Creating Comics

Digital Platforms

  • Microsoft PowerPoint/Google Slides
  • Canva
  • Adobe Illustrator

Building in PowerPoint: Resources & Tips

Comic Page Sizes

You decide the size you want for each page and keep it consistent. Choose what makes sense for your storyboard and objective. You may want your story to read left to right, making for a wider page, or across the from the top to the bottom, making from a longer page. Below are

Powerpoint Custom Size Templates

DUPLICATE: To duplicate the first slide for as many pages as your comic needs, simply click on dropdown arrow by New Slide > Duplicate Slide
MAKE YOUR OWN SIZE: Design > Slide Size > Page Setup > Adjust the width and height and click OK

Note: Variety of Sizes Click on the suitcase icon to download a folder called the “Poster Starter Pack” with a variety custom templates of different sizes. This resource was intended for research posters printed at the College but can be explored just to get a sense of what is possible with PowerPoint Custom Size feature.

Background Colors & Textures

To change the color or texture of the background to your panels, click Design Tab > Format Slide > Play with options for different feels. You can alter gradients, patterns, and solid colors.

Comic Fonts

  • GungsuhChe
  • Bauhaus 93
  • Colonna MT
  • Brush Script MT
  • Cooper
  • Trattatello
  • Segoe Script
  • WordArt (for stand-apart titles, sound effects, others)

Note: These are just some suggestions. You can certainly use others. There are over a hundred different fonts in the PowerPoint. Choose one for titles one for text within frames and stick to it unless you have a purpose for changing.

Creating Panels

  • Panels and Frames
    • Use Text Boxes or Shapes
      • To create a thicker line border around each box, choose format > outline the box in a color and change the weight of the line to a thicker point size
      • Adjust the size of the boxes as you wish
  • Speech Bubbles
    • Use “Callouts” under shapes and type write into it
    • Find public domain images speech bubbles, insert as an image, insert a text box on top and type in it
  • Images
    • “Rule of Thirds”: Place your central character or scene not in the center but mostly somewhere in 1/3 or 2/3 section of the panel.
    • Finding Images and Issues of Copyright
    • Create an image using an online paint tool/ scan one and upload the image into PowerPoint
    • To create a comic style effect on an image, visit the Effects under LunaPic or another Photo Editor of your choice. https://www4.lunapic.com/editor/
      • You simply upload the image, adjust, and re-save it to your computer. You don’t have to do this, but it may add uniformity across your images and give more of a a comic strip feel. There are different effects under the “Effects” tab like Pencil Sketch, Cartoon, and Coloring Book that you can explore. There are other free online pic editors online. Do your research and use one that seems suitable to you. Luna Pic is nice because it doesn’t require an account to use. You can also draw characters or other aspects directly onto image by clicking the “draw” tab before saving.
Road in sunset, offset to right 2/3 of screen
“Rule of thirds photo” by John R. Daily licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 found via Wikimedia Commons

Accessibility

It is critical to make sure your comic strip is accessible to all users of the web, including those using a screen reader, especially if you plan to widely and publicly share your comic strip through digital means. Web accessibility is a requirement in modern web standards and part of good design. To do this in PowerPoint, you can use the Accessibility Checker that will tell you where and how to resolve any errors. Go to Review > Check Accessibility.

Other Resources

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