(with YouTube Video Radio Interview with Mascot Designer Ian Marsden)
I had the distinct pleasure back in 2002 of being contacted by the organization for the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in the renowned pristine alpine resort town of St. Moritz, Switzerland. I had been chosen to design the official mascot for the event.
This character design was my first foray into the world of mascot designs and logo character design and opened the door for many subsequent projects I was invited to participate in.
As an experienced character designer for over 20 years, I have had the great pleasure of accompanying my clients in their search for a dynamic ambassador for their brand or event and creating a design that fit like a glove.
Character Design, Mascot Design, Avatars, Layered People Illustrations for Animation
“Sergei turned to marketing manager Susan Wojcicki, who found illustrator Ian Marsden and put him to work.
In May 2000, Ian created the first Google doodle. It featured—surprise, surprise—aliens making off with our logo.”
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.
Exciting News and Updates from Illustrator Ian David Marsden
I am a freelance illustrator, designer, cartoonist and I also produce and animate whiteboard and explainer videos.
You can sign up for my newsletter in the box on the right. I send a newsletter roughly four times a year.
My artist portfolio, biography, client list and referrals/testimonials can be found on my homepage at: http://marsdenillustration.com
I hope you enjoy these latest updates including some exiting news about my graphic novel project, new clients, new YouTube drawing video tutorial and more.
Dear visitor to my blog,
2016 started off in a very active, busy and fun way for me.
Publishing
Some very exciting news for me personally, is that a graphic novel project I have been developing has been accepted and is now being represented by a New York literary agency. I look forward to telling you more about this very soon. Below is a little teaser sample:
Object Design / Licensing
RITZENHOFF
will be unveiling two new cappuccino cups with saucers, which I designed, at the Ambiente trade show in Frankfurt (12th to16th February 2016).
Ambiente is the world’s most important consumer goods trade fair, which boasts a globally unrivalled range of products in the Dining, Giving and Living areas.
The cups will be available in retail stores world-wide and also in the Ritzenhoff online shop here: LINK
New Projects
I regularly consult as an artist and designer on projects where I am bound to contractual discretion. This means that I am not at liberty to display or reference my work in my portfolio, blog or newsletter even for self-promotional purposes. Nevertheless, without divulging any further information or details, I am thrilled to have worked on projects for the following new clients.
Logos
Mensa
, the international High IQ Society has awarded their 2017 International Board of Director’s meeting (IBD) to the town of Nice, France. Out of a selection of proposed graphic solutions, I am delighted that my design was chosen as the official logo and CI for the event. (Logo horizontal landscape version below)
Design for the new logo for WO magnetic water purification devices.
Character Design
One of the departments of the University of Bern in Switzerland commissioned me a while ago, to design a series of likeable bear characters that should also be appealing to children. I added some new bears to the ever-growing family in January.
Another fun character design project I have been involved in for a few years is this one for the company Si. I was originally tasked to take their existing “Pfiffikus” mascot and give him a more dynamic and modern appearance, all the while retaining his work clothes and color scheme.
Over the years, several poses and applications of the character have been created. All versions are created as fully-scalable 100% vector artwork in Adobe Illustrator.
Labels / Packaging
I am currently designing a series of labels for exclusive, high quality oils and vinegars.
Leisure Projects
In-between projects or just to take a break (yes, I take breaks 😀), I like to relax doodling in my sketchbooks or on loose scraps of paper around my studio (or tablecloths or whatever I can get my hands on). Some of these scribbles end up on my Facebook and other social media. (Another favorite source of distraction) Links at the bottom of this e-mail. in case you feel like joining me.
Here is another personal, non-commissioned art project. A modern interpretation of a moon symbol. (digital print on canvas 80 cm x 60 cm)
Printed media
I recently received a package with my copies of the printed Digades Dfreeeze app brochure featuring a multi-page comic I drew. I am very pleased with the result. You can read the whole booklet here: LINK
I designed and implemented several catalogs and price lists for my very good customer Sanafort, a producer of high quality vital mushrooms, teas and health supplements. http://www.sanafort.ch
Video / YouTube
My latest video on my YouTube channel is of me drawing the little bird for the header of this newsletter. I hope you enjoy it. LINK
Well, that’s all for now. I hope one or the other item might have been of interest.
Freelance Illustrator, Cartoonist, Whiteboard Explainer Video Producer and Designer on LinkedIn.
My name is Ian David Marsden and I am an experienced, professional independent illustrator, cartoonist, character designer, mascot and logo developer and whiteboard video producer.
Customer recommendations can be found on my homepage at www.marsdenillustration.com
Some of my clients include: Auto Bild, Blick Online, BOLD Werbung GmbH, Coca Cola, Coley & Associates, Chemmedia, Diesel Jeans UK, Digades, Droemer Knaur Verlag, Evonik Industries, Fox Television, Fraunhofer, Zum Goldenen Hirschen, GMX.de, Google, HauntedHollywood, John Morrison / Johnny Mundo, KHW, La Toya Jackson, Lindt Chocolate, MAD Magazine, Mac Directory, MAN, Mercedes Benz, Mövenpick, Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), Deutsche Telekom, Publicis, PwC, Richmond Publishing, Ritzenhoff, Rock Brasiliano, Roland Berger, Samsung, Santillana, seele, Showtime Television, Sieber & Wolf, Strobe Solutions, Ski WM 2003, The New Yorker, Universal Music Group, Universität Zürich, Universität Bern, VISA, Wacom, YJOO
I find LinkedIn to be a very valuable and efficient tool to stay connected with my connections and to find valuable resources through their connections. If you are also using LinkedIn I would love to be added to your contacts, even if you are not currently looking for illustrations or custom designs, I will be there for the day when the need arises. You can find my profile here:
Can you believe that it’s November again? It seems like the months have just flown by since I last sat down to write you a few lines from my illustration studio.
I’ve been having a lot of fun doing freehand sketches between projects. Here are some glimpses into my sketchbooks and Moleskines.
I’ve been posting some of my doodles to my Facebook page and sometimes I also upload short videos of my sketching to my YouTube channel.
This year we created a 12 page comic which continues the adventures of the main protagonists, Michael, Anne, Stefan and Julia and their Dfreeeze car heater remote control application.
Regular client Sanafort AG (a renowned Swiss producer of natural Reishi mushroom and other tonic herbs and food supplements) needed website and newsletter graphics for Christmas and the New Year and to advertise upcoming product launches and promotions.
As always they allowed me a lot of creative freedom and I think the results are quite elegant.
My very good personal friend Helmi Sigg, Swiss actor, comedian, writer and renaissance man has partnered with STEINER Meats to create their own delicious Swiss-made twist on New York Style pastrami.
He entrusted me to create the logo for this culinary delight which is aptly named ‘Pastrelmi’ after it’s creator.
The last few weeks have been very exciting on a personal level, as we have been preparing for my first exhibition of original drawings in quite a while.
Over 60 pieces of artwork are on display in the exhibition, organized by the Association Artistique Monet at the Espace George Brassens in St Gely du Fesc (Montpellier).
I am exhibiting together with famous French cartoonist Ptiluc and two German artists, Heike Negenborn and Carmen Stahlschmidt.
It would be my pleasure to talk to you about any new projects you might have.
Please call me at +33 6 42 49 82 11 or e-mail me at [email protected] for a free consultation.
Can you believe that it’ November again? It seems like the months have just flown by since I last sat down to write you a few lines from my illustration studio.
I’ve been having a lot of fun doing freehand sketches between projects. Here are some glimpses into my sketchbooks and Moleskines.
I’ve been posting some of my doodles to my Facebook page and sometimes I also upload short videos of my sketching to my YouTube channel.
This year we created a 12 page comic which continues the adventures of the main protagonists, Michael, Anne, Stefan and Julia and their Dfreeeze car heater remote control application.
Regular client Sanafort AG (a renowned Swiss producer of natural Reishi mushroom and other tonic herbs and food supplements) needed website and newsletter graphics for Christmas and the New Year and to advertise upcoming product launches and promotions.
As always they allowed me a lot of creative freedom and I think the results are quite elegant.
My very good personal friend Helmi Sigg, Swiss actor, comedian, writer and renaissance man has partnered with STEINER Meats to create their own delicious Swiss-made twist on New York Style pastrami.
He entrusted me to create the logo for this culinary delight which is aptly named ‘Pastrelmi’ after it’s creator.
The last few weeks have been very exciting on a personal level, as we have been preparing for my first exhibition of original drawings in quite a while.
Over 60 pieces of artwork are on display in the exhibition, organized by the Association Artistique Monet at the Espace George Brassens in St Gely du Fesc (Montpellier).
I am exhibiting together with famous French cartoonist Ptiluc and two German artists, Heike Negenborn and Carmen Stahlschmidt.
It would be my pleasure to talk to you about any new projects you might have.
Please call me at +33 6 42 49 82 11 or e-mail me at [email protected] for a free consultation.
Welcome to my first newsletter of the year.In the past few months I have collaborated on various exciting projects, and welcomed new clients such as KHW, Ransom Publishing and Roland Berger Strategy Consultants.
Allow me to present a few brief highlights.
CURRENTLY ON MY DRAWING BOARDRight now I am working on a series of T-Shirt Designs for WWE WrestlerJohnny Mundo
(Previously known as John Morrison).
Here is a sneak peek of one of my sketches ‘hot out of the oven’.
My next e-mail will feature the finished, awesome Johnny Mundo designs.
PUBLISHINGI had the pleasure of illustrating a fun children’s picture book for Ransom Publishing called THE SECRET EGG by John Townsend.
I will place links in my blog when it is available for ordering.
PLEASE CLICK HERE for more of my art for Children and Young Adult Readers.
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
I frequently contribute editorial illustrations to magazines and newspapers.Here is a drawing I created for an article about the city of Zürich for the NZZ am Sonntag. (Published Sunday March 8 2015)
Storyboard, illustrations and animatic animation for a brief video animation to be played language independently at trade shows and on-line.Client: KHW / Wüstenschlitten. Click here to see the video: https://youtu.be/UWKJrpV4eWA
I was invited by Cyril Schicker to create the artwork and flyer for an evening with Dirk Bernemann at the Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich.Cabaret Voltaire – Dada Haus – Spiegelgasse 1 – 8001 Zürich http://www.cabaretvoltaire.ch/
PRESS / LAST BUT NOT LEAST
I was delighted that French Entrée Magazine did an interview and feature on me, where I create my artwork and the region where I live (very rural but wonderful).
I am an independent illustrator, cartoonist, and designer and I also produce quality animation and whiteboard or animatic videos.I am available for new projects.
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