1. Learning Focus: From Technology to Digital Storytelling
Throughout the first semester, my understanding of digital media gradually became more focused and clarified. While I initially explored various forms of digital interaction and technological experimentation, I increasingly realised that my primary interest lies in interactive narratives and creative writing. Rather than engaging deeply with technological systems themselves, I became more interested in how digital platforms can be used to construct stories, shape meaning, and create immersive narrative experiences.
2. Love-O-Meter as a Point of Reflection, Not a Direction
In Week 9, the Love-O-Meter experiment was one of the most memorable experiences for me. By working with Arduino and a temperature sensor, I gained insight into how physical data can be translated into digital signals and visual outputs. This process helped me understand how interactive systems are constructed and how digital media can respond to human input.
However, rather than motivating me to further explore sensing technologies, the experiment functioned more as a point of reflection. It made me aware of the differences between technical interaction and narrative interaction. I began to realise that what truly interested me was not the technological mechanism itself, but the potential of digital media as a storytelling medium.
3. Turning Point: Interactive Narratives and Creative Writing
After revisiting the content of Week 10 and participating in the Twine workshop, I found my interests shifting decisively towards interactive narratives and non-linear storytelling. Working on our Kirkgate Market project allowed me to experiment with how rules, choices, and narrative structures can be used as creative tools rather than purely technical mechanisms.
The process of designing a rule-based story demonstrated to me that interactive narratives are not only systems of choice, but also forms of creative writing. By constructing multiple narrative pathways and unexpected outcomes, we were able to transform an ordinary space into a complex narrative world. This experience helped me understand how digital storytelling can expand the possibilities of traditional narrative forms.
4. Creative Practice: Storytelling Through Rules
In our group project, we developed an interactive narrative based on the genre of rule-based uncanny storytelling. Instead of using technology as the central focus, we treated rules as narrative devices that guide, disrupt, and reshape the story. The strange rules were designed to provoke curiosity and emotional engagement, while also encouraging reflection on morality, ethics, and human nature.
Through this project, I realised that interactive narratives offer a unique space where creative writing and player agency intersect. The digital format allowed us to experiment with narrative structure, pacing, and perspective in ways that would be difficult to achieve in linear texts. This strengthened my interest in exploring storytelling specifically through interactive and digital forms.
5. Future Direction: Deepening Narrative Exploration
As I move into the second semester, I hope to further develop my skills in interactive storytelling and creative writing. I am particularly interested in exploring more sophisticated narrative structures, character development, and thematic depth within digital narratives. Rather than focusing on technological complexity, I aim to refine how stories can be told more effectively through interactive forms.
At the same time, I recognise that I still need further support in understanding the narrative potential of digital tools such as Twine, including how to design meaningful choices and coherent branching structures. By developing these skills, I hope to create digital stories that are not only interactive, but also emotionally resonant and narratively compelling.