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How to Make a Comic Layout

There are many things to consider when designing the layout of a comic book. A graphic artist must be able to tell a story with action; the position of a character, the look and direction of a gaze must at times say more than the dialogue itself.



The arrangement, shape, borders, coloring and number of panels are also important to factor into every page. This gridlike pattern can make the difference between having your audience glued to each page and having them move on to more riveting work.

Instructions

    • 1

      Read the script, whether you have written it yourself or are developing your comic book from a script writer's work. Plan out the scenes in each panel and on each page. Match your dialogue to the action taking place.

    • 2

      Arrange your panels (individual action frames on each page) based on the information you want to express on each page. The number of panels, their size and shape will determine the flow of the story on each page. Large scenes can take up an entire page, the opening scene or a climactic final scene. The standard number of panels on a page is nine: three rows of panels with three panels per row.

    • 3

      Western readers will read from left to right, top to bottom. The Japanese reader will follow a right to left, top to bottom reading pattern. Consider this if you want to design a manga-style comic book page.

    • 4

      Establish focal points on your pages. If you are using horizontal panels on your page, center your focal point or create one to the left or right of the center panel. If your panels are vertical, your focal point should be in the center panel, or place it above or below the centermost panel.

    • 5

      Sketch your work panel by panel to get a sense of how each page will look. Sketch lightly until you are satisfied with the action expressed in each panel, and make sure the action fits the script before you put the final touches on your work.

    • 6

      Create a sense of direction using nonverbal cues with your character even when the panels contain dialogue.

Nonfiction

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