5 Ways Brands Can Use Illustration to Stand Out in 2025

As design and illustration trends shift more towards authenticity, personality, and storytelling, us creatives are becoming an essential part for brands to set themselves apart from the rest. In 2025, the brands that really stand out will be the ones who look and feel different — and custom illustration and design is one of the most powerful tools to make that happen.

Here are 5 ways brands can work with an illustrator (helloooooo me) to differentiate themselves this year…

1.) Live Activations or Personalisation.

Launch events, product debuts, intimate dinners, and small gatherings are all powerful ways to connect your brand with your audience in a meaningful, in-person setting. But what truly leaves a lasting impression is giving guests something personal to take home with them. Something like a personalised print, notebook or maybe even a hand painted leather accessory?! A thoughtful keepsake that will remind them of your event even after they step out of the door.

Over the past few years I’ve worked with brands like Papersmiths and Bonpoint to personalise prints and notebooks at on-the-day events to draw attention to either new products or to spotlight existing bestsellers. Live illustration or on-the-spot personalisation adds that extra layer of thoughtfulness and magic to your event — turning an experience into a memory.

The image above is of some personalised name illustrations that I created live for the Bonpoint x Stokke launch event in April 2024. A bespoke print was designed ahead of the event, with each guest’s child’s name hand-painted on the day for a thoughtful, custom touch.

2.) Elevate Brand Events and Spaces with Large-scale Illustration

Large-scale, installation-style illustration adds an unforgettable impact to brand events and campaigns. Having these bold, immersive designs act as real showstoppers which instantly grab attention, spark conversation, and create the kind of ‘omg-have-you-seen-this-moment’ people love to photograph and share on their social media. Not only do they elevate the atmosphere of a space, but they also generate buzz on social media, turning in-person engagement into online visibility.

So what do I mean by large-scale-illustration? Think - murals, billboards, wall vinyls, window displays, installations! All of these things fall under the realm of illustration and I’m always up for the challenge!

3.) Creating Custom Products & Packaging

I don’t know about you but I am an absolute sucker for good packaging, with well thought out, designed details and hidden messages and elements for the customer to discover.

As an illustrator, I love working with brands to bring their ideas to life and create custom products and packaging that not only look beautiful but also feel exciting and unique. Whether it’s a limited-edition product, a campaign, or a packaging refresh, I am up for anything and ready to take on the project!

Packaging design for Lockenbox.

So if you need your packaging to stand out from your competitors, and be something that your customers want to keep and not just recycle then let’s design something truly unique, just for your brand!

4.) Bring Data to Life Through Illustration

If you’re a brand that replies on data and numbers as a big part of your business, but want to make it more engaging and exciting, you’re in the right place!

As an illustrator, I can help you bring data to life by making it more accessible and easy to understand. Turning complex numbers, insights, and information into fun illustrations with a lot more personality. Rather than relying on standard charts and graphs, your employees or customers will have something much more interesting to look at!

Whether it's for annual reports, social campaigns or editorial features, illustrated data adds personality meaning people can actually connect with it!

5.) Make your Marketing Fun!

Marketing is all about capturing attention — so why not make it fun and memorable. Having an illustrator on board can play a huge role here. Whether it's collaborating with content creators (something many illustrators do as part of their creative practice) or designing custom illustrated assets for emails, social media, or digital campaigns, adding a playful visual element brings your marketing to life! It not only stands out in a crowded feed, but also helps your brand feel more human, creative, and worth remembering.

Here are some ways that we can work together in more detail-

📱Social Media Graphics

Illustrated posts, stories, and carousels designed to grab peoples attention. Perfect for campaigns, product features, launches and updates!

💌 Email & Newsletter Assets

Make your emails more engaging with hand-drawn illustrations, icons, or header images.

🧩 Illustrated Campaign Elements

Bring your big ideas to life — think illustrated product launches, seasonal promos or website assests, or themed content!

Will your brand be harnessing any of these tips to stand out from the crowd in 2025? If you’d like to work with me on any of the above areas, send me an email and let’s chat about how we can bring your ideas to life!