An illustration makes the biggest impact on your audience when it evokes a feeling and tells a story. Are your illustrations making that impact?

If we dive deep into why humans make decisions on obtaining a want, you can bet graphic design & illustration has a little something to do with it. But if we dive a little deeper, we can understand why.

Bring something fresh to the table

When I first set out to create illustrations for a self-driven side project, my goal was to offer something unique and that told a story.

In searching for what this project might be, at the time, I noticed the souvenir sticker market was over saturated with designs that weren’t executed well or could be found in EVERY gift shop.

As an occasional tourist myself, I was always on the hunt for something special that I could commemorate my trip with. Something no one else would have. And these souvenir stickers weren’t something I would be interested in.

This is where I saw an opportunity to bring something fresh to the table. So I took a popular concept that I was seeing everywhere, and redesigned it with “feeling” and a story behind it.

The Happy Camper design was born.

It was a design the spoke of simpler days, connecting with nature, and enjoying the company of friends or family in a natural setting.

And guess what, it not only became the first design that started my business. But has been a best seller ever since.

So what makes an illustration impactful?

An illustration or design that has the ability to create impact typically tells a story, evokes a feeling, offers a sense of joy or escapism. And is something that more than one person can relate to in their own way.

Start with a story. Finish with style.

That’s where the Happy Camper design started; With an experience. A story to tell.

The next part was to align that feeling with an aesthetic.

The 70s (even though I was born in the 80s) was the era of minimalist design that, somehow, exuded personality. Social and economic challenges aside, the overall design “tone” of the decade was earthy, simple, and casual so naturally, this aesthetic paired nicely with the story I was trying to tell.

The signs of an impactful illustration

One way to identify an impactful illustration as you create or experience it is how do YOU feel about it?

• Does it excite you?

• Does it recall a good memory?

• Does it inspire action? Or invite you to inquire further?

Typically if you can feel this in your own work, others will feel it too.

When I used to attend markets as a vendor, I’d see people pass by my booth. Look at a sticker or card. And stare at it with a smile.

They’ll pick it up an start telling me their story about road trips they took with their family when they were young. Or the adventures in camping they had as a teen. Or a positive experience they long forgot about.

That twinkle in the eye tells me I’ve done my job. Even if they don’t buy anything.

I feel that connecting with these parts of ourselves, our memories, and our stories, is the antidote to stress relief and living a happier life. So, naturally, it makes sense to weave that into an illustration to bring people to those places without having to go anywhere.

 What’s an illustration that gives you this feeling? Comment below!

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