Why Work With An Illustrator

Why hiring an illustrator is important for your business

It goes without saying that illustration brings a tangible flair to design work—whether it’s informational or just plain expressive, illustration has the ability to solve problems, communicate powerful messages, and visualize complex ideas. And, heck, incorporating thoughtful, commissioned illustration into your product design adds a human touch to your design experience, potentially rendering your product or service friendlier and easier to use.

If you’re on the fence on whether you should source some more economical stock artwork, or go-tilt into hiring an illustrator for some custom work, there’s an article HERE on the Dribbble blog on why that investment might just be worth every penny!

It will differentiate you from competitors

Hiring an illustrator for commissioned work means you’ll be purchasing artwork that you can own exclusive rights to. When it comes to stock art that everyone has access to, there’s no guarantee of how many other brands are using the same imagery as you.

Instead of sourcing public art, it’s much more valuable as a brand to invest in illustration work that was thoughtfully and strategically designed to have a unique association with your brand and goals. Hiring an illustrator will help your business stand out from the crowd while also creating brand awareness and familiarity through distinct, custom artwork.

It will tell your brand’s unique story

Work with an illustrator to create artwork specifically geared towards your brand’s audience and customer demographic. Your brand’s story is unique and deserves to be communicated in an authentic way, rather than a “one-size-fits-all” approach. An illustrator will work with you to create a style and visual language that supports your brand’s message and unique personality—an indispensable tool for attracting users and earning their trust.

It will be specific to your product

One of illustration’s most powerful uses when it comes to your business is visualizing how to use your product or how your service works. An illustrator will visualize these complex, abstract ideas, and make it easier for your visitors to understand what you’re all about. Some of the most admired brands use illustration to make their product friendly, approachable, and far less intimidating than described in a block of text. Using pre-made imagery comes with the risk of confusing your audience because it’s not explicitly addressing your product. Don’t underestimate the power of custom illustration to accompany your targeted messaging.

It will involve your direct input

Nothing can replace working and collaborating with an expert in their craft. Working directly with an illustrator is meant to be a collaborative experience where you hold a wealth of opportunity for input and ultimately influence the outcome of the deliverables. You’ll work together to come up with the best visual solution based on your business needs. At the end of the day, stock resources can’t replace an illustrator’s expertise and the opportunity for an inclusive, collaborative creative process.

Conclusion

When it comes to your business, illustration is not all about aesthetics. Illustration is complex and requires a great deal of problem-solving. Illustrators pour hours of research, concept ideation, sketching, and more, into their work to ensure you get the best possible visual solution to fit your business needs.

If your business can afford it, the investment is absolutely worth making. If you can’t afford it right now, know that it’s an investment worth making down the line. Stock art has its place in the creative world, but it can’t replace the skills, expertise, and collaborative opportunities that you’ll find with an experienced illustrator.

extract from an article by Renee Fleck via dribbble.com

Contact me to discuss your project today… after all it cost nothing to explore your options! 🙂