vector illustration

My Updated LinkedIn and What I Do

This image features the redesigned LinkedIn profile banner of Ian David Marsden, a Swiss illustrator and creative director based in France. It combines a professional portrait with an illustrated Parisian jazz scene and a vintage film spotlight. Text highlights Ian’s specializations in editorial illustration, mascots, character design, branding, UX/UI, and storytelling for international clients.

My Updated LinkedIn and What I Do

Refreshed, Reconnected, and Rediscovered

In between recent creative projects, I finally gave some much-needed attention to a corner of my digital presence that I’d neglected for years—my LinkedIn profile.

I’ve had it for over two decades, but it remained almost willfully minimalistic. Sparse. Mysterious, perhaps. It certainly didn’t reflect the breadth of my work, or the clients and collaborators I’ve been fortunate to partner with over the years. I’m happy to share that it’s now fully updated—with a professional new header, an accurate timeline, and over 40 detailed project entries complete with media and visuals.

What You’ll See There Now

The header alone already gives you a strong sense of what I do:

“Illustrator & Creative Director | Cartoons, Mascots, Business Comics & Character Design | Branding, UX/UI, Storytelling & Motion | Available Worldwide”

Below that, you’ll find a growing library of case studies, media files, and a concise look into the work that clients trust me with—from Switzerland to Germany to France, and beyond.

This project sample showcases Ian David Marsden’s creative contribution to the French brand IN TALENT WE TRUST, including a visual identity refresh and original illustrations such as a reinterpretation of the Uncle Sam poster. Media includes hand-drawn concept art, vector graphics, and a YouTube animation demonstrating the transformation from sketch to final product.

Based in France – Working Globally

My name is Ian David Marsden, and I’m a Swiss illustrator, character designer, and creative director. I’m currently based in Claret, near Montpellier, in the beautiful Pic Saint Loup region of southern France. This is where my fully equipped studio is located, and where most of my visual and storytelling work is conceptualized and produced.

While my location is France, my clients are international. I’m perfectly bilingual in English and German, and I also work with a full business-level proficiency in French. Whether it’s a wine label for a domaine in the Languedoc, a mascot for a startup in Berlin, or an editorial illustration for a Swiss publisher, I bring cross-cultural awareness, professional fluency, and artistic clarity to each project.

Read more →

Creating the Artwork for the Mercedes-Benz Employee Manual

Today, I want to take you on a journey that holds a special place in my heart—the creation of the illustrated Mercedes-Benz Employee Manual, affectionately known as the “Mitarbeiterknigge”. *

Back in 2010, as an experienced illustrator, character designer and concept creator, I had the pleasure of collaborating with esteemed advertising agency Sieber & Wolf on this fascinating project. Join me as I walk you through the process of bringing this comprehensive manual to life, highlighting the importance of effective visual communication within the context of a luxury brand like Mercedes-Benz.

When Sieber & Wolf approached me with the opportunity to work on the “Mitarbeiterknigge”, I knew it was a project that demanded precision, creativity, and dedication to excellence. The manual aimed to train Mercedes-Benz staff who interacted with customers, covering topics such as maintaining contact, politeness, and proper behavior in various situations like vehicle purchase, repairs, sales, events, lunches, dinners, and business correspondence. It was crucial that the illustrations reflected Mercedes-Benz’s high standards, precision, and commitment to quality.

Read more →
Marsden Illustration