Backstory
"Circles" is basically a digital storybook, interactive in a small way that you have control over the the text. I designed it for my college thesis which challenged us to help aid a problem visually. This project is based on the famous work of Dante Alighieri, "Inferno", and focuses on communicating the values surrounding the epic poem. Where I live, some schools consider it a reading requirement. The problem I presented, backed-up by research, is that not many students dive deeper than the main plot, so I suggested a visual aid that they may use it 'alongside the book'.
"Inferno" by Dante Alighieri
To those unfamiliar with "Inferno", it is an epic poem considered as on of the best pieces of literature of all time, due to it's imagery and symbolism. The story revolves around the character Dante, along with the poet Virgil, as they make their way through the Nine Circles of Hell, each circle containing victims of a certain sin, enduring eternal punishment suited for the sin they've committed. Each circle goes down a level until the Earth's core, passing through rivers and some guarded by monsters. The gravity of the sin also increases as one descends, thus those at the bottom are punished more severely.
Now I could've chosen a Shakespeare novel or some other required reading, but I chose to work on this one since it's a long, epic poem. Poems are abstract, and less straightforward than just simple storytelling. Unlike Shakespeare's poems and sonnets which play more with emotions, Dante's depiction of things are not transient, thus easier to give visual representation to that others will understand. It's also contemporary, in a way that people can relate certain elements of the poem to certain people or things at present.
Lastly, because I knew I'd enjoy working with it, and I did.
Lastly, because I knew I'd enjoy working with it, and I did.
Dante and Virgil concepts
first four Circles of Hell concepts
The Concept
Above are my first concepts, and wanted everything to be silhouettes. During the first stages of development, I thought of simply adding pictures to the poem itself and place it in an interactive platform (tablets, Windows and Mac) - as giving control to the reader , putting space, and segmenting the texts, all increase comprehension, but realized that these solutions would take away the chance for the reader to experience Dante's imagery.
And that's how I though of coming up with my own narrative, Circles!
And that's how I though of coming up with my own narrative, Circles!
protagonist concept
application icons
Circles
Circles tells the story of a rich girl and her descent down a tall tower. She has to go through different rooms on each floor in order to access the next. As she descends, she encounters beings known as "Circles", which are visual representations of the Nine Circles of Hell.
The story is parallel to Inferno, and instead of going for the usual "BE AFRAID OF HELL" message, my project revolved around using human reasoning, or wisdom when making decisions, something ready-to-be-independent senior students could take note of.
The story is parallel to Inferno, and instead of going for the usual "BE AFRAID OF HELL" message, my project revolved around using human reasoning, or wisdom when making decisions, something ready-to-be-independent senior students could take note of.
Circles designs I
Circles designs II
I designed the Circles keeping in mind the sin, sinners and the symbolism of their ring in hell. Their appearance, their gestures and the way they speak show this.
Here is a preview showing the working demo, plus screenshots.
Here is a preview showing the working demo, plus screenshots.
All in all there are 12 Chapters, including a Chapter 0. I've done illustrations for the first three chapters, transition illustrations in between those chapters, and preview illustrations for the other chapters. (Take note that the website mentioned above is only conceptual and not real). Most of the illustrations were done traditionally, then colored and edited digitally, while few are purely digital. Here are a few of my favorites:
Thank You!
And that was Circles! Do keep in mind that this was simply a project for my university, and wouldn't be developed further. Thank you for viewing!
All art and design done by me.
Coding is done by Esrael Santillan
All art and design done by me.
Coding is done by Esrael Santillan
process
concept art
