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Inspiring Illustration and Design Portfolios

Posted by Anna T. on 3 August 2009 | 0 Comments

Everyone feels the funk of design and creativity blocks at some point. Sometimes I roam around the well known and even not-so-well-known illustrators' portfolios. It's a great way to investigate a particular style, pick up on trends as well as create awareness about the communication and content involved. I would like to think that I have gathered a diverse bunch of work to show you. Everything from hand-drawn to digital to photo-manipulation. Enjoy!

1. Camelia Dobrin

Camelia Dobrin is a 24 year old Romanian illustrator based in the UK.  Her work has been featured around the web at netdiver, illustration mundo and artskills. I thoroughly dig her inky, complex, style as well as her characters and patterning. The illustrative style lends itself to being diverse and adaptable to compliment different media.

2. Gustavo Bockos aka "Vokos"

Gustavo has a lot happening! His work, like many illustrators and designers is in a few different areas. He deals with illustration (mostly vector by the looks of it), art direction, design and photography.  Check out his expressive use of lines, layering and juxtaposition of color choices and subject matter.

3. Gary Baseman

Gary Baseman is very well known and wears multiple hats. He is an Emmy Award winning creator and executive producer of a series titled, "Teacher's Pet".  His work is found in the New Yorker, Time, Rolling Stone, and from 'Cranium' games. What I find most intriguing is his work as exhibited in galleries as fine art. It's great that he is able to translate his style into so many forms and a bonus that it's profitable.

4. Alex Trochut

Alex is a designer from Barcelona. I found his typography most exceptional. In his statement about his work, he mentioned that he likes to bring together illustration with typography in his work. He has a diverse portfolio, but my favs are still the typographic works.

5. Karan Singh

Karan Singh is an illustrator who works from Melbourne, Australia. His work is complex and usually has delicious bright colors and patterning accompanied by objects and sometimes photos. I recommend taking a look at his work. You'll find everything from retro influences to narratives.

6. Non-Format (Kjell Ekhorn + Jon Forss)

The team of creative wonderfulness called "Non-Format" is made up of Kjell Ekhorn and Jon Forss.  They have been working together on art direction, design, illustration and custom typography since 2000.  Their portfolio is a great exhibit of minimalist design and layout. They've done work for Nike, Coke, Computer Arts Magazine, the electronic group, Red Snapper and Gap.

7. Lionzo

Rogerio Lionzo is a Brazillian illustrator who lives and works in New York City. Rogerio has done illustrations for Computer Arts magazine (obviously one of my favs,) as well as a variety of other clients and projects. The grid is used as an interesting element in his work.  Check it out.

8. Krzysztof Domaradzki aka KXX

This guy has a lot going on. His mix of hand-drawn illustration and digital effects is really unique. I also appreciate the figure illustrations twisted through the work. For me, personally, I enjoy KXX's fine art the most out of everything, but I know he is accomplished in illustration and design. In an interview with PSDTUTS.com, KXX identified his influences for fine art as Schiele and Francis Bacon, both of whom have clearly influenced his paintings and technique. To read more about KXX and his process check out the interview on PSDTUTS.com here.

9.  Alberto Cerrateno

Alberto is a Mexican illustrator who now lives and works in Portland, Oregon. What stands out for me are his characters and patterning reminiscent of Mexican folk art. His website is also a treat to navigate and spend some time on.

10. Meannorth - Naja Conrad-Hansen

Naja Conrad-Hansen is an artist and illustrator whose work I highly admire. Much of her work takes on the look of a printing process with flat planes in combination with geometric patterns. Her work was featured in "LÜERZER'S ARCHIVE: 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide" and shows her fine art in galleries internationally.

And there you are; ten good solutions to revitalize and inspire your creativity!