Jay
How do I get into the comics industry?
I'm interested in making comics for living (or at least part-time), and I was wondering if there are any recommended college programs geared towards prepping someone for comic-making #artist #comics
2 answers
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
To get into the comics industry and prepare for a career as a comic artist, consider the following steps:
Develop your artistic skills: Comic art requires a strong foundation in drawing, storytelling, and design. You can improve your skills through practice, studying the works of other comic artists, and taking classes or workshops. Many community colleges and universities offer courses in illustration, sequential art, or comic book creation. Some notable programs include the School of Visual Arts in New York City, the California College of the Arts in San Francisco, and the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia.
Create a portfolio: A strong portfolio is essential for showcasing your talent to potential employers or clients. Focus on creating high-quality samples that demonstrate your versatility and ability to tell stories visually. Include a variety of genres, styles, and formats to showcase your range.
Network: Building relationships within the comics industry can help you learn about opportunities and make valuable connections. Attend conventions, join professional organizations such as the National Cartoonists Society or the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and engage with other artists and industry professionals online through social media or forums.
Find freelance work: Freelance work can provide valuable experience and help you build a client base. Look for opportunities on job boards like ComicOpps or by contacting publishers directly with your portfolio. Be prepared to work on tight deadlines and be open to feedback from editors or art directors.
Consider self-publishing: Self-publishing allows you to maintain creative control over your work while building an audience and potentially generating income through sales or merchandise. Platforms like Kickstarter can help fund production costs for print runs or digital projects like webcomics or e-books.
Stay informed about industry trends: Keep up with current trends in comics by reading industry publications like The Beat or Comics Alliance, attending conventions, and engaging with other professionals online. This knowledge will help you adapt to changing market conditions and stay competitive in the industry.
Be persistent: Breaking into the comics industry can be challenging, but persistence is key. Continue developing your skills, networking with professionals, and seeking out new opportunities to build a successful career as a comic artist.**
Authoritative References Used:
School of Visual Arts - Illustration Program (https://www.sva.edu)
California College of the Arts - Comics Program (https://www.cca.edu)
Savannah College of Art and Design - Sequential Art Program (https://www.scad.edu/academics/programs/sequential-art)
God Bless You,
JC.
Chris Watkins
Chris’s Answer
Hi, Jay! One of the best out there that I've heard of is the Sequential Art program at Savannah College of Art and Design. There are an increasing number of these programs, specifically at art schools around the country, but SCAD's seems to produce a wonderfully high number of super cartoonists. Also look at the Center for Cartoon Studies, which offers Masters and certificate programs. As for getting into the industry, my own experience, and what I've heard professionals cite time and time again is that step number 1 is make comics! Number 2 is put them out there--sell mini-comics at festivals and cons, get them online (try your own site, but also consider sites like Webtoons and Tapastic (now Tapas.io). Comics are one of the few mediums that you really don't need any resources other than something to draw with and time to do it (unlike animation, for example, which requires software and/or camera equipment, and loads more time, etc.). I asked Kazu Kibuishi once how he picked his contributors to the Flight anthologies. He said the most important thing was making and sharing great work--that solicitation to be included was not valuable to him, but if he found work that was exciting, he would reach out to the creator. Good luck, Jay! Have fun making comics!