Blog Archives

Merry Christmas – I sing the Grinch song.

As 2023 draws to a close, I reflect on a year filled with creativity, collaboration, and, most importantly, your continued support.

Enclosed is this year’s Christmas card from me to you.

🎅 Santa's Wine Fun! | 'Grinch' Song & Timelapse Cartoon 🍷

This year, our jolly friend Santa is enjoying a glass of exquisite Pic Saint-Loup red wine I left out for him – a refined alternative to milk and cookies and a tribute to the beautiful Languedoc region where my studio and home are located. The Grinch just couldn’t resist and grabbed a bottle too.

I even sang a little serenade on the video Holiday Greeting Card, the classic: “You’re a mean one, Mister Grinch”.

(Don’t worry, I won’t be quitting my day job – singing is just a hobby.)

Click HERE to view the full-size (and animated) version of the card on YouTube.

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“Gezeichnet 2023” in Bern: Schweizer Pressezeichnungen im Jahresrückblick

I’m delighted to announce my return to the renowned “Gezeichnet” exhibition in Bern, Switzerland. After several years, I am participating again, this time with five of my press drawings from the past year, showcasing my work as an editorial illustrator and cartoonist for the Nebelspalter satirical magazine.

The exhibition’s Vernissage, a key highlight, is scheduled for tomorrow evening, December 14th. It will commence at the Yehudi Menuhin Forum with an engaging Vernissage Talk, followed by an exhibition viewing and apéro at the Bern Museum for Communication.

This occasion presents a rare opportunity to personally meet many of the participating Swiss press cartoonists. The evening will also feature a live discussion hosted by Arena moderator Sandro Brotz, joined by two prominent politicians for a mix of political and humorous reflections on the year. Additionally, caricaturists Caroline Rutz and Carlo Schneider will offer live satirical commentary.

Exhibition Details:
“Gezeichnet 2023”
Bern Museum for Communication
Duration: December 15, 2023, to February 25, 2024
Location: Helvetiastrasse 16, 3000 Bern 6
Contact: T 031 357 55 55

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Concept Drawings: Volkswagen Sedric

Creating Concept Drawings for the Volkswagen Sedric Concept Car Presentation at CEBIT 2018 *

As an illustrator, I encounter various projects, each offering distinct challenges and creative opportunities. One particular project that holds a significant place among my favortes is the creation of concept drawings for the Volkswagen Sedric Concept Car presentation at CEBIT 2018. These drawings aimed to convey a compelling narrative, capturing the essence of this innovative concept car in a visually engaging manner. Familiar with the unpredictable nature of creative projects, I embraced the challenge when the assignment came on short notice. Time constraints were no obstacle for me, as I thrive in such situations, drawing upon experience and adaptability to deliver results swiftly and effectively.

The Volkswagen Sedric self-driving concept car is a pioneering innovation in the automotive world, representing a glimpse into the future of mobility. Designed with a focus on autonomous driving technology, the Sedric Concept Car aims to redefine the way we perceive transportation. This revolutionary vehicle embodies Volkswagen’s commitment to innovation, sustainable transportation, and cutting-edge design. With its sleek, futuristic appearance and state-of-the-art autonomous capabilities, the Sedric Concept Car is not just an automobile; it’s a visionary step towards a new era of transportation that prioritizes safety, convenience, and environmental sustainability.

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Künzli Optik’s Optical Illusion

Advertising Illustration for Künzli Optik Switzerland

In the world of advertising illustration, let’s explore a captivating scenario where eyeglasses have the remarkable ability to transform everyday people into potential celebrities. This imaginative concept found its way to my drawing board, thanks to Creative Director Daniel Matter from the respected advertising agency Matter & Gretener.

I’m Ian David Marsden, an experienced illustrator passionate about visual storytelling. I had the privilege of bringing this compelling idea to life. The task was clear: create minimalist illustrations that delicately balanced intrigue and recognition. The goal was simple – to make you ponder, “Could that be…?”

The outcome? Four remarkable posters and ads that captivated audiences and sparked conversations. Thoughtfully placed in prominent publications, on trams, in public transport, and along roadside billboards, these posters themselves became optical illusions. With a subtle touch, they left you wondering, “Hey, isn’t that a familiar face?”

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Concept Art for Lindt Chocolate

In this gallery I would like to show some concept illustrations created in 2015 for Lindt Chocolate.

Lindt Gold Bunny / Goldhase
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AN2V Kakemonos / Commercial Banner Illustration

I am frequently consulted by my clients to assist with marketing and advertising projects, with concepts and ideas, layouts and graphic design suggestions as well as of course drawings and illustration elements.

AN2V, the Association Nationale de la Vidéoprotection approached me for a very interesting project. Founded in 2004 by Dominique LEGRAND, this remarkable association was established to address the growing need for the exchange of experiences in the field of security technology. At the time, video surveillance, which we now call videoprotection, lacked structure, and many users were grappling with the challenges of deployment.

What sets AN2V apart is its unique combination of “demand” from both public and private users, along with companies offering products and services in the realm of security technologies. AN2V is truly one of a kind, and I was privileged to collaborate with them.

AN2V presented me with an exciting challenge – to create three distinctive, large-scale Kakémono display banners, each measuring 2.10 meters by 0.85 meters. These banners were designed to represent three key facets of AN2V’s activities: training, the association itself, and the universities they organize.

Two of the AN2V Kakemono banners on display at a tradeshow
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Drawn by Human Hand – Created by Natural Intelligence

Is the technological singularity just around the corner?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity

This is not an anti-AI post. It’s remarkable to see how far artificial intelligence (AI) has come, to the point where it can now compete with human abilities. I stare in marvel (and horror) at the current generation of AI generated images.

made by human hand - made with natural intelligence - illustrated logo - free to use, royalty free,

Maybe the above logo will become the art equivalent of the BIO labels at grocery stores

I am not someone who shies away from new tools or techniques, nor am I a technophobe. As someone who has been an avid fan and user of computers since childhood, I have experienced the evolution of technology firsthand. It always seemed inevitable that this day would arrive at some point, I think what is most surprising is how rapidly it is suddenly advancing. It is difficult for us to understand, because the human brain is not wired for exponential growth. We simply can not understand and imagine it.

Made by human hand and natural intelligence...
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Erklärvideo Schweiz – Part 2 LAP Learning Video

Part 2 in a series of fun and inviting presentation videos for Learning Nuggets for the Swiss Lehrabschlussprüfung (LAP) Vorbereitung training course. Success and a good grade for the LAP test are ensured.

Lernnuggets Presentation Video 2

See Part 1 here: https://marsdenillustration.com/learning-videos01/

Next-Generation Learning and #BYOD (bring your own devices) prepares you for all phases of this important milestone for your career in Switzerland.

Evolving drawings, llustrations and caricatures invite you to find out more about this outstanding training program in a series of short explainer videos illustrated by Ian David Marsden – marsdenillustration.com .

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How to Effectively Use Mascots and Comic Art to Convey Your Message – Marsden Illustration

Mascots and comic art are powerful marketing tools that businesses of all sizes and types can use to effectively communicate their message to audiences of all ages and completely transcend language barriers.

The Power of Comic Strips

Comic strips can communicate concepts and ideas to audiences of all ages and completely transcend languages. They can be used to give friendly reminders, offer tips, and provide educational material. For example, Coca-Cola assigned me to create wordless comic strips to remind people to recycle cans which were printed directly on the cans. These strips can also be used for internal purposes such as employee training and skill development, corporate training and executive briefings, or to enhance presentations and PowerPoint slides. They are also a wonderful media for e-learning or educational material.

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Nebelspalter Caricature – Appenzell not happy

Cartoon / Caricature Illustration for Nebelspalter Magazine 02/2023 – Tor des Monats.
Apparently Swiss Bundesrat Elisabeth Baume-Schneider said a few things that made the inhabitants of the Appenzell regions somewhat upset.

Caricature Drawing Elisabeth Baume-Schneider VS Appenzell
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The Power of Custom-Created and hand drawn Explainer Videos: Why They’re Worth the Investment

Explainer videos have become a popular tool for businesses and startups to market their products and ideas in an engaging and informative way. But not all explainer videos are created equal. Cheap productions that use reusable clipart and avatars may seem like a cost-effective option, but investing in custom-created and hand-drawn explainer videos can have numerous benefits for your business.

Custom-created and hand-drawn explainer videos offer an elegant and tailored solution to suit any product or presentation. With the art of illustration, any scenario is possible for a reasonable budget, making it a more cost-effective option than traditional methods such as a photoshoot with models, influencers and moviestars and tons of costumes and props in a fancy studio, or on location on a yacht or a private jet. (Why not just draw all of these elements?)

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Next Generation Learning Presentation Video

A series of presentation videos for an excellent training course to assist students in completing and scoring high on their LAP test. Next-Generation Learning and #BYOD (bring your own devices) prepares you for all phases of this challenging test. A modern, step-by-step teaching approach covering every chapter of what you have learned over the years. The course gives you all the tools to ace the test.

Fun, light-hearted illustrations and caricatures lead you through the video and explain what you can look forward to in this training course.

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Videobotschaften für Kunden und Mitarbeitende

Ein besonderes und spannendes Angebot in der Schweiz mit meinen Partnern bei Blocklearning.

Für Ende des Jahres ein ganz spezielles Angebot zur Video Produktion bei Ihnen im Haus. Das Studio kommt zu euch und in ca. 2 Stunden wird noch am gleichen Tag ein individuelles Video mit original Content produziert. Eure Meilensteine von 2022 können von mir illustriert und animiert in die Videos eingebunden werden.

André von Blocklearning erklärt es am besten gleich selber, hier ist er aus dem Weihnachts-studio 🎄🎅🏻😊:

Wir kommen zu dir und produzieren individuelle Videobotschaften mit unserem mobilen 3D Filmstudio.


https://www.blocklearning.ch

Das neue 2022 Studio-Design ist ebenfalls als Hintergrund verfügbar.

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Gianni Infantino – Tor des Monats

Gianni Infantino – Tor des Monats

Gianni Infantino – FIFA President – Tor des Monats, Nebelspalter

Karikatur von FIFA Präsident Gianni Infantino für den Nebelspalter “Tor des Monats”


Stell Dir vor, es ist Fussball-WM und keiner will hin.
In Qatar gibt es Gratis-Tickets und Glühwein zu Feuerwerkskerzen auf dem Adventskranz.
Zum Artikel “Infantino freut sich auf die infantilste WM” von Hans Abplanalp
Karikatur von Cartoonist Ian David Marsden für Nebelspalter Nr. 11 2022

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Marsden Illustration