Comics are wonderful way of communicating concepts and ideas to an audience of all ages and also across all languages.
From story concept to character design to illustration artwork I am experienced in creating custom tailor made comics for international clients.
Comics can be used for in-house training or communication as well as external advertising. The same comics can also be used in motion graphics or animated videos which can be produced at the same time.
Client: Various Media: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Clip Studio Paint EX + more
Business illustration – clean, clear, appealing, professional
Artist Ian David Marsden with decades of international experience in the field can provide you with custom-made business illustrations in various styles. Clean, clear, appealing and highly professional illustrations in black and white, with a spot color or fully colored. Text and processes which may seem rather dry or technical can be livened up and rendered more enjoyable and interesting. The readers’ focus can be guided towards important details in a subtle and appealing way. These illustrations can also be used as chapter headers, icons or thumbnails on websites or presentations. There is also the option of having animation or drawing or sliding hand effects, music and voiceover added as well.
Please contact me for a free consultation and a comprehensive flat-fee estimate which will include transferral of usage rights.
Mit grosser Freude schreibe ich diese neue Ausgabe meines persönlichen Zeichner-Newsletters.
Ich habe mein on-line Portfolio komplett überarbeitet und alle Kategorien enthalten neue und aktuelle Illustrationen, Cartoons, Designs und Animationen/Videos welche ich für diverse Kunden gestalten durfte.
Ian David Marsden, un illustrateur désigner très talentueux
Ian travaille avec les plus grands publicitaires du monde.
Ian David Marsden est un homme à l’imagination débordante. Et ce dernier poursuit son ascension. Aujourd’hui, les grands publicitaires font appel à lui, comme Métro, Wacom NZZ am sontag, etc… Depuis sa plus tendre enfance (Il est né à New York mais a fait ses études en Suisse), Ian a de la magie au bout des doigts, magie qu’il a cultivée avec passion et une âme d’enfant.
Déjà à l’école, il croquait des dessins naïfs mais réalistes, qu’il offrait à ses camarades ou à ses proches. Puis, chemin faisant, sa passion s’est confirmée et a pris une place de plus en plus conséquente dans sa vie. À l’âge de 16 ans il réalise un dessin pour un journal satirique Suisse, il est le plus jeune artiste “Nebi”. Sa carrière fulgurante le conduit dans la Silicon Valley (partie sud de la région de la baie de San Francisco en Californie) chez Google. En 1999, il est le premier à dessiner pour le géant américain de l’Internet. Il y crée les petites histoires qui se déroulent autour du logo et qui s’appellent aujourd’hui “Google doodles”. Puis s’ensuivent des publications dans des journaux et magazines en Suisse et en Europe. Il a, malgré son jeune âge, la responsabilité de campagnes de publicité de grande ampleur.
En 2003, il est le concepteur de la mascotte officielle des FIS alpine ski des Championnats du monde à Saint-Moritz. Et en 2006, il s’installe à Vacquières où de son bureau, il travaille avec des clients du monde entier. Il réalise des bandes dessinées et des dessins animés pour la télévision. Il illustre également régulièrement des livres pour enfants et il lui arrive même de décorer des tasses, des bols et des récipients pour les “matous”. L’homme est un touche à tout. Et c’est dans son bureau qu’il trouve le mieux son inspiration. Papa poule, Ian David Marsden aime sentir la présence ses trois filles et de sa femme lorsqu’il conçoit ses illustrations. Elles sont pour lui un cheval de bataille, une véritable source de motivation et parfois d’inspiration.
Custom Whiteboard Explainer Video Production for YOUR company
Created by an Experienced Internationally Published Illustrator and Cartoonist
Please contact me directly for a free consultation and quote. You can reach me on my mobile phone at +33 (0)6 42 49 82 11* or by e-mail at ian@marsdenillustration.com
Who is Ian David Marsden?
I sold my first cartoons to a “real” magazine at age 16.
I have lived, studied and worked in Switzerland, France, The United States and Barbados (West Indies).
I have had the wonderful fortune of being able to choose my passion and make it my profession, managing to live from my artwork, and sustain my lovely wife and three daughters (plus a plethora of cats and dogs over the years).
There are a few projects I was involved in that stand out, but I probably derive the most ‘street cred’ – especially in the modern digital age – from the fact that I drew the very first Google Doodle, and then every single one after that for over a year back in 1999.
I have had the pleasure of working with many clients, editors, and publishers and I am undeniably a die-hard pro with a healthy amount of experience.
Here is a link to my biography page. It features a partial client list and some kind testimonials from people I had the pleasure of collaborating with.
What makes my videos so special? Why entrust me with your video?
Every video I create for my clients is hand-crafted and bespoke. They are made with care and precision but without the Savile Row price-tag.
No clip-art or stock art. No re-usable characters, faces, elements or scenery are ever used. Not a single line is created by scribing video software, as used by the many low-rent video mills that are sadly out there, churning out rather sad looking cookie cutter videos.Fee-wise I am somewhere in the middle of the field. Quality wise I deliver a very high standard with a unique and recognizable style.
My videos stand up to comparisons to the big production houses, but without the three-month waiting period and the five-digit price tag.
A very high production value with fair flat-rate pricing (no surprises with extra hours or overtime) is my goal.Right from the beginning, I can be of assistance to suggest clever, fun, amusing or unusual ideas – in case you aren’t set on a script or story yet. If you have a finished script, as I work on the storyboard artwork, I might have a few visual suggestions that could fit very well and enhance your written words.
Once a rough script has been approved, I create a rough storyboard/layout of the video, so that we can go over the scenes before any sound is recorded or any ink is spilled on final illustrations.
Needless to say during the entire production, you will be dealing and interacting with me personally, not assistants or members of my team.
Likewise, I guarantee that the final artwork, based on the approved storyboard, will be hand-drawn by me personally.
Are there others who are cheaper?
Absolutely and most definitely.
You can find somebody on sites like ‘Fiver’ who will make you a video for a few pennies. But that is precisely what they will look like as well.
I am in no way even trying to match up against such “competition”. They represent an entirely different market segment.
Just like an experienced tailor, carpenter or stone mason, what I would like to offer you, is a finely crafted and exclusive product at a fair price.
Hence I will also not enter into any bidding wars against other producers.
Let’s look at some samples!
Click the left or right arrows in the slideshow below
and then VIEW MORE to play the video you would like to watch
Or click on the YouTube Videos below.
Video Playlist: Ian David Marsden Whiteboard Videos
The World is not Flat – Max Curious Agency, New York City – October 2016
Playing / Growing – Max Curious Agency, New York City – October 2016
We Are What We Are – Max Curious Agency, New York City – October 2016
Digades (Germany) Dfreeeze Remote Control Car Heater App – 2015
Sens Digital, Montpellier, France – Click and Collect (French Language) – 2015
What art styles are available?
Many different styles can be used in a whiteboard video.
Even though the predominant style is a more loosely sketched black and white art style, often with a line quality that resembles markers or chalk, the line art can also be very clean and highly detailed.
Often a bit of color is added here or there: a company spot color perhaps and maybe some gray shading, but it can also be completely in color as well.
The video can be cute, funny or also very clean and business like, depending on your message and your target audience.
Animation Style:
All kinds of animation styles are at your disposal.
There is, of course, the traditional “drawing hand” and also the “flat hand” that can slide elements in and out, move the whole image, and zoom in and out to add more to the artwork as it develops. Also, the hand can write titles or certain text passages from the voiceover to stress their importance or slide in speech bubbles.
Parts of the artwork can also just appear, fade in or “pop” in with a little wobble and a sound effect.
Once the drawings are in place they can also be individually animated just like in cartoon animation. For example, a character’s face can wink or smile. Hands and arms can move. Wheels on vehicles can spin, clouds can drift by. The sun can rise behind the skyline
To spill the beans on my production process, the hands you see in my videos are not actually my hands.
First of all, I am left-handed. Second of all, if we were to sit me down and film me drawing all of these drawings it would take a lot more time to produce.
The hands are added by a professional video studio in editing software such as Adobe After Effects. This is quite usual these days in whiteboard production and it also ensures that the artwork on the screen will look exactly like the artwork I presented to you for approval before we animate.
Side note:If you would like me to appear in person and draw something live at an event or if you would like it to be ME who is filmed while drawing, this can be arranged.
I am very capable of drawing in a real-time live environment and in front of audiences, with markers on whiteboards or paper behind or next to a speaker or digitally on computer tablets or pen displays that can be beamed onto a projection surface during an event.
This would entail a period of preproduction to elaborate the scenes for the presentation so that we are prepared and know how the presentation is supposed to unfold timing-wise. Costs would include travel expenses (business class), hotel and walking-around expenses as well as a day rate to be discussed.
The camera and lighting setup would also have to be organized by your team.
Idea / Script / Concept:
Sometimes my clients have a ready-to-go script and they just want me to illustrate what is written on the pages they send me.
Even if you have a finished script, as I work on the storyboard artwork, I might have a few visual suggestions that could fit very well and enhance your written words. Let me know if you would like me to be part of the content creation, or not.
Other times my clients know they want to produce a video. They realize what an amazing advantage it is to have a custom video that covers all the main points of the idea they want to convey to their audience in a fun, interesting and effective way, over and over again, on the web, at meetings, at exhibitions, fairs, trade-shows or lectures, without having to repeat it over and over again themselves.
They see the potential of having such an amazing tool but they simply don’t know how to condense the material or translate it to a visual language, simplify it and make it more approachable perhaps, and yes maybe add a little bit of light humor or some visual gags to make the presentation more enjoyable.
This is no problem at all. I am very used to it and I consider it part of my “job”.
We begin with an initial (free) consultation on the phone or a video conference on Skype or Facetime, during which you will brief me on what you envision. We might even bounce some ideas around right then and there.
I will then commence a first concept draft with a few highlighting scribbles of how the visuals might unfold. This may be revised several times until we reach a version we like.
Once we are happy with the script, I will create a scene by scene storyboard.
Sound / Voiceover:
I generally recommend having a musical soundtrack in the background that reflects the mood of the presentation.
It makes the unfolding story even more fun and easy to watch and it goes hand-in-hand with the unfolding drawings and animation.
Your music will be purchased by you directly from Royalty Free music websites who offer large libraries of music to choose from. The license will be in your name so you/your company have licensed the rights.
I can present you with a selection of music that I think would be a good fit, or else if you already have music in mind you can go ahead and license it and provide us with the track you have selected.
Bear in mind it needs to be either a repeating loop or else it must have the right length to match the video.
You can choose voice actors and record the voice-over yourself and provide me with the audio track files which the video needs to be matched to, or else I can also offer you the full voice production as part of my flat rate package.
Speakers can be male or female, represent different age groups and can be provided in many languages. One thing to bear in mind is that we can easily produce the same video in several languages for you at the same time. For any voice recording, you must provide a DEFINITIVE script in the chosen language(s), which you have approved and of which you are certain that it is an accurate translation or representation of what you want to convey in the video. I cannot be responsible for translation mistakes or errors in the voice-tracks that stem from the original script.
The voiceover will be recorded according to approved scripts and any changes made after the recording would be considered additional work.
Usage Rights:
Unlimited worldwide usage rights for the video are included in my quoted fee. Unlimited worldwide usage rights for my artwork in the video as part of the video are also included. This means you can show the video as many times as you want, anywhere you want, on your website, on YouTube, the Internet in general, Television, Cinemas, Congresses, Fair- or Tradeshows. On as many screens as you like.
Is it possible to use the artwork or characters from the videos as a whole or in part as still images* (*other than thumbnail images of scenes from the video) on the web, in print, in advertising campaigns, in packaging or merchandising?
Yes, absolutely, this is possible. However, such usage rights are NOT included in my flat rate fee for video production and need to be negotiated and agreed to separately. Please let me know what you have in mind and I will gladly give you a quote. For such uses, I will also provide you with high resolution or vector artwork which is geared specifically for print purposes and is scaled to the dimensions required.
What are the usual production steps of a Whiteboard Video?
These are the usual phases of production, in the order in which they are completed.
Step 1: Idea / Concept / Storyboard
Development of the story together with the client, brainstorming, ideas / concept phase, writing the definitive dialogue and animation script (what is happening, when is it happening), sketches / scribbles / layout, creating a storyboard in the form of pencil sketches matching the written dialogue and showing the rough look and placement of the artwork.
Two (2) revision phases of the scribbles / storyboard according to customer feedback as needed are included.
The script is definitive after written approval by the customer and cannot be changed after phase 1.
Step 2: Final artwork
During this production phase, I create all the final artwork (inking, coloring if applicable) of all the scenes that were approved by the client at the end of Phase 1.
One (1) revision phase of final art is included if anything is missing or was overlooked. In most cases, this is not necessary as the artwork will always reflect exactly what the layout/storyboard art showed.
This artwork will now go to animation and cannot be changed after client approval.
Step 3: Music Choice and Voice Recording
Selection and approval of a “voice” by the client. Sound recording of the approved script/dialogue from Phase 1 in all the languages required.
One (1) Revision or re-recording is included in case there are certain passages that need to be corrected.
Step 4: Video Production and Animation
The video goes into the animation studio, where the hand drawing and sliding animation and other animation effects are created to the precise shooting script and matching the voiceover.
Effects, titles, credits, and logos can also be added as required. Output as HD Video in 1920 x 1080.
One (1) Revision phase is included in case anything needs to be corrected.
Step 5: “And the Oscar goes to…”
Your video is ready to be presented to the world.
Please contact me directly for a free consultation and quote.
You can reach me on my mobile phone at +33 (0)6 42 49 82 11* or by e-mail at ian@marsdenillustration.com
I very much look forward to discussing your project with you further.
* I am based in southern France, so I am on Central European time. I regularly work with international clients including
on both coasts of the United States and the time-difference has never been an issue.
Below you will find some more FAQ you might find interesting:
Confidentiality (NDA)
The Illustrator acknowledges that during the course of completing the Job and creating the Designs, Illustrator will have access to and become acquainted with various product concepts, trade secrets, inventions, innovations, processes, information, records, specifications and other Confidential Information (as defined in the NDA) owned or licensed by Client. Illustrator agrees that he will not disclose any Confidential Information, directly or indirectly, or use any Confidential Information in any manner, either during the term of this Agreement or at any time thereafter, except as required in the course of this engagement with Client.
How long does a video production normally take?
I can only give you an accurate timing estimate when I know how many scenes the video contains, how many illustrations there are in each scene, how complicated the illustrations are and how long the video will be (a rule of thumb : one page of written script is usually equivalent to one minute of dialogue).
It also depends on the timely response and feedback of the client during each phase and how many revision phases there are.
Nevertheless, I can give you this rough estimate based on my previous experience:
Phase 1: Idea / Concept / Storyboard – with revisions = 2 – 5 working days Phase 2: Final artwork – with revisions = 2 – 10 working days Phase 3: Music Choice and Voice Recording = 1 – 3 working days Phase 4: Video Production and Animation = 3 – 6 working days
Can’t we speed this up a bit? We are in a terrible hurry.
Yes, it is possible to accelerate the entire production. I have previously created whole videos from A to Z in one week.
Cost wise there would be an applicable rush job factor of x 1.5 for night work and a factor of x 2 for weekend work.
If you mention the short deadline at the start I will give you a flat rate estimate that will include the rush job.
Delivery Schedule:
All dates and time schedules are contingent upon prompt project commencement and timely Client’s input as required. If the client does not get back to the illustrator with required feedback, information or approvals in a timely manner, the deadline will need to be modified or adjusted.
What is the cost of a video?
Here again I cannot give you a precise estimate until I know how many scenes the video contains, how many illustrations there are in each scene, how complicated the illustrations are and how long the video will be in general as well as some other factors like how many voice actors are there, how many languages are we recording, how many different video cuts need to be made?
Please contact me for a free consultation and I will send you a precise and binding estimate
Billing and Invoicing information:
The fee is invoiced in two halves. Payable by bank transfer or PayPal.
50% upon signing of the contract and
50% upon delivery of the finished artwork.
Final payment is always due on delivery of the final artwork. The Illustrator will deliver low-resolution JPEGs of the artwork / low-resolution videos on completion for Client’s final approval.
Once final payment has cleared in the Illustrator’s account, the Illustrator will e-mail a link where the Client can download the high-resolution artwork, videos and all files and assets as agreed to and outlined in the project estimate / contract.
Please be aware that the Illustrator is an independent, self-employed artist and does NOT invoice on a 30 day, 60 day or 90 day payment basis.
The grant of any license or usage rights is conditioned on receipt of full payment.
A 2% monthly service charge will be billed for late payment.
The first 50% becomes non-refundable when Phase 1 Storyboard, Sketches, and Layouts have been completed.
Grant of Rights
The transfer of usage rights and/or the grant of any reproduction rights as listed in the estimate / contract are conditioned on receipt of full payment.
Revisions / Changes
Revisions not due to the fault of the Illustrator shall be billed separately. The Illustrator reserves the right to adjust the rates of the project should the scope of the job or amount of work to be done be increased significantly. 2 Revision phases are included in the sketching phase, 1 revision phase if needed is included in the final art phase and the video production phase. Any revisions beyond these will be billed at a rate of 100 Euro per hour or part thereof.
If the Client changes the brief and requires subsequent changes, additions or variations which substantially change the nature of the commission or brief as outlined in the estimate, this will be considered a new project and is subject to a new separate estimate. Fees applied to the original project will not be applied to the new project.
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.
I started my own Instagram feedwith 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.
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 room, bathroom and kitchen.
I hope you enjoyed some of the updates and I thank you for your interest.
NEUKUNDEN
Ein grosses Dankeschön an diese neuen Kunden, welche ich herzlich willkommen heisse…
Zum Goldenen Hirschen Werbeagentur
(München, Hamburg und Berlin – Deutschland) LINK
Rock Brasiliano
Communications and Corporate Creativity
Wir sind ein ideengeführtes Unternehmen für Communications und Corporate Creativity. Unsere Stärke besteht darin, den strategisch-analytischen Scharfsinn mit der Kreativität von Designern, Vordenkern und Textgestaltern intelligent zu kombinieren.
(Hamburg – Deutschland) LINK
Coley Solutions Smarter Performance Solutions â„¢
We Develop Award Winning Training & Performance Solutions that Empower your Workforce.
(USA) LINK
AKTUELLE PROJEKTE
HENKEL
Ich hatte das grosse Vergnügen eine Serie von Illustrationen für Reinigungsprodukte der Firma HENKEL zu zeichnen. Hierbei war wichtig, dass die Aussage ohne Text oder sprachliche Elemente verständlich ist.
Kunde: Rock Brasiliano
Dieser Auftrag wurde durch die Illustratoren Repräsentanz, Die Kleinert in München erteilt. Jutta Kleinert repräsentiert mich in Deutschland exklusiv. LINK
YJOO ist eine Agentur für Kommunikation, die durch Relevanz Orientierung und nachhaltige Vertrauens-beziehungen schafft. Wir entwickeln Strategien, Inhalte, Form, Design und Prozesse schweizweit an unseren Standorten Zürich, St.Gallen, Rolle und Lugano.
Ein Forschungsteam der Universität Zürich wollte eine Tasse mit einem Comic herstellen lassen und hat mich als Zeichner angefragt ob folgendes möglich ist: Diverse Teammitglieder sollten darauf als Karikaturen vorkommen. Der fertige Comic / Cartoon wurde anhand von Fotos der einzelnen Forscher gezeichnet und das Team war begeistert.
(Vektorillustration in Adobe Illustrator auf Porzellan gedruckt).
Für eine Reihe von Trainingsvideos für die U.S Regierung welche durch die Firma Coley Solutionsproduziert werden, gestalte ich aktuell alle Figuren, Character Designs und Illustrationen.
Die Herausforderung dieses recht umfangreichen und langfristigen Projektes hat mich stark interessiert und ich und der Kunde sind mit den Endresultaten sehr zufrieden.
Die ersten T-Shirt Designs welche ich für den Amerikanischen Ringer Johnny Mundo AKA John Morrison zeichnen durfte sind nun erhältlich.
Es hat sehr viel Spass gemacht für Johnny diese Illustrationen anzufertigen. Weitere Motive sind momentan in Bearbeitung.
Auch diesen Sommer habe ich für das Fest-Komitee in “meinem” kleinen Südfranzösichen Dorf wieder das Logo für das Dorffest gestaltet, welches auf T-shirts, Bandanas und Tassen gedruckt wird.
Ich hoffe der eine oder andere Beitrag in meinem kleinen Newsletter hat Sie interessiert. Wenn Sie mit mir über eines Ihrer Projekte sprechen möchten, können Sie mich direkt unter +33 6 42 49 82 11 oder per Mail ian@marsdenillustration.comerreichen.
I would like to give you a short update on the fun and exciting projects of the last few months.
NEW CLIENTS
A big thank you and welcome to new clients:¦
Zum Goldenen Hirschen Advertising agency
(Munich, Hamburg and Berlin – Germany) LINK
Rock Brasiliano
Communications and Corporate Creativity LINK
Coley Solutions Smarter Performance Solutions
We Develop Award Winning Training & Performance Solutions that Empower your Workforce.
(USA) LINK
A SELECTION OF RECENT PROJECTS
HENKEL
I created a series of illustrations for sanitary cleaning products for HENKEL.
The artwork needed to be visually self-explanatory without words or language.
This project was a collaboration with Rock Brasiliano
through German Illustration Agency, Die Kleinert LINK
The University of Zurich required an illustration to be printed on coffee mugs for a research team, with recognizable caricatures of the team members based on photographs.
I have the great pleasure of creating illustrations for a series of whiteboard scribing explainer videos for the U.S. Government written and produced by Coley Solutions.
This is a long-term, ongoing project to create a library of training videos and I am delighted to be part of this collaboration.
I am very experienced in the production of Whiteboard Scribing videos.
I can produce such videos for you from A to Z in various languages. Examples of my video productions can be found on my home page.
I hope you enjoyed this little update and if you would like to talk to me about any of your projects please call me at + 33 6 42 49 82 11 or e-mail me at ian@marsdenillustration.com
Professional independent illustrator, designer, animator and cartoonist at your service
Hi, my name is Ian Marsden and I am an independent freelance illustrator, designer and cartoonist.
I work in various styles and I specialize in such areas as vector digital art, advertising illustration, graphics for business and educational use, character design, logo design, mascot design as well as caricature and cartoons.
The enclosed poster shows you a small example of the range of styles and areas of expertise I work in.
Book Cover Digital vector illustration in Adobe Illustrator CS5.
Digital vector illustration in Adobe Illustrator CS5 by illustrator Ian David Marsden.
Alex Thaler: Founder and CEO of DearAdmissions.com, Founder and Managing Member of AllionEssay.com, Author of “The Art of the Personal Statement.”, Over ten years of experience in test prep/admissions consulting. See: http://alexthalerconsulting.com
Fee-wise I am somewhere in the middle of the field. Quality wise I deliver a very high standard with a unique and recognizable style.
Idea / Script / Concept:
Sound / Voiceover:
Usage Rights:
Step 1: Idea / Concept / Storyboard
Step 3: Music Choice and Voice Recording
What is the cost of a video?
