Blog Archives

Elegant Concept Art for Volkswagen’s SEDRIC

Elegant Concept Art for Volkswagen’s SEDRIC – CEBIT 2018

Commissioned by CMV Cross Media Verlag GmbH, Hamburg

Download full case study (PDF File)
marsdenillustration.com/PDF/casestudy-Volkswagen-marsden.pdf

Concept illustration of Volkswagen SEDRIC arriving at Autostadt Wolfsburg by Ian David Marsden.

In 2018, I was commissioned by CMV Cross Media Verlag GmbH (Communications. New Media. Content.) in Hamburg to create a series of highly refined concept illustrations to accompany a journalist presentation surrounding the Volkswagen Group’s autonomous mobility concept, SEDRIC.

olkswagen SEDRIC concept car in a professional photo studio with photographer and lighting.
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Let’s connect on Linkedin


LinkedIn Profile Now Fully Updated — 75+ Projects Across Illustration, Branding, UX/UI, Animation & Visual Storytelling

LinkedIn Profile Now Fully Updated — 75+ Projects Across Illustration, Branding, UX/UI, Animation & Visual Storytelling

LinkedIn profile of Ian David Marsden, Swiss illustrator and creative director based in France. Features profile photo, client projects, editorial illustrations, wine labels, and UX visuals for international brands.

My professional LinkedIn profile is now fully updated and includes over 75 detailed entries spanning two decades of international work across illustration, character design, branding, UX/UI, and visual communication.

Each project showcases a specific client collaboration—from editorial illustration and corporate storytelling to character design and mascot creation, wine label design, packaging, infographics, explainer videos, motion graphics, and business comics. PDF case studies are included for selected campaigns.

LinkedIn experience timeline of Ian David Marsden, highlighting over 40 years in editorial cartoons, UX/UI design, brand mascots, and corporate storytelling across Switzerland, Germany, and France.

You’ll find work created for clients in France, Switzerland, Germany, the United States, and beyond—across sectors including SaaS, education, energy, food & wine, culture, tech, and publishing.

Highlights:

  • Full career timeline and credentials
  • Over 75 project entries with media files
  • Editorial illustration, branding & identity systems
  • Character design, mascot creation, UX storytelling
  • Motion design, explainer videos, onboarding visuals
  • Comics and sequential art for internal and public campaigns
  • Infographics, packaging, wine labels, product visuals
  • Professional trilingual communication (EN/FR/DE)
  • Strategic storytelling for startups, agencies, and publishers
  • PDF case files for select projects (e.g., iSHEPHERD, Sustain-D, INTWT)
Screenshot of Ian David Marsden’s LinkedIn projects section showcasing editorial illustrations, business comics, literary humor, and storytelling visuals for international publications.

This profile is designed to support agencies, publishers, and international clients seeking a seasoned creative partner for illustration, design, and storytelling projects.

View my LinkedIn Profile

Complete archive at marsdenillustration.com

Featured section of Ian David Marsden’s LinkedIn profile including project media: sustainability-themed business comics, Clip Studio Paint live drawing event, and editorial illustration for Mercedes-Benz.

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Official CELSYS Event – Live Clip Studio Paint Illustration: “The City at Night”

Clip Studio Paint Live Drawing Party

On November 17, 2020, I was officially invited by CELSYS, creators of Clip Studio Paint, to participate as a featured artist in their Creative Together! Connected Ink 21-hour Drawing Party. This global livestreamed event was part of Wacom’s Connected Ink—a major international forum exploring the future of creative pen and digital content technology.

Live Clip Studio Paint illustration by Ian David Marsden – City at Night - Drawing on Cintiq27QHD

Watch my full segment (starts at 6:27:39):

YouTube Livestream – Ian David Marsden: “The City at Night”

Live Clip Studio Paint illustration by Ian David Marsden – City at Night drawing on Wacom Cintiq27

Broadcast live from my studio in France, I illustrated the theme “The City at Night” using Clip Studio Paint on a Wacom Cintiq 27 QHD Touch. The 90-minute session allowed real-time interaction with a global audience via live chat. Viewers followed the entire digital workflow—from sketch to final render—while asking questions and exchanging insights during the broadcast.

Woman and Robot strolling by a Paris Cafe at night - digital illustration by Ian David Marsden www.marsden.fr
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The First Google Doodle Artist: Ian David Marsden and the Origins of Google’s Iconic Illustrations

One of the more unexpected chapters of my career as a professional illustrator was my early involvement with Google. In fact, I had the unique opportunity to be the first-ever Google Doodle artist. For about a year, I created every Google Doodle — long before the term became widely known — helping to shape a now-iconic part of the company’s visual identity.

At the time, Google was still in its infancy. I was contacted by Susan Wojcicki, then Google’s marketing manager and later CEO of YouTube, who hired me to develop fun, engaging artwork to appear on the homepage for special occasions. You can read about this in a Wall Street Journal article on Google’s early history.

All of the Doodles I created are archived and viewable online. Here is a curated gallery:

[ngg src=“galleries” ids=“33” display=“pro_film” images_per_page=“0”]

The First Doodle: Alien Abduction (May 2000)

My first official Doodle was a playful alien abduction animation that appeared on the Google homepage in May 2000. It’s now considered the first true Google Doodle. The sequence shows the logo being taken by a UFO — a concept that has since become legendary in the Doodle archive.

My first official Doodle was a playful alien abduction animation that appeared on the Google homepage in May 2000 Google Doodle by Ian David Marsden
UFO Abducts Google Logo

https://www.google.com/doodles/google-aliens-2000-1
https://www.google.com/doodles/google-aliens-2000-2
https://www.google.com/doodles/google-aliens-2000-3
https://www.google.com/doodles/google-aliens-2000-4
https://www.google.com/doodles/google-aliens-2000-5

4th of July Series (2000)

4th of July 2000 Google Doodle Series by Ian David Marsden The founding fathers gather for a weekend of BBQ and fireworks around the Google Logo - 4th of July Celebration Google Doodle Series
4th of July Celebration

The founding fathers gather for a weekend of BBQ and fireworks around the Google Logo – 4th of July Celebration Google Doodle Series illustrated by Ian David Marsden

https://www.google.com/doodles/4th-of-july-2000-1
https://www.google.com/doodles/4th-of-july-2000-2
https://www.google.com/doodles/4th-of-july-2000-3
https://www.google.com/doodles/4th-of-july-2000-4

Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics – “Kangaroodle” Mascot

For the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, I created a recurring kangaroo mascot affectionately dubbed “Kangaroodle.” These illustrations became some of the most beloved early Doodles, appearing daily to reflect each Olympic sport.

Sydney Olympics Kangaroodle on a bicycle with the two Os of GOOGLE serving as the wheels - Google Doodle by Ian David Marsden
Sydney Olympics – Cycling

Opening Ceremony
Kayak
Gymnastics
Archery
Diving
Track & Field
Cycling
Weightlifting
Soccer
Basketball
Closing Ceremony

Final Doodle – Happy New Year 2001

Two happy polar bears celebrate New Year 2001 around the Google Logo - Google Doodle illustrated by Ian David Marsden
Happy New Year 2001

Two happy polar bears celebrate New Year 2001 around the Google Logo – Google Doodle illustrated by Ian David Marsden

https://www.google.com/doodles/happy-new-year-2001

Further Reading & Links

For more information about my work, you can explore the following pages:

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Volkswagen Sedric Concept Illustrations

Artist: Ian David Marsden
www.marsdenillustration.com

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Marsden Illustration