Bored Panda recently caught up with Ryan to ask him a few new questions about his creative process and how he manages his work. When discussing his workflow, Ryan explained, "I would say I’ve streamlined my workflow pretty well at this point. Once I complete all the 'stages' (sketches, linework, color, shading & a background), I put it in the 'ready to post' pile. As to actually 'when' I post, I mostly just feel out the comic’s general aura, if it’s got a beginning-of-week or end-of-week vibe to it."
On the business side of things, Ryan shared his thoughts on turning his passion into profit, saying, "The ability to make a living or even just a small side hustle out of something you enjoy doing is such a fulfilling feeling." This drive has led him to explore more tangible, "sellable" projects such as comic books, zines, and stickers.
One of his notable creations, "Cardversation," a comic inspired by the structure of card game turns, is particularly close to his heart. Ryan revealed, "I actually loved (still love) the concept of it so much I got a little caught up on actual possible card game mechanics because I think it would make a really fun actual IRL card game… I still plan on looking into how possible that might be."
The artist also emphasized the value of collaboration, stating, "Collaborating with other artists often gives you a glimpse into how someone other than yourself might be approaching the same issue or even tackling the same task in a totally different way. It can really broaden your horizons & workflow efficiency in ways you wouldn’t be able to do with only yourself to bounce ideas off of." He added that friendly competition within collaborations helps everyone push themselves to achieve an even better final result.
In discussing his posting strategy, Ryan compared it to a TV channel’s broadcast schedule, highlighting the importance of consistency to engage his audience. He explained, "I often look at it similar to a TV channel’s broadcast schedule. As a kid, knowing my favorite cartoon came on a time slot away from when I returned home from school got my TV tuned to their network every weekday as soon as I got home. Which was by design! So when potential audiences see that you post on the regular, they are in turn more enticed to regularly see those posts." He also pointed out that treating the algorithm like a creature that needs to be fed regularly is a useful approach: "Jotting down creative ideas & planning ahead has been very helpful. It’s not a month full of content; it’s just 4 Mondays + 5 Saturdays (or whatever it might be), grab 9 ideas out of the notes app & get to sketchin'."
Ryan Rd's comics, just like John King's, masterfully blend humor with everyday quirks, providing their audiences with delightful visual puns and cleverly crafted narratives. Both artists have an eye for noticing life's amusing moments and each takes a unique approach in creatively interpreting them.
To explore how humor is woven into seemingly mundane situations, delve into a world where fruits take on new life in John's illustrative style.