Toonlet
Encyclopedia
toonlet is a free website
that allows users to create their own cartoon
characters and webcomics. Founded in 2007 and opened to public beta in 2008, toonlet differs from other webcomic building tools in that comics are published on the site (or embedded elsewhere) similar to forum
or blog
posts, meaning they can be replied to.
, allows people to build up characters from pre-defined parts which users are also free to supplement with their own. When their character is ready, they can save, and then swap out parts to build up a library of moods or poses to use in their comics. Completed comics are automatically posted in a forum format to the site. Others can reply with their own comic.
Five to ten of the previous day's comics are added to the Top Strips section of the site daily. Comics can be sent to friends via email or embedded onto a blog or website. In addition to other users of toonlet, art packs have been created for the site by comic artists such as Peter Bagge
.
, toonlet was founded in mid 2007 by CEO Craig Schwartz and CTO
Seth Ladygo. The two made a beta version of the site live to the public at the end of the year. Previously, Schwartz worked at the video game publisher Electronic Arts
as a Producer for The Sims
and SimCity
video games. Because toonlet hasn't accepted institutional (i.e. venture capital
or angel investment) funding, Craig also took a short writing contract for the highly-anticipated Spore
video game in late 2007. In mid 2008, Schwartz and Ladygo asked friend Ian Schlein to join the company as part-time Community Manager
.
Website
A website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
that allows users to create their own cartoon
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
characters and webcomics. Founded in 2007 and opened to public beta in 2008, toonlet differs from other webcomic building tools in that comics are published on the site (or embedded elsewhere) similar to forum
Internet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are at least temporarily archived...
or blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
posts, meaning they can be replied to.
Using toonlet
The toonlet character tool, which uses Adobe FlashAdobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
, allows people to build up characters from pre-defined parts which users are also free to supplement with their own. When their character is ready, they can save, and then swap out parts to build up a library of moods or poses to use in their comics. Completed comics are automatically posted in a forum format to the site. Others can reply with their own comic.
Five to ten of the previous day's comics are added to the Top Strips section of the site daily. Comics can be sent to friends via email or embedded onto a blog or website. In addition to other users of toonlet, art packs have been created for the site by comic artists such as Peter Bagge
Peter Bagge
Peter Bagge is an American cartoonist. He is the creator of Buddy Bradley, Hate, Neat Stuff, Martini Baton, and Sweatshop, Apocalypse Nerd and Other Lives. His stories often use black humor and exaggerated cartooning to dramatize the reduced expectations of middle-class American youth...
.
History
Headquartered in Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, toonlet was founded in mid 2007 by CEO Craig Schwartz and CTO
Chief technical officer
A chief technology officer is an executive-level position in a company or other entity whose occupant is focused on scientific and technological issues within an organization....
Seth Ladygo. The two made a beta version of the site live to the public at the end of the year. Previously, Schwartz worked at the video game publisher Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
as a Producer for The Sims
The Sims
The Sims is a strategic life-simulation computer game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. Its development was led by game designer Will Wright, also known for developing SimCity...
and SimCity
SimCity
SimCity is a critically acclaimed city-building simulation video game, first released in 1989, and designed by Will Wright. SimCity was Maxis' first product, which has since been ported into various personal computers and game consoles, and spawned several sequels including SimCity 2000 in 1994,...
video games. Because toonlet hasn't accepted institutional (i.e. venture capital
Venture capital
Venture capital is financial capital provided to early-stage, high-potential, high risk, growth startup companies. The venture capital fund makes money by owning equity in the companies it invests in, which usually have a novel technology or business model in high technology industries, such as...
or angel investment) funding, Craig also took a short writing contract for the highly-anticipated Spore
Spore (2008 video game)
Spore is a multi-genre single-player god game developed by Maxis and designed by Will Wright. The game was released for the Microsoft Windows and Macintosh operating systems in September 2008 as Spore...
video game in late 2007. In mid 2008, Schwartz and Ladygo asked friend Ian Schlein to join the company as part-time Community Manager
Online community manager
The online community manager role is a growing and developing profession. People in this position are working to build, grow and manage communities around a brand or cause.-History of Online Community Management:...
.