Illustration that interprets, explains or comments.
I create editorial illustration, educational illustration, cartoons and explanatory imagery for newspapers, magazines, publishers, institutions, schools, cultural organisations and learning projects. The work ranges from political and social commentary to science, textbooks, educational materials, children’s publishing and visual explanation for young readers.
Magazine illustration · Editorial cartoons · Lehrmittel · Children’s books · Young readers · Science & learning · Cultural commentary
The archive covers several related forms of illustration. Some work adds an idea to a text. Some explains a subject. Some invites a child or young reader into a story. Some simply notices that human behaviour is frequently stranger than anything an illustrator could invent.
Editorial Illustration
Images created in response to articles, themes and ideas rather than simply repeating what the text already says.
Cartoons & Satire
Political, social and cultural observation where humour, metaphor or contradiction carries the point.
Magazine & Newspaper Work
Covers, spreads, columns, spot illustrations, recurring features and publication-specific visual concepts.
Educational & Science Illustration
Visual explanation for science, behaviour, learning and subjects that become clearer when they can be seen.
Children’s Books & Young Readers
Character-led illustration, narrative imagery and visual explanation developed for younger audiences and age-appropriate publishing.
Educational Materials · Lehrmittel
Textbook, classroom and learning-focused illustration designed to support comprehension rather than merely decorate a page.
Culture & Everyday Behaviour
Technology, media, social habits, stereotypes and the small absurdities that make useful editorial subjects.
Visual Journalism
Current editorial cartooning and public debate through international networks including Cartooning for Peace and Cartoon Movement.
Original cartoon by Ian David Marsden for the 20th anniversary of Cartooning for Peace, 2026.
Two Closely Related Jobs
Interpretation versus explanation
Editorial and educational illustration have different responsibilities, but both depend on deciding what matters, what can be omitted and what the reader needs from the image.
Editorial illustration interprets
The image can add a thought, metaphor, contradiction, question or joke. It does not have to summarise the article. Often its value is precisely that it approaches the subject from another direction.
Educational illustration explains
The image helps reveal a process, relationship, behaviour or concept. For textbooks, Lehrmittel, young readers and science communication, clarity matters — but clarity does not require the drawing to become dull or purely diagrammatic.
Selected Work
Different subjects need different kinds of visual thinking
The projects below move from illustrations for printed professional learning guides and science education to magazine spreads, young-reader work, satire and cultural observation.
PPHO — recurring character illustrations developed for printed learning material.
Educational Illustration · Learning Guides · Information Design
PPHO — illustrations that help explain a methodology
For IN TALENT WE TRUST, a Paris-based consultancy founded by Anne Weber, I developed original illustrations for PPHO (Plein Potentiel Humain & Organisationnel), a methodology created by Anne Weber. The assignment ran from March 2024 to March 2025.
The illustrated material combines Léonard, a recurring character inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, with conceptual drawings, graphic symbols and information diagrams. Each element has a different role: introduce a subject, interpret an idea or clarify a relationship.
The printed learning guides show these illustrations working alongside detailed French-language content. My contribution was the character design, illustration and information-design artwork—not the methodology or the complete booklet layout.
Four pillars. Drawings accompany structured explanations, giving each theme a distinctive visual reference.
Talent and performance. Repeated star motifs give the diagrams consistency while allowing meaningful differences.
52 Lives — visualising empathy and the science of kindness for a young audience.
Educational Illustration · Science · Young Audiences
52 Lives — The Science of Kindness
For 52 Lives, I created a series of illustrations explaining the science behind kindness through people, situations and personified biological processes.
The project deals with empathy, stress, cortisol, inflammation, oxytocin, dopamine, family bonding and the way kindness can spread from one person to another. Rather than treating those ideas as abstract scientific terms, the illustrations turn them into characters and situations a younger audience can follow.
Magazine Illustration · Editorial Layout
Illustration in the context of the page
Editorial illustration rarely exists in isolation. It has to live with a headline, typography, columns, captions and the rhythm of a publication.
The archive includes complete magazine spreads and recurring editorial series, showing how the illustration relates to the article and page rather than presenting every drawing as a detached portfolio image.
Editorial illustration seen where it was designed to work: inside the publication.
Character-led illustration for younger audiences — readable, expressive and built around a clear idea.
Children’s Publishing · Young Readers · Lehrmittel
Illustration for children, young readers and learning
Illustration for younger readers has to respect both the subject and the age of the audience. A drawing can invite curiosity, explain unfamiliar material, establish character or make a dense page easier to enter.
My work includes children’s book illustration, young-reader imagery, educational publishing and Lehrmittel where the illustration supports learning rather than competing with it.
Not every editorial subject is political. A large part of the work is simply observation: media habits, technology, social behaviour, taste, fashion, stereotypes and the gap between how people see themselves and what they actually do.
The gallery includes museum visitors absorbed by their phones, influencer culture reduced to microscopic life, urban stereotypes and other subjects where the visual idea is more useful than a literal description.
Contemporary life continues to provide material without being asked.
Editorial satire — character observation developed as a complete illustrated magazine feature.
Swiss Editorial & Satirical Illustration
A long-running editorial practice
I worked as an illustrator and writer for the Swiss satirical magazine Nebelspalter from my teens through January 2026, producing cartoons and illustrated features around politics, media, culture and everyday behaviour.
That long editorial practice reinforced a useful discipline: finding the point quickly, removing what the image does not need and leaving enough room for the reader to complete the thought.
Current Editorial Networks
Editorial cartooning in public debate
Editorial cartooning remains an active part of my work, including contributions through international networks concerned with journalism, freedom of expression and current affairs.
Cartooning for Peace
I am a member of the international network of editorial cartoonists founded by Plantu and Kofi Annan, with a focus on freedom of expression, dialogue and the role of cartoons in public debate.
As a contributing cartoonist, I publish editorial and political cartoons responding to current events, geopolitics and social questions alongside visual journalists from around the world.
Alongside my professional work, I teach Illustration, Visual Arts and Image Analysis / Semiotics in the 3D Animation & VFX Master’s programme at ESMA Montpellier.
Teaching visual literacy, composition, photography, cinema and animation reinforces something that matters equally in editorial and educational work: selecting, framing and simplifying information changes the way it is understood.
Selected Case Studies
Visual explanation across different kinds of learning
These projects show educational and explanatory illustration applied to professional training, technical processes, scientific subjects and structured learning systems.
Professional Training · Visual Learning
Software Engineering Essentials
A 60-card professional learning system using characters, technical iconography, information hierarchy and visual taxonomy to make software-engineering principles easier to navigate and remember.
A project can begin with a finished article, manuscript, textbook chapter, teaching unit, editorial brief or simply a subject that still needs a visual approach.
Depending on the assignment, I can develop visual concepts, metaphors, character approaches, roughs, page-aware compositions and finished artwork for magazines, newspapers, children’s books, educational materials, Lehrmittel, textbooks, digital learning and institutional publishing.
I work directly with clients and publishers in English, French and German.
Related work
Some assignments naturally cross into books, comics, commissioned communication or animation. Those areas have their own deeper portfolio sections.
If you are developing an article, publication, children’s title, textbook, Lehrmittel or educational project, send me a short outline of the subject, audience and intended format.
A finished visual concept is not necessary. Finding the right one is part of the work.
A broader archive of magazine and newspaper illustration, editorial cartoons, political and cultural commentary, science and educational imagery, Lehrmittel, young-reader work, publication spreads and visual ideas from different periods of my career. Click any image to enlarge it.
Editorial illustration explaining adaptive intelligence and qualitative interactions within the printed PPHO learning guide.
Léonard — Scientific and Business Character Variations
Scientific and business variations of Léonard, demonstrating the flexibility of the PPHO character system.
Léonard — Da Vinci Parachute Concept Illustration
Léonard explores an invention inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, connecting experimentation and imagination with practical action.
Léonard Character Design — Thinking, Presenting and Exploring
A selection of Léonard's poses, showing how one recognizable character can communicate different actions and ideas.
Léonard — Human Behavior and Emotional Character Illustrations
Léonard in everyday situations and emotional states, developed to explain human behavior through recognizable actions.
I Want You to Change the World — Illustrated Campaign Poster
“I Want You to Change the World” — original campaign poster illustrated and digitally painted for IN TALENT WE TRUST.
Uncle Sam Reimagined — IN TALENT WE TRUST Campaign Illustration
An original interpretation of Uncle Sam developed for IN TALENT WE TRUST's “I Want You to Change the World” campaign.
Cartooning for Peace – 20th Anniversary Cartoon by Ian David Marsden
Original cartoon by Ian David Marsden for the 20th anniversary of Cartooning for Peace, 2026.
Crowd Scene – Massenszene Wimmelbild
This hand-drawn crowd scene unfolds in a high-speed timelapse video, showcasing expressive character design and detailed linework. Created entirely with digital ink, the piece reflects my approach to high-quality live drawing, explainer visuals, and editorial illustration. A great example of visual storytelling and handcrafted technique in motion.
Closing Scene – Kindness Around the World
Final scene from “The Science of Kindness,” encouraging viewers to reflect and take action. Illustrated by Ian David Marsden, this image invites children to consider how they can spread kindness today.
Kindness Chain Reaction – Spreading Empathy
A chain of kindness spreads from one character to the next in this still from “The Science of Kindness.” This image represents how empathy ripples outward. Hand-drawn by illustrator Ian David Marsden.
No Stress – Sleep Scene with Happy Brain & Heart
This calming illustration shows how acts of kindness help reduce stress. Sam sleeps peacefully with happy personifications of his brain and heart—drawn for “The Science of Kindness” explainer video by Ian David Marsden.
Dopamine and the Brain’s Reward System
This illustration explains how kindness triggers dopamine release, creating a “helper’s high.” From the explainer video “The Science of Kindness” by Ian David Marsden.
Oxytocin – The Love Hormone
Kindness releases oxytocin, the “love hormone” linked to bonding and trust. This illustration from “The Science of Kindness” shows the joyful neurochemical response triggered by compassion.
Evolutionary Stress Response – Cave Scene
Illustrated cave scene showing the evolutionary roots of our stress response. Created for the 52 Lives explainer video “The Science of Kindness” by Ian David Marsden. This humorous visual introduces the concept of fight-or-flight and its biological legacy.
Family Bonding – Oxytocin and Nitric Oxide
Kindness strengthens family bonds and releases positive hormones. This scene from the explainer video illustrates how oxytocin and nitric oxide support heart health and emotional connection.
Cortisol & Inflammation Characters – Science of Kindness
Personified villains “Cortisol” and “Inflammation” represent the stress-reducing benefits of kindness. From the educational explainer video created by Ian David Marsden for 52 Lives.
Kindness in Action – Holding Door, Comforting Friend
Sequence from “The Science of Kindness” showing three acts by Sam: holding the door for an elderly lady, comforting a sad classmate, and inviting a peer to join a game. Illustrated by Ian David Marsden for 52 Lives.
Visualizing Empathy – Sam and Friends
Timelapse-style composition from “The Science of Kindness” video showing Sam surrounded by those affected by his actions. The characters were created in a consistent, friendly line style by Ian David Marsden.
Der gute Wille – Karikatur über Helfersyndrom und Heuchelei
Bin ich ein Heuchler? – Satirisches Quiz mit Illustrationen
Der Angsthase – Illustration zur moralischen Feigheit
Der Gutmensch – Karikatur über Klima-Moralisten
Der Scheinheilige – Karikatur zur Doppelmoral
Schamlos ehrlich – Editorial Cartoon über Authentizität
schwinger-marsden-doppelseite
Editorial Illustration Series – Business & Lifestyle Themes
A showcase of expressive editorial illustrations combining digital polish with a hand-drawn, analog warmth — ideal for high-impact storytelling.
A whimsical cartoon character known as the Salami Claus depicted wearing a salami-themed suit and hat.
Caricature of Kinski Klaus
A caricature by Ian David Marsden titled Der Kinski Klaus, depicting the actor Klaus Kinski in a Santa suit pulling a steamboat.
Cartoon Of Klimakleber Klaus
A satirical illustration depicts a man dressed in protest attire gluing his hand to a decorated Christmas tree.
Four Stylized Holiday Character Illustrations
A collection of hand-drawn cartoon characters in various holiday-themed settings.
Editorial Illustration of Politician
A political caricature depicts a man in a suit working at a desk surrounded by various data visualizations.
Satirical Scenes Of Bureaucracy
A cartoon illustration depicts a man in a suit navigating different professional scenarios.
Businessmen Painting a Wall
A businessman in a suit and hard hat attempts to paint a wall while an inspector observes with a clipboard.
Bank Manager Job Interview Cartoon
A job applicant is questioned about their qualifications despite holding the title of bank director.
Supermarket Checkout Cartoon Illustration
An editorial cartoon by Ian David Marsden shows a customer at a grocery checkout being confronted by an attendant.
Hospital Trainee Medical Cartoon
A cartoon depicting a medical trainee accidentally spraying fluid from an IV line while standing over a hospital bed.
Editorial Cartoon of Donald Trump
An editorial cartoon by Ian David Marsden depicts Donald Trump being approached by a cat and a dog in medical attire.
Saint Bernard Schnapps Distiller
A man in a suit discreetly pours a drink from a barrel carried by a Saint Bernard dog.
The Cuckoo Clock Kidnapping
A woman discovers the cuckoo is missing from her ornate wooden clock in this illustrated scene.
Drive-By Jodeling Cartoon Illustration
An editorial cartoon depicting a humorous take on unexpected yodeling attacks in rural settings.
Cartoon About Street Candy Dealing
An editorial cartoon illustrates the humorous concept of an illegal street market for single Ricola cough drops.
Caricature With Red Baseball Cap
A caricature illustration featuring a man wearing a red hat with the slogan Switzerland First.
Switzerland First Cartoon Patch
An embroidered patch design featuring a cartoon character juggling Swiss currency under the text Switzerland First.
Cartoon Of Man At Desk
A person sits at their workspace looking at a computer screen that displays an image of a laughing man in a suit.
Swiss And American Fondue Burger
A cartoon illustration depicting the fusion of Swiss and American food cultures through a fondue burger.
Cartoon Satire of Swiss and American Relations
A satirical illustration depicts two figures representing Swiss and American themes engaged in contrasting activities.
Swiss And American Stereotype Cartoon
An editorial cartoon by Ian David Marsden illustrating contrasting cultural stereotypes between Switzerland and the United States.
Swiss And American Gun Culture
A satirical cartoon by Ian David Marsden comparing cultural perspectives on gun ownership between Switzerland and the United States.
Dog Watching Colorful Television
A cartoon dog rests on a chair while observing colorful light patterns emanating from a television screen.
Editorial Cartoon About Wealthy Dining
A satirical illustration accompanying an editorial article titled 'How I made a waiter rich'.
Swiss Football Team Lineup Illustration
A custom illustration featuring caricatures of Swiss national football team players for the 2024 tournament.
Swiss National Soccer Team Illustration
An illustrated team lineup featuring individual caricatures of Swiss national soccer team players positioned on a field.
Swiss National Football Team Illustration
A hand-drawn illustration depicting nine Swiss football players arranged in formation on a pitch background.
fussball-nati4
Jester With Soccer Ball
A whimsical illustration of a jester character holding a soccer ball and blowing a whistle.
Editorial Illustration Media Watch
A satirical newspaper column page features illustrations accompanying text about various Swiss news topics.
Caricature of Smiling Man
A caricature illustration depicts a man sitting at a table outdoors in front of a mountain-style home.
Caricature Illustrations of World Leaders
A collection of hand-drawn caricature portraits depicting various world political figures.
Illustrated Page from Swiss Commemorative Book
A page from the 1990 book 'Wenn der Alpenfirn sich rötet' features a central illustration by Ian D. Marsden surrounded by various character sketches.
Swiss Cartoon Book Illustration
A colorful illustration depicts a couple kissing on a mountain peak surrounded by a series of black and white satirical vignettes.
alpenfirn-piatti-coverr
marken
DNA
Question Mark Celebrity Caricature
A colorful illustration by Ian David Marsden featuring a group of figures and animals arranged in the shape of a question mark.
Celebrity Caricature Space Illustration
A colorful digital caricature depicts three figures set against a stylized backdrop of space.
Cartoon Animals With Heraldic Shields
A colorful cartoon features four animals representing different Swiss cantons with their respective heraldic emblems.
Swiss National Council Election Illustration
An editorial illustration depicting the 2011 Swiss National Council election with political figures competing for parliamentary seats.
Editorial Cartoon About Wikileaks
A political cartoon contrasting corporate office culture with a whistleblower using a megaphone.
mewsoftheworld
hollywood
waehler
bilanz
verlieren
twitter-sport
schreibkampf
spracherkennung
rio-football
erasmus
buecher
driverecorder
dieunbeugsamen
schoko
Retro Café Vector Illustration – Character Art by Ian Marsden
Wimmelbild for Corporate Training – Ian David Marsden Illustration
Grid of Cartoon Thumbnails and Headlines on a White Webpage
mensamag2025-spread3
mensamag2025-spread4
mensamag2025-spread5
mensamag2025-spread2
Montpellier Day Scene – Arc de Triomphe Urban Illustration
Screen Time at the Museum – Time Travel Interrupted
A witty illustration bridging classical art and modern distractions — museum-goers sit beneath a Renaissance painting, all engrossed in their smartphones. Commentary-rich and ideal for educational or cultural editorial content.
Editorial Cartoon – Trump Fiasko by Ian Marsden
Montpellier Night Scene – Arc de Triomphe Illustration by Marsden
“Just Be You” – Animal Friends in Hats
A cheerful poster reminding kids (and grownups) to be themselves — with a parade of expressive animals modeling silly, stylish hats.
“Influencer Amoeba” – Social Media Parody Under the Microscope
A playful piece of editorial commentary — amoeba and other microorganisms parody influencer culture, likes, and hashtags. Whimsical yet pointed in tone, ideal for science-themed books with a twist.
Blonde Courage: Dragon's Veil of Fire
A bold, empowering twist on classic mythology and fairy tale — inspired by Rosie the Riveter and the legend of Excalibur, this editorial-style illustration features a defiant Little Red slaying a dragon twenty times her size. A visual anthem of strength and defiance wrapped in fairy tale form.
Futuristic City Street – Ligne Claire Tech Cartoon by Marsden
Strange gesture in the park
X Logo Parody – Elon Musk Social Media Satire by Ian Marsden
Mine’s Bigger! Satirical Cartoon: Two Kings Comparing Crowns by Ian Marsden
“The Rat Race” – Gnome on the Hamster Wheel of Life
A metaphorical cartoon exploring modern life’s dizzying routines — a gnome character endlessly runs on a hamster wheel while lugging his briefcase. A clever visual for articles, books, or educational discussions on work-life balance.
Evolution Parade – A Satirical Timeline
This clever black-and-white illustration traces a tongue-in-cheek “evolution” from amoeba to modern-day tech-addicted citizen, blending wit and observation with a distinct narrative arc — perfect for editorial or educational use.
“Parisian Snow Globe Santa” – Holiday Book Illustration by Ian David Marsden
A hand-drawn scene capturing the magic of Paris in winter, with Santa inside a snow globe delivering festive cheer. A warm, atmospheric piece perfect for storybooks and seasonal campaigns.
Cozy Santa and Rudolph – Winter Scene
A heartwarming holiday illustration of Santa and Rudolph sharing a quiet moment in the snow — rich in warmth and texture.
Buchcover-Illustration: “Zwei Buchstaben” von Helmi Sigg
Helmi Siggs “Zwei Buchstaben” – Eine etwas andere Weihnachtsgeschichte
Urban Stereotype Satire
Eine zoologische Betrachtung" written by Dr. W. M., focusing on the characteristics of urban dwellers. It humorously categorizes different types of city inhabitants, such as "Bergzürcher," "Hipster," and "Gutmensch." The pages contain text and cartoon-style illustrations that depict the described groups, offering a satirical view of modern city life in a growing population context. The article includes various subheadings and scenarios illustrating distinct urban stereotypes and their behaviors.
“The Textile Kings” – Die Fetzenkrämer – Swiss Historical Line Art Portraits by Ian David Marsden
Line art portraits of Swiss Textile magnates, part of an illustrated feature of historic Swiss industrial aristocracy. Rich with character design
ulrico-hoepli-marsden
Pioneers on the Slopes – Character Spot for Ski History
Character-driven spot illustrations for a feature on ski pioneers like Henry Lunn and Arnold Lunn. Combining editorial clarity with historical context, these line artworks depict the evolution of skiing with wit and personality.
messiah-lutheran-church-marsden
couchepin-sesseltanz-nzz-marsden
selfie-fever-marsden
waehler-2007-alle-nzz-marsden
berner-zeitungen-marsden
Caricature portrait of Swiss DJ Miroman with headphones and tattoos
Cafe Sketch: Portraits in Color and Smoke
Château and Wolf Illustration by Ian David Marsden
French Animal Adventure BD Illustrations by Ian David Marsden
schwimmkurs-editorial-marsden
ein-schweizer-am-oktoberfest-marsden
trump-spy-editorial
fontaine-selfie-montpellier-editorial
Nebelspalter-Postkarte-Marsden
sci-fi-comics-marsden
Trump_Geheimdokumente
General_Guisan_Marsden-72
wilhelm-tell-hoehle
Uncle Sam Style Change the World Poster
The image features a stylized illustration of a figure pointing towards the viewer, reminiscent of the Uncle Sam recruitment posters. The text reads "I WANT YOU TO CHANGE THE WORLD" with hashtags #PPHO, #INTALENTWETRUST, and #IMPACT included at the bottom. The artwork is signed by Ian David Marsden.
petrus-pennyfarthing-marsden-comics
ucomix-editorial-marsden_editorial
trump-crybaby-marsden_editorial
swiss-portrait-marsden_editorial
staedter02-marsden_editorial
staedter01-marsden_editorial
Spring-Coffee-Marsden_editorial
spotillus-medien-marsden_editorial
siping-man-marsden_editorial
scratchy-cat-marsden_editorial
rocking-santa-marsden_editorial
path-destination-marsden_editorial
News-PUNKTSpiel-Marsden-1_editorial
music-scene-01goela-marsden_editorial
Mitch_McConnell-marsden_editorial
macdirectory-editorial-marsden_editorial
lochnesschair-sketchbook-marsden_editorial
lautrec-fairy-marsden_editorial
kitchen-3-versions-white_editorial
kitchen-3-versions_editorial
KingCharles-Tattoo_editorial
King-Charles-III-Marsden_editorial
I-love-montpellier-bwlines-marsden_editorial
I-love-mondays_editorial
head-driver-sketchbook-marsden-1_editorial
happily-ever-after-marsden_editorial
fun-machine-marsden_editorial
Fluffy_editorial
dieter-meier-oh-yeah_editorial
coffee-flower-marsden_editorial
artists-marsden_editorial
artists-magazine-marsden_editorial
1_thiel-boerne-marsden_editorial
Your privacy choices
We use essential cookies to operate this website and, with your permission, optional technologies for visitor statistics and embedded videos. You can accept, reject or adjust your preferences at any time.
Functional
Always active
Essential technologies required for the website to function correctly and securely. These cannot be disabled through the consent settings.
Preferences
Technologies that remember your choices and preferences to improve your experience on this website.
Statistics
With your consent, Google Analytics helps us understand how visitors use the website so we can improve its content and performance.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
With your consent, marketing technologies may be used for Google Ads conversion measurement and to support advertising-related features. We do not currently run advertising campaigns.
