Edited by:
Alice Barberini

Biography

In person courses

28 July 2025 — 2 August 2025

Enrollment deadline

Registrations will be accepted subject to availability.

Language: Italiano
Total hours: 43,5
Cost: 430,00 €

Course with final certificate

Accessible with Italian Teacher Card

Agenda

28.7.2025 09:30–18:30
29.7.2025 09:30–18:30
30.7.2025 09:30–18:30
31.7.2025 09:30–18:30
1.8.2025 09:30–18:30
2.8.2025 09:30–13:00

Designing a silent book: wordless visual storytelling

The aim of the course is to provide the tools necessary to design a silent book — a unique form of editorial illustration composed exclusively of images, with no written words.
The course begins with an in-depth look at the history of silent books, featuring key examples and short film screenings.
The design process starts by exploring potential story ideas. The instructor offers strategies to help identify and develop a strong concept from among many initial inspirations.
From there, the idea is developed into a script by creating a space of silence, where word and image merge into a single voice — that of the narrator.
The narrator plays a crucial role in silent books, as they guide the reader’s gaze through the story.
Once the script is finalized, participants move on to creating the storyboard.
The course includes the creation of a final illustration board, serving as the foundation for a project that may be developed further.

Illustration by Alice Barberini, Il cane e la luna, Orecchio Acerbo, 2015.

1. Brief introduction to silent books.
Understanding their characteristics and how they function.
2. On the idea. How story ideas are born and what makes an intuition become a strong narrative concept.
3. Guiding the reader through the story. Strategies for narrative flow and the importance of a compelling ending.
4. Visual storytelling mechanics. Analysis of how image-only narratives function effectively.

5. The script. What a silent book script is and how to write one.
6. The storyboard. From selecting the format to studying framing and visual sequences.
7. Storyboard review.
8. Development and finalization of a storyboard page. Creating a finished illustration board as a prototype.

Basic drawing skills.

Technical art materials are the responsibility of the participant.
Students should bring iconographic materials (photographs, sketches) to support the design and development phases and sketching supplies such as pads, sheets of paper, pencils, etc.
Since the final artwork technique is open-ended, the choice of materials for the final illustration is at the discretion of each participant.

It is recommended to bring a water container, a palette (or plates) for mixing colors, and a cloth for drying.

Casa della fantasia
Via Marconi, 2/A
31026 Sarmede (TV)