Ian’s work stands out because he never lost touch with the fundamentals of drawing. His entire workflow, from the original concept sketch to the final complex vector illustration, is 100% hand-drawn. He uses modern digital tools not to replace traditional skill, but to enhance it, resulting in visuals that are expressive, dynamic, and technically flawless.
As the original Google Doodle artist and a creative whose portfolio includes The New Yorker, MAD Magazine, and Mercedes-Benz, Ian’s legacy in illustration is already cemented. If you are looking for an illustrator, cartoonist, or visual storyteller who brings decades of experience, unmatched versatility, and a truly unique, human touch to every project, look no further than Ian David Marsden."
(December 10, 2025)
P.S. Some extra features: Ian is smart, efficient and communicates fluently in more languages than I care to remember.”
(March 21, 2025)
Munchkins Restaurant • Duke’s Hideaway Bar • The Ruby Room
(March 11, 2020)
(March 6, 2020)
We were always very pleased with his work. Ian is a great guy. Thank you, Ian.”
(March 16, 2020)
Animation Cowboy Studio
Professional History
Clients & Collaborations
Over more than 35 years I have worked with international brands, publishers, agencies, technology companies, cultural organizations, public institutions, NGOs and independent businesses across Europe, the United States and beyond.
The assignments range from illustration and editorial work to branding, packaging, characters, comics, motion graphics, explainer videos and creative direction. The scale and context vary; the work itself remains specific to the client and the brief.
Selected Names
A Cross-Section of Clients
Google · Coca-Cola · Dräger · Mercedes-Benz · Wacom · Samsung · Henkel · PwC · Volkswagen · RITZENHOFF · Universal Music Group · VISA · and many others
Selected Collaborations
Four Collaborations in More Detail
Some assignments developed into particularly distinctive collaborations. These four pages look more closely at the work, context and visual development behind them.
Google Doodles
The first official Google Doodle artist, beginning with MentalPlex in 2000 and continuing with further Google homepage illustrations.
Wacom
Featured Artist work and a 12-part video series exploring professional digital illustration and drawing workflows.
RITZENHOFF
A multi-year collaboration from 2013–2018 creating collectible product artwork for the German design company.
La Toya Jackson
Creative direction, visual identity, album and single artwork, web, VIP material, signage and merchandise from 2003–2006.
Client Directory
Clients by Sector
The categories below provide a broader view of the range. Open any section to see the relevant organizations and project links.
International Brands
Coca-Cola, Diesel Jeans UK, Digades, Dräger Global, Evonik Industries, Fraunhofer, Google, Henkel, Lindt Chocolate, Mercedes-Benz Museum, METRO, Mövenpick, Novartis, Publicis, PwC, RITZENHOFF, Roland Berger, Samsung, Seele, Telekom, Universal Music Group, VISA and Volkswagen.
Selected case studies: Digades · Henkel · Mercedes-Benz · Seele · Volkswagen
Media & Publishing
1&1 Mail, Auto Bild, Blick Online, Club de la Presse Occitanie, Das Magazin, Droemer Knaur Verlag, Hauptstadt Satiremagazin, Knaur Verlag, MAD Magazine, Mac Directory, Music Scene, Nebelspalter, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, NZZ am Sonntag, Punkt Wirtschaftsmagazin, Ransom Publishing, Ringier Verlag, SonntagsBlick, Tagblatt der Stadt Zürich, Tages-Anzeiger, Tagi Magi, The New Yorker, Trucker TIR, U-Comix and Züritipp.
Agencies, Studios & Technology
BOLD Werbung GmbH, Blocklearning.ch, Breaksru GmbH, CELSYS, Chemmedia, Curtius Lütten Werbeagentur GmbH, Dfreeeze App, Executive Learning Systems, Infospace.com, In Talent We Trust, Inspired Arts & Media, iSHEPHERD / TRM360, Just Happiness Montpellier, Mail.com, Matter & Gretener, Max Curious, Sens Digital, Sieber & Wolf, Strobe Solutions, Web.de, Yantramatte, YJOO and Zum Goldenen Hirschen.
Wine, Food & Lifestyle
Château de Roux, Domaine Cammaous, Domaine Les Tuileries, Hawlik Naturpilze, La Gravette de Corconne, Le Mas du Sire, Les Héritières de Bacchus, Mas de Figuier, Modicum Editions, Sapere Originis Wines, Sanafort AG and Top Source.
Education, Research & Institutions
AN2V, Federal Acquisition Institute, FIS Alpine Ski World Championships St. Moritz, Fernsehen DRS, Johner Institut GmbH, LAP-Vorbereitung.ch, Lernnuggets, Mensa France, SUSTAIN-D, Universität Bern and Universität Zürich.
Non-Profits, NGOs & Social Impact
Municipal & Regional
Autour du Pic, Carrière Sud Pompignan, Comité des Fêtes Vacquières, La Bonne Intelligence, Mairie de Saint-Mathieu-de-Tréviers, Mairie de Vacquières and Parc Le Duc.
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Freddy Koella, Friars Club New York, HauntedHollywood, Helmi Sigg, Ja-Tail Enterprises LLC, Jay Abraham Strategy Institute, John Hennigan, La Toya Jackson, Malibu Creek Docents / California State Parks, Marktrezept.de, PILLAGE Autour du Pic and Steve Gerlach.
E-Commerce & Product Brands
GMX Glückwunschkarten, Hairloss.com, Hermes Germany GmbH, KHW, Künzli Optik, Plushland, Rock Brasiliano GmbH, Take the 55, Top Source Wines and Weber SAS.
Additional Project Links
The site contains further work for individual clients and projects, including Mail.com / Web.de / 1&1, Künzli Optik, Mercedes-Benz, Lindt, RITZENHOFF and Dräger.
From Name to Project
See How the Work Was Used
A client list provides context, but the projects themselves are more useful. The case studies show the brief, my role, the work produced and where it was applied.
New Work
Have a Project in Mind?
If you are looking for illustration, design, character work, publishing visuals or motion, send me a short outline of the project and what you need.