Co-created comic

This is a comic story co-created by a bunch of creative people, be they illustrators / artists / storytellers. And it's still in progress.

It appears that anyone can have a go by submitting a section of the story using their own words + illustrative style - once 10 sections have been completed the final result will be screen printed + displayed in an exhibition somewhere (?). It looks like 9 sections have created already, so only one remains.

I love how the collaborative nature of this project makes it stronger + more interesting - the mixture of different imaginations, illustration + writing styles makes for a rich, imaginative + visually exciting story. And I just love stories. Nice.

Demographics are dead...

It's funny how the TED Talks seem to magically answer the questions that are going around in your head.

I've been thinking lately, as we work more and more on 'content' briefs, that the traditional approach of developing a proposition to connect a brand + a story with its intended audience just doesn't work here. Different people connect with stories in different ways, depending on who they are, what they're into, what they've experienced themselves + what they're looking for.

Novelist Chimamanda Adichie talks about the temptation to form an opinion on a person or a place based on just one aspect of its being. A person, a place, a situation cannot be described by just 'one story'. It is what it is because of the multiple stories that have shaped it.

By taking the time to appreciate the many stories that surround who we're talking to will help us understand how we are all different, instead of how we are similar. Afterall, everyone is unique + wants to be seen as an individual, not as part of a demographic group.

So rather than transmitting a single message designed to appeal to a large audience based on just one aspect of their being, we can instead engage all sorts of people in different ways, through the various aspects of the story we're telling. Enabling them to interpret it in their own way, take what they want from it, share their thoughts, debate, hypothesise - and ultimately demonstrate their individuality- all of which allow us to connect with them on a much deeper level.

Small stories + Tall stories

I love this. It's well cute.

The National Theatre has pitched up an inflatable auditorium in which to host five days of storytelling.

The morning 'Small Stories' are for kids aged 5-7 (Wed-Sat 10.30am, 11.30am, & 12.30pm; Sun 11am, 12noon & 1pm); afternoon 'Tall Stories' for 8-11s (Wed-Sat 2.30pm, 3.30pm & 4.30pm) and evenings for adults.

..we agreed in the office that these should be called 'Giant stories'

There are also further family sessions:

Wed: 'Brain Wave', puppetry with the Whalley Range All Stars (1pm & 6.30pm); 'Les Moutons', a sheep story with Corpus (2pm & 5pm).
Thur: A ceilidh for all ages with Cheap Jack (1pm); 'Les Moutons (2pm & 4pm).
Fri: The legend of 'King Arthur' with Les Grooms (1pm & 4.30pm); Explore a giant hive with Pif-Paf in 'Honey' (2-6pm); Allotment fun with Plunge Bloom in 'Vegetable Nannies' (2pm, 4.30pm & 6pm).
Sat: 'Honey (12noon-1pm & 2-5pm); Salsa moves with Coco Xpress and Garcia (1pm).
Sunday wraps up with The Chipolatas and their mix of street theatre and circus (1.30pm).

Now I just need to either be, or have, a kid!