Watchmen challenges the traditional Heros Journey by presenting heroes who are flawed and damaged. It really forces you to ask questions about complex ethical tropes, which in the end made it much more interesting. When have we ever been able to ask the questions, what happens after the hero saves the day? what are the long-term consequences of their actions? The graphic novel helped me push my project beyond a simple hero narrative and into a the practical and social means of a hero’s existence. Encourage to find solutions to complex problems with motivation to connect, explore the inner journeys and gaining personal connections.
This leads to 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People objects fall into the concept of accordance (what an object can do) and signifiers (what an object communicates it can do). These objects are to enhance the hero’s intent and shifting the way a hero thinks, shifting perspectives.100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People really pushed with your mind and the concept of designing with the user in mind.
These books really encouraged me to think beyond what I considered a normal “hero” journey. They both had me thinking about differences in stories and the power to design any kind of hero you want. With the user in mind you can take in their challenges, and make their resolutions engaging and understandable. I need to understand the limits of my design and the nature of it to be a clear and consistent. Thus, leading to creating a world for the user/hero that reflects themes that are found engaging and compelling.
In conclusion, these book are key, other stories can spark ideas too. I dont have an exact book to name for inspiration on my journey but every book I read holds unique inspiration. Each narrative, whether a classic novel, a non-fiction, or another graphic novel, offers a different window into character, plot, and world-building. These diverse stories sparked creativity and wide range of understanding of storytelling. Reading about the countless ways to approach heroism, conflict, and the human spirit provided me with endless ideas for my own unique Superhero Journey. Let all your past reading fuel your imagination for a truly original you!
