Do you have a teaching ethos?

First of all, I believe in cultivating a class community. Although this course allows students to begin sharing their stories from day one, it’s often hard to connect with others over Zoom. I have students share their homework on discussion boards, where they are encouraged to leave comments for one another. Throughout the second half of the course, when students know each other better, I make a point to split students into small groups where they can workshop their stories in-depth with each other.

I also believe in giving timely feedback. Two of my MFA professors, Jim Rugg and Mark Sable, modeled good teaching in online classes. They would leave written feedback that was both encouraging and constructive. I try to make this same effort, sharing my genuine thoughts, while encouraging students to keep making work. I always remind students that, ultimately, it’s their story, and they have the choice to take or leave any feedback they receive.

I love how comics is such a democratic medium -- all you need is a pencil and a piece of paper to start. I believe in showing examples from a diverse range of creators, mostly focusing on contemporary comics and visual essays. I push my students to develop stories that feature multi-dimensional characters and emotion-driven storytelling, and I encourage them to experiment and develop their own visual style and narrative voice.

The students in this class work in a range of media and techniques. Some students work analog, while others use digital media, or a combination of both. Some students format their work for print, and others make webcomics. Here is Amy Wibowo’s final project, Home Sweet Homepage, where she used her programming skills to make this interactive comic.

What do you hope to impart to students who take your course?

Upon completing this course, I hope that students develop a broader understanding of the comics medium and learn some new technical skills, but more importantly, I hope they feel empowered to continue telling their stories.

Visual storytelling with SVACE faculty member Sarah Shaw