Assignment 10: Difficult Dialogues

For this assignment, I have to create a response to a social, cultural and global contexts that I have previously explored throughout this unit. I will revisit previous research to help inform ideas of what I will do for this assignment and reflect on how I'll approach these themes through writing then through the creative practice.

Mind-map

Idea

Looking through my work, I was drawn to the female comic artists research tasks because I got to see women's voices of their experiences and their day-to-day life. Adding to it, I reflected on my last two exercises where I had to look at what tasks stood out and what direction I like to go towards.

Taking those aspects in as I was doing my mind-map and during this moment I was constantly distracted myself with my phone-- which in the end I just left my phone as far away from me as possible. This had sparked off the possible route to talk about phone addiction and how to cope.

The phone addiction idea had lead me to research the benefits of reducing phone time, how to reduce screen-time, what happens when you're on your phone too much and activities to do to replace your phone.

Although, it had to focus on a topic of research that I had previously looked at, so I looked into the otherness research task and online. 'Otherness' is all about contrasts, being different, when I thought deeply about it a phone is like 'otherness'. You get a little screen to see everything, every tiny thing that is being broadcasted across the world; good things, bad things and all the while you're sitting on the toilet. They are there and you are here.

In a strange, turn around way, I have decided to create around the topic of phone addiction and I want to tell a narrative of how you can combat it.

Since I did quite well with the 'Manga' assignment, I might try and emulate that into my work one way or another.

Research

YouGov's examined phone addiction in the UK and the statistics say a lot about how we use our phones; 65% of people in their findings say they use their phones in bed before they sleep-- particularly 18-24 year old with 92% of them harming their sleep. I've included more stats below, but it's safe to say that the majority of the UK frequently use their phone (Stats from 2018).

1

Doom-scrolling

Using a phone for extended period of time can lead to increased stress, depressed and anxiety, it also reduces productivity, causes sleep disturbances, as well as impaired focus and attention.

There's a few ways you can reduce screentime like figuring out what causes you to go on your phone, the triggers. Reduce the habit by building other habits that reinforce a positive mindset, like reading, exercise, socializing, mindfulness and meditation, and invest more time into hobbies. Lastly, it's also a good idea to connect with loved ones-- friends and family can also provide a great support for when you need it.

It's important to set away from you phone, and with some phones you can set app limits to stop you from spending too long on a certain application, it's also a good idea to turn off notifications for apps that draw you to your phone for long period of time.

Being off your phone can help encourage movement and such will help improve physical health; your eye health would also improve since you're not straining your eyes as much due to the screen. Spending less time on your phone can also improve your mental well-being, making you feel less anxious and stressed. Less time on the phone also means being more productive and encourage more creativity. Lastly, and more importantly, sleep quality will improve.

If it's still out of hand, and you're finding it difficult reach out to a medical professional. 2

Thoughts

With this topic, I can refer to my own experiences with phone use and the disadvantages it has, although I should make sure that I saw the correct terms what I talk and reference this topic. Anxiety, depression and other mental illness are real and sensitive; using the correct thermology will help build a open discussion that isn't considered harmful.

By exploring this topic, I can learn and teach new tools for people to use to help understand phone addiction and encourage other people with mental health conditions to take this as a possible solution to combatting a certain aspect of their problem.

When it comes to illustrating and interpreting this topic/theme, I want to keep it feeling positive and relatable; which is why I am keen on the idea of attach a story to the overall premise. I'll create a zine/manga/comic and create in a narrative format, start with my own experience or someone else's experience and lead into the tips and benefits of reducing screentime.

The possible approach

I want to create a comic or a zine and I want to keep up with using traditional mediums and the possible blend of digital tools, after examining work that succeeded in previous exercises/assignments most of them were traditional narrative works.

I would like to have the intended audience be 13+, ideally everyone but issues like depression and anxiety can be a lot of a child-- though it doesn't take away from the fact that children can and do experience these emotions. But if I can make the audience relatable to the parents then maybe it can have a positive impact on the children too.

I personally feel that this topic is well-needed to be talked about, many people that I've spoken to wish to reduce the amount of time they spend on their phones. Rather than a written article, the idea of a physical copy can add a little extra.

Mood Board

Script/Planning

Process (Video)

To summarize the video, I created sketches of the "manga" version of me, I intended to make the zine personal with advice and information of what people can do to improve their well-being through reduced screentime. From there I thumbnailed the story-boards, I did go back over them to make sure the flow was good and that there was enough space for information; I did this with a post-it note.

After that, I sketched out the pages in mechanical pencil and went over with ink, using both brush pen and using a brush with ink to create some contrast. I wanted to create a graphic look, so when it came to digitalizing the designs I overlayed a solid colour and create a similar look to my mood board.

After that I added all my dialogue and speech bubbles, I did fiddle with some of the designs to make sure that it looked right, fixing the face and such. I wanted a little texture to the canvas so I added a grainy texture to give it that special touch. I also added a pop of white to really draw the eyes into the illustrations which I feel worked well.

I wanted to make sure people could have support if the readers were overwhelmed with anxiety or depression so I included some important support sites and numbers.

Final images

Flick through (Digitally)

Evaluation

This assignment asked me to create a project around a social, cultural or global issues-- and although not specified directly, I wanted to combat an issue that I had from experience that could possible help others with too. With research, I was able to back up my original thoughts that phone use is excessive among users these days.

I wanted to create something that drew from personal experience so not to alienate people with their own problems, by relating I feel like I can create a friendly narrative. The designs are really pleasing and the graphic contrast look is something I have always wanted to do, I made sure to add different tones and textures to capture that grainy and screen-tone texture.

I'm really happy with the front cover, it really captures what my mind feels like when I doom-scroll and I wanted to end on a calm note with a contrast to the beginning illustration. I am extremely happy with how it turned out, I would've liked to add more story elements, however I felt that it could've taken away from the important message of addressing and giving advice on excessive phone use.

I'm glad that I created a video to show the process of my work, there are times when I'm inking or sketching that I feel a lot of calm, I would like to feel that this comes through my work as I show the process.

Overall, this zine showcases some of what I have to offer with my work and I'm really looking forward to where the next unit takes me.

(I will update this blog when I receive my printed version of this zine).

1 M Smith, YouGov 'YouGov reveals the extent of Britain’s addiction to our phones', Oct 8, 2018. https://yougov.co.uk/technology/articles/21766-yougov-reveals-extent-britains-addiction-our-phone Accessed Aug 10, 2025.

2 U/A, Health Shield 'The surprising benefits of reducing screen time for your health', U/A. https://www.healthshield.co.uk/blog/the-surprising-benefits-of-reducing-screen-time-for-your-health/ Accessed Aug 10, 2025.