Program Overview
The Certificate in Comic Arts equips students with the theory and practice of sequential art, including comics, graphic novels, and manga. Through hands-on experience and project-based learning, students develop foundational skills in cartooning, typography, and writing, gaining proficiency with traditional and digital tools for layout and publication. The program fosters creativity, technical proficiency, and storytelling ability, preparing students for careers in the comic arts industry.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Program Overview:
The certificate in comic arts provides students with the opportunity to explore the theory and practice of sequential art, including comics, graphic novels, cartoons, and manga.
Program Objectives:
- Explore the theory and practice of sequential art
- Develop foundational skills in cartooning, typography, and writing
- Gain proficiency with traditional and digital tools for layout and publication
- Develop an individual, creative voice through comics
Program Description:
The program covers a range of topics, including:
- Cartooning
- Comic book creation
- Digital visualizations
- Type dialogues
- Introduction to drawing
- Creative writing: fiction
- Illustration
- Writing screenplays for film
Outline:
Course Schedule:
The program consists of 18 credit hours of coursework. The following courses are required:
- ANIM 2040 Cartooning (3 hours)
- ANIM 3040 Comic Book Creation (3 hours)
- DESN 1500 Digital Visualizations (3 hours)
- DESN 2300 Type Dialogues (3 hours)
- ART 1110 Introduction to Drawing (3 hours) or ENGL 2160 Creative Writing: Fiction (3 hours)
- ART 2130 Illustration (3 hours) or SCPT 3500 Writing Screenplays for Film (3 hours)
Module Descriptions:
- ANIM 2040 Cartooning: Introduces the fundamentals of cartooning, including character design, perspective, and storytelling.
- ANIM 3040 Comic Book Creation: Provides hands-on experience in creating comic books, from scripting and storyboarding to inking and coloring.
- DESN 1500 Digital Visualizations: Introduces the principles of digital design, including typography, layout, and color theory.
- DESN 2300 Type Dialogues: Explores the use of typography in visual communication, including the design of comic book lettering.
- ART 1110 Introduction to Drawing: Develops basic drawing skills, including perspective, composition, and shading.
Assessment:
Assessment Methods:
- Projects
- Presentations
- Critiques
Assessment Criteria:
- Creativity
- Technical proficiency
- Storytelling ability
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
- Lectures
- Demonstrations
- Workshops
- Critiques
Faculty:
- The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are active in the field of comic arts.
Unique Approaches:
- The program emphasizes hands-on experience and project-based learning.
- Students have the opportunity to work with professional comic book artists and writers.
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
- Comic book artist
- Graphic novelist
- Cartoonist
- Illustrator
- Animator
- Screenwriter
