Illustrations

Images created specifically for an organization stand out in a sea of clip/AI/boring images.

In addition to telling a story, illustrations can be inclusive. A photo usually comes with a noticeable gender, age, or ethnicity. This illustration was created during COVID lockdown. By using a non-traditional flesh tone, and hands of indeterminate ethnicity, the readers were able to see themselves in the magazine cover.

By using images familiar to an audience, you can build heart share with your audience. These elements are campus architectural features all alums would be familiar with.

By creating a familiar door on the campus, and by using rainbow gradients for the writing — in addition to announcing a new organizational strategic plan — the illustration signaled to current and former LGBTQI+ students changes in policy. I was contacted by a former student to let me know they were moved by the inclusion of the rainbow text.