Website illustration 101
Illustrations are a versatile and fun way to create a custom website design. From hand drawn images, to elements, to lettering, everything about a fully-illustrated or sketched image, looks and feels one of a kind. That’s one of the reasons it is so popular.![concept](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2016/01/concept.jpg)
- Illustrations allow users to picture themselves in the scene you are setting because it does not focus on actual other people.
- There’s an element of whimsy that can only be accomplished with a drawing.
- Illustrations can mesh reality and imagination for a design that is extraordinary.
- Customization is easy when you are drawing the art elements.
- Illustrations are often quite colorful and can help you take advantage of the big, bright color trend.
- The technique is usable even if you aren’t an illustrator thanks to design kits or packs that are full of illustrated parts that can be used throughout a project.
- Illustrations can take on many different moods or styles, from sketches to elaborate drawings to computer-generated graphics.
![hwawi](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2016/01/hwawi.jpg)
Hero-style illustrations
Because hero headers are big, this is one of the easiest places to see the illustration trend. It’s also being used for a large number of sites from portfolios to retail to app preview pages. What’s nice about an illustrated hero image is that there’s enough room for a quite complex piece of artwork. Small details, shading and color and interactions all have room to breathe, making it easier for users to explore each element.![seattle](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2016/01/seattle.jpg)
- The artwork has to be good. Users aren’t going to spend any time looking at an illustration that they don’t get or is just a sloppy mess. So take time and care with it.
- While the illustration may have depths of complexity, the overall message should be simple. Know what the image is supposed to say and make sure the elements contribute to the message.
- Work with a professional. Just because you can draw hearts on a napkin does not mean you are ready to draw a full-scale website illustration. This process takes time and planning to really work. (And it can be expensive, so make sure this is the right aesthetic before you dive in.)
![climate](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2016/01/climate.jpg)
Add simple animation
While a static drawing can have a lot of impact on its own, the Web is alive with movement these days. Pair an illustration with subtle animations or scroll effects to encourage users to click around.![ot24](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2016/01/ot24.jpg)
![hugo](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2016/01/hugo.jpg)
Illustrated icons or UI elements
If an all-out illustrated website design is not your thing, consider a few illustrated icons or user interface elements. This is a simple way to ease into the trend. (And there are plenty of icon and UI kits out there that feature illustrated styles to help you get started.)![iqor](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2016/01/iqor.jpg)
![kunstman](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2016/01/kunstman.jpg)
Hand-drawn lettering
Another big trend in website design is custom typography. Combine the concepts of illustration and lettering for a hand-drawn logo, main text block or typographic art element. This text-based visual can have a big impact (especially when it is oversized or used as the main art element in the design).![dead](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2016/01/dead.jpg)
![cancer](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2016/01/cancer.jpg)
Conclusion
While breaking into the world of illustration for website design projects might seem a little intimidating at first, it is something that many designers can do. From drawing by hand to having computer assistance or working with a kit, the options are pretty limitless. It’s something to think about when it comes to those projects that demand doing something a little different. And it’s trendy enough that you might get asked about creating something in this style. So this is a good time to freshen up your sketching skills and think about ways an illustrated website design framework could work for you.Carrie Cousins
Carrie Cousins is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience in the communications industry, including writing for print and online publications, and design and editing. You can connect with Carrie on Twitter @carriecousins.
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