Book Illustration

Zwei Buchstaben – eine etwas andere Weihnachtsgeschichte

Die Weihnachtszeit ist da – und ich freue mich, Ihnen ein besonderes Projekt vorzustellen, das ich für meinen langjährigen Freund und kreativen Kollegen Helmi Sigg illustrieren durfte. Helmi, ein bekannter Schweizer Schauspieler, Komiker und Autor, Mitglied von Trio Eden ( und Martha, Murmelimutter in “Ewigi Liebi”) hat mich eingeladen, das Cover für seine humorvolle und doch tiefgründige Weihnachtsgeschichte “Zwei Buchstaben” zu gestalten.

Die Geschichte handelt von einem Kind, das auf unerwartete Weise zwei Buchstaben verwechselt – ein simpler Fehler, der jedoch große Bedeutung entfaltet. Helmi hat diese charmante und originelle Kurzgeschichte auf eine Art und Weise geschrieben, die zum Nachdenken anregt und gleichzeitig ein Lächeln zaubert.

Promotionsbild auf helmisigg.ch: Buchcover von “Zwei Buchstaben” illustriert von Schweizer Illustrator Ian David Marsden.

Illustration mit Herz und Humor

Als Helmi mich bat, das Cover zu entwerfen, war ich sofort begeistert von der kreativen Herausforderung. Es war mir eine Freude, diese Illustration zu erschaffen – eine Mischung aus traditionellem Weihnachtsflair und satirischen Akzenten, die Helmis unkonventionelle Geschichte perfekt ergänzen.

Buchcover von “Zwei Buchstaben” mit Weihnachtsmann und Teufelshörnern, illustriert von Schweizer Illustrator Ian David Marsden.
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Transparent Flat Rates for Custom Illustration and Animation

Affordable, flexible pricing for creative services. Ian Marsden, freelance Illustration, animation, and explainer videos to fit your budget. High-quality, transparent solutions.

Free First Consultation

Your first consultation is always completely free. This is an opportunity to discuss your project in detail, explore creative ideas, and ensure we are perfectly aligned before moving forward.

Transparent Flat Rates

I believe in providing clear, predictable pricing. Once we discuss your project, I will calculate a flat rate tailored specifically to your needs.

No Surprises: The flat rate includes all work, revisions, and desired usage rights. There will be no additional charges or overtime fees.

30-Day Guarantee: Your quote will remain valid for 30 days. Once agreed upon, the flat rate will be respected, ensuring you know exactly what to expect.

How I Set My Rates

My pricing is based on established industry standards and reflects the value of high-quality creative work. As a professional illustrator, designer, and animator, I align my rates with the guidance of respected organizations and industry benchmarks (please see links below). These rates account for the time, skill, and expertise required to create unique, impactful work tailored to your needs.

What Influences Pricing?

1. Scope of Work

The size, complexity, and specific requirements of your project, such as detailed illustrations or animation sequences.

2. Usage Rights

The intended use of the work (e.g., local, national, or international campaigns) and whether you need exclusive rights. Licensing fees are calculated based on established industry multipliers.

3. Revisions and Timeline

The number of revisions included in the project and the delivery schedule can influence pricing for projects with tight deadlines or extended iteration cycles.

4. Country and Region

Pricing reflects regional market standards to ensure fairness and competitiveness. In each case, the pricing is based on local pricing guidelines provided by trusted organizations. Please see the links below for more details.

Trusted Industry Sources

My pricing is informed by the following trusted organizations and resources:

Association of Illustrators (AOI)

Industry guidance for illustrators in the UK and Europe.

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook

Comprehensive ethical and pricing standards for the US market.

Illustratoren Organisation e.V.

Pricing guidelines and usage rights for Germany.

Maison des Artistes

Freelance rights and pricing insights for professionals in France.

ProLitteris

Copyright and pricing management for visual creators in Switzerland.

Freelancers Union

Hourly and project-based pricing for freelance professionals in the US.

ManyPixels Blog

Global insights on pricing trends for designers and illustrators.

Motionographer

Pricing and trends in motion graphics and animation.

Why Choose Me?

Working with clients globally, I provide creative solutions adaptable to various timelines and budgets. With extensive experience partnering with major brands and projects across Switzerland, Germany, France, and beyond, here’s why clients keep coming back:

Professional Quality: Years of experience with top brands ensure you receive polished, high-quality work.

Adaptable Pricing: Options for every budget without compromising on quality.

Dedicated Attention: Your project will receive the focused, personalized care it deserves.

Global Expertise: Benefit from decades of experience across international markets.

Transparent Pricing: Your investment is supported by clear, reliable rates based on global standards.

Services Available for All Project Scopes

Advertising & Business Illustration

Editorial & Magazine Illustrations

Cartoons & Comic Art

Animated Explainer Videos

Children’s Book Illustrations

Packaging & Product Design

Download My Professional Credentials:

CV PDF

Portfolio PDF

Contact Information

Email: contact@marsdenillustration.com

Phone: +33 (0) 6 42 49 82 11 (Central European Time / France)

LinkedIn: Ian David Marsden

Explore My Work by Category

Sketchbook | Advertising & Business | Videos & Animation | Editorial Illustration | Logo & Character Design | Cartoons & Comics | Packaging Design | Google Doodles | Children’s Book Illustration | Ritzenhoff | Wacom Featured Artist | Latoya Jackson Designs

affordable illustrator, experienced cartoonist, custom illustration pricing, freelance artist rates, transparent flat rates, professional illustrator, illustrator europe, illustrateur expérimenté, tarifs illustrateur, graphiste freelance, illustrateur france, illustrateur suisse, zeichner deutschland, günstiger illustrator, karikaturist preise, erklärvideo preise, affordable animation services, illustrator portfolio, freelance cartoonist europe, professional character design

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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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MARVIN is 1st Place Winner in the Graphic Novel category of the 2020 Purple Dragonfly Awards

I am thrilled to announce that my book MARVIN about the life of Broadway and Hollywood composer Marvin Hamlisch has won 1st Place in the Graphic Novel Category of the 2020 Purple Dragonfly Awards.

MARVIN is the first graphic novel by illustrator and cartoonist Ian David Marsden.

https://www.dragonflybookawards.com/purple-dragonfly-contest-winners

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Volkswagen Sedric Concept Illustrations

Artist: Ian David Marsden
www.marsdenillustration.com

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Artist Instagram and TikTok with lots of sketches, doodles and live drawings

It’s been a while since I updated my news blog. Things have been rather quiet on the project front due to the pandemic (like for many), so I don’t have a lot of new client work to show you, but I thought I would say a quick hello.

I recently started a TikTok channel, where I mostly post recordings of live drawings (digital and analog). So if you are on there and enjoy drawings, drop by and have a look.

I only have 120 followers here so far, so you can become a member of a highly exlusive club. 😀

https://www.tiktok.com/@iandavidmarsden?lang=en

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I received my first proof copy of my new graphic novel “Marvin”

I am very excited. I have just received my first proof copy of my new graphic novel “Marvin” from my publisher Schiffer Books.

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Ian Marsden illustrator Instagram

Follow me and my sketches, adventures and travels on Instagram 😊

Instagram Marsdenillustration

www.instagram.com/marsdenillustration

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Illustration: Neue Rebsorten, Neue Wein-Zukunft

Illustration von Ian David Marsden
www.marsdenillustration.com
Schweizer LandLiebe Magazin

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Illustration: NZZ am Sonntag / Autofahrer Unerwünscht

Illustration: NZZ am Sonntag
30/05/2017
Hintergrund / Autofahrer Unerwünscht
Artist: Ian David Marsden

https://www.facebook.com/IanDavidMarsden/

Illustration zum Artikel von Daniel Meier zum Thema gleichgeschaltete Gemeinschaften in der NZZ am Sonntag vom 30 Mai 2017 gezeichnet von Ian Marsden

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NZZ am Sonntag / Hintergrund Bildung “Die Unbeugsamen”

NZZ am Sonntag / Hintergrund Bildung “Die Unbeugsamen”

Illustration by Ian David Marsden
www.marsdenillustration.com

 

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Goodbye Marsdencartoons.com

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Good-bye Marsdencartoons.com

It was on December 2nd, 1998 (almost 20 years ago!) that I started my first website “Marsdencartoons.com”.

It evolved over many iterations, and later for several years it also hosted the Marsdencartoons Cartoonist’s Directory which was a popular resource to find links to illustrators and cartoonists all over the world.

Since I don’t only draw cartoons but also create more “serious” illustrations and logos and character designs for various clients all over the world, I decided in 2014 to create my new homepage MARSDEN ILLUSTRATION, which you see before you and which embodies all the various facets of my work in my PORTFOLIO

Such as my personal sketchbook, the first Google Doodles which were created by me, Advertising and Business Illustration, Custom Whiteboard Videos and Explainer Videos design and production, Editorial Illustration, Comics, Logos, Character Design and Mascot Design, Ritzenhoff Designs, Children’s Book Illustration, Wacom Tutorial Videos by Ian Marsden, Packaging Design and some of the album covers I created for La Toya Jackson and Ja-Tail Enterprises LLC.

For a few years it autoforwarded to my new domain, but a few months ago I let the old marsdencartoons.com domain name expire. A fresh new start.

It appears that another company has purchased the domain name marsdencartoons.com and is now putting up a website for Illustration and Graphics.
This is of course perfectly fine and quite normal I guess by Internet standards, although it would be interesting to know who the “Marsden” is who is featured in their domain name. Because one thing I can tell you is that it is NOT me.

For the record, I wanted to state categorically: that I, Ian David Marsden, am no longer the owner of the domain marsdencartoons.com, I am in no way involved in their enterprise, and am not affiliated anymore in any way with marsdencartoons.com. Any transactions with this domain will not include any involvement with me and you will not be purchasing artwork created by me.

If you wish to contact me (Ian David Marsden) regarding graphic design, illustrations or cartoons, then the only official website is this one: www.marsdenillustration.com

My official and verified Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/IanDavidMarsden/

My official YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/user/idmars10

My official Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/marsdenillustration/

Thank you for your continued interest in my artwork and more from my studio very soon.

All the best,

Ian

PS: If you haven’t signed up yet for my personal newsletter, now is a good time because I am preparing the next one. (I send them out about 4 or 5 times a year with news and behind the scenes looks at some of the artwork I am currently working on)

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New artwork in my sketchbook gallery

New artwork in my sketchbook gallery

Old School Cartoon Original - Dip Pen and India Ink, Ecoline Watercolors

 

I just uploaded a selection of recent sketches and pen and ink artwork to my sketchbook gallery.
I hope you enjoy them. These are all created with pen and ink, ballpoint pen, pencils and other traditional methods. I do sometimes scan them and color them in photoshop, but most of these are also colored with watercolor, ecoline and aquarelle / goache.

These are all just fun, free drawings that I like to do sometimes to relax and clear my mind. These were not commissioned. Often I don’t even know what it will be when I start drawing.
I guess since I am working in digital art programs with my Wacom Cintiq most of the time, these little exercises also s to show myself that I still know how to do it “old-school”. 😊

Please don’t forget that I also have an Instagram channel which I update almost daily with new doodles, sketches and drawing videos.

Ian David Marsden's Sketchbook

https://www.instagram.com/marsdenillustration/

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Illustration Newsletter July 2016 Ian David Marsden

 


Hello dear visitors to my blog,

What I love most of all about my profession as an illustrator and designer, is that I get to be creative in all kinds of different areas and I never really know what’s coming next.

Below, I have put together a selection of some of the fun projects I have recently worked on. I hope you enjoy it.

Before we get started let me wish you a wonderful summer, and just in case you are working during the summer months, it might comfort you to know that you are not alone. I will be doing the same.

I am not going away this year and can be reached in my studio both in July and August and can assist you with any illustration needs that may arise. 

All the very best and here now my latest news…

Ian 

PS: My portfolio has been completely updated with brand new work, so if you haven’t visited my homepage in a while, please have a look.

Categories are: My Sketchbook | Google Doodles | Advertising and Business Illustration | Editorial Illustration | Comics and Cartoons | RITZENHOFF | Children’s Book Illustration | Logo and Character Design | Packaging Designs 

So, what HAVE I been up to in the past months? Well…

I got to be WILD!…


Tribal style vector animals for poster art.

I got to be STRONG!…


Two new Coffee Love Cappuccino Cups with saucers have been added to my RITZENHOFF Design Collection.

https://marsdenillustration.com/portfolio/ritzenhoff/

I got to PIMP AN INTRANET!…
For Hermes Paketversand


I was a SUPERHERO! (and a SUPER VILLAIN)…
For Stadtwerke Wedel


I got to be SILLY…


I added a gallery of my personal sketches and doodles to my homepage.

Ian’s personal sketchbooks and moleskines

I got to be “FAMOUS!” 😎…


I started my own Instagram feed with snapshots, sketches and doodles.

It’s been up for only a few months and I am delighted that I already have over 2200 wonderful people who are interested enough in my tomfoolery, to follow my feed.

If you are also an instagrammer, come on over and join the fun.
https://www.instagram.com/marsdenillustration/

I got to be CLASSY and SOPHISTICATED!… 


My lovely wife Sheryl Marsden has founded a shop called Love French Linen featuring gorgeous linen items from the south of France (where we live).

What could be more appropriate than to use her very own in-house creative department for her photography and logo needs?

Even our dog “Watson” now features prominently in several images as the Love French Linen dog. Undoubtedly he will start his very own newsletter soon, when his modelling career takes off. 😊

Sheryl did a wonderful job and put a lot of thought and care into her linen collection. Please have a look and forward to your friends who might be interested in French linens for bedroom, dining roombathroom and kitchen.

I hope you enjoyed some of the updates and I thank you for your interest.

Please visit my illustration portfolio:
My Sketchbook | Google Doodles | Advertising and Business Illustration | Editorial Illustration | Comics and Cartoons | RITZENHOFF | Children’s Book Illustration | Logo and Character Design | Packaging Designs 







 

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Marsden Illustration