Author Archives: Will Terry

How to Make an App – Step 3

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How To Make A Story App – Step 3 

Set yourself apart from the competition

Decide what you can put into your story app that will be unique to set yourself apart from the competition. This might take some brain storming but it’s worth it.

Be a leader or a follower that surpasses the leader

Are you a follower or a leader? When I look at many of the story apps available in the app store I notice that many creators seem to be playing follow the leader – and some aren’t even following the leaders. It’s hard enough to actually make the app but to put something out that is painfully predictable and average at best is a waste of time. It’s already hard enough to get noticed so don’t make your app forgettable by just doing what the other guys are doing.

If they are all putting coloring book activities in their story apps don’t add a coloring activity – unless you can do it better or different. If the other guys are making every object wiggle with a silly sound when you touch it – yeah you get the picture. We’re at the front of a new technology so don’t assume the other guy is doing it right. This is your app. What do you want to do? Then do that and don’t look back!

Don’t be afraid, Take some risk.

Afraid that you’ll do something other people will scoff or laugh at? Perfect! It’s not art if there’s no risk! Better to fail big and learn than to copy and be forgettable. Be remarkable.

So how can you be original? I think it’s by having one or more unique aspects in your app. Suggestions:

Great story
Great artwork
Animation that is unique to your story
Great voice acting
Integrated music
Unique navigation
Teaches niche moral or principle
Appeals to a niche market
Insert other unique aspect here.

So what am I planning for my app?

Another good question, glad you asked.

1. I think Rick Walton wrote a unique story for us – but the market will decide that.
2. I’m going to work hard on the artwork so I’m hoping to impress in that category.
3. I’m working on animation that helps further the story.
4. I will hire voice actors to enhance the experience.
5. Instead of page turns my app will navigate up, down, back, and forward.
6. The story has a sustainable living theme running throughout.

Like I’ve written before – none of this is a guarantee of commercial success but all I can do is put out the best I’m capable of in a reasonable amount of time and then begin work on the next app.

I’m really looking forward to beginning the Kwik class in a few weeks! Learning how to program my own app without any programing experience is going to enable me to take control of my app creating bug! More info on the class here. 

Tune in September 30, for part-4.

How to Make an App – Step 2

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How To Make A Story App – Step 2

Get Acquainted with the Market

Often I see artists embark on a journey without knowing how people made the same trip before them. The pioneers before you encountered the same problems you’re going to encounter and looking at their solutions will make your project much easier. The more you consume the more you will develop your own opinions about what works and doesn’t work. In addition, when you look at great art it inspires you to be great and the ideas begin to flow.

But where can I find great story apps?

I’m so glad you asked! You need to check yourself into Digital Storytime! There’s a screen shot from their site right below here. I like to click on “Quality” and then “Overall Rating” to see what they think are the best story apps. I devour these being aware of  the commonalities of each one. You may want to ask yourself,

Do they all have read to me files? Do they have static text or highlighted text? Do they offer them as options or are you stuck with the read to me file and highlighted text?

 

Tune into #Storycppchat every Sunday night.

Next, you need to tune in to #Storyappchat every Sunday night at 9:00PM Eastern 6:00PM West Coast. This is a twitter chat where anyone is invited and there’s a new topic about story apps each night. The information being shared is pure gold if you’re looking to produce your own apps.
I’ll be back soon with step 3 and don’t forget to check out our Kwik class that begins in October 2013 – and you can always sign up for the video only version – the recorded live classes.

check back this September 27 for step-3.

 

How to Make an App – STEP 1

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How to Make a Story App – Step 1

Step 1 – Start with a GREAT story!

I’m going to be blogging about the progress on my new story app “Gary’s Place” from now until it’s for sale in the app stores – and beyond – even updates on my sales figures. This is really scary because I’m promising to do something that I haven’t done yet. In fact there’s a voice yelling inside right now begging me to delete this and stop writing. But – here we go…

Step 1 – Start with a GREAT story!

I came up with an idea for a story about a gopher who isn’t content with his home. It had a good beginning, middle, and end but I couldn’t write a good manuscript because I don’t have enough writing experience.  So – I approached Rick Walton, a well known children’s book author and friend (over 90 published books – google screen shot above) and asked him to read my story and write it if he liked the idea. In a ridiculously short time he turned it into gold. Yes I will cut him in for a large percentage and yes it took him no time but I believe it will be worth every penny. He’s been writing for over 25 years and his experience shows.

The story is THE most important part of a story app. Illustrations, music, character voices, animation, games, coloring activities, things that giggle, wiggle and jiggle won’t make it a great app!

Often we don’t hold ourselves to the same quality standards we expect from the goods and services we consume. We want to see movies with a great story and cinematography asking friends and family for recommendations before dropping money at the box office. But do we provide the same when writing for a book, app, or e-book? If you don’t have the writing skills are you working hard to develop them? Have you considered partnering with a professional author?

I get emails, messages, and phone calls here at Folio Academy every week from authors looking for illustrators to partner with. Professional authors often have a huge back list of manuscripts that have never been published – usually much larger than their printed books. I guess a good question is will having a great story sell enough apps to offset the percentage or payment you’ll have to give up to an author? I think so. I believe that a smaller percentage of a GREAT project is worth much more than a larger percentage of a Mediocre project.

Did you know there are thousands of movies produced each year? How many can you name from 2013? My point is that if you aren’t producing the best who will care?

But Will, you’re a professional illustrator so it’s easy for you to work with professional authors.

Sure – it’s probably easier for me to strike up a conversation but from the sheer numbers of authors I’ve been approached by I know there’s a huge need out there and it’s only going to grow. If you’re passionate and committed I doubt you will have trouble talking an author into letting you take a crack at bringing one of their stories to life.

So check back say, Monday the 23rd, for Step 2 as I share my progress reports!

 

HOW MANY SKETCHES SHOULD YOU SEND IN?

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How Many Sketches Should You Send In?


Back in my editorial days I was always coached to send in multiple sketches and ideas for the art director to choose from. Now that I’m a children’s book illustrator I’ve come to realize that sending in multiple sketches for one page is not often the best policy. The reason: I always like one better than the other(s) and often the editor or art director will pick the one I like the least. Now it’s a let down having to paint an image I’m not as happy with.

I just created the image above for a new book I’m working on “There Once Was a Cowpoke who Swallowed an Ant” by Helen Ketteman (Albert Whitman). My working process is to send in rough sketches for the direction I’m thinking of. Then I get feedback from the art director and editor. My goal is to make myself happy and then see if the team likes it. If they do then I move to a final drawing refining details and making any alterations asked for by the team.

 


Sometimes they don’t like the direction at all and ask for a new idea -offering their suggestions. I love working this way. I’ve taken the time to explore many thumbnail sketches and ideas and I don’t want to share my rejected ideas just to offer more choice. Sometimes more choice just offers more confusion. Ever tried to order at restaurant with 100 menu items? You feel overwhelmed and start to think you’re going to miss something really good – so you spend more time reading the menu rather than visiting with the people you went to have a meal with.

I’m a big believer in working hard to develop a sketch you can’t wait to paint and then working with it until you and your team come to a consensus. I’ve taken the time to do a lot of editing in my development process and I choose NOT to share that with the creative team at the publisher.

 

WILL YOU CRITIQUE MY ARTWORK?

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“Will You Critique My Art?”

I get asked many times each week if I can take a look at someone’s portfolio, project, drawings, or paintings and give them a critique. I love teaching. I love giving critiques because it’s a way I can help others and feel connected. I love being able to share what I’ve learned because I get such a high from working on a piece that’s working. Probably the best thing about helping someone else with their art is watching them make new discoveries and epiphanies. (yes I had to look that word up)

The problem is that I just don’t have time to help everyone who asks. The internet has blessed me with more connections than I can possibly handle. I have my regular freelance workload and I often don’t blog about them due to confidentiality agreements. I am usually working on a picture book – two right now and then there’s my personal story writing/illustrating that I try to find time for and of course Folioacademy.com requires a lot of time and effort. I’m also teaching both online and at the University and then there’s blogging and my family that often gets left out. I’ve been blessed with a wife who supports my daily sanity hikes (we call the outdoors our boardroom) to get away and clear my head and talk shop with my partner Wayne Andreason, but that leaves little extra time to help those of you who have reached out and asked for help.

So I have to say no to everyone to be fair. Please know that it’s not because I don’t want to – I love talking art and sharing my thoughts on your work but most nights I don’t go to bed until 1:00-2:00 am as it is. I have set aside time to help people through my new online SVS class because I wanted to be able to present material in a logical way and then work through a project.

Some have said, “Well I just need a few pointers so it won’t take long.” I’ve known people to make life altering decisions based on a few remarks. I take each critique seriously and realize that a few careless words could have a long lasting impact – so giving critiques when I’m pressed for time is a recipe for disaster.  I want to feel really good about what I think are the two or three things that will really make a difference in the artist’s portfolio – which comes with careful contemplation.

I also get asked to give paid critiques. Again, I don’t have time but beyond that I really like the idea of presenting material through a class because many of the questions are answered through the material and then the critiques are better received and have more meaning.

I hope I have not offended anyone with this message and please know that I love getting your emails, letters, and comments! There just isn’t enough time in the day for me to do everything I want to do.

Santa Pups Children’s Book Coming Soon

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Children’s book Illustration in Progress

While FolioAcademy is my first priority, I also teach illustration at UVU and I am of course I am a freelance illustrator.
Presently I am working on Santa Pups by Jerry Pallatta – Scholastic.
Since it has all these dogs in it, I’ve been having a great time working on it -It’s a very simple but funny story where Santa decides to try different breeds of dogs to pull his sled one year. These are the Mutts and they want to go in every direction! This has been such a fun story to work on! I even got to work my dog Pooch into it! How did they know I’m such a dog guy? It’s like the dog gods were smiling down on me when I got this job! I even got to work the author and editor’s dogs into a few of the illustrations! Working as an illustrator is so much fun because you never know what kind of projects you’ll get to work on from month to month.
Pic of Pooch the dog and Will Terry, the artist. Will's face is photo shopped onto a dogs body.

I’m out of here – going for a walk with Pooch – later.

Phases of this Textbook Cover Illustration

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My Art Process for the Phases of this Cover Illustration

The Sketch

Element hired me to do the cover art for an English language text book.

– the idea is that by learning English you become more free to pursue whatever you want.
– that more doors are open to those who speak and understand English. And probable to those who know how to read and write English as well.
My client wanted me to illustrate some of the buildings in the shape of letters to further the language angle.

SEPARATE BACKGROUND Can be Used Multiple Times

I was asked to paint the background separate from the foreground so they can use it for other covers that we are currently working on.

Adding ELEMENTS

This is a challenge because as I’m painting it’s hard to control values and colors but here they are combined.

Final Cover Art

This is the final illustration, by me, Will Terry, with the cover graphics. Turned out pretty well.

Why Visual Artist Don’t Learn as Fast as Musicians

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Why We (Visual artists) Don’t Learn As Fast As Musicians

Will Terry blames the system for artists being so behind by the time they hit college.

If you’re enrolled in our “Illustration For Storytellers” class – FULL or LITE version please watch this video…it is designed to help all of us accept critiques easier.In this video I discuss why many visual artists in my University classes avoid my help, critiques, suggestions, and advice. I can’t blame them because they have been victimized by our public school system. I realize that I’m generalizing but most US students are never taught visual art the same way they are taught music, dance, acting, writing, and sports. We get our writing assignments handed back to us with red marks correcting our mistakes in elementary school all the way through high school. We have been conditioned to accept right and wrong ways to use the English language so when we get to college we begin at a much higher level for writing classes than do incoming freshmen in art.It’s important to understand how we have wrongly treated the visual art student so that we might help them understand that letting go of their bad habits will liberate them and accelerate their learning. I give many examples in the video – if you disagree with me please watch the video first where I make my complete argument – but I do welcome your thoughts! Thanks.
If you are ready to learn a little more, go to folioacademy.com for art lesson video courses online.

ONLINE CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATION CLASS – SOLD OUT

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Online Children’s Illustration Class – Update

Jake and I are so pleased that our FULL class has SOLD OUT – but we still have the LITE class available for $150. We are humbled to realize that artists all over the world trust us to share what we’ve learned about creating illustrations for stories like children’s books and comics. What is possible today wasn’t possible only a few years ago and it is my belief that we will find learning online more and more common in the coming years. I believe that is why FolioAcademy is doing so well. To think that we can broadcast from our little town in Utah USA to anywhere in the world is mind blowing and proves that if you work hard and dream BIG you can do it! The little map above shows how spread out our current enrollment is to date – but it’s still growing!

FAQ’s:

How long will I be able to purchase the LITE version of the class? We will keep the video only version of this class available until July 10th 2013- the last day of the LIVE class. If you want to watch all of these classes – get the details by clicking here.

What format will the LITE class be in? The LITE version of the class will be in an MP4 or WMV file or both.

If I buy the LITE class how long can I view it? If you purchase the LITE class you will be given a download link to have the complete video files on your computer for as long as you like.

Will I get any feedback with the LITE version? No – we produced two price points to account for the time we will spend with FULL version participants – the LITE class will deliver the recorded version of the FULL class without the critiques, class questions, draw-overs, and skype call.

What materials will I need for either the LITE or FULL class? The assignments we will give will all require drawing instruments like copy paper and pencils (or tablet with drawing program). Adding color to your assignment is optional. You could use Acrylic, Oil, Pastel, Watercolor, Gouche, Ink, or Digital. I advise my students to avoid colored pencil unless it’s mixed with an aqueous media like Watercolor because it takes a tremendous amount of time to build up color while controlling texture. Most illustrators avoid it as a stand alone medium for this reason.

If you have any other questions pertaining to the class I welcome them and will add them to this list if they are pertinent to participants.

Story Art Class for the Picture Book Illustrators

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I, Folio Academy Artist/Instructor, Will Terry & Jake Parker will teach a Story Art Class

We are making a list and will give advanced notice to those of you who want to sign up. Simply leave your email address in the comments section below or email me privately and I’ll put you on the list. These people will get first crack at the sign up when we launch the website. No obligation however if you’re on the list – you will just get an email with the link to the class site.

Ok – so here’s the info:

I’m going to be team teaching this class with Jake Parker! THE JAKE PARKER! This guy is amazing – he’s worked on feature films and comics as well as picture books – not to mention coming off of an amazing Kickstarter raising $85,000 for his Antler Boy book! (Don’t tell anyone – but I’m more excited to learn from him probably than anyone else!)

Where: On your computer
When: Every Mon. and Wed. at 7:00PM – 9:00PM MST Starting June 10th and ending July 10th
Duration: 5 weeks = 10 classes
How much? This will be announced on the website but it will be a fraction of what a college class costs and I think extremely reasonable for what you will get.

Each class will be recorded and you will be able to watch it at your convenience – so if you have to miss a class you can still watch the presentation although you will miss out on asking questions.

In addition you will get a follow up Skype call at the end of the class to go over anything you want -concerning your work or portfolio.

Each class has been carefully thought out and the schedule will be posted on the website.

I’m just bursting – this is going to be so much fun!