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Matt Shirley is a legend, a visual genius, and a master of social insight. Odds are that you know of his work even if you aren’t aware of his name. His creative and hilarious charts have been gracing social media sites for years, and you’re bound to have stumbled upon one of his creations. They’re as quirky as they are funny. And they’re incredibly relatable (even if some of us won’t say it aloud).

We’re not the only ones who think so. A whopping 419k people follow Matt on Instagram, waiting for his hottest new graph doodles, straight off the digital press. We really wanted to show you what the artist’s been up to recently, so we’ve collected his best newest doodles to share with you, dear Pandas. Scroll down, upvote your fave graphs, and be sure to follow Matt on social media. Why? Because he’s awesome and we know you love his stuff.

Bored Panda reached out to Matt to see how he's doing, and he was kind enough to answer our questions. Read on to see how he feels about his popularity, what he does to stay creative, and why consistency in posting might not be the only thing that new content creators should focus on.

Oh, and if you can’t get enough of the artist’s funny and honest charts about being a real-life human being, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. When you’re done with this list, check out Bored Panda’s earlier features about his work here, here, and here.

More info: Instagram | MattShirleyCharts.com | Facebook | Twitter | Patreon

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Matt is still over the moon that people enjoy his charts. "I'm very excited people still find my stuff to be entertaining," he told Bored Panda via email.

"I've always been worried that my content would be for a specific time and place and then people would get tired of it and move on but so far I've been able to keep it fresh and explore different topics that people seem to like," he shared some of his hopes and fears.

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The creator was very candid with us that he's "always worried about losing the creative edge," as well as doing only the things that are easy. It's an issue that many artists must feel like they've had to tackle at some point in their careers.

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"I've run into this quite a few times over my career. I will find myself a little burnt out and not seeing my content as very funny which usually means I need to try to switch it up and get out of my comfort zone. In theory, I always want to try new things, new mediums, new topics, but in practice, it's a lot harder to get yourself to do this," he explained.

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BoredBirb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now I'm stuck here looking at all the possibilities xD

DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I gotta run, my dog is splitting an atom in my backyard. Yes, I did say my dog, he's very smart and creative even without the opposable thumbs. Of course I've spoken to him, he understands what a nuclear winter is but it still seems to intrigue him."

Paul C.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just got a text, Amber Heard, peed on a little girls lemonade stand. Just after Joe Biden came back to life.

Pa4040
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish I could tak but my Harry Potter cardboard cutout got assaulted by the mailman.

Ece Cenker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give your family my best, because Amber Heard isn't going to make it.

美美
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

look over there! Joe Biden peed on a little girl's lemonade stand

Cuppa tea?
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give your family my best because Joe Biden peed on a little bit girl's lemonade stand.

🦩Laneypooh🦩
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look over there! my imaginary girlfriend just peed on a little girls lemonade stand

Agent 8433599
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish I could talk with you Bored Pandas, but . . . my Harry Potter cardboard cutout . . . peed on a little girl's lemonade stand! 😬

David Brown
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks allot. I just spent an hour reading all the possibilities to myself.

Paulio
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look over there my high school basketball team just came back to life

Johanna she/her
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look over there! My imaginary girlfriend fell into my neighbor’s pool

Vinay Pai
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give your family my best because my high school basketball team got assaulted by the mailman

Remen Zack
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A cording to the list, I pick this for an excuse; It's been great talking to you but my mother just broke into my house 😂

Bobby
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look over there! Amber Heard peed on a little girl's lemonade stand

Bookaday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give your family my best but Amber Heard just broke into my house

Icedragocat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its been great talking to you but a mall santa just broke into my houe XD

M.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I gotta run. My high school basketball team got assaulted by the mailman.

#CatsAndBobaLife
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I gotta run, my Harry Potter cardboard cutout got assaulted by the mailman

Weirdest Bi You’ll Ever Meet
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok this sounds like Amber Heard: Sorry to interrupt but Amber Heard just broke into my house and s**t on my bed. LOL 😂

Melissa Johnson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favorite random one so far: "Look over there! Joe Biden fell in the neighbor's pool!" 🤣🤣🤣

Juachelle Echols
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Watch Superfruit, ‘99 Ways to Ditch Your Date’ on YT. Hilarious stuff! Then stay and check out their music videos. Guy.exe and Goodbye from Lonely are great starters. 🥰

EmCWolf
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Look over there! My mother just broke into my house" makes me picture that the conversation is within sight for both to see said break-in 😂

Julianne M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's been great talking to you but joe Biden just broke into my house

Metallicd3ath
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always like to go for the ridiculous ones. "Sorry to do this, but my high school basketball team just came back to life." There's a lot of great options but there's so much implied with that one. "Why are you sorry to do this? Your high school basketball team was dead? The whole team is being ressurected?"

Kurt Cocaine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Idk if anyone said this already but this shod be made into what excuse you get based on name/age/zodiac sign/etc make ones for yourself and look what your friends wod get fun for the whole family!!!

gila the night/sand
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*other person is talking* Me: sorry to interrupt you but my Harry Potter cardboard cutout peed on a little girl’s lemonade stand

Izzy Hartman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ummm... Look over there! A mall Santa peed on a little girl's lemonade stand.

Time2Roll86🇺🇦
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Sorry to interrupt you but Amber Heard peed on a little girl’s lemonade stand”

RaeLynn Lyons
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol, imagine telling someone with a straight face "Give your family my best because Joe Biden peed on a little girl's lemonade stand" 😂

Isaac Harvey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry to interrupt you, but my high school basketball team got assaulted by the mailman. / Look over there! Amber Heard peed on a little girl’s lemonade stand(should this really be unexpected?).

Smeeem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

512 possibilities of getting out of a conversation. 1 fact that i am ded laughing

Keisha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would love to see Amber Heard falling into the neighbors pool but she would sue them too after a fake "fall".

Kaleb Kunzler
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Give your family my best because Amber Heard just peed on a little girls lemonade stand." This must be the best option. :)

siinciity
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh no, i just got a text; my imaginary girlfriend peed on a little girl's lemonade stand! i have to take this-

siinciity
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i just got a text; my imaginary girlfriend peed on a little girls lemonade stand!

Michele Lein
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amber Heard in the neighbor's pool is the best! Guaranteed to get any "Colin Robinsons" attentions off of you and onto the next "energy meal". (Referencing the series 'What We Do In The Shadows'.)

Dillon H
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give your family your best because Joe Biden crashed my car!

AngelWingsYT
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just got a text. A mall santa peed on a little girls lemonade stand

April Pickett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yea! Pull this out when you want to leave. You might even let the other person choose the scenario.

pemdas927
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Sorrt to do this, but my Harry Potter cardboard cutout crashed my car." or "Give your family my best because my high school basketball team just came back to life."

Curtis Mulry
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give your family my best because Amber Heard peed on a little girls lemonade stand.

Rhia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

give your family my best because my highschool basketball team peer on a little girls lemonade stand 😭

Terry Tobias
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is great! I could read through the possibilities all afternoon long!

Jonny Bosck
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry to do this, but my mother just broke into my house. 👍🏼

Dirk Daring
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Look over there! Amber Heard peed on a little girl's lemonade stand" would actually be credible.

Shraddha Krishnan
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look over there, my harry Potter cardboard cutout, just came back to life..... Perfect👍

No One
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s been great talking to you but a mall santa peed on a little girl’s lemonade stand

CreativeNickname
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I gotta run, my imaginary girlfriend isn't going to make it

A mac
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reading them across is so much better than randomizing them!

Nightmare
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give your family my best because my Harry Potter cutout got assaulted by the mailman.

Insekai
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Sorry to do this but Amber Heard just came back to life" Hahahahahaha.....

54
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"i wish i could talk but my high school basketball teem peed on a little girls lemonade stand"

Chaotic-Pansexual (she/they)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Randomly chose three with my eyes closed, so “Give your family my best because Joe Biden peed on a little girl’s lemonade stand”

KT
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just say I have to pee. Usually because it's true.

Daffodil
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish I could talk, but Amber Heard peed on a little girls lemonade stand :/

Suzanne Tilson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry to do this but my mother just broke into my house. Yeah she's very worried about whether I'm eating right

Return of Saturn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"It was great talking to you, but my imaginary girlfriend peed on a little girl's lemonade stand"

ThatOneFriend15
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish I could talk but my Harry Potter cardboard cutout peed on a little girls lemonade stand

Bill Murray
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s been great talking to you, but Joe Biden got assaulted by the mailman

GayBoi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just got a text: my Harry Potter cardboard cutout peed on a little girl's lemonade stand.

Sylvia Schmitz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I usually just say that I've got to go to the loo. If I feel particularly posh I do it the Downton way: Heavens, is that the time already? I mustn't keep you!

stardust
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look over there! My high school basketball team peed on a little girl's lemonade stand.

Ellen Hsuan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i wish i could talk but my harry potter cardboard cutout peed on a little girl's lemonade stand, gotta run!

Miz Chelle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My fave: Look over there! Amber Heard peed on a little girl's lemonade stand! And adding my own.. "She really needs to start potty training. 🙄 "

Deutschland Mädchen
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give your family my best because my high school basketball team is splitting an atom in my backyard

Person
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry to interrupt you but my dog just broke into my house

Ashley Conover
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amber Heard peed on a little girl's lemomade stand. Soumds like something she'd do.

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Bored Panda also wanted to get Matt's opinion on discipline, considering how consistently he makes and posts content. It's a character feature that many artists would give a lot for.

"I know a lot of people say consistency is key but I think that's a bit overstated. Of course, you don't want to go a year without posting but to take a month or week or day off is not a big deal. It's much more important for the content to be quality," he said that there has to be a happy balance between consistency and quality.

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"For me, I treat it as my job and at this point, it's not too difficult to come up with an idea or two every day," he said.

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During a previous chat with Bored Panda, Matt told us that he’s “always loved” things that are related to visuals and design. He said that it was a natural fit for him to try and do something similar on his Instagram page.

“Sometimes, it is a challenge to keep motivated, but the good thing about charts is that you can pretty much do one on any topic,” he shared with us.

“I'm not confined to a certain field of expertise which helps with inspiration. If I'm not feeling inspired to create something on a certain topic, I can always look in the complete opposite direction for something that activates the creative juices,” Matt opened up to Bored Panda about how he keeps the creativity flowing.

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Charts are a great medium for sharing humor with people. They’re very to-the-point and pack a lot of punch in bite-sized bits of content.

“I like charts because they don't require a lot of reading and there's an inherent discovery process whenever you are trying to figure out what a chart is trying to depict, whether it's for entertainment or data-driven,” the artist told us.

“The only limitations I've found are with the types of jokes you can include. If you want long-winded setups and character-driven jokes then charts are definitely going to be difficult to work with,” Matt explained that charts allow for concise and snappy jokes, nothing too deep.

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Meanwhile, during a couple of more recent talks with Bored Panda, the chart and graph virtuoso revealed that “it’s actually quite difficult” keeping up with current events. Sure, they might make for great content, but being up-to-date with all the freshest news, all the time can be exhausting. Matt picks and chooses what he engages with.

“I tend to not pay attention to the news too awfully much because I find that it's not exactly great for my mental health, so I have to pick and choose the types of current events I talk about with my charts,” he told Bored Panda

“In general. I like to do things that are light-hearted so it's natural that some of the more light-hearted news stories are right up my alley. And then, of course, I can always draw off my own experiences, whether it's working from home or dealing with isolation or my thoughts on anxiety,” he shared a glimpse into his creative process with us.

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When Matt first started out venturing into the world of digital virality on Instagram, he was drawing his charts on whiteboards. However, he eventually upgraded and went fully digital.

“This worked great at first, but eventually I found that I would often make mistakes that were almost impossible to fix on a whiteboard and I moved to more graphic design charts,” he said.

According to Matt, going fully digital has allowed him to be more flexible. Now he can draw multiple things each day. Moreover, he can reuse certain templates, “so I don't have to measure and draw the same pie charts or tables over and over again.”

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In other words, digital art makes the entire work process much faster. Besides, Matt enjoys the variety of colors that he can use digitally. You just can’t get the same effect with whiteboard markers. 

“I absolutely didn't expect anything when I started. But it's very nice to find out that other people see the world in the same way I do,” the creator said that he never expected his chart art to take off as much as it did.

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Not everything that Matt draws ends up on social media, even though he draws pretty much every single day. He feels that some of his charts aren’t “up to snuff” and end up in his computer archive, never to see the light of day. He feels that the content that genuinely makes him laugh will make others laugh as well.

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So, Pandas, which of these charts were your faves? Which ones resonated with you the most and why? Cuz, we gotta say, we relate to most of Matt's work. Do you have any ideas that you wish the artist would illustrate in the near future? Tell us all about it (and more!) in the comment section at the bottom of this list.

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