chuck is depressed about the business do you think that we should tell him? that it is only a...
TRANSCRIPT
Chuck is depressed about the business
Do you think that we
should tell him?
That it is only a simulation?
No that we are at ground
level!
Corporate Cartooning
The Art of Simulation Design
Jeremy J.S. B. Hall
Corporate Cartoonist!
Business
Some 40 years ago…..
When I first began to create business models ……..
I felt that they were the mathematical equivalent of the newspaper cartoon or comic strip.
Why …..
Simplified and Stylised?
A commonly held view is that an exact replica of reality is the ultimate goal of business simulation design.
But for experiential learning I believe that this is wrong.
Consider1. The simulator: the reel problem2. The cat, the kitten, the hysterical bird
and the naked man.
And this from someone who finds tail chasing valid.
I’ve got my new bird simulator
But it’s a cotton reel!
The simulator: the reel problem
UK: Cotton Reel
US: Cotton Spool
It’s less funny in American
But the shape, structure, flavour & colour are not valid.
The cat, the kitten, the hysterical bird and the naked man.
squawk squawk squawk squawk
squawkpurrrrrr
mew
squawk
Why Corporate Cartoons? or Mathematical Comics• Both simplified and stylised replicas• Both lead to an ultimate denouement• Both are engaging and insightful• Both memorable• Both require prior knowledge• Both are constrained
“In the main comics are a representational art form devoted to the emulation of real experience.”
Eisner (1985)
simulations are a representational art
Simulations and ComicsWhat can we learn?
Just as a comic drawing is only one aspect of cartoons, the model is only one aspect of a simulation.
And just as words are a vital and equal cartoon element, the interactions – the decisions and results are also vital to a simulation.
Scott McCloud’s “Big Triangle”
Scott McCloud, 1993
Increasing simplicity
Increasing stylisationPictures
Words
The Simulation Trapezoid
MODEL DOMAININTERACTIONDOMAIN
Decisions Results
The Model Domain
Increasing simplicityIncreasing stylisation
Surreal
“Real” Business
Imaginary
Generic Business
The Interaction Domain
Two Aspects: Decision and Results
Decreasing A
mbiguity
less detail
The Decision Aspect
Production
Price
Promotion
Web Site
The Outcome Aspect
Comments
Graphs
Raw Data
Refined Data
But this is not all!
We can learn about
• Transitions period to period
• The “gutter” and reflection
• Relationships – model & interactions
Transitions/Progressions Panel to Panel/Period to Period
Cartoon Simulation
Moment to Moment Economic Progression
Action to Action Task Progression
Subject to Subject Issue Progression
Scene to Scene Business Progression
Aspect to Aspect Viewpoint Progression
Non-Sequitur Ad Hoc Progression
Moment to Moment Transitionmew
squawksquawk squawk squawk
squawk squawk purrrrrr
Economic Progression
Demand Pattern
0100020003000400050006000
Quarter
Counter Industrial Commercial
Issue Progression
I’ve got my new bird simulator
But it’s a cotton reel!
And this from someone who finds tail chasing valid.
But the shape,
structure, flavour &
colour are
not valid.
UK: Cotton Reel
US: Cotton Spool
It’s less funny in American
1 Project Search:: deciding on project size, experience, urgency and client type.
2 Pre-qualification:: assessing project risk in more detail and deciding best fit
3 Tendering:: determining how to maximize profit while ensuring winning the bid
4 Negotiation:: ensuring the best work schedule and cash flow
Prospector – Stage Gate Simulation
Subject to Subject Transition
Aspect to Aspect Transition
Viewpoint Progression
The Professor at the top of the academic food chain.
In training the Professor at the bottom of the food chain.
But academe is changing.
Period Viewpoint Evolution
1 Basic sales and financial report
2 Basic report plus comments
3 Additionally reports showing trends
5 Additionally marketing issues
6 Additionally profitability and sales graph
Scene to Scene Transition
Business Progression
Penetration-Price Sensitivity Model
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
5% 10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%
Se
ns
it
iv
it
y
Fa
c
Penetration
The Paper
The Research The Peer Review
sniff
The Rejection
The cold nos
Action to Action Transition
Task Progression
Blah, Blah, Blah
Z Z Z Z ZAnd now a quiz
Blah, Blah, Blah
Z Z Z Z
Period Planning Task
January Business Research and Policy Advice
February As January plus Marketing Planning
March As February plus Resource and Working Capital Planning
April onward All Planning Decisions
Non-Sequitur Transitions
Ad Hoc Progression
From food for the mind.
To feeding the student body.
News Flash – News Flash – News Flash – News FlashClinton – Obama ticket comprehensively punched by McCain.$3.00 to the £ but little US reaction.Gas $5.00 a gallon – constitution to be amended.
Remember
Corporate cartooning is an artistic design metaphor for business simulations.
Now, when someone asks you why you are reading the “funnies”
You can explain that you are researching business simulation design
And, you may never view students and writing papers the same again!
