From Study to Image: Innovative Idea-Generation Techniques in Cartoon Creation By"Mahboubeh Pakdel & Bernard Bouton"/May2025

Article Title

*From Study to Image: Innovative Idea-Generation Techniques in

Cartoon Creation*

Authors: Mahboubeh Pakdel & Bernard Bouton

Introduction

Cartooning thrives on conveying profound messages through

minimal visuals. Yet, the core challenge lies in generating fresh,

impactful ideas amid repetitive themes (e.g., migration). This article

merges two complementary approaches: *conceptual displacement*

(Pakdel) and *analogy of form (Bouton), offering a toolkit for

original cartoon creation.

*Pakdel’s Method*:

My primary method for generating ideas combines research, mental saturation, and visual

processing.

1. Research and Mental Saturation (Pre-Ideation Phase)

Investigating the subject

- Studying poetry, proverbs, short stories, and related news.

Goal: Achieving mental saturation to enable *unexpected connections*.

2. Observing Images – Visual Stimulation Phase

- Searching for both direct and abstract images related to the subject.

- Reviewing other artists' works (without copying) to activate the subconscious.

3. Selecting a Base Image (with semantic relevance to the subject)

Manipulating the image using techniques such as:Elimination (removing background/unnecessary elements)Displacement (changing the position or function of objects)Unexpected combinations (visual contrasts)

In this image, the displacement technique is used to indirectly depict war by showing its

consequences.

The (rifle), a symbol of violence and war, is chosen as the (base image). Here, using the (displacement

technique), the (gun's smoke) transforms into the path of migrants forced onto this journey. This visual

substitution creates a (cause-and-effect relationship)—war is directly responsible for migration.

Background elimination technique:

The empty background draws the viewer’s focus to the direct connection between the (rifle) and

(migration).

*Bouton’s Parallel:*

I use several working methods. I will try to explain one of them. I call this method “Analogy of form”.

I start by looking for images and symbols related to the subject. I never start by drawing. I always start

by thinking and my paper is only used to write a list of words.

For example, since we are talking about migrants, I am thinking of the following images: suitcase, bag,

border fence, barbed wire, wall, police, shoes, footprints, overcrowded boat, dream of freedom, symbol

of Europe... and other quite classic images that will certainly be recognized and understood by the

reader. Of course all these images, known to all have already been used in many drawings.

The “Analogy of form” method is to select a first image from the previous list and then search for a

second image of similar shape but belonging to a completely different domain, sometimes unrelated to

the migration subject. Once this new image is chosen, I use it in my drawing as a combination or

substitute. It is then necessary to make the reader understand the link that will serve as justification for

this sometimes surprising choice. Then the message of the cartoon will depend on the link between the

two images.

Let’s move on to practical exercises

For example,I choose the barbed wire as my first image. Now how to choose the second image ? If I

consider the barbed wire as a line, any image of linear shape can be my second image. There are many

line-shaped images. Straight lines such as the horizon line or a clothesline, an electric wire, a hair, the

trace left by a plane, a pencil, the handle of a tool, a musical range, lines drawn on a football field, lines

of a graph, a fish bone, the antennae of an insect. And also curved lines, like circles, handwriting lines...

The list is very long

Three examples of choosing the second image

Fig1: In this cartoon, I chose the lines of the hand. The lines of the migrant’s hand will therefore be

barbed wire. The message is easy to understand: the fortune-teller discovers, shocked, the future of the

migrant. To make the drawing more understandable, I drew a background that represents the future of

the migrant. The migrant himself is identified by a suitcase

Fig2: Here, I chose the lines printed in a book, so I replace the lines of the book with barbed wire. And I

find the link by asking myself: "What kind of book?". As the migrant is required to travel through several

countries, this book will be, ironically, a guide to travel in Europe.

Fig3: The convolutions of the brain are also lines, curved lines. I replace them with barbed wire. The link

will be understood by imagining the psychological traumas that the migrant may suffer after painful

border crossings materialize in his brain.

But if you present this simple drawing to a reader he will not understand the message because the

migrant is not identified. We must then write the title “migrant brain”.

For the drawing to be an original creation, we must find « analogies of form » that no one has yet used.

Of course, there is no sure-fire recipe for a good result. You have to do many tests. The more the second

image moves away from the theme, the bigger the surprise will be. There will be a good chance of

getting a new idea, but it will probably be more difficult to justify that choice. An image opens a very

large search field if its shape is simple. It can be easily translated into a wide variety of areas unrelated

to the theme. The difficulty will be to find a link between the two areas.

Several thousand cartoons have been created from the same limited stock of images. We might think

that all possibilities have been exhausted. I am convinced of the contrary, because it is not rare to still

have beautiful surprises, to discover pearls that no one had thought about before. And that’s why I keep

looking for new ideas.

*Key Insight:*

"Mental saturation primes the brain for unexpected links—essential

for both conceptual displacement and form analogy."

Conceptual Displacement and Visual Collage Techniques in Cartoon Creation

(Pakdel)_

One of the most effective ideation techniques in cartooning is (changing the position of objects) in a

completely different context while preserving their original function. This method becomes even more

impactful when there is a (strong situational contrast) between the main element and its new

environment. The following steps can be used to implement this technique:

1. Word Association

- Listing all words related to the main subject

- Adding synonyms and related terms

- Selecting visual symbols for each word

2.Conceptual Collage

- Combining selected images

- Experimenting with different layouts and visual relationships

- Refining compositions by adjusting element positions

3. Creative Shock

- Creating strong contrasts in object usage

- Maintaining logical connections in the underlying meaning

- Achieving that "Eureka!" moment (Wow Effect)

This process requires patience and enjoyment of visual experimentation. By stimulating curiosity

and the joy of discovery, this technique makes the artwork memorable.

This cartoon employs powerful symbolism and dark humor to depict the migration crisis and the

role of the European Union.

The (bell), typically a symbol of warning or rescue, is here draped with the EU flag, transforming it into a

symbol of inaction or ineffective policies. The drowning migrants pulling the bell's rope represent the

(clash between hope for salvation and the deadly reality).

The (violent sea waves) serve as a metaphor for the dangers of migration journeys and the global

community's lack of response. Together, these elements deliver a sharp critique of the contradiction

between human rights rhetoric and actual treatment of refugees.

Unexpected Combination Technique

Definition: Blending seemingly unrelated elements to create a meaningful shock.

This technique in conceptual cartooning involves discovering compelling ideas through contrasts. It's

one of the most powerful methods for generating fresh ideas, as it challenges the mind with intelligent

contradictions.

Key Principle:

The more unrelated yet connectable the selected elements are, the stronger the resulting idea becomes.

Selecting two contrasting symbols (wine glass and tea glass)

Finding a conceptual common ground

Creating a minimal composition

A minimal yet powerful idea

*Shared Principles:*

Minimalism in Cartoons: The Power of Simplicity

There is a saying that goes: "Strong humor comes with the fewest lines."

- Eliminating unnecessary elements to maintain sharp focus on the main subject )pakdel).

-Use negative space to guide focus (Bouton).

Human or Symbolic Personification of Objects

This technique is widely used in conceptual and surreal art.

Symbolic Personification of Objects

This technique is widely used in conceptual and surreal art.

*Example:* Factory chimneys replace the teeth of a fork – as if the fork has come to life, transforming

into an industrial symbol. This personification imbues objects with human or symbolic qualities,

conveying a message about industry's impact on nature, or daily life.

Cognitive effect: When the human brain encounters an illogical combination, it instinctively tries to

interpret it. This mental process etches the artwork into memory and deepens the impact of its

message.

This image utilizes the personification of objects to create a creative and impactful concept.

*Pro Tip:*

*"Test multiple variants. The ‘Eureka’ moment often comes after

10 failed sketches!"*

Conclusion: The Endless Well of Ideas

While thousands of cartoons reuse the same symbols, originality

emerges from *how* they’re reinvented:

- *Pakdel’s Approach:* Warp familiar objects into new narratives

via displacement/collage.

- *Bouton’s Approach:* Reimagine shapes across unrelated

domains to uncover hidden parallels.

**Final Thought:**

> *"Originality isn’t about new symbols—it’s about fresh

connections. The search itself is the art."*

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