On Laughter And Gift Design by Rick London

Rick London is the founder of Google & MSN’s #1 Ranked Offbeat Cartoons and Funny Gifts. His Webcomics site has 5000+ cartoons and 250,000+ cartoon gifts & has lured 8.7 million+ visitors.

I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony, but since I don’t know how to do that, I write humor instead; and it is often debatable whether or not I do that.  But let’s just say I do. 

What started as a fun hobby when I was about 10 (trying to make people laugh one way or another) is now a bigger hobby, and just like when I was much younger, it’s still hit or miss. 

The difference is that now, that’s I’m okay with that  While I would rather them all be hits rather than misses, the misses teach me how to create better, write better, blueprint better (describe what is going on in the cartoon to the illustrator).   And I continue to learn a bit more every day. And as an old dog, I enjoy learning new tricks.

One of the most fun parts of the project (aside from working with my team of amazing illustrators) is designing gifts featuring the cartoons we create. 

I design basic items such as T-shirts, mugs, and the like, but as the years have passed, I’m learning to make more home and office gift items.   My extremely talented wife Lee Hiller-London has been making those type gift ideas in her shops for a number of years.  She creates the most unique gifts and cards I can ever remember seeing.

Being what is called a “Gift Design Engineer” is kind of an important project for me other than just getting to see our designs on products.  The title doesn’t mean much. I’ve always loved giving (and receiving) gifts.  I particularly enjoy matching the gift with the person receiving it.  I would consider myself a thoughtful gift-giver. 

I make a real effort to think of all the positive things I know about the recipient and find a comic-themed cartoon gift that matches those characteristics of that person.  Over the past decade or so, as times have gotten even more stressful, I have noticed that gift recipients appreciate and keep their gifts when they get a good laugh from them.  If it’s a tee, they wear it often and enjoy making others laugh.  If it’s a mug, it sometimes becomes “their favorite mug” (or so they tell me) and they use it “most of the time”.  I love hearing that. 

On March 19^th, 2022, LTCartoons & Gifts will be 25 years old. 

Well, I’ve spent enough time waxing nostalgic and patting myself on the back. 

Lee and I wish everyone happy and safe holidays.  Thank you so much for your continued support.  May you thrive and be happy in 2022.  

I have several shops that feature offbeat comic gifts which is Rick London Gifts at Zazzle and the other is Rick London Cartoons at Zazzle. Both shops are good places year-round to pick up quality funny gift, usually for under $20.

Londons Times Cartoons
Google & MSN’s #1 Ranked Offbeat Cartoons SInce 2005
Verified Twitter Account: @RickLondon

Source: https://ricklondonsyndication.wordpress.com/2021/12/24/on-laughter-and-gift-design-by-rick-london/