On Friday, September 21, 23 students in Francine Gibson’s Digital Art: Photoshop class visited the local Comic Expo at Duke Energy Center for a real-world connection to the commercial art of comic books. The event drew over 2000 people. Students in the class use Photoshop to communicate global awareness with comic book heroes.
Andrew Satterfield, the Founder, Owner and Director of the Cincinnati Comic Expo, gave students a unique opportunity to participate in the event by hanging banners, sorting inventory, stuffing bags, creating signs for artists and decorating the room used for the Geek Prom.
“It was good for them to see what is involved in event planning and how a show of this size comes together,” Gibson said. The highlight of the trip for most students was the question and answer session with guest artist Georges Jeanty. Jeanty is the artist of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The class enjoyed his entertaining answers and helpful advice.
“I was surprised by how long it takes to create a comic issue; 22 pages in 28 days,” digital art student Alexis Haberly said.
“It was a pleasure for us to work with Andrew Satterfield and Matt Bredestege, Media Relations and Artist Coordinator for the Cincinnati Comic Expo. We look forward to continuing our efforts by helping with next year’s show,” Gibson said.
In conjunction with the field trip, the students completed a project with comic book heroes in class. They were charged with designing public service announcement posters with a DC or Marvel Comic hero saving the world from a global issue. Students researched global issues, took photos and transformed found images to use in their work and then designed posters to include their comic book hero fighting back. The goal was to create awareness for a global issue by manipulating images, graphics and text in Photoshop thereby creating a focal point with their superhero Comic saving the world.
Student projects will be finalized by October 5 and will then be displayed in the front lobby of the high school.
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