Learn Narrative Engineering

These docs are the operational reference for Postdigitalist's narrative engineering practice — the concepts, frameworks, and methods we use with clients and apply in our own work.

They are not a marketing glossary. Everything here is meant to be used.

What's inside

Basics — The foundational vocabulary: what narrative engineering is, how it differs from storytelling and brand strategy, and the core mental models the rest of the practice builds on.

Core frameworks — Repeatable structures for doing narrative work: frame analysis, tension mapping, protagonist architecture, narrative timing, and more.

Brand & product — How to apply these frameworks when building a brand, auditing a narrative, writing a positioning brief, or diagnosing narrative debt.

Media & editorial — How narrative engineering applies to press, publishing, and editorial strategy.

Advanced — Adversarial narrative, leverage points, and higher-order applications for experienced practitioners.

How to use this

If you're new, start with What Is Narrative Engineering? and work through the Basics section before moving to frameworks.

If you're a client or collaborator, the most immediately useful sections are likely Core Frameworks and Brand & Product.

If you're looking for something specific, use the search.