Creative Boom

JANUARY 29, 2025

And, if you're good at it, there are clients out there who will pay handsomely for your live illustration talents. Ever since Creative Boom began, illustrators have told us they love getting back to the basicsdrawing and painting hands-on with traditional media. Most live event illustrators work in fashion and beauty.

Artist 447

Artist Illustrator Illustration Fashion 447

Creative Boom

MARCH 24, 2025

Merjin Hos Get a burst of visual inspiration from our selection of top illustration talent drawn from global representation agency Agent Pekka. One of the great things about illustration is that there's always a ton of raw talent coming up, with new and imaginative styles by which to be inspired. Macarena Luzi 4. Jee-ook Choi 5.

Illustration 418

Illustration Illustrator Arts and Crafts Art 418

Creative Boom

DECEMBER 18, 2024

New beginnings can be a fantastic source of ideas and creative energy for an illustrator. Nine years in Melbourne saw him morph into an illustrator, where he truly discovered his creative voice. One of the five illustrations for A Better City. Mark Conlan is an artist whose journey began in Dublin as an animator. In Your Head.

Illustration 418

Illustration Illustrator Travel Artist 418

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 17, 2025

Three years on from our last conversation, Taiwanese illustrator Poan Pan reflects on his evolving creative journey, the power of community, and his ever-expanding artistic practice. Good news I'm still freelancing as an illustrator! He asks, "Can illustration also embrace nuance, ambiguity, and a broader spectrum of emotions?

Illustration 362

Illustration Illustrator Freelance Freelance 362

Creative Boom

DECEMBER 17, 2024

Originally from Denmark, Julie Solvstrom has become a leading light in Vancouver's creative community with her beautiful, organic approach to illustration and typography. In a world where synthetic imagery is on the rise, illustrator and typographer Julie Solvstrom has the antidote. Julie's appeal for work on arriving in Vancouver.

Illustration 259

Illustration Illustrator Art Portfolio 259

Creative Boom

MARCH 20, 2025

From architecture to illustration and everything in between Roco's path to illustration wasn't straight. These skills would later become invaluable when she pivoted to illustration and graphic design. I don't just illustrate I translate ideas into the language I understand best: images." I don't think so.

Illustration 286

Illustration Illustrator Architecture Graphic Design 286

Creative Boom

MARCH 3, 2024

We've got a selection of 10 amazing illustrators that are sure to inspire you. Looking to commission an illustrator or just seeking fresh visual inspiration for your own work? But it's easy to escape because there's a whole world of illustration out there. Caver Zhang Caver Zhang is a freelance illustrator based in Jinan, China.

Illustrator 526

Illustrator Illustration Freelance Freelance 526

Creative Boom

MARCH 15, 2023

Image licensed via Adobe Stock It's all very well offering advice in theory, but how do freelancers and studios actually find their dream clients in practice? When you look at your list of clients, we all have a favourite. So many great clients have come to me through weak ties," she says. Or they might be anything in between.

Client 534

Client Networking Freelance Freelance 534

Creative Boom

DECEMBER 2, 2024

For this Brooklyn artist, creating an illustration is about spending time with it, exploring it, and finding that moment when things fall into place. Perhaps it's this connection with what she creates that makes her so popular with clients—in fashion, beauty, and editorial. Editorial illustrations for The New Yorker.

Illustration 464

Illustration Illustrator Client Theme 464

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

Image licensed via Adobe Stock Putting together samples of your work for art directors, editors, and others might sound straightforward, but many illustrators find it anything but. We share some tips from the Creative Boom community on presenting your illustrations in the best possible light. Quality over quantity."

Portfolio 543

Portfolio Illustrator Illustration Arts and Crafts 543

Creative Boom

JUNE 26, 2023

And right at the start, you may not even have a single client to your name. So how do you land your first client? Illustration and pattern designer Jacqueline Colley went down this route when she first went freelance. "My My first freelance clients were my old full-time employers," she explains.

Client 513

Client Freelance Freelance Self-employed 513

Creative Boom

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

Bertrand Aznar, represented by Illustration Division Whether you need representation or are looking to hire an artist or illustrator, these are the best places to head to in New York City. This is where illustration agents come into play. But how on Earth do you find a market for your work? David Doran, represented by B&A 2.

Artist 505

Artist Illustrator Illustration Arts and Crafts 505

Creative Boom

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

XG by Alxndra Cook We talk to Yvette Earl, Tatyana Alanis, Kyle Platts, Alxndra Cook, and Ryan Gillett – five talented illustrators who draw people convincingly and in unique styles that engage the viewer. As many an artist will tell you, illustrating people is one of the hardest skills to learn.

Illustrator 463

Illustrator Illustration Client Photoshop 463

Creative Boom

JANUARY 31, 2024

Auckland-based illustrator Joseph Carrington creates instantly recognisable work thanks to his sleek, deceptively simple style. Having originally trained as a graphic designer, Joseph Carrington pivoted to illustration seven years ago. Lately, I'm most proud of jobs where I've had the opportunity to animate my illustrations."

Illustration 523

Illustration Illustrator Client Freelance 523

Creative Boom

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Studio Morfar and illustrator Doug John Miller worked together to create a fun but functional identity for the new home services app. While the majority of the studio's projects are B2B, the team always likes to shake things up by working with consumer-facing clients. "In

Illustrator 259

Illustrator Illustration Vectors Textures 259

Creative Boom

DECEMBER 11, 2023

Eastbourne-based illustrator Beth Tibbles specialises in creating colourful illustrations brimming with joy and humour. We caught up with her to learn more about her journey so far, how she looped back into illustration, and what it's like to go freelance. She's since gone on to work with clients such as BBC Teach and Channel 5.

Illustration 529

Illustration Illustrator Freelance Freelance 529

Creative Boom

JULY 16, 2024

Energetic shades of pink, green and blue are blended and carved into forms that begin rooted in daily life but quickly lead to strange realms of dreamlike surrealism as envisaged by the talented young illustrator Wenjing Yang. It's the colour that hits you first when Wenjing Yang 's portfolio is laid out before you.

Illustration 487

Illustration Illustrator Client Visual Art 487

Creative Boom

JULY 23, 2024

With a background in editorial design, Andy Goodman decided to become an illustrator, developing an impactful, graphical style that's sublime and simple and a portfolio full of clever visual wordplay. Clients such as LeadDev have recognised how effective Andy's work can be when used in sequence for continuity in their material.

Illustration 468

Illustration Illustrator Vectors Client 468

Creative Boom

JUNE 13, 2022

Going it alone as an illustrator is full of challenges, from creative to administrative. We asked ten successful freelance illustrators to share the benefit of their experience to date, and they all shared valuable tips and insights. That's how I got my first client as a character designer.". Try out different styles.

Freelance 521

Freelance Freelance Illustration Illustrator 521

Creative Boom

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

From doodling characters to illustrating for global brands, Alyah Holmes shares her colourful journey in the world of illustration. Illustration may be an increasingly competitive field, but Alyah Holmes has succeeded in standing out. You know, one person sharing your work can lead to your next big client."

Illustrator 468

Illustrator Illustration Banners Client 468

Creative Boom

AUGUST 15, 2024

From contemplative cats to wide-eyed bat skeletons and even Santa on an exercise bike, Ilya Kazakov's cartoony characters are helping the artist build his own community of fans and clients around the world. It's true that the 'cute' style is popular right now, and it helps me find clients who resonate with my approach.

Illustration 486

Illustration Illustrator Client Animation 486

Creative Boom

AUGUST 18, 2024

Award-winning UK illustrator Elly Walton's quirky style brings whimsy and depth to her editorial, advertising, and design work. In the world of illustration, Elly Walton stands out as a virtuoso of playful storytelling. Her love for illustration was further nurtured by children's books, which offered layers of visual storytelling.

Illustration 468

Illustration Illustrator Art Arts and Crafts 468

Creative Boom

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

Image licensed via Adobe Stock With so much talent out there, how do you get noticed as a freelance illustrator? Illustration is a great way to make a living that can be both creatively fulfilling and well compensated. But first, you need to attract freelance clients. We explore six of the best tried-and-tested strategies.

Freelance 488

Freelance Freelance Illustrator Illustration 488

Creative Boom

MARCH 14, 2024

Stoke-on-Trent-based illustrator and animator Qianhui Yu is on a mission to highlight social problems and tell stories from new perspectives. She's doing this by creating imaginative illustrations imbued with a healthy dose of feminism. Outside of her animation work, Qianhui is also making waves as an illustrator.

Illustration 505

Illustration Illustrator Inspiration Animation 505

Creative Boom

JUNE 22, 2023

Multi-disciplined creative and globetrotter Maria Navarro Sanchez combines illustration and design to create stunning and empowering artwork. Based in the German city of Karlsruhe, illustrator and designer Maria Navarro Sanchez's career has been meandering. It has given me a more comprehensive and practical view of illustration.

Illustration 501

Illustration Illustrator Freelance Freelance 501

Creative Boom

OCTOBER 15, 2023

The popular Swedish illustrator reveals how success carries its own burdens and the need to balance personal and commercial work to protect your mental health. With a BA in graphic design from Central Saint Martins, Alva is currently represented by Jelly and is challenging norms and helping shape the future of illustration.

Illustration 511

Illustration Illustrator Graphic Client 511

Creative Boom

MARCH 30, 2022

London-based illustrator Linn Fritz uses her background as a motion designer to create bold and stylised illustrations of everyday scenes and enigmatic characters. As her story suggests, though, becoming an independent illustrator was not something that Linn originally planned on doing.

Illustration 533

Illustration Illustrator Graphic Inspiration 533

Creative Boom

JANUARY 23, 2024

That's exactly what illustrator, designer and creative consultant Molly Maine did in 2016, and since then, she's been enjoying the joy of travel while bringing her creative ambitions to life. And on top of that, her ambitions of becoming an illustrator were still niggling away in her mind. Her solution? Quit and travel the world.

Travel 488

Travel Illustration Illustrator Client 488

Creative Boom

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

From the valleys of Kashmir to the studios of Florida, Ghazal Qadri crafts vibrant illustrations that tell stories of culture, empathy, and the power of art to inspire change. Both an illustrator and graphic designer, Ghazal Qadri has relocated from a picturesque valley in Kashmir, northwest India, to the sunshine state of Florida.

Arts and Crafts 445

Arts and Crafts Illustration Illustrator Art 445

Creative Boom

MAY 22, 2024

Somerset-based illustrator, Charles Bailey channels the likes of Quentin Blake and Spike Milligan in his naive, expressive artwork, which explores complex themes. Studying illustration at Exeter changed all that. His illustrations still manage to be completely unique, representing a blend of Quentin Blake and Spike Milligan.

Art 476

Art Illustration Illustrator Exhibition 476

Creative Boom

JUNE 2, 2024

Award-winning children's book illustrator Ian Morris reveals how he broke into the industry, why he prefers older artists, and what he keeps in mind when drawing for young audiences. Ian Morris's career as an illustrator has got off to an explosive start. My love for illustration was there from a young age," he tells Creative Boom.

Illustration 488

Illustration Illustrator Art Printmaking 488

Creative Boom

MARCH 19, 2024

Image licensed via Adobe Stock We celebrate International Client Day by sharing some tried-and-tested tips for growing and nurturing your relationships with clients. Happy International Client Day! International Client Day was started in 2010 by Russian and Lithuanian businesspeople and has since spread around the world.

Client 473

Client Freelance Freelance Web Design 473

Creative Boom

AUGUST 16, 2022

Play your cards right, and your worst client relationships can eventually become your best. We've all had clients that have made our lives a misery. Because let's face it, keeping existing clients is always easier than finding new ones. Yes, clients can sometimes be maddening, insanely irrational, and act like total jerks.

Client 501

Client Consulting Artist Illustration 501

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 6, 2023

Image licensed via Adobe Stock Many clients don't fully appreciate what graphic designers can offer them. At the extreme, some clients look down their noses at you and think of you as a menial 'scribble monkey' who knows how to use Photoshop but little else. Leading practitioners explain why and offer advice on the way forward.

Client 521

Client Graphic Design Graphic Brand 521

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 5, 2023

© Anna Knopf Germany-based illustrator and storyteller Anna Knopf creates delightfully snug worlds in her atmospheric artwork populated by people, plants, and members of the animal kingdom. Don't worry if you can't do this for real, though, because Anna Knopf's delightful illustrations will take you there. Sounds like heaven, right?

Illustration 454

Illustration Illustrator Animation Freelance 454

Creative Boom

OCTOBER 11, 2023

Art director, designer and illustrator Teddy Kang has had an eventful couple of years. Since the pandemic, he's moved from Toronto back to China, working in new creative fields and rediscovering his routes as an illustrator. We met him to hear how his work and life have evolved. We're big fans of Teddy Kang here at Creative Boom.

Fashion 488

Fashion Illustration Illustrator Client 488

Creative Boom

JANUARY 24, 2024

Award-winning London-based illustrator Josh Patterson specialises in creating bright, bold and playful artwork that grabs people's attention. Like many illustrators, Josh settled on a creative path when he was young. However this doesn't mean that all of his illustrations take this approach. "I I love them. "In

Illustration 499

Illustration Illustrator Freelance Freelance 499