*Image: Artist Benjamin Allder and the student co-deisgn team at Dinjerra Primary School Story Hub Launch in 2024. Image by Gianna Rizzo*

Dear Future Story Hub Artist,

Congratulations on being selected as the artist for the school’s Story Hub! Here are some insights and experiences I had, which I hope will help you deliver a magical Story Hub.

Watch & Listen: You will be introduced partway through the Story Hub process and will work alongside the 100 Story Building facilitators. Share who you are, what you do, and then practise active listening. By observing and listening, you will get a better understanding of the students’ story. Sometimes you will need to tease out some details, but more often than not, the story will emerge organically when not forced.

Visual Brainstorm: If there’s time, I found that a nice, messy visual brainstorming group activity is a great way for the students to quickly put their ideas onto paper. It also doubles as a great way to identify recurring symbols, patterns, and colours they are drawn to.

Encourage Feedback: At every stage of the Dinjerra P.S Story Hub process, there was an opportunity for student feedback. This gave the students autonomy and a sense of ownership over the visual identity, which encouraged effective co-design.

Incorporate Their Vision: Building a Story Hub can feel daunting at first, but I learned that incorporating design elements led by the students themselves can achieve a big section of the work. I created a story rock project where each Grade 5/6 student contributed a visual element tied back to the main narrative. This gave them a personalised touch in the Story Hub’s design, promoting pride and interactivity.

Have Fun! Enjoying the process and having fun is just as important as the final result. The enthusiasm you put into the project will manifest in the final piece and inspire you just as much as it inspires others. Your role as a mentor is just as valuable as the space you create.

Good luck, and enjoy the creative rollercoaster you’re about to embark on as a 100 Story Building Story Hub Artist!

Sincerly,

Benjamin Allder

(@bananaoncat)

2024 Dinjerra P.S Story Hub Artist