As part of the COMD Meet the Pros speaker series, illustrator, manga artist, and event organizer Emmanuel Knight visited COMD to speak with Ink Club students about building a creative career and finding a place in Artist Alley.
Emmanuel shared lessons from his journey as the creator of Great Story Magna AX and his experience organizing convention programming and exhibiting his work. He discussed how to prepare a focused portfolio, research conventions, navigate different application processes, and keep moving forward through rejections and waitlists.
The conversation also explored the practical side of exhibiting, including table costs, insurance, booth preparation, and ways to build an audience beyond social media. For students interested in comics, manga, illustration, and conventions, Emmanuel offered practical insights into turning creative work into opportunities—and treating each step as part of a longer journey.
