ETF Overload

There's something fishy about this illustration, which appears in today's Wall Street Journal. It accompanies a story about screening the myriad of ETF funds flooding the market. The article highlights various websites which help investors sort through, and target specific investment vehicles (which could benefit their portfolios). This metaphor of isolating one fish (in a sea of many) seemed to crystallize the story's theme just right. Maybe because I'm a Pisces, there's something very satisfying about drawing these underwater inhabitants. Thanks to Orlie Kraus and Jia Baek for another fun assignment!

Here are some the ideas I submitted for this story:

You can see more fun Wall Street Journal illustrations about investing here, here and here.

Thanks for visiting. Come back soon!

Investment Inventiveness

The Wall Street Journal has taught me much about investing. I have great teachers in art directors Orlie Kraus, Sheryl Dermawan, and Jia Baek, who give me enlightening assignments about various funds. This story is about a conflict among companies who offer ETF's (Exchange Traded Funds). Certain funds under this umbrella are leveraged, causing greater volatility. Some companies, namely BlackRock,  feel these leveraged funds should be reclassified as ETI's (Exchange Traded Instruments). Hence, the 'F' in my drawing is being sawed down to  look like an 'I'.

In order to to interpret investment concepts clearly, it's important to doodle lots of ideas on paper. You literally need to think through your hands. Here are some sketches for this story:

Once I was able to see this 'saw' concept on paper, I was betting the editors would go with it.

Here I wanted to create conflict between pencil and eraser.

Here the idea of reclassifying certain 'investment vehicles' creates a confusing traffic pile-up.

Fund managers literally battle over the F in ETF.

A tug-of-war over a letter in an Acronym.

"The F goes!" "No, the F stays!"

This post inspired me to compile some drawings I've created for Orlie, Sheryl, and Jia  over the years. I hope you find some value in these investment-related illustrations:

This story was about the reaping the fruits of dividend funds.

This spot accompanied a year-end quiz about mutual funds.

This image attempted to illustrate the flow of closed-end funds.

This investor is getting a lesson in municipal funds.

When it comes to investing, losses can sometimes lead to savings.

 You can view my new illustration website here!