PROTANOPIA: AN ALTERNATIVE READING EXPERIENCE OF A DIGITAL COMIC

Abstract

Screen-based reading behavior is now prevalent in society.Comic artists switch mediafrom traditional to digital -in order to allow for changing reading behavior, as well as to access more readers.Digital platforms range from a static computer screen to mobile devices such as phones, as well as tablets.This article aimed to explore the technological innovation of digital comics and the future of comic production.It discussed the following digital comic developed for mobile devices: Protanopia by Bergs (2017).The article explored how this digital comic offers a unique reading experience to its readers.The study analyzed personal experiences of reading the digital comic, literature reviews, as well as interviews with the comic artists.The findings were: (1) the comic offers images in a three-dimensional space and allows their readers to control the camera angle while reading by tilting the mobile device.This image-viewing control grants the readers an unconventional reading experience; (2) The comic artist uses an integrated technology using Unity and Alias Maya software to deliver a three-dimensional objects and space.The 2D look is later created from a drawn-over-3D image technique.This reveals that despite the software complication, hand-drawing is still a crucial stage.The study affirmed that the traditional way of visualization in comic making has not disappeared but adapted to the digital transformation.This paper provides observation on media changes in comics, as well as a direction for future comic production.