Blog Archives

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.

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Comic Strips Sustainable Energy

For France-based client Sustain D I was tasked to develop original character designs for two cartoon characters and draw a series of comic strips featuring energy saving and ecological tips and tricks.

Let the sun shine in and you don’t need to turn the lights on 😀
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Friars Club NYC – Animated Website Intro

Short intro animation created specifically for the Friars Club, New York City.

Several monk friar characters were created for animated GIFs and icons for the website
including Jackie Gleason playing pool and this little friar for the animation.

All artwork was created in Adobe Illustrator as vector art and then animated in Adobe Flash.

Client: Friars Club, Date: 2008, Artist: Ian David Marsden – www.marsdenillustration.com

Caricatures of Friars Club Officials opening red curtain – Animated Cartoon GIF
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Mascot Design Logo FIS Ski World Championship 2003 St. Moritz

(with YouTube Video Radio Interview with Mascot Designer Ian Marsden)

I n 2002 I was contacted by the organization for the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in the renowned pristine alpine resort town of St. Moritz, Switzerland. I was informed, that I had been chosen as the designer and illustrator to create the official mascot for the event.

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Artwork for Series of Micro Learning Videos

Character Design, Backround Design, Asset Design and Illustrations for “Knowledge Nuggets” micro-learning videos for the United States Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI).

Artist: Ian David Marsden
Media: Vector Artwork in Adobe Illustrator CC

More examples of explainer videos and whiteboard videos with my artwork and a description of the production process can be found HERE

https://marsdenillustration.com/portfolio/whiteboard/

Knowledge Nuggets Artwork by Ian David Marsden
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Avatar and Character Design

(… and SUPER HEROES)

Avatars and character designs to be used in print, motion graphics, whiteboard videos, or explainer videos. Detailed and shaded in different styles or flat line art and vector graphics. Delivered on layers ready for import into your layout software or Premiere or After Effects.

Various different vector character avatars
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Custom Whiteboard Videos by Experienced Cartoonist – High Quality and Affordable

Explainer Videos, Motion Graphics, Whiteboard, Scribing

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the necessity for engaging, dynamic content is paramount. As attention spans contract, the ability to swiftly capture and sustain viewer engagement is vital. Moving visuals, especially hand-drawn videos, shine as invaluable assets in this domain. Their charm and animated nature don’t just convey your message; they make it memorable.

Whiteboard or Explainer Videos blend simplicity with creativity, masterfully transforming complex topics into digestible and captivating narratives. With over two decades of expertise in illustration, character design, and cartooning, I infuse every video with a distinct, refined touch.

A lovely walk by the castle at the lake

Our partnership kicks off with a comprehensive briefing, allowing me to deeply understand your aspirations and objectives. Scripting and storyboarding follow, laying down the visual and narrative blueprint. I pride myself on my commitment to authenticity and originality. The videos I craft avoid the trappings of generic templates and characters, opting instead for custom illustrations that harmonize with your brand and its message.

In a market saturated with providers leveraging software, pre-loaded drawings, and templated assets, many videos risk looking indistinguishably similar, potentially exuding an air of uninspired mass production. My approach contrasts sharply. Every creation is genuinely hand-drawn, custom-tailored, and deeply attuned to your brand’s ethos. The styles you might have enjoyed in my portfolio? All are at your disposal, from monochromatic sketches to vivid, full-color masterpieces.

Zuerich Gym - 24 Stunden Geöffnet - Trainieren im Gym des Europemeister Frank Müller

Yet, quality doesn’t necessitate extravagance. Despite offering expert craftsmanship and bespoke content, my rates are surprisingly competitive. The proposition is clear: top-tier quality without the top-tier price. Each collaboration is structured with transparent, flat-rate estimates from conception to completion, ensuring you can plan without the stress of unforeseen costs. Defined milestones keep the project on track and punctual.

Your message deserves prominence. Should you be seeking an authentic, captivating narrative, whether for product showcases, service introductions, or business processes, I am poised to deliver. Reach out, let’s discuss a no-commitment offer, and embark on a journey to make your content distinct, engaging, and memorable.

Thank you for considering a collaboration. I look forward to the possibility of working with you.

Ian Marsden – ian@marsdenillustration.com – iphone/whatsapp: +33 (0)6 42 49 82 11


Custom Illustrated Videos

#whiteboardvideos #custommade #cartoonist #highquality #affordable

VISIT MY YOUTUBE PLAYLIST WITH MANY VIDEO SAMPLES

Lernnuggets Presentation Video 2

What ARE Explainer Videos or Whiteboard Videos?

What are Explainer Videos? What is Whiteboard?

What Styles can be used?


Pretty much any style you can find in my art portfolio: https://marsdenillustration.com/portfolio-2020/

Click gallery images below to enlarge and open slideshow

Video combining animation with live action

The World is Not Flat - Seeing & Understanding the All Stars Approach to Human Development

Some examples of video series produced in english, german and french using known voice talents:

Beispielvideo auf Deutsch mit der Stimme von Schauspieler Kaspar Eichel
(Schauspieler und Synchronsprecher. Er ist bekannt als die deutsche Stimme von Robert Redford)

PilzVideo 001 Kultivierung der Pilze

Example Video in English with the voice of David A. Watson

MushroomVideo 002 Production of Mushroom Powder

Vidéo en Français avec la voix de Daniel Beretta
Daniel Beretta, est un acteur, auteur-compositeur-interprète
Également célèbre pour son travail dans le milieu du doublage,
il est notamment la voix française régulière d’Arnold Schwarzenegger

ChampignonVideo 006 L'essentiel en bref

Every video and all illustrations are custom made with care and precision.
No clip-art or stock art. No re-usable characters, no repeated faces, bodies or puppets.
No prefabricated explainer software. 

What are the costs?

Please contact me for a free und non-binding flat-rate estimate, custom made for your needs and project requirements. My flat rates include idea phase, storyboarding, final art, video production and transfer of usage rights (also for characters and artwork).



Knowledge Nuggets for the Federal Acquisition Institute:

What is a Program Manager

(character designs, illustrations and backgrounds by Ian David Marsden)
for the Federal Acquisition Institute
https://www.fai.gov/media-library/collection/knowledge-nugget

Some More Example Videos

Hawlik Vitalpilze – 005 – Wir lassen dem Pilz die volle Zeit zur Reife
Hawlik Gesundheitsprodukte

Hawlik Vitalpilze - 005 - Wir lassen dem Pilz die volle Zeit zur Reife

Dfreeeze Smart Phone App (Deutsche Version) – Digades

Dfreeeze Smart Phone App (Deutsche Version) - Digades

Break the chain of Infection IPC Infection prevention and control
Dräger Global

Break the chain of Infection_IPC_Infection prevention and control

PDF DOWNLOAD WITH ART SAMPLES

Download PDF with art samples: Drawings, Cartoons, Comics, Graphic Novels, Children’s Books

Download PDF with art samples:
Advertising, Marketing, Merchanidising, Vector Art,
Logos, Design, Character Design, Mascots



Sketchbook | Advertising and Business | Videos and Animation | Editorial Illustration | Logo and Character Design | Cartoons and Comics | Packaging Design | Google Doodles | Children’s Book Illustration | Ritzenhoff | Wacom Featured Artist | Latoya Jackson

Bio Ian Marsden English | Bio Ian Marsden Français | Bio Ian Marsden Deutsch

For a partial client list and testimonials please visit my biography page.

© Copyright 2022 the individual clients / artist: Ian David Marsden
(Displayed on my personal homepage for self-promotional purposes under rights granted by my terms and conditions.)

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Goodbye Marsdencartoons.com

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Good-bye Marsdencartoons.com

It was on December 2nd, 1998 (almost 20 years ago!) that I started my first website “Marsdencartoons.com”.

It evolved over many iterations, and later for several years it also hosted the Marsdencartoons Cartoonist’s Directory which was a popular resource to find links to illustrators and cartoonists all over the world.

Since I don’t only draw cartoons but also create more “serious” illustrations and logos and character designs for various clients all over the world, I decided in 2014 to create my new homepage MARSDEN ILLUSTRATION, which you see before you and which embodies all the various facets of my work in my PORTFOLIO

Such as my personal sketchbook, the first Google Doodles which were created by me, Advertising and Business Illustration, Custom Whiteboard Videos and Explainer Videos design and production, Editorial Illustration, Comics, Logos, Character Design and Mascot Design, Ritzenhoff Designs, Children’s Book Illustration, Wacom Tutorial Videos by Ian Marsden, Packaging Design and some of the album covers I created for La Toya Jackson and Ja-Tail Enterprises LLC.

For a few years it autoforwarded to my new domain, but a few months ago I let the old marsdencartoons.com domain name expire. A fresh new start.

It appears that another company has purchased the domain name marsdencartoons.com and is now putting up a website for Illustration and Graphics.
This is of course perfectly fine and quite normal I guess by Internet standards, although it would be interesting to know who the “Marsden” is who is featured in their domain name. Because one thing I can tell you is that it is NOT me.

For the record, I wanted to state categorically: that I, Ian David Marsden, am no longer the owner of the domain marsdencartoons.com, I am in no way involved in their enterprise, and am not affiliated anymore in any way with marsdencartoons.com. Any transactions with this domain will not include any involvement with me and you will not be purchasing artwork created by me.

If you wish to contact me (Ian David Marsden) regarding graphic design, illustrations or cartoons, then the only official website is this one: www.marsdenillustration.com

My official and verified Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/IanDavidMarsden/

My official YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/user/idmars10

My official Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/marsdenillustration/

Thank you for your continued interest in my artwork and more from my studio very soon.

All the best,

Ian

PS: If you haven’t signed up yet for my personal newsletter, now is a good time because I am preparing the next one. (I send them out about 4 or 5 times a year with news and behind the scenes looks at some of the artwork I am currently working on)

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Marsden Illustration