After many iterations and lots of questionable artwork, I decided to go with vectors drawings and shapes as well as a 5x7in size for the book (200dpi so plenty of zoom available on the font types for digital copies). I liked the idea of a 5x7in booklet to give out to friends or audience members at our games. It wouldn't be too cumbersome at that size, and would probably be bound with one ring in the top left corner. Using vector graphics was much easier than hand drawn pencil/ink images solely based on the reuse factor. I have attached a link to my final picture book (in pdf format, found on Google Drive): Rust_RollerDerby_PictureBook.pdf
Draft Comments:
So I decided to go ahead and make the first comic for that roller derby interface I made in the last assignment. I am attempting to explain a complex sport in a generalized, comic, way. I had also decided to take a step away from the computer, and hand draw/ink the pages, but am finding it very taxing to draw out layouts AND type AND images. I will likely create the layouts and type on the computer, and continue the images as hand drawn. I'll scan them in for the final, but right now these are photographs of some of the storyboard and mocks I currently have.
I decided to create the layouts reminiscent of comic books, this will help me chunk information together, adding alignment, repetition, and proximity to my designs. I am also trying my best to use the golden ratio on all pages. I found some information on the golden ratio that was quite interesting (used in many popular company's logo creations, on websites, and even in fashion design!), so I'm trying it out in my page designs. I am also consciously choosing images that are representative (of gear), interpretive (player cards), organizational (explaining time in the game), and transformational (skater penalties).
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image of cover
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Jam page
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| Player Card layout (shows strength and weaknesses, like video game rpgs) |
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| Player Card layout zoomed in on data (strengths and weaknesses) |
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| Page about league information |
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| Page on rules, icons denoting type of penalty |
My storyboard is handwritten/drawn, and I've mocked up many different ideas which basically helped me understand the scope of my story. So my final "storyboard" reads more like a script explaining scenes. The scenes may be out of order (logically), so if you are confused at a point, let me know and I'll rearrange the order of the information.
- [cover] What is Roller Derby?
- [written intro] This story is for the audience and future players- it provides an overview of modern flat-track roller derby, league structures, and the people who participate in this sport.
- Roller derby is a competitive team sport played on quad skates [image of quad skates]
- With some practice and dedication... [image of random people in line at grocery store]
- ... anyone can play! [same image of random people in line now with derby gear and skates on, or super hero capes and masks]
- The game consists of 2, 30 minute halves; each half contains plays, called jams; jams can last up to two minutes each. [organizational image representing time of game-half-jam]
- Two teams field five players in each jam. [see image above]
- These five players are made up of 3 blockers, 1 pivot, and 1 jammer
- [player card] Blocker
-blocker moves: play defense; play offense
-special move: Star Pass, pivot can become jammer.
-[player card] Jammer
-jammer moves: score points; fight through pack; skate around track
-special move: Lead Jammer, can call off the jam.
- The track is an uneven oval with out-of-bounds areas.
- The pack determines where the in-play action can occur.
- Any engagement outside of the pack is out-of-play and may result in a penalty.
- Each penalty costs a player 30 seconds in the penalty box. [image of timer and player looking at game]
- Penalties consist of illegal hits, misconduct, and illegal procedures. [images showing possible infractions with relevant ref signals]
- A player will be ejected from the game if she accumulates more than 7 penalties. [show player covered in chairs or lifted by 7 chairs, rocket ship ejection?]
- Except for the initial pass, which determines who the lead jammer is... [image of LJ and ref signal]
- ... a jammer earns a point every time she passes an opposing player. [image of location of skaters and point numbers tallied above their heads]
- Most leagues operate as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, this means the members pay to play and volunteer in their local communities.
- Teams hold fundraisers and hope to gain sponsors in order to raise money for practice space, travel funds for away games, and local charities.
- Spending 3-6 nights a week with your league tends to develop a second family!
- Through the skills learned and the strategies practiced, these women gain more confidence, strength, and perseverance! [image of pyramid of skills, strategies, teamwork, with strong woman on top]
-The best part about this sport is that it is all inclusive. There is men's roller derby, co-ed roller derby, even junior roller derby for the little ones! [images of man, woman, old, young, androgynous in derby gear and skates]
I really like where this is going and can tell you have put a lot of time into the design. The cover looks great and will look better once you add color. Are you sticking with a super hero/comic type theme for the drawings? On the first page, I like the blown up font. It goes well with a comic theme and emphasizes important information without being too in your face. I cannot wait to see the final product and what images you come up with.
ReplyDeleteOMG, I would so want to do this project...But you really have your work cut out for you! Comics are very time intensive. I know, I've tried them myself and as fun as they were, you spend a lot of time writing, more time drawing and then people barely look at the drawings anyway. But they're a great media for telling stories. I don't have time now but later I'd love to really help you out with this. Maybe after this semester?
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