A new gang of characters is taking over the Fanshawe Student Union (FSU).

The FSU Forest Friends will appear in comic strips in upcoming issues of the Interrobang and you’ll soon also see them in all kinds of different merch, posters, and more. Created by student Graphic Designer, Mauricio Franco, these familiar Canadian animals symbolize the diversity and unique experiences of the Fanshawe community.

Franco, who has more than a decade of experience as a graphic designer in his home country of El Salvador, sees this project as a way to practice the skill he’s already gaining in his program.

“I am studying video game design, which I love,” said Franco. “I have already finished my second year and am preparing myself for the next term. It’s tough transitioning from 2D work to building a 3D world, but it’s gratifying.”

The four characters are Gizmo the groundhog, Skyler the falcon, Honk the Canadian goose, and Hoser the skunk. Each character will bring a unique personality and perspective to the comic strips, reflecting the various facets of student life at Fanshawe.

“Gizmo is an innocent character, a groundhog who represents the naivety and curiosity of students just starting their journey,” Franco explained. “Skyler, the falcon, embodies the spirit of a diligent and smart student, always striving to do their best. Honk, the Canadian goose, is the calm and collected Canadian, while Hoser, the skunk, is the troublemaker. He represents everything you shouldn’t do but might be tempted to.”

During the creative process of the stories, Franco used his experiences as an international student as a reference.

 “FSU Forest Friends was created as an idea to represent the students. Here, you find international and local people studying together, which is a great experience,” Franco said. “I wanted to do something that represented the students in various situations, showing the shared struggles and joys we all go through.”

The comic strips aim to touch on relatable issues, from financial responsibility to housing challenges Franco himself faced as a newcomer to Canada. “One of the comics will talk about a rent increase, something that happened to me last year,” Franco recalled. “I was living with a family and didn’t know the rules here. I had to leave in a week, which was stressful. I want to represent these kinds of struggles that many of us go through.”

Franco credits much of his success to the collaborative environment at FSU, particularly the support and guidance of the Editor of the Interrobang, Hannah Theodore, who played a crucial role in the project’s development.

“Hannah is very creative. She shaped my ideas,” Franco noted. “She allowed me to work on this over the summer, and I’m very excited to share it.”

Looking ahead, Franco has high hopes for the characters and the impact they can have on the Fanshawe community.

“I would like to see these characters as mascots for FSU, representing our diverse and vibrant student body,” Franco said, “We are working on other projects in parallel, like illustrations or colouring books, and I believe these characters have the potential to become a significant part of campus life.”

For Franco, this project is not just about creating art, it’s about building connections and contributing to the community.

“Getting involved is probably the most important thing I’ve learned here. FSU has many activities, and being part of them helps you meet people and build connections,” Franco explained. “This project is a significant effort, and it’s a testament to the hard work and collaboration that goes into everything we do here at Fanshawe.”

As the comic strips appear in the Interrobang, students can look forward to following the adventures of Gizmo, Skyler, Hank, and Hoser, and see themselves reflected in a fun way through these charismatic critters.