A Systematic Mapping of Digital Storytelling Elements Across the Creative Production

Abstract

Digital Storytelling (DST) has been established as a potent medium for both pedagogical and artistic expression. However, a comprehensive and systematically mapped framework that links the theoretical components of DST to its practical creation process remains a critical gap in the literature. This study addresses this deficiency by synthesizing established academic and practitioner literature to map an expanded framework of ten key DST elements Point of View, Purpose, Story Structure, Emotional Content, Economy, Overall Look and Sound, Soundtrack, Quality of Media, Rhythm, and The Storyteller’s Voice to a structured five-phase creation process: Concept and Planning, Narration Visualisation, Timeline and Storyboard, Material Selection, and Story Creation and Finale. The resulting synthesis demonstrates that the creation of a compelling digital story is a phased integration, where foundational elements like Point of View and Purpose are addressed in the initial planning stages, while technical and artistic delivery elements such as Rhythm and The Storyteller’s Voice culminate in the final assembly. This systematic mapping provides a robust, literature-grounded framework, offering essential clarity for practitioners, educators, and researchers on how theoretical elements are intentionally translated into a practical workflow for producing high-quality digital narratives.