Custom Illustration Style
CONFIDENTIAL CLIENT
Developing a science- and education-focused illustration style through the lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
This client required a unique illustration style for their brand that could cohesively convey their many endeavors across education, community, tech, and science. It was also imperative that the illustrations embodied the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion values. To do this, we created a highly adaptable, geometric, and modular style that could be customized for any format and need. We also built a library of assets and a use guide to make sure diversity was overtly considered and mindfully engineered into the system.
ILLUSTRATION
BRAND GUIDELINES
MERCHANDISE
Key qualities of the illustration style
Texture & Color
Because geometric forms can often feel cold and flat, we introduced halftones to add warmth and nostalgia, shadows, and depth. A limited color palette keeps illustrations cohesive and optimistic.
Geometric forms
The majority of the illustration assets are based on geometric shapes. This gives a nod to the tech and science part of the brand, and works well with the modular layouts.
A community of real people
Each illustration tells a story, and the people in it have purpose. Diversity across gender, body type, ability, sexual orientation, religion, and more is considered in each illustration so that the community is representative of as many people as possible.
Adaptable + functional
We developed a full library of customizable assets (people, objects, scenery) that can be rearranged to create new compositions. The modular layout style allows many concepts to come together and adapt to any size.
Our top 5 DEI learnings for inclusive illustration
-
![Illustration: Three women talking]()
01 General diversity
Consider different religions, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, income levels, education, and neurodiversity. This list is not exhaustive, nor are these aspects always possible to convey visually—however it is important to keep all types of diversity in mind when creating or choosing an illustration.
-
![Illustration: Woman in wheelchair, woman kneeling next to her]()
02 Physical diversity
Rather than using generic or idealized body constructs, include a range of body types and abilities. Ability can range from the use of a wheelchair to a hearing aid. Also consider height, weight, race, hairstyle, age, clothing, and gender.
-
![Illustration: Male couple with kid on shoulders]()
03 Interactions and roles
It is not enough for people to look diverse in illustrations. They also need to be positively interacting with each other. Consider who is interacting with who, and how. Consider gender norms, body language, class, race, age, etc. Also consider how people interact with objects and environments.
-
![Illustration: POC medical professionals, man and woman]()
04 Break stereotypes
Depicting stereotypes reinforces the narrative, while breaking from stereotypes helps to redefine the narrative. Consider whether you are reinforcing any stereotypes—especially across gender, race, and ethnicity.
-
![Illustrations: Hands with varying skin tones and colors]()
05 Use real and varied skin tones
Avoid using stark white, black, or yellow as a skin tone: realistic skin tones achieve ethnic and racial diversity in a way that using unexpected (or branded) colors, such as purple and yellow, can’t. Using white or black is inadvisable as it creates an oversimplified dichotomy of racial and ethnic diversity.
-
![Illustration of woman using computer, with desk plant and speech bubbles]()
Further reading
Designing Adobe’s Brand Illustration Style
You Can’t Just Draw Purple People and Call It Diversity
Designing Inclusive Illustrations (or, A Brief History of the Meeple)
Brand Illustration Systems: Drawing a Strong Visual Identity
Building a Brand Illustration Style That (Finally) Pays Homage to the Gig Economy Workforce
