CAPILANO UNIVERSITY CAPSTONE PROJECT

JEFFREY ELLIS

For this project I will be using the term “small press” and “Indie” frequently. Comic publishers and creators who produce work in runs of 2000 copies orless are considered “small press”. “Indie” is a term that applies to anything outside of the Mainstream press.

The current system for distributing comic books and graphic novels disadvantages small press publishers and retailers. There is one company with a monopoly on distribution (Diamond) and they have inflated sales expectations and business practices that disincentivize supporting smaller and more obscure works. Their business practices also put a strain on local retailers causing many to close or reduce inventory, thus reducing the comic shop as a community hub for readers to discover new independent works. Even large publishers like DC comics are migrating away from the current system, though this is still to the detriment of retailers.

However, even in their hayday the standard brick and mortar comic shop did not adequately meet the needs of the indie comic market.

With platforms like Kickstarter that enable crowdfunding of larger print orders it has never been easier to join the small press.

But once the books are printed. What next?

For most members of the small press, in-person conventions and online sales are the only solution. But these often prove to be limited in their reach.

A web platform for independent publishers to connect with readers and retailers and increase direct market sales of independent comics and graphic novels. Putting more independent material on books shelves and in the hands of readers. Increasing sales for small publishers and stores. Publishers should feel empowered to reach a broader audience, and this site should act as hub for readers to discover new work and foster a greater sense of community something traditionally done at brick and mortar comic shops.

Based on my research the the key needs for this platform would be:

Which lead me to...

I developed several user profiles to guide me in the development of the site. Looking at a small press publisher, a few creators and readers.

Looking at comic genres as a starting point. The first step in expanding the audience for Indie comics is ensuring the diversity of the medium takes front and center. Not just in terms of diversity within creators but also diversity of content. Comics aren't just superheroes.

Or Humour Comics...

They are Sci-Fi...

Fantasy...

Horror...

Crime and Suspense...

More than just Slice of life...

Comics have something for everyone...

No matter what your age...

This diversity of content lead me to my first innovation which was the genre map. A 3D navigatbale space to discover new books. The hope was to let the map foster a desire to explore and search, like customers at physical comic shops would browse the shelves.

Here is a sample of the interface in action

Due to the unconventional interface, I recognized new users will need to be oriented to the site. To help with this I created the character of Bex. Sort of a hipper version of Clippy. Bex would pop up to explain aspects of the site and to answer questions. I intentionally designed Bex to to androgenous and ideally create an inclusive "host" for the site.

Inspired by the Goodreads and Steam online communities. I wanted to develop a robust user interface for community engagement. A space for creators and fans to interact, and for books reviews, and reading lists to be formed. This portal would be for registed users, and ideally work with a mobile app for push notifications.

The other innovation was to reimagine the traditional pull box experience at brick and mortar stores. Lots of readers have had the experience of collecting the latest issue from their pull box in store. So why not bring that experience to their homes?

The Pullbox takes applies the idea of a subcription box to indie comics. Users can add their own selections to the box, or they can set up a monthly plan where they can have content currated to their preferences delivered to their door.

It is through these features that I hope the Indie Pullbox can increase readers access to indie content, and hopefully increase sales for creators.