Through Dyslexia Scotland I met a young man called Rossie Stone. He founded Dekko Comics, an educational comic to aid children between 9 and 13 years. Throughout our conversations, he told me how he struggled with dyslexia at school. He decided to study for a degree in art at the University of Dundee. He had a love of drawing cartoons from a young age. In addition, he had been influenced by reading the Beano and the Dandy. This is how he came about with the idea for an educational comic to aid dyslexic pupils. Through his study for his degree, he was lucky as there were not as many academic exams. Therefore, he could play to his strengths and focus on the art and technique.
Visual Thinking
Rossie understands through his dyslexia that children with learning difficulties are more visual thinkers. As a result, the comic has been designed with bright visual characters. This outside-the-box thinking opens doors within the education system. It shows visual techniques in which to learn across the board. The comic uses different fonts to enable children to read. Also aiding subjects such as maths, a fun way is seeing a picture of a pizza split into six sections. As a result, this will help a child with a learning difficulty build confidence and self-esteem. Dr Octopus aids with reducing mental health problems which go hand in hand with having a learning difficulty. It helps children who are struggling within the school to see different ideas. This can help them learn within a conventional system.
Comic-Con
I did ask if the Dekko team would go to Comic-Con at some point. Rossie pointed out that at the present moment due to being an educational comic it has a smaller market. People who arrive at Comic-Con tend to dress as characters from comics such as Marvel and DC. Even films like Star Wars. This doesn’t mean that it will not take off in the future, it is just a smaller more specialised market at present. Therefore, who knows where these comics will be in ten years? It could have thousands of fans lined up dressed up as their favourite characters from the comic.
Future
At present Rossie is on tour around Scotland giving classes on the Dekko techniques. As for returning to studying more, he has not decided yet. It might happen in the future. However, he is busy building up the business and teaching others. If you have a chance, why not join one of his workshops? You will find this a fun safe environment in which to learn. Which not only helps you but, it will help a younger generation of the future.