Abstract:

A Static Visual Narrative (SVN) is a visual that indubitably tells a story. This then gives rise to a paradoxical situation wherein a still visual communicates temporality (albeit on a conceptual level). Acknowledging and superseding this seemingly contradictory stance, the focus of this study is the investigation situated from the designer's (creator's) position, into the dynamics of the production and presentation of discourse within SVNs. In this form of storytelling, a story (written or oral) can be visually presented in a number of ways; these have been previously acknowledged by scholars in the area of art history and archaeology. We detect an inconsistency (concerning communication design issues) in prior writings with regards to the rational by which the various methods of Static Visual Narratives identified have been attributed.

Our study reveals the SVN as a universally practised form of visual storytelling that invites the viewer to unravel the story that is incarcerated within its corporeal being. It is a medium through which the designer presents (order of presenting) and narrates (order of telling) the story. This results in a complex story-visual-connect dynamic that gives rise to discourse.  We advocate that SVNs on a structural level are composed of certain finite elements. These elements when arranged in certain ways interact with each other to form various 'story-visual-connect' dynamics, which give rise to discourse in SVNs. This thesis explores 'discourse' in Static Visual Narratives at the presentation and narrative level.