It’s pretty safe to say that UK comics scene has undergone something of a resurgence in the last few years. Powered forward by crowdfunding, cheaper printing and online communities, it has enabled creators to bring their visions of a great comic to the world like never before. While this outbreak of creativity has allowed many to thrive and succeed, for other it may have been more of a struggle as they attempt to make themselves stand out from the crowd.

Attempting to help bring a bit of order to this brave new world is UK Comics Laureate Hannah Berry (herself a creator who has been able to flourish during this boom period). She has launched a new online survey which can be found here and is looking at collating data on trends, patterns and habits within the comics scene in order to try and help those who are struggling to make their mark and encourage those doing well to aim even higher.

Hannah explains the theory behind it: “Over the last couple of decades, the UK comics scene has exploded into the wild, experimental, thoughtful and provocative artistic frontier that we belong to today. To find ways to ensure that this level of creativity and growth can be encouraged, supported, and sustained, we need to get an accurate breakdown of the situation. Hence the survey you see before you.”

“The survey has been designed to gather information and generate insights about comic producers across a range of creative practice, and at all levels of activity: if you are UK-based and make comics or cartoons for public consumption, I want to hear from you. Regardless of whether you are an internationally renowned comics legend or a newcomer working in secret on your long-form graphic novel or posting strips on Instagram: if you make comics then you are a part of the UK comics community and this survey is for you.”

Hannah goes on to explain that the findings from the survey will be drawn up into a full report and made freely available online. “The delicious data will paint a more accurate picture of the comics industry, its strengths and shortcomings, and hopefully show us what we need to do in order to support creators working within it. The underlying anonymous data may also be made available to organisations working within comics, literature and the arts for funding and research purposes if it will benefit the comics community (none of your personal details will be shared with anyone without your consent).”

“Most importantly, this information will be used to start a discussion – between you and I and everyone else making comics – about what steps we need to take to keep making and selling comics in these uncertain times.”

The survey should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete, and as a thank you for your time you can choose to enter a prize draw for to win one of three £50 e-vouchers to be spent in your choice of online comic shop – either Page 45, Travelling Man or Gosh Comics.

Data will be securely stored and processed by The Audience Agency, who are administering this survey on behalf of the Comics Laureate, for the purposes of research and development. Everything you tell us will be kept confidentially and your responses will be anonymous and will not be used to identify you in any way without your specific consent. The Audience Agency operates within the General Data Protection Regulation and Market Research Society Code of Conduct.

You can find the UK Comics Creators Survey here and sign up for a mailing list here to be kept up to date on the survey and when it’s results are posted.