Ryan Reid Illustration + Design

I draw stories. – Page 34 of 39

I make comics, draw illustrations, and write about a miscellany of things.

Signs of future past

Signs of future past

September 20, 2011 | Miscellany

A sign in Kingston General Hospital reads “Future Appointment Scheduling”. I’m not going to schedule an appointment in the past, and given the context the only thing I would schedule there is an appointment. So the entire sign could have been simplified to just Scheduling, and it would have saved all of you having to […]

Read more

George Bernard Shaw on progress

George Bernard Shaw on progress

September 9, 2011 | Miscellany

Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world. Unreasonable people attempt to adapt the world to themselves. […]

Read more

Memo from management

Memo from management

May 22, 2011 | Miscellany

First off, a big round of applause for a really top shelf apocalypse! Best turnout since ’75! Secondly, there was a slight hiccup with the backup of this Universe so we had to restore to 6pm from a neighbouring Universe instead. You might notice a few small differences, like green foliage, and a more reasonable […]

Read more

I think we understand each other

I think we understand each other

March 7, 2011 | Miscellany

I tried explaining to my 19 month old daughter that she can’t have a stomach bug weekdays between the hours of 7 am and 9 pm, because the electricity required to continuously run the washer and dryer during mid and peak hours is cost prohibitive. She nodded. Then threw up on my sweater.

Read more

Holding Santa accountable

Holding Santa accountable

December 23, 2010 | Miscellany

So we’re down to the wire, and Santa has yet to be vocal on the good vs bad judgement process, his security, collection and storage policies regarding this data, and our legal recourse on disagreement with his judgement. The days of opaque leadership are over, Mr. Santa. WE WANT TRANSPARENCY.

Read more

Thomas Nast and the origins of Santa

Thomas Nast and the origins of Santa

December 15, 2010 | Miscellany

In 1862, Thomas Nast created the cover of Harper’s Weekly depicting Christmas as a jolly plump bearded fellow, with clay pipe and a sack overflowing with toys.

Read more

John Singer Sargent motivates

John Singer Sargent motivates

December 1, 2010 | Miscellany

Along with whistling, cursing and growling, John Singer Sargent would talk to himself while painting. Trust me this is motivating.

Read more

To whom it may concern

To whom it may concern

November 29, 2010 | Miscellany

You know, the email replies I write in my head are so much more satisfying then the ones I eventually send. Tact, it seems, is what keeps us all on topic.

Read more

Sesame Street and parenting

Sesame Street and parenting

October 29, 2010 | Miscellany

My take away from the use of guest stars on Sesame Street is that (like the guest stars) parents can be as morally elastic as we like when the kids aren’t watching, so long as we speak in gentle tones and put on pants when they are around.

Read more

The cookroom is on fire

The cookroom is on fire

October 19, 2010 | Miscellany

Forthwith the kitchen will no longer be referred to as such, but instead as the cookroom, which is more consistent with the nomenclature of the other rooms.

Read more