Why do newspapers and magazines hire illustrators? There are many reasons, but perhaps the most common one is that they can’t find a good photo. Often, the reason they can’t find a photo has to do with the subject matter, for example balance sheets.

In the best of these situations, there will be something in the text to draw on. A headline, a sentence or a technical term with a different meaning in normal settings. Other times, there might be an analogy to relate the content to something more common or interesting. In these instances the ideas can come rushing out like the waterfall.

Occasionally, there isn’t much of anything in the text and it can feel like wandering in the darkness of a cave. Eventually, the light returns and with it an idea. When it works, it feels like reaching the summit of a mountain. And then the hardest part of the trek begins, executing the idea, making it eye-catching and (somewhat) believable.

Hopefully this journey inspires someone else to take a similar trip and read this article about balance sheets