ClassInfo

ANI 225 Making Comics

Winter 2012-2013
Class number: 26000
Section number: 801
Tu 5:45PM - 9:00PM
CDM 00530 Loop Campus

Summary

Comics stand alone in the amount of power it gives to it's creator. The author not only provides the words but the actual actors who carry out the story, the direction of the characters, the precise design of everything from the clothing worn to the props and setting, an entirely unique universe waiting to be created. Truly the only limitation in comics is the authorʼs own imagination. Obviously comics can be humorous, but they can also be a way to exploring ones self, what is important to you, and reflecting that to the world around you. The emphasis of this class will be to learn the basics of cartooning.

Each student will be expected to keep a sketchbook of one kind or another. This will be a place to collect doodles, life drawings, memories, anecdotes, ideas and notes, and will act as fuel to produce our cartoon narratives. Our mantra for the next 10 weeks will be; write what you know, draw what you love.

There will be no emphasis on any genre in this class. Students will determine for themselves what kind of stories they want to tell. This is not a how-to-draw class. Though doodling and simple exercises each week each student will sharpen the skills they already have. With an emphasis on clear communication over draftsmanship, this class will be challenging to both novice to those who have already taken a crack at comics.



Texts

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud Lint by Chris Ware Heads or Tails by Lilli Carre


Grading

You will be graded pass/fail in 4 different quadrants each week. Attendance, Participation, Completion of Work, Effort. Each quadrant is filled when you succeeded in that quadrant. The only quadrants you can make up is Completion of Work and Effort. If you missed an assignment, bring it in as soon as you can. A = 100-93, A- = 92-90, B+ = 89-88, B = 87-83, B- = 82-80, C+ = 79-78, C = 77-73, C- = 72-70, D+ = 69-68, D = 67-63, D- = 62-60, F = 59-0. A indicates you did awesome! You went above and beyond what was asked for, you took feedback from others and built on that. B indicates you did great! You got done what needed to get done and tried a few new things. C indicates average work. You did what you feel comfortable doing, which is fine, but you didn't push yourself. D work is sad? F is you really tried to not try at all. Please try. Academic Integrity Work done for this course must adhere to the DePaul University Academic Integrity Policy, which you can review in the Student Handbook or by visiting http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/homehandbook.html


Prerequisites

NONE


Course Objectives

Students should have a basic knowledge of the skills that go into making comics, and the fundamentals of graphic storytelling. Should feel more comfortable doodling, and have fun using ink. Your grade will be influenced by the following criteria: Clarity over clutter. Marrying words and images is difficult, and there needs to thought into how the reader will read your comic. Creativity, originality. You can be influenced by a comic or a genre, but the end result needs to be all you. How interesting it is to me as the reader, and to your classmates. Why make something if it isn?t interesting? Comics have an advantage over regular prose? comics have pictures! Comics ARE pictures! You can flip through it and be whisked away without even reading it! Tell visually and intellectually stimulating stories. Meet the deadlines. These projects are as fun as you make them. So they shouldn?t even feel like homework? but you need to get them done. If your work isn?t available during in class discussions, your grade will reflect this. Be prepared for class. There is not a lot needed to make comics. You can really do it with anything. You can make comics with ketchup on a napkin. But I would prefer you bring in your socially normal drawing tools to class. Paper, pens, pencils, erasers, etc. (Look at Supply List) Work hard. We will discuss how important editing is, and you may find that you may need to self edit sometimes, scrap pages you are unhappy with. Those who really push themselves to make fantastic work will have the most fun.


Supplies

Supplies: 20 sheet pad of bristol smooth finish paper, unless you are thinking about trying a brush, then I recommend vellum finish bristol. 9x12 or larger. Our final work will be on this paper. (be prepared to buy a second pad if you go through it.) Pencils, #2 or slightly harder (or non photo blue if that interests you) Correction supplies, i.e. erasers, Wite-Out. Inking tools. This is also really up to you what you use. But I can recommend many different tools you may not have used before. But it will be an emphasis that you use ink in your sketchbook. Recommended tools: Speedball Ink (Waterproof!) Speedball Nib Set (any but lettering set) http://www.dickblick.com/products/speedball-cartooning-pen-and-nib-project-set/?clickTracking=true Watercolor brush round #2 Pentel Pocket Brush Pen: http://www.dickblick.com/products/pentel-pocket-brush-pen/?clickTracking=true Ahab Flex Pen: http://www.gouletpens.com/Noodlers_Ahab_Flex_Nib_Pens_s/1098.htm Sketchbook. This is really up to you. It should feel comfortable in your hand, and easy to have with you at all times. You should like the way the paper feels, and if the manufacturer tells you what sort of media is best, look for one that says ink, or all media. Most importantly its that you enjoy drawing in it. (If you already have one you like, then awesome.)


Week 1 Introduction. Connect The Plots.

Single Panel Cartoons / Tools Four Panel Cartoons / Scanning A Simple Page / Jam The Democratic Grid The Hierarchical Grid Style Full Color "Sunday" Page Final Rough Final Four Page Comic Due.

School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296