This week we looked at illustration.
Hockney approached illustration in an interesting way. Utilising the technology of the time to create something new. David Hockney’s work has always stood out to me as something incredibly joyful and deeply human. There’s something about the way he uses colour and light that feels so honest, almost like he’s painting exactly how he sees and feels in the moment. His portraits and pool scenes especially have this dreamy quality, but still manage to stay grounded and real. I’ve always admired how he moves between mediums so freely, from painting to photography to digital drawing, without losing that distinct Hockney touch. What I find interesting is how his work often feels nostalgic without trying too hard, like it captures a specific mood or memory you didn’t realise you had. While a lot of his imagery has been picked up and echoed in popular culture, I think his original work still holds a sense of sincerity that’s hard to replicate.
Neil Stevens’s approach to digital illustration, to me, is the epitome of contemporary illustration. We see Steven’s work and those inspired by him used by large corporations within their promotional material. I believe this style has found great success, especially amongst these industries as they come across as very inoffensive and accessible. Stevens work itself is beautiful, reminiscent of the 1960’s with its rich colour and unique tailoring, however I believe his success has been corrupted in a sense by these large corporations, typically within the tech industry. There seems to be a consensus amongst users that these types of illustrations plastered on advertising and promotional material feel inauthentic and people have come to rally for something more personal.
Uber’s current illustrations feel like they’ve really found their place. They’re minimal and muted, but still carry just enough character to keep things from feeling cold. I think what works so well is how they’re clearly designed to sit within the product, not on top of it. Nothing is trying too hard to be clever or overly expressive, which suits the tone Uber seems to be going for now. It’s all very calm and measured, but there’s still a bit of softness in there that keeps it feeling human. I wouldn’t call them exciting, but they do the job really well.
Kyle Tezak’s work for US Bank stood out to me because of how seamlessly illustration is woven into the interface. It doesn’t feel like it’s there just to decorate, but actually plays a role in shaping the overall tone of the product. The illustrations are warm and minimal, and they help soften what would usually be a pretty formal and dry experience. What I like is that nothing feels out of place or overly branded, it’s just calm and confident. It shows how illustration can sit inside UI without shouting for attention, and still make the experience feel more personal.
