Illustration vs. Art: Why I Design to Fit Your Brand, Not Mine
When I was in college, I spent time in both the art school and the design school, and the contrast between the two was striking.
I remember a particular photography class in the art department where we all presented our work. It was a very open-ended process—you could explain your work in whatever way made sense to you, and as long as you had a compelling story, it was valid. There was no real “wrong” answer. The work was about self-expression, personal vision, and meaning. Everyone had their own interpretation, and that was the point.
Then, I’d go to my design classes, and the experience was completely different. The work we were creating wasn’t just about what we wanted to say—it was about solving a specific problem. We had constraints: target audiences, brand guidelines, usability concerns, and real-world applications. The goal wasn’t just to make something interesting or beautiful; it had to function effectively for a client or a user.
That distinction stuck with me, and it shaped the way I approach illustration today.
Illustration as a Problem-Solving Tool
Many people think of illustration as purely an art form—something deeply personal, an extension of the artist’s inner world. And while that’s true in many cases, professional illustration (especially in branding and editorial work) functions much more like design. It’s not about my personal style or self-expression; it’s about communicating a message, fitting within an existing visual identity, and enhancing a brand’s story.
The image above is a great example of this. Each illustration was created for a different client, each with its own style guide and purpose:
A (Top Left) – A retro-inspired children’s book illustration with bold colors and playful, vintage-inspired details.
B (Top Right) – A lively, character-driven piece created for Chewy, a national pet brand, aligning with their friendly and engaging brand identity.
C (Bottom Left) – A minimalist, single-line drawing created for a meditation teacher’s personal identity, meant to evoke calm and introspection.
D (Bottom Right) – A clean, dynamic illustration designed for ASU Prep, an education-focused client needing clear, engaging visuals for their audience.
Each piece serves a different purpose, follows a different aesthetic, and is guided by different creative constraints. None of them are just about my personal artistic vision—they are intentional designs that meet the needs of the brand.
When I illustrate for a brand, I’m not just making something that looks good. I’m creating an asset that needs to seamlessly integrate into a broader identity—matching typography, colors, and brand voice while maintaining clarity and impact.
This means I have to be adaptable. I might love working in a certain colorful retro styles for my personal work, but if a client’s brand is minimal and sleek, my job is to align with that aesthetic while still bringing my unique skills to the table.
The Difference Between an Illustrator and an Artist
An artist creates work for themselves first and foremost. The success of the piece is often measured by personal satisfaction, emotional resonance, or how it connects with an audience on a deeper level. There’s no right or wrong—only personal expression.
An illustrator, on the other hand, creates work that serves a purpose beyond themselves. The measure of success isn’t just “Do I love this?” but “Does this solve the problem it was designed to solve?” That might mean:
Making complex ideas easier to understand through visuals.
Evoking a specific mood that aligns with a brand’s message.
Creating consistency across a brand’s touchpoints.
Designing graphics that work across multiple mediums, from print to digital.
Why This Matters for Clients
For business owners, this distinction is important to understand when hiring an illustrator. If you’re commissioning artwork for your brand, you don’t just want an artist who will create in their own signature style without considering your brand identity. You want someone who understands how to apply their skills strategically—someone who thinks like a designer.
That’s where I come in. My background in both illustration and design allows me to create work that is both expressive and functional, blending creativity with strategy.
If you’re looking for illustration that enhances your brand rather than just existing as a standalone piece of art, let’s talk. I’d love to help bring your vision to life.
