Picture Novel

Picture Novel is a creative workshop where participants, in small groups, imagine and create a storyboard to tell a story through photographs. This game promotes collaboration, creativity, and visual communication. Participants develop skills in visual storytelling while strengthening team cohesion.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Introduction and Team Formation

   10 min

   The facilitator explains the concept of Picture Novel, emphasising the creation of a story through photos. They then divide the participants into small groups of 4 to 6 people. Each group receives a theme or subject to guide their creation. The aim is to stimulate imagination and structure teamwork.

   Tip — Choose varied and inspiring themes to spark enthusiasm and creativity among participants.

2. 2

   Brainstorming and Storyboard Creation

   20 min

   The groups discuss and exchange ideas for their story. They sketch a simple storyboard on paper, outlining each scene they wish to capture in photos. The facilitator circulates among the groups to encourage them and help structure their ideas. This step is crucial to ensure that the story is coherent and engaging.

   Tip — Encourage participants to be flexible and open to others' ideas to enrich their story.

3. 3

   Photo Taking

   30 min

   Participants use cameras or smartphones to take pictures corresponding to each scene of their storyboard. They can use props or costumes to enhance their staging. The facilitator ensures that each group adheres to the time limit and remains focused on the objective.

   Tip — Ensure that participants have enough space to take their photos without interfering with each other.

4. 4

   Photo Selection and Editing

   20 min

   Groups select the best photos and organise them to form a narrative sequence. They can use simple editing software or arrange the photos on a table to visualise the story. The facilitator helps them check the flow and clarity of their visual narrative.

   Tip — Provide accessible and simple editing tools to avoid hindering participants' creativity.

5. 5

   Story Presentation

   20 min

   Each group presents their photo novel to the other participants. They explain their creative choices and briefly narrate their story. The facilitator encourages other groups to ask questions and provide constructive feedback. This step allows for the recognition of the work done and the sharing of different perspectives.

   Tip — Encourage a supportive and positive atmosphere so that each group feels valued and heard.

6. 6

   Conclusion and Feedback

   10 min

   The facilitator concludes the workshop by highlighting the learnings and successes of each group. They invite participants to share their feelings about the activity and the skills they have developed. This final reflection helps consolidate the gains and consider improvements for future collaborations.

   Tip — Take note of participants' comments to adjust and improve the workshop for future editions.

Variants

• Use a common theme for all groups and compare the different interpretations.
• Limit the number of photos to use to encourage conciseness and creativity.
• Add a time constraint for each step to stimulate decision-making speed and efficiency.