Story Level Design Tasks

Over the past few weeks we have been looking at the first (transmedia project) and second (storyworld) level design tasks. Once work at these levels is substantially complete, it is time to move on to the next level of tasks.

The third level of design tasks occurs at the story level (see table below). At this level key decisions on individual stories within the storyworld are made. The narrative design tasks begin with the development of the story concept, dramatic question, and controlling idea, which will shape the narrative content. That is followed by the selection of story structure, narrative point of view, plot structure, and identification of any sub-stories. The decisions made when doing these tasks will determine how the content will be structured from a narrative perspective.

Significant objects and the cast of characters that will populate the story are also created at this level. The interaction design tasks focus on identification of media and platforms that may be used to publish the story, develop a preliminary overview of user navigation, and preliminary identification of story assets.

Story Level Design Tasks
Narrative Design	Engagement Design	Interaction Design
Develop story concept Develop dramatic question Develop controlling idea Select general story structure Select narrative point of view Select story mode (presentational versus representational) Select general plot structure Develop sub-stories Select story timeframe Select characters and roles Develop character arcs Develop preliminary storyboards	Determine if transmedia narrative involves shared vs. individual participation Determine importance of including real people, settings, and events in transmedia narrative Determine if transmedia narrative is time-agnostic or time-dependent Determine if transmedia narrative is location-agnostic or time-dependent	Identify media/platforms Develop user journey diagram Develop preliminary calls-to-action plan Compile preliminary assets list