Current and former Columbus College of Art and Design students chime in about their time in the Comics and Narrative program.
Han Donovan – Class of 2020
What was the best and worst part of your CCAD experience?
Best part – Being in a vibrant artistic community – specifically a comics community. Worst part – taking classes that were required, but felt irrelevant.
Do you feel like the skill set you learned prepared you for the industry?
For the most part, yes. At the time I attended, I felt like a lot of the focus was on technique and individual projects. Looking back on it, I feel like I would have benefited from a few more lessons/ classes looking more holistically at being a professional working artist.
Were you involved in any internships?
I was not, although I was the paid assistant editor for Spitball one year which was a great learning experience. That experience helped me realize that I have a knack for organization, data, and management, which is rare among us artist types. This opened up the door to my current position as the administrative assistant for Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) as well as more traditional “day job” opportunities.
Sigfried Griggs – Class of 2023
What position or employment will you be seeking with your degree?
I plan to pitch a couple of comics while working on self-publishing a couple on the side.
Why did you decide to attend CCAD?
I decided to attend CCAD when I went to a college fair at my high school. The rep tabling for CCAD told me about Spitball, which was only at issue 4 or 5. My mom had to make me apply to other schools because Spitball, besides CCAD having a comics major, was so attractive to me that I didn’t want to apply elsewhere.
What kind of comics or work are people in your class making?
Most of the people in my class are actually making either horror comics or comedies. Currently, in one of my comics classes, it feels like maybe 80 or 90% of the class is doing horror for their final projects right now, and the rest are goofy or upbeat.
Caroline Kessler – Class of 2023
What position or employment will you be seeking with your degree?
I’m looking for either a position as a comics inker and/or penciller, and freelance concept artist. As long as I’m doing what I love, I’ll be happy!
Why did you decide to attend CCAD?
I went with CCAD because of what they offered to Comics majors as I didn’t see any other art schools that had those same benefits I was looking for. Heck, I don’t think many art schools have comics as a major in the first place! Not only that, but it was a three hour drive from my home state so I don’t have to pay extra money to come back home over breaks.
Are you in a student group, and if so, what’s that experience been like?
I’m part of the Battle Games Association’s leadership here at CCAD. It’s basically a LARPing club where students can come outside on the quad and hit each other with foam swords! It’s lots of fun and a great way to let all that stress out. I’m in charge of advertisement for the club which means I handle all the posters, documentations, and safety forums.
Jacobo Ramírez Vizcaya – Class of 2022
What was the best and worst part of your CCAD experience?
The best part for me was definitely meeting people. Whether it was fellow students, teachers, or professionals in the field; this human element is what makes going to any art college very valuable. As for the worst part, I’d say that I wanted to be pushed more as it felt a bit low intensity at times, granted a significant portion of my time was spent in an online format due to COVID-19.
Do you feel like the skill set you learned prepared you for the industry?
I definitely feel prepared for working in this industry with what I learned, however I feel a bit over-prepared in the visual element. When it comes to writing and the cooperative element of comics, I feel capable yet not extremely confident in those skills.
What does success as a comic creator look like for you?
Success is being able to make the comics that you want and not being financially destitute because of it.
Ayuka Shichinohe – Class of 2024
What position or employment will you be seeking with your degree?
Not exactly sure yet, but thinking about growing my business with Fish With Legs and/or doing anything that I can use my artistic ideas and skills to connect with people and bring joy and color to the world!
What kind of comics or work are people in your class making?
Most people are focused on their own style and their goals for their career. The professors are very considerate of each individual artist’s style and how to improve.
Are you in a student group, and if so, what’s that experience been like?
I’m part of COCO (Comics Collective) and ISA (International Student Association)! COCO gave me the opportunity to table at CXC and make a comic for the Hot CoCo Zine. Even though I’m not an international student, ISA gave me the opportunity to share my experience being Japanese in America. I got to meet the best people in both of those clubs!