What is a studio narrative?
A studio narrative is the spoken or written portion of a studio review or presentation that complements visual materials (images, maps, models). It connects visuals to visuals in a cohesive story and introduces theoretical and historical influences on the project. The narrative is tailored to the audience, whether professors, classmates, juries, or clients.
Typical Length: 250-500 words or 1-2 pages of double-spaced text.
Key characteristics
- Describes the design's spatial and temporal aspects.
- Supports and explains the significance of the visuals.
- Is typically presented orally.
- Introduces key formative sources, including theory texts.
Common pitfalls
- Describing visuals without tying them into a narrative. The story should show how the visuals work together.
- Overloading slides with quotes - speak them instead and use visuals for support.
- Using complex sentences or jargon. Edit for clarity and conciseness, and test for ease of understanding.