D’source DIC-BHU SDGs Design Challenge

DDSDC-5 – Narrative Design

Design Challenge:
Story Book addressing issues concerning the SDG
Good Health and Wellbeing

Acknowledgement

This graphic narrative could not have been written without the helpful
contributions of and feedback from many people. Special thanks to Mr. Suman
Chowdhury, our faculty guide at NID Assam for his constant support. We would also
like to thank our friends who willingly helped us out with their abilities. We also take
this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to our parents.

Brief

The project attempts to create awareness among the children, who are exposed to
an environment vulnerable to substance abuse at an early age, to the risks
associated with it and the preventive factors, through social-emotional learning
methods using storytelling.
The process involved thorough primary and secondary research, case studies on
substance abuse and child psychology.

The final outcome is an illustrated graphic narrative for the children of age group
6-10. Keeping in mind the age group and Indian context, the treatment and
aesthetic of the illustrations is kept localized and simplified.

Keywords
Good health and wellbeing, Storytelling, Substance Abuse, Cognitive changes in
children, Social Emotional Learning

Story premise

The story revolves around two friends Keeshu and Maru who get exposed to an
environment vulnerable to substance abuse at a young age. They are warned about
the risk factors and their consequences and guided about preventive measures.

Research

The collected information shows

● Substance abuse is a preventable disorder that interferes with normal

healthy functioning and begins in the adolescent years with biological,
psychological, social, and environmental factors.
● Understanding brain development and neuroplasticity is critical for early
intervention
● A person’s early childhood gets extremely sensitive to experiences and
environmental influences.
● Early intervention, educational programs and policies can alter the course of
development in a positive, healthy direction.

Ideation

Narrative design considerations -

● Interactive, non-confrontational tone

● Information integration
● Simple and Relatable story
 ● universal symbols, archetypes in characterisation

The story is set in a fictional village in today's central India. A graphic narrative that
acts as a communication bridge between young kids and adults.

Characters

Keeshu protagonist, a 7-year-old boy

Meethu, bird acting as a trigger, for responsible decision making
Maru, a 14 years old boy, ragpicker

The illustration style has been borrowed from Gond art (an art style from central
India where the character is from) & then stylised.
References

Principles of substance abuse prevention for early childhood: a research-based

guide
Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services
An Elephant in the Living Room: The children's book by Jill M. Hastings and Marion
H Typpo
An Elephant in the Living Room: A Leader's Guide for Helping Children of Alcoholics
by Jill M. Hastings and Marion H Typpo
School-based education for drug abuse prevention, United Nations Publication

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