What is Room 47?
More than 30 years ago, I worked at a graphic design firm that had outgrown its office space. To prepare for an efficient move to a new space, each workstation, conference room, or area was numbered. That way, the movers could drop our boxes of paraphernalia in exactly the space it would be needed and we could all get back to logging billable hours without delay.
One of the new spaces was a large area that wasn’t initially part of the lease. We couldn’t have workstations there but we could use it temporarily for storage. For the movers, it had the number 47. The space had big, double doors and soon everyone was calling it Room 47.
The items that accumulated in Room 47 were a hodgepodge of unrelated things left over from previous projects. Useless, but too precious to throw out. I remember nearly life-side cutouts of people, tools that were no longer used, excess foam core, bubble wrap, obsolete prototypes, defunct models, and much more.
Because the space was free, there was little pressure to clear it out. So, Room 47 slowly accumulated more precious artifacts. The contents of Room 47 were arranged in tidy rows so one could access stuff. But because the contents never had any continuity or theme, there wasn’t any logical structure someone could use to organize things. Strange objects accidentally ended up beside other strange objects. Think snow shovel beside a crepe-paper palm tree. Room 47 had the feeling of a cabinet of curiosities big enough to walk inside or a museum organized by a maniac.
Years later when the office moved again, the new plan had a similar space. Officially, we were supposed to call it “the shop.” But, naturally, we all referred to it as Room 47.
A few years ago, when Karen and I remodeled our basement, we made a compact storage space in one corner with a nice pair of double doors to hide the mishmash it contains. Naturally, we call it Room 47.
So, when we decided to start sharing a miscellany of old doodles, drawings, and sketches in weekly emails, we had to call it Inside Room 47. A collection of precious detritus. Hope you enjoy it.
Don
Koala Doodle
Today, I immersed myself in the vibrant stream of universal creative energy. But all I got was this koala doodle. (By the way, koala doodle would be a good name for a band, right?)
Birthday Boar
Back in August (2025), I was exploring the notion of a series of birthday card designs. That didn’t go anywhere. But my sketches allowed me to meet this charming wild boar. My new best friend.
Anti-gravity Pizza
This drawing was a reject from the deck of Double Trouble cards. But somehow it still resonates with me. Haunts my dreams.
Cozy Conflict
Take the coldest animal you know and give her hot chocolate, mittens, and a scarf. The cold/hot tension adds interest. So does the cookie.
Principal Rat
The body language and expression suggest he tolerates no shenanigans. Bonus—I got to draw all those whiskers.
Let Them Eat Cake
Who doesn’t appreciate a good cake? A few months ago, I was in my Cake Period—drawing animals with their favorite cakes. (Honestly? I’m still not over that obsession.)
Pink Elephant
This drawing is from deep in the archives (August 2009). The idea was to render an elephant’s texture. Time consuming. Glad I didn’t decide to do it actual size.
Comedy Gold
My research (from October 2025) has shown that everything is funnier wearing a tutu.
My research (from October 2025) has shown that everything is funnier wearing a tutu.
Start Here
I needed a field of flowers for the background of the Early Unicorn letterpress print. My approach to an assignment like that is to start with one flower and then surround it with different flowers. Keep going until you reach the edge of the page. Paradoxically, I find the activity soothing but also fraught with tension. The more one draws, the more risk that one will mess up that work.
Madam Wolf
Drawing a wolf wearing a dress is inherently funny, but here it’s her smile that makes this drawing so delightful.
Drawing a wolf wearing a dress is inherently funny, but here it’s her smile that makes this drawing so delightful.
LindaH
March 30, 2026
I had steno books that I liked to use at work. Used it for calls and taking down important orders from customers. Also doodles – lots and lots of doodles. I have to say, they weren’t as cool as yours but some would have fit just fine
Room 47 must have been amazing!