Condé Nast - Visual Language LLC

Ha-Ha Instead of Ho-Hum

I was privileged to be called upon to write and design New Yorker art catalogs, sales promotions, ads, and tee-shirts. What could be more fun than to have access to the entire catalog of iconic covers and to commission new cartoons from the magazine’s famous and witty artists? Oh, and to sell the products.

The concept for the first art catalog (and its companion store catalog for gifts and books) was to make the cover prints and cartoons appear to be hanging on a wall in a well-curated grouping. I selected covers and cartoons by potential buyers’ interests, digitally matted and framed them, and used silhouetted stock photos that fit the page’s theme, like dogs or cooking or beach house. After all, your Rauschenbergs are in the apartment; you need something inexpensive — but of course clever and beautiful — for the weekend cottage. Cover cartoon by Ed Koren.

A little paint, a few frames and drop shadows, and voilá, a wall.

The concept for the second catalog was to frame favorite cover prints and hang them in real rooms. Well, not real rooms; a photography studio with rented furniture and props.

Here’s the catalog itself, with a David Sipress cartoon on the cover.

Imagine the possibilities, like using the cartoon-people in (fake) room settings. Artist: Harry Bliss.

Sales promotion for corporate gifts: Choose cartoons from our vast library (accountant cartoons, lawyer cartoons, mom cartoons) or commission an original or three. The New Yorker staff will craft a unique gift book, diary, or calendar. Isn’t that smarter than giving another basket of cheese and crackers?

The cover of the custom pocket folder is lined with a Eustace Tilley pattern.

The folder opens to reveal two brochure-folders, which in turn each open to a frameable poster featuring a David Sipress cartoon.

This direct mail piece features a book mockup with a Charles Barsotti cartoon on the cover for clients of a sample accounting firm. Doesn’t your accounting firm need to commission this gift? The package includes a custom letter, outer and reply envelopes, and a foldover business card from the Cartoon Bank’s rep.

One of a series of ads that ran in the magazine for framed covers and cartoons.

And tee-shirts for sale in the New Yorker Store.