"Instead of traditional communication with graphic brochures or others, we tell stories through comics", explains Patrick Lemerle. “For communication in general, and especially for internal communication within companies.”
Comics and animations indeed facilitate the sharing of sensitive messages. For example, raising awareness among employees about disabilities. “We imagine practical cases through comics, telling stories about the experiences of people with disabilities,” shares Patrick Lemerle.
Another example is explaining diseases, particularly in children, for laboratories. “We worked with characters drawn by sick children, and we fleshed them out a bit and transformed them into manga,” explains the illustrator. For the hospital in Angoulême, La Bande Destinée was also able to adapt the posters created into animations.
The image is particularly interesting for conveying messages without the need for lengthy speeches. It appeals to natural, innate, universal mechanisms.
"Comics resonate with everyone because we all read them as children,” marvels Patrick Lemerle. “As adults, images and drawings still catch our eye. They are much easier to read than basic text. It’s so much simpler to read panels one after the other. The brain then does the rest, creating voices, for example, and music.”
That’s why comics work well, as they also stimulate the imagination. “It’s interesting, especially in the corporate world where there are many PowerPoints and diagrams, to offer something playful. It feels a bit like recess. People often want humor, so it needs to be funny because it’s also a vector of friendliness and attention. It allows for a different approach and feels good.”
An idea that shifts the paradigm regarding the form of the message and how to convey an idea. “It’s impactful. With comics, we are sure that the message will reach its target,” concludes Patrick Lemerle.
