NIXEDMEDIA™

For my third portfolio, I decided to create a teaching kit with various forms of instructions that could accommodate anyone and guide them through drawing the character Gir from Invader Zim. To create this kit, I started by finding a front-view reference of Gir to use for the instructions. Once I had the image, I made an 11-step diagram depicting the process of drawing the character in Adobe Illustrator. After finishing the diagram, I wrote out the steps in a list-formatted document. With the steps written out, I made another diagram with captions to accompany the images. Next, I used Adobe After Effects to create a video that simulates Gir being drawn. In response to feedback I received about the speed of the simulation, I slowed the video down so viewers could follow along easier. When the video was done, I recorded myself reading the steps aloud in Adobe Audition and cut out the mistakes I made so the clip would have a continuous flow. Afterwards, I re-edited the video to have the visual steps align with the verbal instructions to provide more spacing in between steps. I then added captions under the drawing with the steps written out. When I was done, I rendered the video by itself, with audio, with text, and with audio and text. Once I had all of the instructional materials, I wrote an overview of the kit that explained its purpose and the materials included. I also recorded myself reading this aloud. The last additions I made to the kit were videos of me drawing Gir on my computer in Adobe Photoshop while following along to the different forms of instruction. To finalize the kit, I compressed all of the materials into a zip file.

 

When I started working on this portfolio, I decided to base my instructions around a character from Invader Zim because the show’s design utilizes a lot of geometric shapes to form more complex characters and scenery. As such, this would, theoretically, provide a moderate drawing challenge without feeling impossible for those who are not experienced with drawing. I chose Gir in particular because he is arguably the most known character from the show, despite not being the main protagonist. I chose a front-view image of Gir because I figured it would be the easiest to draw since there would be no shifts in perspective from a sideview, three-fourths view, etc. I made the diagram version of the instructions first because I knew that 1) it would help me map out the total number of steps I wanted to have and 2) it would allow me to describe the process better for the written instructions. I recorded myself reading the instructions because I wanted to accommodate for those that are visually impaired or disabled. I created a simulation of the Gir being drawn because I know that even those who are visual learners may need to actually see a task be done to understand how to do it themselves. I slowed down the video and eventually synced it with the verbal instructions because I wanted a consistent pace in the simulation so people could ideally draw along with it without having to pause. The other variations of the instructions were included to make the kit accessible to as many people as possible. I wrote and recorded myself reading an overview for the kit to ensure that its purpose will be clear to anyone who interacted with it. I used the “Captain Comics” typeface because I wanted to establish a cartoony aesthetic to match the character being drawn. As well, I recorded myself drawing while following along with the instructions to provide an idea of how they would be used. I only made drawings based on the text, diagram, audio, and video instructions because everything else is just a variation of those four and would have the same result. Lastly, I created a zip file for the kit so that its components can be shared in one package.

 

I believe that my choice to base the instructions around Gir was successful because the final versions of the instructions have eleven steps, which I think is a manageable amount for most people. Making the diagram first was definitely a good decision because being able to see the process helped me write out detailed steps that are clear on the shapes being used and where they should be positioned in relation to other features of Gir’s design. Making the simulation and syncing it to the audio instructions was effective because the video shows every aspect of the process while providing enough time to draw between steps. Using the “Captain Comics” typeface to create a cartoony aesthetic was successful especially with the diagram because it almost feels like a comic strip. Recording myself following the instructions to create the drawing was effective because the videos do provide a sense of how someone would actually engage with these various forms of instructions. Using Photoshop for this was helpful because background is bright, which helped get a clear image on camera. As well, when I drew Gir according to the steps in the instructions, none of the drawings took much longer than 3 minutes, which is not bad for a full drawing. Compressing the kit into a zip file was effective because the smaller file size makes the kit easier to share with others.

 

Making a teaching kit basically made this project possible because once I had an idea of what I wanted to teach others, I just had to focus on the ways that I could teach them. Creating the diagram in Illustrator made the process easy because I was able to duplicate the image and take away features to make the series of steps. As well, having the diagram done first made all of the other instructions much easier to create. Using After Effects to make the simulation was great because the program has an effect that can reveal images progressively and I just had to make guides for how I wanted each feature to be revealed. Drawing in Photoshop made recording the videos of me following the instructions faster because I was able to quickly start over and “reset” myself if the drawing was straying too far from the reference. Unfortunately, the biggest problem I ran into during the making of this project was using Premiere. I used premiere to sync the video to the audio instructions and to include the captions, but trying to render these videos was problematic. My computer crashed 4 different times as I tried to render them and I eventually had to use the University’s computers to ensure I would have them for the kit. Regarding the kit as a whole, it does suffer from not being entirely accessible to those without computers due to most of the instructions being digital. Similarly, the zip file could only be shared via computer.

 

By creating a kit that utilizes text, images and video, and audio, my project is multimodal because it essentially incorporates all of the modes of communication. The written instructions use the linguistic mode, the diagram and simulation use the visual mode, the recording of the instructions read aloud uses the aural mode, and the videos of me drawing make use of the gestural and spatial modes because I can be seen moving my arm between the computer and the phone and because of the gestures I use to navigate Photoshop. The kit is also multimodal because some of the instruction variants, such as the video that includes the text and audio instructions, combine multiple modes into one piece. Although not directly tied to multimodality, the components are also connected because they all relate back to the topic of teaching people how to draw.

 

After finishing the kit, I definitely think that the forms of instructions I have included would accommodate for a broad range of individuals. However, I am uncertain of how clear each form of instruction is for others. Because I have drawn Gir before this project and multiple times for the project, it is possible that the instructions seemed clear because of prior experience. Are all of the instructions clear, or should they be simplified further? Also, while I do have a lot of variations, I wonder if I can make the kit even more accessible. Are there any other forms of instruction I should include? Should I have more physical media?

 

This teaching kit applies to my chosen topic of creating more accessible media because the various forms of instruction included accommodate a wide range of people. Regardless of someone’s preferred learning style or disability, there is variation, or even combination, that can help guide them through drawing Gir. Because the instructions are broken down, people of all skill levels can follow along and draw their own picture of Gir. Beyond the instructions, the overview for the kit allows anyone to facilitate the “How to Draw Gir” lesson by providing them with context on the kit’s components and their uses.