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
Very good examples of what we can do with simple illustrations on Web…
I actually think microstock sites such as istock are playing a big part in making vectors available to designers. Before illustrations were either expensive stock illustrations or cheesy clipart and not much in the middle. Outlets like istock make it possible for designers to find, licence and use high quality, up to date vector illustrations. About 1/3 of the designs posted here feature illustrators on istock.
I’ve been using vector drawings on my site for quite a while too. http://www.expansionbroadcast.com
Good guide … agree with comment above re istock … know of several “designers” who can cut and paste vectors from stock with the best of em :)
A very good selection of sites. Like that you mentioned Veerle first – she must’ve been one of the first designers to use this style.
A qyestion: How do you make your images grow larger, on mouse over?
This is a great collection of sites. I am planning on using illustration in my upcoming redesign. When I took history of graphic design in college we studied about how much easier it is for people to relate to an illustrated person than a photograph. There is a natural tendency to look at a photo and think “I am not that skinny/tall,etc” but with an illustration of a person its easier to relate rather than compare.
I love Stoodéo’s design! Very clean! Good job
I particularly like the jek2k design – simple, clean but striking!
Great selection. I really like Stoodeo’s header, so catchy!
Very inspirational collection of vector art!
And whatabout foodex.cz? :-)
It’s not totally vector, but I’d really like to add my partner’s illustration that he did for our site: intuitivedesigns.net. I really like what he did for the site and it always amazes me what he can come up with.
Hi,
yes, vectors are very popular. And if you are an illustrator you can make quite some money on the big stockphoto and -image sites. I have written an article with some information on getting your vectors and photos listed on istockphoto.com
Check out my blog for details.
Sven
Brilliant websites, Excellent artwork and inspiration content. I will sure use some those ideas in my upcoming venture.
Love,
Ganesh
Brilliant websites, Excellent artwork and Inspirational content. I will surely use, some those ideas in my upcoming venture.
Love,
Ganesh
WOW! This is a very nice collection of vector illustrated headers on websites. You have done a very nice work of bringing them on one platform for all of us to see.
Another site with good vector illustrations: picanti sexshop
I use vector illustrations on my site as well!
http://www.youthedesigner.com
what about http://www.popwhore.com
It is great to see Jek2k in the list, he/they designed our publication!!! She Thinks Geek, She Unlimited I love the list, great picks!!!