Talk to Me Without a Phone

Yann Kebbi captures the simple, but oft-forgotten act of two people talking in this illustration that accompanied the Opinion article, “Stop Googling. Let’s Talk,” published Sept. 26, 2015, in The Times. The image is part of our collection of editorial illustrations being offered for the first time ever to the public as unframed or framed fine-art prints.

The article’s author, Sherry Turkle, writes, “Studies of conversation both in the laboratory and in natural settings show that when two people are talking, the mere presence of a phone on a table between them or in the periphery of their vision changes both what they talk about and the degree of connection they feel. People keep the conversation on topics where they won’t mind being interrupted. They don’t feel as invested in each other. Even a silent phone disconnects us.”

Artist Yann Kebbi lives in Paris. He has been commissioned by American and European broadsheets, such as The New York Times, The Guardian and Libération. He works regularly with The New Yorker and Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazin. In addition to his editorial and design work, he collaborates on small publishing projects for the independent publisher 3 Fois Par Jour. He has also written and illustrated his own children’s book, “Americanin un Chien à New York,” and a graphic novel with Viken Berberian, “The Structure Is Rotten, Comrade.” He regularly exhibits his work, and sells original drawings, etchings and prints.