Graphic Novel Reading Group discussion

Hi folks:

I'm hoping you might be able to help.

I work as a graphics designer for a non-profit that helps boys from ages 13 through 21, with older men helping mentor and train.

I've been given a project to design a modern look and feel for a line of our publications. The current line looks like a 70's - 80's design motif...very old looking.

I have free reign to design any way I want: Traditional Text book / Instruction book.

But I have this idea to try to design the book to have a heavy appeal to today's younger man. My idea is to try and incorporate an almost Graphic Novel design style. Line art. Heavy perspective. Comic book drawing / inking elements.

The books I'm designing for are instruction books. Think of a book about auto repair for example. The books are used by experienced men to help younger men (13-21) learn a skill, while at the same time learn some life lessons (truthfullness, work ethic, integrity, leadership, etc.). They really are instruction books and lesson books that are used by men and the young men both.

Our current line is very traditional and old looking. SO my thought was to try and really come up with a design for this that might really look very modern and exciting for all involved. That's where the idea to incorporate graphic novel elements comes in.

I'm posting here because I'm wondering if any of you have any knowledge of any education books, work books, training books, that incorporate some of those graphic novel type elements. Again, I'm not trying to make a comic book, but to incorporate some graphic novel type features. And I believe this idea can't be new. There has to be some existing works out there.

THat's what i'm looking for. I'd like to see if you could provide some title names or links of some existing works that have some of that kind of graphic novel feel.

I'm trying to make a very heavy visually appealing book that excites the younger boys, but also incorporates the exposition and lesson information that the older men need to be prepared to present to the younger boys. (These books are a kind of mentoring book).

Anyways, I'd be ever so grateful if any of you have any ideas or examples you could point me do. I've tried googling, but all I come up with are books on how to make graphic novels, not education books with a graphic novel type motif.

I'd really love your help! Many thanks in advance!

Something like this?

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/...

Ephemera like that is probably your best bet, but Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art might serve as a sort of template.

Thank you. You know, the McCloud book might be a good example, or perhaps one of the books by DC / Marvel on making comics.

Thank you Trike. Much appreciated!

The "Manga Guide to..." series might be worth a look too. They're full blown manga, but as teaching tools so they might have elements and ideas you're looking for.

The Manga Guide to Statistics
The Manga Guide to Physics
etc

That's a great idea! TYVM