Illustration is an incredibly versatile tool that can find many different uses in design. And when it comes to web design we can find an extremely wide variety of implementations.

Today I want to dig into some key ways that this tool has been put to work so we can draw new ideas to inspire and challenge the designs we produce.

Let’s begin someplace I seldom do, with a basic definition: Illustrated: 1) To make clear; 2) To make clear by giving or by serving as an example or instance; 3) To provide with visual features intended to explain or decorate.

It seems that in the real world of web design, illustration tends to perform both functions at one time. It beautifies while it clarifies. And if it is only doing one of these you might need to ask yourself why. Perhaps by putting illustration to work fulfilling both roles is the way to truly leverage the design element for all it is worth.

This is, of course, not to say that a design can’t be successful if it only handles one or the other; certainly it can. But in order to get the most out of our work I find that challenging our thinking is always helpful. As usual, let’s dig into some groupings of samples to see what can be done with this visual device. Along the way, consider if each approach provides clarity or decoration, or both. Read more

Today, we’re going to show you a simple way to achieve a gradient-heavy illustration of a little monster.

It’s got a 3-D feel, but it’s done using only gradients. So, stick with us; we’re going to use and see some really nice easy tips for creating this little monster. The tutorial is intended for beginners.

We’ve included the Illustrator file at the bottom of this post, so you can download it to learn more from it.

If you followed this tutorial to create your own little monster, please share your results and experience with us in the comments.

Read more

Google Buzz made a loud and controversial entrance when it launched in February shrouded with privacy issues and various other concerns.

Like it or not, it seems that Google Buzz is here to stay with many blogs adding ‘buzz’ icons to their posts. Today, we’ll make it easier to add some buzz to your posts with a free and exclusive set of icons for Google Buzz.

This set includes 24 beautiful icons in raster and vector formats.

They are completely free for personal or commercial use, all we ask is that you link back to WDD if you use them.

You can see a full preview after the jump. The download button is located after the preview. Enjoy!!! Read more

Every week we feature a set of comics created exclusively for WDD.

The content revolves around web design, blogging and funny situations that we encounter in our daily lives as designers.

These great cartoons are created by Jerry King, an award-winning cartoonist who’s one of the most published, prolific and versatile cartoonists in the world today.

So for a few moments, take a break from your daily routine, have a laugh and enjoy these funny cartoons.

Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions below as well as any related stories of your own… Read more

Every week we feature a set of comics created exclusively for WDD.

The content revolves around web design, blogging and funny situations that we encounter in our daily lives as designers.

These great cartoons are created by Jerry King, an award-winning cartoonist who’s one of the most published, prolific and versatile cartoonists in the world today.

So for a few moments, take a break from your daily routine, have a laugh and enjoy these funny cartoons.

Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions below as well as any related stories of your own… Read more

Every week we feature a set of comics created exclusively for WDD.

The content revolves around web design, blogging and funny situations that we encounter in our daily lives as designers and this week we focus on Christmas.

These great cartoons are created by Jerry King, an award-winning cartoonist who’s one of the most published, prolific and versatile cartoonists in the world today.

So for a few moments, take a break from your daily routine, have a laugh and enjoy these funny cartoons.

Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions below as well as any related stories of your own… Read more

We’ve seen great success with our weekly “Favorite Tweets of the Week” posts, so today we’re introducing the “Comics of the Week”.

This is a new weekly section that will feature a set of comics created exclusively for WDD.

The content revolves around web design, blogging and funny situations that we encounter in our daily lives as designers.

These great cartoons are created by Jerry King, an award-winning cartoonist who’s one of the most published, prolific and versatile cartoonists in the world today.

So for a few moments, take a break from your daily routine, have a laugh and enjoy these funny cartoons. Read more

“Skwak” is an awesome French illustrator living in the North of France.

He created a graphic world that he calls the “Maniac World” where everything is exaggerated.

His works revisit children’s fairy tales and universal myths.

The adventures of his characters – the Maniacs – are inspired by situations from daily life (love stories, treason, manipulation, etc) and is always represented in a very exaggerated fashion.

The ‘maniacs’ express the idea of “too much”, escalation through power, wealth, plastic surgery, celebrity and much more.

We’ve compiled some of his best works for this article and have also included a short interview with “Skwak” about his fascinating work. Read more

Realistic renderings can be done easily in Adobe Illustrator.

With vector shapes, the objects can be preserved and edited infinitely which is a great advantage over raster objects.

A few simple tweaks from the Effects menu and an understanding of basic object rendering can create a bold and stunning finish.

In this tutorial, created exclusively for WDD by Wendy Ding, she’ll be guiding you step by step through the stages required to create a realistic candy bar using Illustrator. Read more