Comics in Business

by Jill Meyer | March 1, 2019

If a picture is worth a thousand words a comic is worth ten thousand words. I know that doesn’t sound intuitive but, if you think about it, the jockeying for literary real-estate is ferocious. A comic is really one of the most effective communicators. Faster than written content, a comic has instant recognition and the message is emphasized. Plus, the child in us always takes time to read a comic. 

Comics provide an effective form of communication, they also diffuse tension. The tension in a business boardroom can be palpable. How much more relaxed is the atmosphere after a joke or comic is shared? The new energy in a room can relax people’s muscles and will lower their blood pressure.  Dr. Lee Berk at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine did studies on the effect laughter has on the body’s immune system.  In short, studies reveal that laughter lowers cortisol levels and helps our immune systems. This can be a huge benefit to businesses using comic relief! 

Mark Anderson of Andertoons creates business cartoons weekly.  Some are free to download. Illustration can condense our story into a smaller dose, plus the image meanings stay with us longer.  “We remember visuals better because they are processed in our long-term memory.” According to Dr. Lynell Burmark, Ph.D. Associate at the Thornburg Center for Professional Development. 

Loren Fishman is a cartoonist and illustrator. His website features stock comics that can be purchased for as little as $12 for personal use to $100 for marketing. He will custom draw a cartoon starting at $250 up to $600 for a comic strip. A minor investment for a custom image with such communicative potential!  

Jill Meyer is the Managing Editor of Notes on Design. A Scottsdale, Arizona resident, Jill is an artist, decorative painter, interior designer, and writer.

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