Why Comics?

In 2024 I was approached by All Together Studio, an agency that specializes in place-making, with the goal of creating an “Illustrated Zoning Code Guide” for the City of Boise, Idaho. The hurdle, how to make the updated zoning code accessible across demographics. The solution (and my favorite answer to any question), comics. This form of storytelling not only can demystify civic processes to encourage community involvement, but is an evergreen, sharable keepsake, gift, and educational tool.

Are cast of characters representing Boise residents and city staff.

The Illustrated Zoning Code Guide became the ultimate exercise in finding the balance of knowing when to “show, and not tell” as to not overwhelm the reader with information on the page.

Not being an urban planner or a working member of a municipality, I considered myself a “citizen consultant” alongside being an illustrator. As a team, we needed to effectively communicate these complex ideas into a memorable and easy-to-follow narrative. As the stand-in Boise resident, if I could not easily digest the information being delivered, then it was back to the drawing board until we could abstract-down the key takeaways to pair with the drawings.

This illustrated guide was a way to flex my comic muscles in a different way than I was used to, and for that it is one of my most fulfilling projects to date.

Check out All Together’s in-depth case study for more information!