can I implement this technique, step-by-step?

Step-by-step description: Before getting started: 1. Start by laying out a timeline and a setting:​ When and where does your story (the interview) take place? - Decide if you want to tell the story in a linear way (you and your interviewee having a conversation) or if you also want to include the stories told by your interviewee in your timeline (include flashbacks in the middle of your script and travel to a different time and place where your interviewee’s story takes place).

2. Identify the characters of your story: ​ Who are they? How old are they? Where are they from? Where do they live? What is their gender, ethnicity, race? What is their family history? Does this matter? etc etc etc. Once you are done with this, repeat all these questions for your character! Did these characteristics affect your interactions at all?

2 3. Decide on key points of your story: ​ What are the episodes of the story you want to highlight? Why did they stand out for you? In what ways are they relevant to your research question?

4. Decide on the medium you want to use for your storyboard:​ Do you want to use paper? Make a collage? Use colours or keep it black and white? Make sure you justify these creative choices - can you use visuals to represent ideas, emotions, times, etc?

Build your storyboard: 1. Make frames for each scene 2. Use a combination of images and text: Decide what you can illustrate through images, and what you need to add text for.

3. Use different symbols to illustrate speech, thoughts, emotions, expressions, etc.

4. Draw away!

What are the benefits of using this technique? ● It will help you document your data collection and thought process. ● It will help you reflect about how identity and positionality (age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, etc.) influence your interpretation of the interview. ● It will help you make connections between abstract ideas, thoughts, emotions with familiar images and lived experiences in your community. ● It will allow you to find interesting, appealing and creative ways to share your ideas with others. ● It is a relaxing and cathartic exercise after a long week in the field!

What are the challenges of using this technique?

● If you do not feel comfortable with drawing, this technique may prove frustrating.

However, keep in mind it is a good opportunity for reflection: Were some ideas

3 harder to illustrate than others? Why? What can I do to make this idea more accessible? â—? It can be time consuming - Make sure you set time aside for this activity. Unless you are using comics to present your research in public, there is no need to be a perfectionist. This is an exercise for you to reflect on how you imagine yourself, the community you are working in and your relationship with others- ideas.

When could I use this techniques?/Our experience using this technique?

You can use this to visualize interviews, survey, field notes, etc. I have used it to visualize how I imagine conversations with people I have not met - like the authors of books, articles and films that inspire me. I find it is a great way to connect with their ideas and find things in common with people that at a first glance may seem from a different world. E.g. See below how I used cartoons to make sense of Marx ideas for one of my papers:

4

5

Learn More: Interesting links/Audio visual material 1. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art 2. Menstrupedia​ : Challenging Taboos about Menstruation in India

Tips and Traps Notes 1. Do this away from your electronic devices (computer, phone, etc).

2. Let your creativity flow! - if you decide you want to tweak your original plan, go for it! It’s part of figuring out your process.

3. Have fun! This is not about making the perfect comic book, but to get in touch with your creativity and your senses.

6

Adaptability How to adapt the techniques (this section would be opened to comments, like a receipts, you can play with it).