Name/Rough Draft
A Name or Rough Draft is the first stage in manga (Japanese comic) production where artists create initial sketches and basic story outlines. It's like a rough blueprint that shows the basic layout of each page, character positions, and dialogue placement. This early version helps manga creators and editors plan the final product, similar to how architects use blueprints before building a house. Other common terms for this are "name" (ネーム) in Japanese industry or "storyboard" in western comics.
Examples in Resumes
Created Name drafts for 3 successful manga series
Reviewed and provided feedback on Rough Draft submissions from junior artists
Developed Name/Rough Draft layouts for 200+ manga pages
Typical job title: "Manga Artists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Manga Artists
Online Communities
Job Boards
Industry Events
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you manage deadlines when creating Names/Rough Drafts for multiple projects?
Expected Answer: A senior artist should discuss their experience in prioritizing work, time management strategies, and how they balance quality with speed while maintaining consistency across different projects.
Q: How do you train junior artists in creating effective Names/Rough Drafts?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate leadership experience by explaining how they teach basic principles, provide constructive feedback, and help junior artists develop their skills while maintaining production standards.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What is your process for incorporating editor feedback into your Names/Rough Drafts?
Expected Answer: Should explain their approach to receiving and implementing feedback, making revisions efficiently, and maintaining good communication with editors.
Q: How do you ensure story flow and pacing in your Names/Rough Drafts?
Expected Answer: Should describe their understanding of visual storytelling, panel layout, and how they plan page compositions to create engaging reader experiences.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What basic elements do you include in a Name/Rough Draft?
Expected Answer: Should be able to list essential components like panel layouts, basic character positions, dialogue placement, and how they indicate action and movement.
Q: How do you organize your Name/Rough Draft workflow?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic understanding of the production process, including initial sketching, revisions, and preparing drafts for review.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic panel layout and composition
- Simple character positioning
- Basic storytelling techniques
- Following editorial guidelines
Mid (2-5 years)
- Efficient draft creation
- Complex page compositions
- Clear visual storytelling
- Working with tight deadlines
Senior (5+ years)
- Managing multiple projects
- Training junior artists
- Advanced storytelling techniques
- Editorial collaboration
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to meet basic deadlines
- Poor understanding of panel flow and composition
- Difficulty accepting and implementing feedback
- Lack of basic drawing skills
- No knowledge of manga industry standards
Related Terms
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