As you probably know, illustration is a big trend now. We see them every where from fashion design, print media to web design. Here is a nice collection of over 30 sites that demonstrated excellent use of vector illustration. This set of site has proven that illustration is suitable for all type of sites — from personal blogs, to designer showcases, and even professional or corporate sites. Not only illustration can set the mood and characteristic of the site, but it can also establish an icon (branding) of your corporate image. Here are some good examples...
Veerle Blog
You should recognize her by now. Veerle has been using the same illustration and design for quite a bit of time, but it still looks so refreshing.
Freelance Switch
What is the best way to describe your team and personality? Obviously, illustrate it!
Joyent
Who said a hosting site must be filled with computer and server rack photos? Joyent developed a very friendly (yet professional) corporate image by using simple illustrations.
Stoodeo
See how a single-page site can be so attractive?
Cork'd
Although there is only one illustration throughout entire site, but that character with a wine bottle is stamped in my head — simple and memorable.
More illustrated sites
- Five Runs
- Stoodeo
- Veerle Blog
- Freelance Switch
- Ellislab
- Corkd
- Caty Design Studio
- Hiitch
- Joyent
- Cubamoon
- Disenorama
- Doug Dosberg
- Enrichmint
- Global Zoo
- Carbonmade
- Jamie Huskisson
- Jek2k
- Koder
- Linksguy
- Lovetastic
- Mom Advice
- ReductoStart
- Slice n Dice
- Sprawsm
- Take a Benylin day
- The Found Bin
- VG Design
- Viniloe Studio
- Cindy Li
- Brent Ayers
- Bubblessoc
Vector art is definitely gaining popularity.
I love the roll over expanding images, nice touch
(congrats on the new site btw, great design)
Talented people always make nice³ works with Illustrator.
Thanks for share this ;)
You always give us good site’s to check out thanks. Nick
I love going to sites and seeing vector illustrations, they are always so inspiring. I always use a vector illustration in my layouts.
I love vector illustrations. I like simple yet bright designs and vectors allow that instantly. The soft curves and bright colours always put a smile on my face.
Yeap, even simple vector illustration gives so much “vitality” to the design but also “closes the door” – there are not many web developers who can bring that stuff to their sites, because they are “workers”, not artist. However, that’s good, because vector art still will be that unique.
Vector arts are definitely popular. I like the expression they can hold and you can always tell the mood of website when you see the vector images. I need to learn how to create vector images. Great thread but you left out E-Surance which their whole campaign is ran on vector images.
As Shortshire said, E-Surance heavily uses their vector character art, and I am wondering if they are even responsible for popularizing the trend (a lot of the examples in this article look very, very similair to e-surance’s characters).
Hi Nick, thanks for mentioning globalzoo.de. I”m honored! Love your blog and all your other projects. Keep up the good work! Greetz from Germany
We love us some vector. Almost every client we get requests some kind of illustration or character. Lots of great sites here. Great to see EllisLab in the mix!
That is a nice collection of sites with outstanding illustrations. Not only vector based illustrations, but all kinds of drawings are popping out around the internet. And quite a few illustrators have been around for some time now…
I think it’s important not to get too caught up in calling these out as ‘vector’ graphics. It’s less about the method that these were created with than the style, color and detail. Raster vs. vector doesn’t matter as much as good vs bad, this is a great set of good designs.
I really like the “Realistic” ones, but the other cartoony characters look retarded. I can’t stand those Freelance switch neckless little shits. I’ve had to Block those images Opera just so i can visit the site. Bleh.
Great! Thanks! :)
Vector art just looks a lot better. It’s pretty difficult to do for facial images or characters.
Just want to say THANK YOU for your post! I enjoy it and your site very much!
tenmonkey from China :)
I find that Vector Art is one of the best ways and forms of advertising. 1 you get what you want, 2, it’s clear, vibrant. The mood it sets is one-of-a-kind. Good capture on vector!
Cheers!
Nice post. Im trying to understand the whole vector thing. Good inspiration on this one :)
I’m always amazed at what people (other than myself) can do. Gorgeous stuff.
Fantastic!