We cannot play down the importance of illustrations in graphic design. Especially in the UX or “user experience” digital age where instructions are relayed through aesthetic symbols.
Gone are the days where companies and brands can satisfy their audience with sterile, hyperlinked rectangles they call websites.
Flowers in Heaven. Takashi Murakami's works are seen in art galleries and on very expensive designer handbags. © Kaikai Kiki.
Unfortunately, illustration is still generally considered as an infantile form of art, or an afterthought to a marketing campaign, especially in publishing. Regardless of age, the audience like to be entertained by the beauty and playful language of graphic illustrations.
Imagine your commute through the London Underground without a single illustrated poster. Or iPad apps with terribly designed buttons. That lovely user experience you enjoy every day is created by designers using illustrations.
Good designers and art directors have stock image accounts at hand, such as iStock, to aid their designs.
A bespoke illustration work gives a distinct look to a campaign, as well as having the potential to become a collectible artwork in the future.
To find out about illustrators, follow creative communities such as D&AD, Amelia’s Magazine, Etsy, Behance and Affordable Art Fair.
19th century book illustration by Jules-Auguste Habert-Dys
List of my favourite illustrators:
Takashi Murakami – Artist and founder of Kaikai Kiki Collective. Collaborator of Louis Vuitton. Master of serious fun and commercially successful pop art.
Chiho Aoshima – A member of Kaikai Kiki Collective. I first spotted her gigantic posters at South Kensington underground station.
Firecatcher – Talented pair of contemporary illustrators based in Bolton, Sam Ticker and Rebecca Peacock.
Ma petite theiere – Etsy star and illustrator Anne Julie Aubry.
Jules-Auguste Habert-Dys – 19th century French illustrator of the Decorative Fantasies movement.
Quentin Blake – Illustrator of Roald Dahl’s famous book characters. He said: “I find myself doing the faces as I’m drawing them.“
E.H. Shepard – Illustrator of Wind In The Willows and Winnie The Pooh. In his later years, Shepard resented his creation so much he called it “that silly old bear.” Poor little Pooh…
