Illustration Trends – 5.5.22

 

Illustration Trends – 5.5.22

Throughout 2020 and 2021, the whole world shut down, including the illustration business. The impact of the pandemic translated into the type of illustrations people where creating. A big trend included medical illustration, creating all types of posters and campaigns. A lot of the world was dominated by the illustration side as it became the primary method of advertisement and campaigning. For example, a lot of the posters for the NHS were illustrated with imagery to encourage people to wash their hands for longer and try to stop the spread of covid. Another example is the many charts and data pages shown throughout the years on the news, which were all graphic as well as informative.

Because of Lockdown, illustration became the norm as things like photography and filmography could not safely be conducted. Even out of the media, many freelance illustrators created artworks to honour those working in the pandemic, also creating pieces that helped push forwards moral in the tougher weeks. Some examples of this work can be seen by Hiep Le Duc, who created illustrations to sell based on the pandemic in order to fund rice ATMs in Vietnam, a country heavily affected by the economic crisis the pandemic caused. Le Duc’s artwork is fascinating to look at, he managed to combine digital styles with a paper like texture over the top. Illustrators such as Le Duc managed to create artworks to try and showcase the efforts of doctors and nurses around the world, their artworks impact the general public by highlighting the determination and strength the medical field has throughout the crisis, helping those in need and risking their own health to do so.

Another trend throughout 2020 and 2021 included more abstract and painterly styles. These styles grew more popular throughout the pandemic to bring some sense of life to a struggling society. This style trended more so during the pandemic to make up for the fact that illustration and animation was now taking the full strain of the branding, advertisement and marketing work that needed to be completed. Using a more simple, less intricate style to create these outcomes was a way to save time whilst keeping up the standards as well as quality.

An example of this can be seen within the Heinz advertisement for their ketchup, they kept it simple and still provided a impactful advertisement for their product. Another useful take from this advertisement is the involvement of multiple people, although small, this marketing worked well in the idea to bring together people during a time of separation.

Another brand that took hold of the graphic and abstract styles was Spotify, they created a bunch of colourful characters that showcased that people despite being a part could bond through music. The use of simple shapes and bright colours makes the style a direct link to Spotify. Something to note is also the fact that the style of the characters match Spotify logo and overall style, making a direct connection to the brand.