Here’s the dilemma: you are working on a design concept to communicate a new message to your audience, when a team member asks: “Will this involve a photographer or illustrator?” How do you choose?

Making a decision between the two options isn’t a clear-cut choice. Here are our three top tips for choosing illustration over photography in your next design project:

Expressing something abstract?

Illustration is the perfect choice for abstract themes. The nature of what you’re trying to convey may not lend itself to a specific visual, which is why illustration works well for something more abstract. Perhaps you’re trying to convey a complex new business strategy for which photography wouldn’t work as effectively. A potentially dry subject can be imaginatively brought to life with some creative illustrative designs to help communicate abstract ideas to your target audience. Illustration can also help a business get across its brand values in a playful, innovative way.

Want to tell your story imaginatively? 

A business can really get across its brand’s personality and purpose by engaging with consumers through compelling storytelling.  Take your audience on a journey with illustrated characters and creative scenes that reflect the personality of your brand, resonating with your customers in a memorable way.

If there’s a key issue or business update you want to communicate in an eye-catching, bespoke way, then illustration can effectively convey messages that are important to your brand.

Need to bring some data to life?

This is when illustration really plays a key part. There has been a huge boom in infographics over the past decade, helped along by visual content-sharing platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest from which consumers are engaging with thought-provoking imagery.

Complex information is far easier to absorb when it’s presented visually, which is where illustration really steps up over the use of photography. Add some sparkle to a spreadsheet or bring to life a list of facts and figures with a clever touch of creativity, and you’ve quickly engaged your audience who could otherwise have been switched off by the complexities of what you wish to convey.

But where do you start?

With our team of talented illustrators, we can help communicate your key messages creatively through illustrative design. Let’s chat: hello@studiomix.co.uk.