Sequential Mapping: Using Sequential Rhetoric and Comics Production to Understand UX Design

ABSTRACT

Sequential rhetoric can serve as a framework to instruct UX practice (through user story maps) to new learners because it is both approachable and affordable. Sequential rhetoric consists of five main facets that incorporate planning elements (core visual writing and envisaging) and composing elements (interanimation, juxtaquencing, and gestalt closure), which this essay both defines and relates to convergent scholarship. We argue that sequential rhetoric transfers beyond the technical classroom and into the profession itself.

KEYWORDS:

• Usability studies
• sequential rhetoric
• visual rhetoric/visualization techniques
• digital technologies

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.

Notes

1. Many UX-based services in 2020 are on a subscription plan. These range from $5–$12 a month or higher (Whimsical, Figma, ProtoPie, Art Studio). Some software is available for limited free plans (Invision). Traditional software could be incorporated for UX functions but many of those are also expensive (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud).

2. This thread of argument, as well as other similar topics, will be explored by Rob in a forthcoming publication in Programmatic Perspectives. The study stemmed from his dissertation, which looked at student responses to comics production. The coded results helped form the facets of sequential rhetoric explored in this paper.

3. As was the case with many comics creators of his time, Eisner’s work was more collaborative then insular. Some of the PS Magazine work attributed to Eisner was actually a team spearheaded by him.

4. Core Visual Writing and its justification will be explored in a forthcoming publication in Programmatic Perspectives.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Robert Watkins

Robert Watkins works as an assistant professor of English at Idaho State University. His research focuses on the pedagogical intersections of multimodality, visual rhetoric, and comics. His PhD is in Rhetoric and Professional Communication from Iowa State University.

Tom Lindsley

Tom Lindsley has worked in product strategy, UX, and marketing roles at various SaaS software companies. He is currently a Director of Product Marketing at Workiva. His PhD is in Rhetoric and Professional Communication from Iowa State University.