Purpose: To understand that editorial illustrations not only convey an article’s main theme and core concepts, but also employ the use of metaphors to create a greater meaning or distinct opinion on a topic.

Audience: Liberal minded adults of all ages.

Solution: Illustrated a main and two spot illustrations for Simon Rich’s short story, “The Present”, as told on the “Rom-Com” episode of This American Life. The concept of “the present” is carried throughout the three illustrations in the form of gift ribbon, while the underlying theme of romance is carried throughout by the color red. The ambiguous figures and the spots of red were part of the stylistic approach.