Editorial illustration collection
Editorial illustration is one of my absolute favourite design tasks to do. The challenge of communicating an entire story, article or concept via a visual translation is as exciting as it is daunting.
I love illustrating for magazines or blogs as each task is unique and completely different from the last. It gives an opportunity to experiment with different styles and storytelling techniques. In terms of style and technique, I try to add or create something new so that no two pieces look too much the same. This keeps it fresh for me and assures that the clients aren’t getting something they have seen before.
Brief / Challenge
This project is a curated collection of editorial illustrations exploring a wide range of themes, narratives, and visual styles. Each piece is built around a strong conceptual core — the challenge was not only to illustrate beautifully, but to communicate ideas, emotions, and stories with clarity and depth.
Editorial illustration relies on visual metaphor and narrative insight, and this collection showcases my process of translating abstract concepts into compelling imagery.
Role
At Érimón Studios, I led the full creative process across all illustrations:
Concept development and narrative thinking
Sketching, ideation, and exploration of visual metaphors
Iteration on composition, lighting, and framing
Style experimentation — from line work and colour palettes to more painterly or geometric approaches
Final illustration production and refinement
Process
Conceptualisation & Story Framing
Every illustration began with a narrative: an idea, a moment, or a message that needed to be expressed visually. I explored how to represent each concept metaphorically — whether through symbolism, character-driven scenes, or abstract environments. This early stage sets the tone and emotional core of each piece.
Sketching & Visual Exploration
From there, I moved into sketching: rough thumbnails, loose compositions, and multiple interpretations of the same idea. At this stage, I experimented freely — shifting perspective, adjusting character posture, adding environmental elements, or simplifying forms until the narrative felt clear and focused.
Style & Technique Experimentation
A core part of this project was pushing stylistic boundaries.
Across the collection, I experimented with:
Colour-limited palettes
Painterly shading vs. flat graphic forms
Geometric compositions
Organic, flowing line work
Surreal or symbolic scene construction
Atmospheric lighting and texture overlays
Each illustration became a sandbox for exploring new techniques while maintaining narrative clarity.
Refinement & Final Rendering
Once the concept, composition, and style were aligned, I moved into full rendering: tightening lines, refining colour choices, adding texture, and balancing visual hierarchy. The goal for each final piece was a polished illustration that communicates its message instantly — yet rewards viewers with rich detail on a closer look.
Solution / Outcome
The result is a diverse editorial illustration collection unified by storytelling. Each piece stands alone as its own narrative, yet together they showcase a wide range of moods, techniques, and conceptual approaches.
The collection highlights my ability to interpret ideas visually, develop strong metaphors, craft distinctive scenes, and experiment with aesthetic directions — from bold and graphic to soft, textured, or surreal.
Impact (Design-Led)
The collection demonstrates depth in visual storytelling — a key skill for editorial, publishing, and conceptual illustration work.
It showcases versatility across styles while maintaining a strong sense of narrative cohesion.
The experimentation pushed my illustration abilities, expanding my visual vocabulary and creative process.
The portfolio pieces have resonated with clients looking for conceptual, story-rich illustration work.
Lessons Learned & Best Practices
Narrative comes first: Strong concepts lead to stronger illustrations.
Iterate through sketches: Exploring multiple compositions reveals the best visual metaphor.
Style exploration fuels growth: Each new technique opens creative possibilities in future projects.
Composition is storytelling: Where elements sit in a frame can change the meaning entirely.
Trust the process: From rough sketches to polished final pieces, each step adds clarity and intention.