Guest Blogger: A Case for Illustration

Posted on 22. Jul, 2009 by Glow Images in Guest Blogger, Illustration

Credits: globe in jar © rubberball/glowimages.com; home owner ©Stephanie Carter/ImageZoo/glowimages.com

Long before mega-pixel madness hit the market, illustration was top dog in the graphic design industry. Over the past decade, a bloom of stock photo sites and affordable, professional-quality digital cameras have overshadowed illustration in the world of stock imagery and advertising.

The appeal of photography is quite simple, real pictures are believable. Photography is the perfect medium for telling a story about real people or a specific product. Compelling photos capture a moment in time, creating an attraction between the viewer and the context of that photo.

Illustration, on the other hand, is an ancient and visceral medium. At the dawn of mankind, our primitive ancestors transmitted information to one another through charcoal and ash cave paintings. Illustration has evolved over the centuries, but the purpose remains the same, to effectively communicate ideas and information. There are several factors that make illustration an effective medium to use:

Illustration adds a natural and hand-drawn quality to a project that photography can’t.
Illustration can provide a visual representation of something described in text.
Illustration can evoke a sense of emotion through vibrant color, texture, and style.
Illustration can help visualize conceptual ideas that may be difficult to describe with a photo.
Illustration can direct emphasis or exaggeration to a character or idea.
Illustration shows self-expression & creativity, capturing the essence of the artist.
Illustration can set a tone, from humor to somber.
Illustration can enhance a tale or a story and gives characters in a story a face or persona.

The decision to use photography or illustration will be based on the message you’re trying to convey. Allowing yourself to not be tied to one graphic medium gives you more creative flexibility and opportunities with your projects and promotions.

As you plan your next project, think about illustration as a fresh alternative to photography that will add a dynamic look to your work.

Pirate and Bird illustrations © Corey Smith

Article submitted by Corey Smith, digital illustrator and art director specializing in the creative development and growth of stock image collections. Email: katcorey@comcast.netld of stock imagery and advertising.