Coda
3 pages • Your story, your rules • 15-20 hours
Overview
Draw, letter, and ink three pages of comics continuity (minimum). Final assignment intended to show everything you've learned. Subject matter is entirely up to you: romantic, historical or political, personal or objective, a comedy or drama, for kids or adults. Think of this as part of an anthology where your instructor is editor, art director, and production manager — editing for clarity and consistency, and serving as your sounding board for ideas.
Why this assignment exists
For working adults: Every assignment up to this point gave you a constraint to work inside. The Coda removes them. That blank page is exactly what faces a creator pitching an original project — and learning to fill it confidently is the difference between someone who can follow directions and someone who can make things.
For portfolio builders: This is your portfolio piece. Editors aren't just looking at whether you can execute — they're looking for evidence of a personal voice. The Coda is your best opportunity to show one.
What you'll learn
- Developing an original story from scratch
- Pitching and defending creative choices
- Applying everything learned across all prior assignments
- Working with an editor as a creative collaborator
- Identifying and expressing a personal visual voice
- Bringing a self-directed project to professional completion
Workflow
Phase 1: Pitch meeting
One-on-one 15-minute Zoom breakout with your instructor to pitch your idea. Bring any supporting documents — character drawings, visual ideas, reference material. With editorial approval, you can begin your first draft script.
- Develop your story idea
- Prepare any supporting materials
- Pitch to instructor in Zoom breakout
- Get instructor sign-off before proceeding
Phase 2: Script
Based on feedback from the pitch meeting, plot and write a first draft script. Don't nail everything down — there'll be at least one round of revisions.
- Write first draft
- Revise based on instructor feedback
- Get instructor sign-off before proceeding
Phase 3: Thumbnails and pencil art
Beginning with thumbnails, draw and letter three pages of comics continuity. Tightly follow the approved script while improvising for visual media. Use everything you've learned — dramatic camera angles, pacing, observation, and wit. Expect at least two rounds of editorial feedback.
- Thumbnail all pages
- Get instructor sign-off on thumbnails
- Pencil art and lettering on production paper
- Get instructor sign-off before proceeding
Phase 4: Inking
Upon instructor feedback and sign-off, ink art and lettering to completion.
- Ink all figures and backgrounds
- Ink lettering and borders
- Clean up and erase pencil lines
- Get instructor sign-off before proceeding
Phase 5: Production
Upon instructor feedback and sign-off, proceed to format your pages per these Photoshop production instructions.
- Scan all pages at correct resolution
- Follow Photoshop production instructions
- Export final files in required format
- Receive instructor sign-off
Requirements
- Minimum page count: 3
- Art dimensions: Whatever — but be consistent. Refer to North American comics standards as a guide.
- Lettering: Whatever works for your story.
Common challenges
- Paralysis by freedom: No constraints can feel harder than having them. If you're stuck, pitch two or three ideas — the one you can describe most excitedly is usually the right one.
- Scope creep: Three pages is still three pages. Students often try to tell a ten-page story in three pages because the subject matters to them.
- Abandoning good habits: Freedom doesn't mean skipping thumbnails or bypassing instructor sign-off. The workflow exists to protect your work, not limit it.
Related resources
- Production resources
- Original art dimensions
- Hand lettering tutorial
- Ames guide demo
- Photoshop production
- You've reached the end
- The Coda is the final assignment. View the full sequence to see how far you've come.