This is perhaps the both exciting and challenging aspect of the project. The students have been wanting to get started in the creation of the comic and the foundation and expectations have been laid out. The challenge that comes with the excitement is now combined with the stress of creating something of value. 

Challenges & Goals

a. Deepening understanding of how to create effective comic covers.

b. Finding ways to communicate story elements through cover design.

c. Identifying appropriate imagery and color schemes for different target audiences.

Key Takeaways

a. The importance of considering the target audience when designing a cover.

b. The use of color and background elements to convey mood and tone.

c. How body language and character positioning can provide insight into relationships within the story.

Emerging Patterns

a. Simplified designs can be striking and draw attention.

b. Familiarity with characters or concepts can influence cover design choices.

c. The balance between providing enough information while maintaining intrigue for potential readers.

Flattening the walls, allows Ss to “see” the world through a different lens - we aren’t “doing school,” instead, we’re creating an experience…with intention, purpose, and accountability…today Elsa Charretier(comic artist in France) ⁦provides expert feedback…we question, we listen, & we apply…

Key Takeaways from Comic Feedback Session with Professional Comic Editors

Students received valuable feedback from professional comic editors on their comic-style illustrations. The focus was on improving visual storytelling by identifying areas of success and potential enhancement.

Highlights:

1. Students demonstrated effective use of body language and attention to detail.

2. Impressive perspective work, particularly with vehicles and buildings.

3. Strategic use of color to distinguish characters from backgrounds and set the mood.

Challenges faced during the session involved unclear text placement, overlapping visuals and text, and inconsistent font sizes. Despite these issues, students excelled in crafting creative panel layouts, employing colors to convey emotions, and presenting powerful visual storytelling.

Memorable Quotes:

1. "The Spotlight Tower is dramatic and scary."

2. "The different direction with smiling, hugging characters is refreshing."

3. "The manga-style page effectively uses manga techniques."

Suggestions for Improvement:

1. Ensure historical accuracy (e.g., train design).

2. Plan the composition of entire pages before finalizing panels.

3. Use reference images for accurate poses and perspectives.

4. Enhance clarity by rearranging or minimizing text.

5. Employ contrasting colors to separate background and foreground elements.

Conclusion:

The participants showcased their skills in visual storytelling, successfully expressing emotions and actions in their illustrations. Areas for growth include refining compositions, ensuring historical accuracy, using reference images for accuracy, improving text placement, and boosting visual clarity with contrasting colors. Future development should consider these recommendations to elevate the final product while preserving its unique style.

Insights & Discoveries:

• The effectiveness of illustrations in storytelling

• Employing perspective to add depth to 2D images

• Striking a balance between detail and simplicity in backgrounds

• Guiding the viewer's eye through composition

Unexpected Learnings:

• Professionals often use toys as reference for drawing.

• Minimal backgrounds can work well in comics if they convey key information.

• Readers make assumptions, such as characters standing on the ground, even if not explicitly shown.

Trends Observed:

• The significance of perspective and camera angles in storytelling

• Using contrast between detailed and simple elements to direct viewer focus

• Left-to-right movement feels more natural for story progression