A graphic novel thesis project published by Random House Graphic.
HIDDEN SYSTEMS was Dan Nott’s ‘16 thesis project at The Center for Cartoon Studies! Random House Graphic is publishing the book in March 2023.
“The true power of comics is on display here, with complex, difficult-to-comprehend structures presented both through a variety of metaphors and by placing those metaphors in context with simplified renditions of their real physical appearance.” —Booklist
Practice sheet for symbols and emanata (symbols indicating emotion)
Everyone is on the hunt for new ways to entertain their kids (and themselves) now that more places have stay-at-home orders. It’s a great time to work on comics! You can process the real world and explore your emotions in this situation, or you can escape the current difficulties by exploring and creating fictional worlds. From Daryl Seitchik ’18 (Exits, Koyama Press), who runs Cartoon Club with Dan Nott ’18 (Hidden Systems, coming from Random House Graphix), here are some activities that require only a pencil and paper:
Kickstarter: This Is What Democracy Looks Like tour
Using the power of comics to teach teens about the way our government works
This Is What Democracy Looks Like, A Graphic Guide To Governanceis a 32-page comic book created by The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS). CCS is running a Kickstarter campaign the month of July to raise funds to visit schools. The first leg of the tour will include schools in Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison, with the tour branching out into other regions of the USA added as additional funds are raised! Find out more information about the Kickstarter campaign and all the great organizations that helped support This Is What Democracy Looks Like over on the CCS website.
This Is What Democracy Looks Like, A Graphic Guide To Governanceis a 32-page comic book created by The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS). It is the result of a collaboration of educators and world-class cartoonists and is designed to help teachers who are working hard to prepare students to be empowered, informed, and civic-minded.
It is hard to imagine a more important book to get in the hands of students young and old. Civics, democracy, and cartoons all in a non-partisan approach to raise people’s awareness of the real power that they and their communities hold. Definitely a funding opportunity that will pay dividends for years.
Max Silverman, executive director, Center for Educational Leadership
Starting on the 4th of July 2019, CCS will be running a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to visit schools. CCS instructors will give away comics and work with teachers to help students gain a deeper understanding of how their government works and how they can make a difference in their community and beyond. The first leg of the tour will include schools in Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison, with future legs of the tour branching out into other regions of the USA added as additional funds are raised.
A variety of rewards are being offered to help fund the tour, including:
physical and digital copies of the comic book
a teaching resource guide
two-color risograph posters
“Democracy Rules” bumper stickers and tote bags
signed graphic novels by CCS faculty members Jason Lutes (Berlin, Drawn and Quarterly, 2018) and James Sturm (Off Season, Drawn and Quarterly, 2019
limited edition prints by New Yorker cartoonist Ed Koren
an original cartoon drawing by master cartoonist Denys Wortman (currently featured in Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms exhibition)
Cover of Hidden Systems by Dan Nott
Lead cartoonist, CCS alumni Dan Nott ‘18, is currently writing and drawing a book about infrastructure called Hidden Systems for Random House Graphic. Contributing cartoonists include:
Summer Pierre (Eisner-nominee and New Yorker contributor)
Find out more information about the Kickstarter campaign and all the great organizations that helped support This Is What Democracy Looks Like over on the CCS website.
The Center for Cartoon Studies is happy to present This is What Democracy Looks Like: A Graphic Guide to Governance. This short comic guide helps to bring democracy back to the hands of the people by explaining what democracy actually means and how the whole thing works. This free guide will be a great jumping off point to learn about our government, which one can only hope will lead to participation.
The comic was created by Dan Nott with editing by James Sturm and several contributors and collaborators. We are starting a Kickstarter on July 1 to fund the tour, with drawings and civic workshops! So mark your calendar and get ready to be informed.
Dan Nott’s ′18 Thesis Being Published by Random House Graphic
Dan Nott’s ′18 thesis, Hidden Systems: A Graphic History of Water, Wires, Waste, and the Web, is about how the infrastructure of our world works. He graduated in 2018, and less than a year later, it has been picked up by Gina Gagliano at the new Random House Graphic!
Are you considering applying to The Center for Cartoon Studies MFA or Certificate program? Join us for our virtual campus open house and portfolio day. Learn about the campus and the renowned collection of the Schulz Library, hear from current students and graduates, and meet faculty and staff for a portfolio review*!
THE ED KOREN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Click here to learn more and make an online donation now.
BIPOC Cartoonist Fund Accepting Donations
CCS wants your old comics! These comics and many more were donated to support CCS's BIPOC Cartoonist Fund. If you're interested in making a comic book or cash donation drop us a line.
FREE COMICS
CARTOONING IN AN ANXIOUS AGE
Cartooning In An Anxious Age (pdf)is a free comic by Cara Bean on the act of drawing, which focuses your attention and intimately connects you with the generative act of creation. It’s an inspiring read.
Let's Talk About It: A Graphic Guide to Mental Health
Using the power of comics to teach teens about the way our government worksThis Is What Democracy Looks Like, A Graphic Guide To Governance is a 32-page comic book created by The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS). This short comic guide helps to bring democracy back to the hands of the people by explaining what democracy actually means and how the whole thing works. This guide will be a great jumping-off point to learn about our government.
THE APPLIED CARTOONING MANIFESTO
Download a free copy of The World is Made of Cheese, The Applied Cartooning Manifesto.
