CREATIVE DIRECTOR | ILLUSTRATOR | DESIGNER

Meet Ian David Marsden

I’m an illustrator and art director based in the south of France, working across France, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and beyond. I provide full-service creative solutions — from concept to delivery — helping brands, publishers, institutions, and startups communicate clearly through intelligent design and visual storytelling.

Alongside my professional practice, I teach three distinct courses — Illustration, Visual Arts, and Image Analysis (Semiotics and Scénario) — within the 3D Animation & VFX program (RNCP 7 / Bac+5, Master’s level) at ESMA Montpellier – École Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques, an internationally recognized higher-education network specializing in applied arts, design, filmmaking, and 3D animation.

These courses span three complementary fields: Illustration — visual narrative, composition, character-driven storytelling, and professional illustration practice. Visual Arts — art history, visual languages, image-making traditions, and the artistic movements that influence contemporary creative work. Image Analysis — the semiotics of still and moving images, story structure, narrative intention, and the critical reading of cinematic and animated scenes.

Across these three disciplines, students develop a strong and coherent visual culture; the ability to read, analyze, and interpret images, mise-en-scène, and visual storytelling choices; a precise understanding of signs, symbols, framing, composition, and representation systems; and applied skills in composition, light, cinematography, photography, animation principles, and visual narrative design.

My teaching approach combines historical and contemporary references, critical film and image analysis, visual theory, and structured exercises linked directly to modern creative practice — from animation and concept art to pre-production and visual communication.

With over 30 years of international experience, I have collaborated with global companies such as Daimler-Benz, Henkel, and Google, as well as local businesses, NGOs, and creative agencies. I work in English, French, and German from my studio in southern France.

Whether you need custom spot illustrations, wordless explainer graphics, business comics, animated explainer videos, brand identity systems, editorial illustration series, or a full creative campaign, I provide end-to-end creative direction that integrates concept development, visual storytelling, and high-quality production.

Tools & Workflow

  • Adobe Photoshop – expert-level retouching, complex compositing, color correction, RAW development, texture overlays
  • Adobe Illustrator – scalable vector graphics, logo creation, icon systems, character and mascot design
  • Procreate – hand-drawn digital illustration, painterly work, stylized sketches, animated timelapse exports
  • Clip Studio Paint EX – comic page layout, detailed inking, professional lettering, print formatting (CMYK, bleed, crop marks)
  • Adobe After Effects / Premiere Pro – motion graphics, animated explainers, 2.5D effects, voiceover sync, title design
  • Adobe Animate / Character Animator – character rigging, lip-sync animation, real-time puppet animation
  • Wacom Cintiq & iPad Pro – integrated into daily production workflow
  • Sound editing – voiceover cutting, EQing, mastering for web and broadcast
  • Traditional media – pencil sketching, ink, watercolor, gouache, whiteboard illustration (marker)
  • Creative Cloud Suite – full proficiency across Adobe’s ecosystem for cross-functional production
  • Hardware environment – macOS Sequoia, calibrated screens, studio-grade audio setup

Languages

  • English – native
  • German – native
  • French – professional fluency

Teaching & Mentorship

Since 2025, I have been a part-time faculty member at ESMA (École Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques) on the Montpellier campus, teaching three distinct courses within the 3D Animation & VFX program (Master’s level, RNCP 7): IllustrationVisual Arts, and Image Analysis (Semiotics and Scénario).

My teaching covers visual culture, art history, photography, cinema, animation, visual semiotics, and narrative systems, with an emphasis on critical image reading, composition, light, and visual storytelling.

Contact

For real-world deliverables and timelines, explore the Working Together page and the Case Studies section.

[email protected] | +33 (0)6 42 49 82 11

Client Portfolio & Project Partners

I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with a wide range of partners — from global brands to local innovators, cultural institutions, NGOs, startups, and creative agencies. A curated cross-section of clients I’ve partnered with on strategic visual work — from editorial campaigns to product launches and brand storytelling.

Client logos including Google, Wacom, Daimler-Benz, Coca-Cola, Dräger, Henkel, and more – illustration and design clients of Ian David Marsden

Let’s Connect

Wikipedia: Ian D. Marsden

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Marsden Creative