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StoryCubes
a storytelling tool from Proboscis

What Are StoryCubes?
StoryCubes are a tactile thinking and storytelling tool for exploring relationships and narratives. Each face of the cube can illustrate or describe an idea, a thing or an action, placed together it is possible to build up multiple narratives or explore the relationships between them in a novel three-dimensional way. StoryCubes can be folded in two different ways, giving each cube twelve possible faces – and thus two different ways of telling a story, two musings around an idea. Like books turned inside out and upside down they are read by turning and twisting in your hand and combining in vertical and horizontal constructions.

How Can StoryCubes Be Used?
At Proboscis we use StoryCubes as poetic and playful devices for exploring ideas in three dimensions, allowing us to reveal different perspectives and make new connections and associations. We also use them as an engagement tool in our public projects, where they are particularly helpful in enabling groups of people to build shared narratives that allow them to see new perspectives. Here are some ideas for how you might use them:

as a brainstorming tool to help people share and discuss ideas in workshops, conferences and creative labs
as an evaluation tool to build up multi layered and multi faceted responses to an event (conference, workshop, performance etc)
as mnemonic devices helping participants recall activities and outcomes of workshops and mentoring sessions
in school projects to help students collaborate on group work, enhance negotiation and debating skills and develop tactile and spatial construction skills
in community projects for intergenerational work - helping people see each others' perspectives on shared issues
StoryCubes are very effective with young children: make your own alphabet and number cubes or create StoryCubes with photos of friends and family to assist recognition and memory skills
for storytelling games - where each participant adds elements of a story to their cube and take turns in telling a story from the visible elements of a group of StoryCubes
for storyboarding: use the StoryCubes to help organise storylines for writing, animations or films.

Examples and pictures of StoryCubes
Upload photos of your StoryCubes with the tag "storycubes" to Flickr and view different ideas for how to use them:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/storycubes/
or join our public Flickr group and share your photos and ideas of how to use them:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/storycubes/

www.flickr.com

More Flickr photos tagged with storycubes

Where can I buy StoryCubes?
Packs of StoryCubes with blank stickers (sheets of 12) are now available for you to use for your own storytelling projects and activities. Construct the cubes, print images or words onto the stickers and build your stories.
Buy online from the Proboscis Store

Download Stickers Template
Proboscis has created simple templates for printing stickers for StoryCubes.

Microsoft Word (Mac/Win)
Make sure that Gridlines are visible (in Table drop down menu) and Insert pictures (or add text) into the boxes.
Adobe InDesign (Mac)

Diffusion Generator
Proboscis has created an prototype online application for creating Diffusion eBooks and StoryCubes. The Generator allows users to design their own StoryCubes and creates PDF files that can be shared and printed out, either as StoryCubes to be cut and out folded into boxes, as well for printing onto sticker sheets.The service is currently in ‘beta’ testing by invitation only. However, if you would like to participate please write to us describing what you would like to use it for at diffusion(at)proboscis.org.uk

StoryCube Design Services
Proboscis is developing new design services for StoryCubes:

StoryCube Packs for Conferences & Workshops: for organisers to distribute to delegates as an evaluation tool, or to stimulate discussion and debate. Proboscis will design and produce a pack containing StoryCubes and customised handouts for distribution to delegates. Please contact us for pricing at sales(at)proboscis.org.uk.
Workshop Facilitation: Proboscis can facilitate StoryCube workshops at conferences and events for brainstorming, discussion and evaluation sessions. Proboscis will design and provide custom handouts for delegates, all the necessary StoryCubes and will facilitate the workshops themselves. In addition we will document and evaluate the workshop as part of the service. Please contact us for pricing at sales(at)proboscis.org.uk.
Custom Printed StoryCubes: Proboscis can design and manufacture individually designed StoryCubes - e.g. for marketing campaigns or communication projects - for single or double-sided cubes with as many different StoryCube designs as you like. Please contact us for pricing at sales(at)proboscis.org.uk (minimum order 250 StoryCubes).
Licensing: For customised designs and volume ordering (such as museum education programmes, workshops etc) the StoryCube design may be licensed to take advantage of local manufacturing economies. Please contact us to discuss your requirements: sales(at)proboscis.org.uk

Download our Design Services Leaflet (PDF 465Kb)

Testimonials & Awards

Voted Best Interactive Gallery Exhibit, b.TWEEN08

"Storycubes were a huge success at the conference [Why Don't You..?] - they are an incredible tool for helping people externalise their ideas and thoughts in a way that enables really rich conversations to take place."
Dan Sutch, Futurelab

StoryBoxes
StoryBoxes are three-dimensional artworks printed using the StoryCube format. Each set forms a cube of StoryCubes (8, 27, 64, 125 or 216 cubes) and are printed on both sides. The StoryBoxes allow ideas, stories and projects to be published and shared in a novel method that provides a multiplicity of ways to engage with them.

	Proboscis StoryBox (July 2008)
	A set of 8 StoryCubes, printed on both sides which explores Proboscis, our projects, themes and ideas in 3 dimensions
	Buy online from the Proboscis Store

StoryCube History
Over the years Proboscis has experimented with a variety of formats for creating StoryCubes. Since 2004 we use a die-cut and scored box on heavy card (400gsm) with labels for printing images and words to stick on the faces. We also use a heavy A4 paper format (175gsm) with the cube shape perforated in the paper, which can be run through a laser or inkjet printer. The die-cut and perforated paper formats each have a rigidity that enables complex shapes and stacks to be built.

Back in 2002, our initial StoryCube format used a simple origami method (the 'Water Bomb') for folding sheets of printed paper into cubes. The folded cube reveals mappings and connections in the printed content not apparent in the flat unfolded sheet. The origami-type cubes can be created as PDF files to download, print and make on A4 or A3 paper.