In addition to working in 3D, I had the opportunity at Netsmartz to create several comic strips using a set of teen characters called NS Teens, which were designed to appeal to kids between the ages of 8-13. They were made as part of a Make Your Own Comic contest, in which kids could view the three-panel strips and supply their own dialogue in the empty speech balloons for the characters. Contestants could put in anything they wanted as long as it made sense with the imagery of the comic and that they addressed the issues of online safety.
One of the challenges with this project was making sure that with each strip, despite having no dialogue, there was a clear message about being careful about who you meet online and being careful about giving out any personal information to people you 'meet' in IM chats or mySpace.
Of course, it was also important that these strips be fun, that they inspire kids to invent things the characters could be saying. Often making an educational message fun is the best way to get it across.
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