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.

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Illustration Illustrator Inspiration Animation 444

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.

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Freelance Freelance Illustration Illustrator 449

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.

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Illustration Illustrator Art Publishing 434

Creative Boom

MARCH 12, 2024

© Dong Qiu The Chinese artist's distinctive style blends Asian tradition with modern sensibilities, attracting global clients and resonating with audiences worldwide. The moment you clasp eyes on freelance illustrator Dong Qiu 's work, you feel yourself being pulled in multiple directions.

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Illustration Illustrator Client Art 383

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."

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Portfolio Illustration Illustrator Arts and Crafts 541

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.

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Illustration Illustrator Freelance Freelance 472

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 28, 2024

The worlds of illustration and variable fonts collide in a new project from creative duo Rob en Robin titled F. But what if the same could apply to illustrations? But what if the same could apply to illustrations? Through some research, we discovered that a font is not much different from an illustration.

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Fonts Illustration Illustrator Inspiration 375

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.

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Art Illustration Illustrator Exhibition 399

Creative Boom

MARCH 12, 2024

© Dong Qiu The Chinese artist's distinctive style blends Asian tradition with modern sensibilities, attracting global clients and resonating with audiences worldwide. The moment you clasp eyes on freelance illustrator Dong Qiu 's work, you feel yourself being pulled in multiple directions.

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Illustration Illustrator Client Art 300

Creative Boom

JANUARY 29, 2024

The work of Buenos Aires-based illustrator Sol Cotti is instantly recognisable thanks to her bold use of colour, composition and characters. Like most artists, editorial and commercial illustrator Sol Cotti grew up loving to draw. Yet despite all this, she still calls herself a self-taught illustrator who is constantly learning.

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Illustration Illustrator Advertising Advertising 415

Creative Boom

JULY 19, 2023

Image licensed via Adobe Stock There's a very special buzz that comes with landing a new client. Yet in the eternal quest for new, new, new, it's all too easy to overlook the existing clients you've already worked so hard to onboard – and not give them the time, creativity and energy they deserve. We live for the new.

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Client Freelance Freelance Adobe 245

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.

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Fashion Illustration Illustrator Client 409

Just Creative

AUGUST 9, 2021

No truer is this mantra than when you want to impress potential clients with your portfolio. That means incorporating the latest design trends so potential clients take notice and pick you over your competitors. It showcases your capabilities and convinces clients-to-be, creative directors, or hiring managers you are the real deal.

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Portfolio Client Graphic Design Graphic 353

Creative Boom

JANUARY 10, 2024

The work of illustrator Danii Pollehn is bold, unmissable and amazing. Her goal is to create artwork that stands out, whether in a mural, graphics, packaging design or an illustration. Her incredible work has already caught the attention of such illustrious clients as Adobe, Lavazza and UPS, to name a few. she enthuses.

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Freelance Freelance Illustration Illustrator 475

Creative Boom

JUNE 2, 2024

On the other hand, freelancing also brings new responsibilities: the responsibility to find clients, manage your workload, and, crucially, actually get paid on time. says illustrator and designer Kohenoor Kamal. Muralist and illustrator Briks agrees, saying: "Go for it! Clients buy into people as well as skills."

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Freelance Freelance Client Networking 414

We And The Color

JANUARY 24, 2024

Unleashing Creative Independence: Thriving in the Design World Without Clients The hustle and bustle of client relationships may not be everyone’s cup of creative tea, but envisioning a design business sans clients might seem like an oxymoron. Well, it’s time to unleash your creativity on the world.

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Client Arts and Crafts Freelance Freelance 111

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

© Van Saiyan Spanish illustrator Van Saiyan recalls special moments from his childhood when creating gloriously retro artwork that evokes the look and feel of old-school pulp comics. His illustrations have appeared in editorial columns for the likes of The Washington Post, Forbes and Entertainment Weekly. "In

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Illustration Illustrator Arts and Crafts Agency 376

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

Globe-trotting illustrator Amber Day , AKA VISBII, has created her own unique spin on the Malbon mascot in a new collaboration which pairs up the golf character with luxury watch manufacturer TAG Heuer. We ended up creating animated videos and ads combining illustrations with lifestyle photography and giant storefront displays.

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Illustration Illustrator Animation Client 355

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Peru-based illustrator Ximena Collado is known for her bright and bold fashion artwork, which depicts female body types rarely seen in the mainstream. I started an Instagram account for my illustrations and always shared my process, which was very easy because of the speed painting videos Procreate automatically makes," she explains.

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Fashion Illustration Illustrator Media 500

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.

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Illustration Illustrator Freelance Freelance 439

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.

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Freelance Freelance Illustration Illustrator 472

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Amsterdam-based artist and commercial illustrator Asia Orlando specialises in creating vibrant, playful images that pull viewers in with intricate details. It's easy to get lost in the illustrations of Asia Orlando, but that's no bad thing. This led Asia to take a bold leap towards the world of illustration. "I

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Illustration Illustrator Architecture Art 396

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

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Illustration Illustrator Freelance Freelance 388

Creative Boom

JUNE 5, 2023

Alice Bowsher's illustrations are always a delight to behold. Based in South-East London, Alice's joyful work spans packaging design, murals, book illustrations, brand identities, animations, shop displays and more, all united by her deft line work, distinctive use of black ink and charming creatures. It's nice to have space for both.

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Illustration Illustrator Artist Client 331

Creative Boom

JUNE 3, 2024

Illustration and animation studio Squid&Pig gives classic Street Fighter characters a cute, kawaii makeover in animated tributes that showcase the value of personal projects. Their client list includes the likes of Google, YouTube, and Mattel, but for one of their latest projects, they've decided to make something just for themselves.

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Animation Client Textures Illustration 319

Creative Boom

JANUARY 30, 2024

Atlanta-based graphic designer and illustrator Broly Su brings both his skills together in work inspired by retro toys, hip-hop culture and graffiti. Sleek, stylish and funny, Broly Su's award-winning illustrations have been featured by the likes of Adult Swim, NBA and Sprite, to name a few.

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Arts and Crafts Illustration Illustrator Graphic 354

Creative Boom

NOVEMBER 22, 2023

The work of London-based artist, illustrator and multidisciplinary creative Ana Curbelo is instantly recognisable thanks to her elegant style and uncompromising attitude. This ties into the fact that she sees herself as a conceptual illustrator above all else. "My Innovation seems to be at the heart of Ana Curbelo's work.

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Illustration Illustrator Portfolio Agency 363

Creative Boom

NOVEMBER 22, 2023

Berkshire-based artist and illustrator Hannah Gillingham pairs her creative skills with a love of stories to make her amazing work. Her dizzying career fulfilled a life-long love of art, which saw her study illustration and visual communication at the University of Westminster. And it's a passion which has only grown with time. "I

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Illustration Illustrator Art Inspiration 482

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

Quebec-based illustrator and graphic designer Chad Grenier uses his beautiful illustrations as a means of connecting with other people and the world around him. When we had a course in illustration, I began to understand that drawing as a job is possible. I like to think of illustration similarly as I would about art."

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Art Illustration Illustrator Graphic Design 385

Creative Boom

DECEMBER 4, 2023

UK-based illustrator Emil Paun has channelled his childhood love of sci-fi novels into an optimistic series of images that imagine a more hopeful future for humanity. That's Emil Paun's approach in his illustration series Techno Optimism. I switched to illustration when my son was born," he adds.

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Illustration Illustrator Portfolio Travel 460

Creative Boom

JUNE 28, 2022

Beijing Promenade (Mural Illustration commissioned for 798 District, Beijing). The vibrant and joyous illustrations of David Huang have won him accolades across the world. David Huang is a Taiwanese American illustrator based in New York City. So naturally, my illustrations range in medium, subjects, and colour.

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Illustration Illustrator Inspiration Client 353

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Pennsylvania-based illustrator and designer Laura Moyer has created stunning work for Disney, Pixar and Apple, all from the comfort of her cabin in the woods. But for illustrator and designer Laura Moyer, it's a reality that she wouldn't trade for the world. Most illustrators are in the same boat and are equally happy to connect.

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Internet and Software Development Illustration Illustrator Vectors 443

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

Art director and illustrator Neil Swaab recalls: "One of the best moments was getting to see my art used as key art for a Broadway musical. Similarly, for artist and illustrator Magdalena Pankiewicz , the turning point was seeing her cover design appeared on Wired IT last year. What a cool moment!"

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Freelance Freelance Illustration Illustrator 510

Creative Boom

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

Getzo-based illustrator and graphic designer Jaime Hayde specialises in creating joyful images that pop with colour. But his work really took off when he started sharing illustrations that were unapologetically true to himself. Jaime Hayde likes to speak his mind. It's a natural extension of his "sorry, not sorry" personality. "I

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Illustration Illustrator Portfolio Graphic Design 387

Creative Boom

MARCH 27, 2022

A freelance illustrator, mural artist and designer based in Glasgow, Ida Henrich creates colourful and energetic work, often exploring social and economic issues that are close to her heart. Alongside her illustrations, Ida creates murals in and around Glasgow and is also partial to the odd cartoon and watercolour painting.

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Illustration Illustrator Freelance Freelance 459

Creative Boom

AUGUST 11, 2022

Chinese illustrator Xinyue Song only graduated in 2018, yet she has already landed illustration work for the likes of Converse, CVS and Adidas. After completing a Bachelor's degree in graphic design and a Master's degree in Computer Arts from the hallowed institution, she started her career as a freelance illustrator.

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Patterns Illustration Illustrator Client 296

Creative Boom

MAY 3, 2023

The Santa Barbara-based illustrator has enjoyed plenty of success thus far, boasting clients such as Red Bull, Major League Soccer, and The Washington Post. After being a bit of a creative nomad, I went back to school at UCLA to study graphic design but discovered that being an illustrator made me happiest.

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Illustration Illustrator Artist Freelance 370