Using Cartoons To Communicate

Cartoons may look silly or unrealistic, but they possess several subtle (yet very real) powers. Drawings and animations trade specific reality for abstract and symbolic ideas. In so doing, they retain a broader audience’s empathy and relatability. (My idea of a comfortable chair might be drastically different from yours, but so long as the artist keeps his chair abstract enough, we may both experience feelings of happiness and comfort while looking at the same image).

This is a very powerful position; the artist can stretch and fold these symbols to pluck heartstrings, electrify neurons, create sympathy, or inspire behavioral changes. She may exaggerate what requires the most attention (recall a cartoon character who stubs his toe – the toe might triple or quadruple in size, even though this is an anatomical impossibility). She might also omit unimportant imagery in order to declutter a scene (most cartoon characters have very little, if any, shading, and backgrounds are further simplified).

Drawings and animations are powerful not only because they engage the visual regions of our brains, but also because their selectively crafted narrative requires less overall work to comprehend. They are a way of leveraging cognitive load so that the most understanding comes from the least sensory input.

The NIH conducted a survey of studies which assessed the cognitive effects of information communicated through animations. Children who were exposed to animated ebooks saw greater cognitive development, possessing better reading comprehension and understanding of story structure [1]. They could even quantify the quality and efficacy of cartoons based on the children's watch time and blink rate. For adults studying medical procedures and functional biology, the spatial understanding that accompanies animated models measurably improved participants' performance.

As a physics student, part of my job is giving presentations on the research I conduct. Theoretical research can be especially sticky, since much of it is settled in the abstract world of mathematics. I have listened to hundreds of physics talks, lectures, and presentations, and unfortunately, many of them have failed to convince me on basic matters. When one is highly specialized in a field, it is tempting to present all the details of one’s work, right down to the gritty algebra. Yet I believe it is better to clear the clutter and extract ourselves from the technical terminology so that we may better orient the audience.

Using cartoons to place the big picture on the pedestal it deserves prepares the audience for the journey ahead. What is more, it brings perspective to the chosen priorities and methodology. Using drawings throughout a presentation not only keeps the audience engaged, but highlights important conceptual leaps. In my field, I spend a great deal of time assessing dry calculations about systematic errors or numeric integrals – these calculations belong in my presentation, but most people find the implications of the math more interesting than the expressions themselves. Animations allow me to pick apart the greek letters and reveal the exciting treasure beneath.

Finally, every presenter should ask themselves why they care to present. I have sat through my fair share of presentations given by condescending, egotistical, disinterested, and/or disconnected individuals. Some people love the subject material so much that distasteful the presenters aren’t bothersome…

But I get bothered. I get bothered a lot. When someone simply wants to sound smart, has no interest in talking at all, or has descended into extreme complexity without noticing the sea of confused faces, I simply find it hard to care. The goal should be to inspire passion about the subject material, approachability of content and creator, and understanding on a firm and fundamental level. It takes learning programs, practicing, and frustrating moments of literally going back to the drawing board, but it is worthwhile.

So here I am, a physics student, learning to draw cartoons.

References:

[1] Praveen, C. K., & Srinivasan, K. (2022). Psychological Impact and Influence of Animation on Viewer’s Visual Attention and Cognition: A Systematic Literature Review, Open Challenges, and Future Research Directions. Computational and mathematical methods in medicine, 2022, 8802542. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8802542