www :] thewebcomicproject.

Type: Active
Age: High school
Optimal size: 11-20
Estimated cost: $51 - $100
Planning time: 5+ hours
Frequency: Weekly

Learning outcomes

From this event, teen participants will be able to:

• Define a webcomic.
• Discover a unique way to tell a story.
• Understand the requirements for writing and illustrating a successful webcomic.
• Use the equipment needed to write, illustrate, and publish a webcomic.
• Learn from available presenters and those who work in the industry.
• Collaborate with fellow participants to develop a story.
• Explore career choices including author and illustrator, web designer, and graphic artist.
• Gain literacy confidence.

Instructions

Preparation:

Contact webcomic artists, authors, local artists, and local English and Art professors. [Many presenters offered their services at no cost.] Market and advertise the event via the means best suited to the teen community. Create a book list or pathfinder with materials pertaining to webcomics such as illustrating, career opportunities, hosting websites, and technology. Purchase and obtain supplies.

Needed Supplies:

• Paper
• Drawing Pencils
• Erasers
• Colored Pencils
• Sharpies
• Fine Point Sharpies
• Clipboards
• Scanner
• Computer
• Website to Upload Webcomics

Optional Supplies:

• Wacom Intuios Comic Tablet with includes software
• Or another drawing software/tablet of choice

Implementation:

• Day One: Discuss and evaluate webcomics, speak to an author, and create a rough draft. Focus on the storytelling aspect, this is the most important part of the webcomic. Use writing prompts and writing workshops for inspiration.
• Day Two: Connect with artists and illustrators, explore equipment used by artists, host peer critiques [teens look at their peers’ webcomics and offer suggestions, comments, and tips], continue to develop a rough draft.
• Day Three: Produce the final product and post to the hosting website.

Evaluation

This workshop is measured through outcome based evaluation. On the first day, openly speak with the teens. Ask them what they know about webcomics, the equipment, and what they hope to gain from the workshop.

In addition to the open discussion, the impact can be measured via observation and their final project. Note whether the teens are engaged in their work. Whether the teens are frustrated with the equipment and want to give up or whether they take the time to explore and ask questions. Do they return after www:]thewebcomicproject. to further develop their webcomics?

The information obtained from the evaluations will benefit future teen events by gaining insight into their likes and dislikes.

Personal Notes/Observation: Have the teens register for the event. Increase the length of the event for further exploration and development.

Other resources

Internet Resources

• Webcomic Alliance: Knowledge to Draw From: http://webcomicalliance.com
• Sunnyville Stories: 101 Ideas for a Webcomic: http://sunnyvillestories.com/2011/02/101-ideas-for-a-comic/
• Gizmodo: The Biggest Mistakes People Make When They Start a Webcomic: http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-biggest-mistakes-people-make-when-they-start-a-webc-1614779817
• Make Use Of: Everything You Need to Start Making a Webcomic for Free: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/everything-need-start-making-webcomics-free/
• Journal Buddies: Creative Writing Prompts for Teens & Preteens: http://journalbuddies.com/pre-teen/creative-writing-prompts-for-tweens/
• Incredible Art Department: Art Periods and Styles: http://www.incredibleart.org/links/artstyles.html
• Write Shop: Creative Writing Prompts for Teens: http://writeshop.com/creative-writing-prompts-teens/