Nothing like seeing the doctoral thesis published by the publisher of Harvard University, one of the oldest in the world, no? For the American Nick Sousanis, the feat had a taste even more special: all the work was done in story format comic.
Titled "Unflattening" Sousanis, who is now a postdoctoral comics in the University of Calgary, Canada, defended his thesis on the importance of visual thinking in the process of teaching and learning. "Images can talk things out of the reach of language [writing] and comics have the potential to expand the possibilities of communication. Images are as words are," he said.
The researcher did not reveal who took the note in the thesis, but said that was the longest job I ever did. "I passed! I got my PhD [now]," thought to be approved. "I went with my wife and daughter for three weeks old for a walk in Central Park right away! It was a good day!" He joked.
Sousanis decided to flee the academic standards before being approved on a doctorate in education from Columbia University. In 2008, he took some educational comics that were made and delivered to the educational institution as part of the application materials to graduate. "When I applied, I expressed my intention to do the job [doctorate] in the form of comics. And I think I hit the time to do this. There have been more welcome to comics than ever before," he recalled.
In 2011, started the project "Unflattening" and both the academics of the institution as the comic producers have embraced the idea, according to the former student. The doctorate was completed in 2014 and the book published earlier this year. "We need to encourage this kind of visual literacy and I think that comics lend themselves well to make this happen."
"Unflattening is what the reader decides what is" definou the author
"Unflattening"
The name "Unflattening" (something like "not level" in free translation) arose from the desire of the author to represent ideas and stories on plans beyond the written language. The objective was to enhance the use of the image as a means of communication and encourage the reader to consider different points of view.
"Unflattening is what the reader decide what it is. I use visual and verbal metaphors to make them more accessible concepts, but never simplifying. The text itself can be a limiting factor and images are an integral part of the meaning as text ", he explained.
"I'm thrilled to see how people were deeply involved with him [" Unflattening "] and how it is already being used in a variety of classrooms
Passion early
They fascinate comics since he was a baby. So much so that Batman ended up being the first word that Sousanis spoke - his older brother read the stories in the comic character at the time. Since the first traces were made for fun as a child.
Despite the passion, the young man walked other paths in their academic life. Sousanis is a mathematician by training. However, he returned to comics when he started working with arts after graduation. "I returned to comics in full force later. First, to make some political cartoons and then some educational comic books on art and games," he recalled.
"I'd like to think that the design will one day be considered a vital part of literacy not only for seven years, but continue to nourish us for life," he added.
"I'd like to think that the design will one day be considered a vital part of literacy not only for seven years, but continue to nourish us for a lifetime"
In the classroom
Sousanis believes strongly in the potential of comics in the classroom. For him the comics offer a distinct and important means for organizing thoughts. In addition, it argues that comics are important tools of communication on any subject and in any field.
"The merits of literacy with the comic for struggling readers have been well documented. Maybe at some point they will be not only 'alternative' ways [to use in the classroom]," he said.
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