On the heels of the sudden burst of inspiration that came after reading the article in question, we decided that this week's article would be dedicated to storytelling, but from a different angle: that of web design.

A few weeks ago, as our most attentive readers may recall, Softway's team immersed themselves in the overwhelmingly sensorial play that is: The Death of the Raven. It is not by chance that Sábado Magazine, characterizes this experience as one of the best shows Portugal has seen in a while. Attendance is definitely mandatory.

Before the theater began, we were lucky enough to attend a talk on storytelling with the show's artistic director, where he spoke about the important role storytelling plays in the branding process. At a certain point in his speech, he reinforced that this was only possible because storytelling is at the centre of human life. In fact, Storytelling has been an important part of human culture for thousands of years, allowing people to connect with one another through shared experiences and emotions. This resonated with me so, that without notice the name of german philosopher Hannah Arendt slowly started creeping into my mind.

Suddenly I was transported to FLUL's amphitheater I, as old as it was uncomfortable, where the weight of its illustrious past was felt in the air and on the shoulders of everyone who sat on those concentric wooden benches, darkened by age. This is the place where I first was introduced to Hannah Arendt’s work. Amongst other things, Arendt reflected on the power of storytelling/narrative in the political and social sphere of a given society and argued that storytelling played a critical role in human life, helping us to make sense of our experiences and connect with each other.

Forwarding a few decades, in today's digital age, storytelling is more important than ever. By creating a narrative through design elements, you can engage your audience, build trust, and establish a lasting relationship with your users. By using a combination of visual and text elements, you can guide your audience through a cohesive narrative that connects with their needs and goals. So how can you incorporate storytelling elements into your web design? Here are some tips and best practices for creating a cohesive, compelling narrative through design:

1. Defining the Narrative and Storytelling Elements: The first step in creating a narrative through design is defining what story you want to tell. What's your brand's mission, values, and unique selling proposition? What are your target audience's needs, challenges, and goals? Once you've defined your narrative, you can start incorporating storytelling elements into your web design. This can include visual elements like images, illustrations, icons, and videos, as well as text elements like headlines, taglines, body copy, and calls to action.
2. Using Visual Elements to Create a Compelling Story: Visual elements are a powerful way to communicate a narrative and evoke emotion in your users. By using images, illustrations, and videos, you can create a visual story that connects with your audience on an emotional level.
3. Using Text Elements to Enhance the Narrative: While visual elements are important for creating a narrative, text elements are just as crucial for communicating your brand's message and engaging your audience. For example, a powerful headline can capture your audience's attention and entice them to learn more about your brand. A tagline can succinctly communicate your brand's mission and values. Body copy can provide more detailed information about your products or services, while calls to action can encourage your users to take a specific action on your website.
4. Create a Consistent Brand Story: Finally, it's important to ensure that your web design is aligned with your brand's overall story and messaging. This includes everything from the tone and style of your copy to the color palette and typography of your design. Consistency is key when it comes to brand storytelling. By maintaining a consistent brand story across all your marketing channels, you can establish a strong brand identity and build trust with your audience.

Yes, we could have gone straight to the point, but it would be paradoxical and disappointing, to say the least, if in an article about storytelling, everything had been immediately revealed to our readers.