31 Mar '25

My Updated LinkedIn and What I Do

31/03/2025 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: idmarsden | In: advertising comics, advertising illustration, art of illustration, Book Illustration, business comics, Business Illustration, Character Design, comic strip, cute vector characters, Editorial Illustration, experienced illustrator, explainer illustration, explainer video, explainervideos schweiz, Freelance Illustrator, hand-drawn explainer videos, illustrateur, Illustrateur France, illustrateur montpellier, Illustration, Illustration Deutschland, Illustration France, illustration montpellier, illustration portfolio, Illustration Schweiz, Illustration YouTube, Illustrator, Illustrator Deutschland, illustrator portfolio, Illustrator Schweiz, Maskottchen Illustration, professional illustrator, Schweizer Illustrator, vector illustration, Vektor Illustration, video explicative

My Updated LinkedIn and What I Do

Refreshed, Reconnected, and Rediscovered

In between recent creative projects, I finally gave some much-needed attention to a corner of my digital presence that I’d neglected for years—my LinkedIn profile.

I’ve had it for over two decades, but it remained almost willfully minimalistic. Sparse. Mysterious, perhaps. It certainly didn’t reflect the breadth of my work, or the clients and collaborators I’ve been fortunate to partner with over the years. I’m happy to share that it’s now fully updated—with a professional new header, an accurate timeline, and over 40 detailed project entries complete with media and visuals.

What You’ll See There Now

The header alone already gives you a strong sense of what I do:

“Illustrator & Creative Director | Cartoons, Mascots, Business Comics & Character Design | Branding, UX/UI, Storytelling & Motion | Available Worldwide”

Below that, you’ll find a growing library of case studies, media files, and a concise look into the work that clients trust me with—from Switzerland to Germany to France, and beyond.

Based in France – Working Globally

My name is Ian David Marsden, and I’m a Swiss illustrator, character designer, and creative director. I’m currently based in Claret, near Montpellier, in the beautiful Pic Saint Loup region of southern France. This is where my fully equipped studio is located, and where most of my visual and storytelling work is conceptualized and produced.

While my location is France, my clients are international. I’m perfectly bilingual in English and German, and I also work with a full business-level proficiency in French. Whether it’s a wine label for a domaine in the Languedoc, a mascot for a startup in Berlin, or an editorial illustration for a Swiss publisher, I bring cross-cultural awareness, professional fluency, and artistic clarity to each project.

07 Jan '25

Illustrated Workflow for Graph Database Modeling

07/01/2025 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: idmarsden | In: art of illustration, Business Illustration, Cartoonist, custom-created explainer videos, explainer illustration, explainer video, explainervideos schweiz, hand-drawn explainer videos, illustrateur, Illustrateur France, Illustration, Illustration Deutschland, Illustration France, Illustration Schweiz, Illustration YouTube, Illustrator, Illustrator Deutschland, Illustrator Schweiz, Marsden Illustration, video explicative, videos explicatives, Whiteboard, Whiteboard Animation, whiteboard schweiz, Whiteboard Video

Custom Explainer Video by Ian David Marsden

lient presenting project needs to the architect, discussing graph database requirements and strategies.

When Tom Geudens from Elephant Bird Consulting entrusted me with creating an illustrated workflow explainer video for graph database modeling, I aimed to deliver a clear, engaging, and visually appealing presentation. This project followed the development process step-by-step, showcasing how the architect, database administrator, and developers collaborate to build a successful graph database.

Tom, one of the foremost experts in the field of graph databases, illustrates the collaborative process of graph database development. From the initial client briefing to the architect’s strategic planning, through the database administrator’s management of technical workflows, and finally to the developers bringing the project to life, the video uses custom illustrations and animations to tell the story. Each character was designed to embody their specific role, creating a clear and engaging narrative. As a regular client of mine, Tom entrusted me to visually communicate the intricacies of this process, showcasing his deep expertise and the teamwork required to build successful graph databases. This video not only simplifies complex concepts but also highlights Tom’s leadership in the field.

rchitect character thinking about graph database structure with floating 3D shapes.

Using my expertise in illustrating and animating custom explainer videos, I designed vibrant character illustrations and graphic elements that simplify the workflow while maintaining audience engagement. These animations connect technical concepts to relatable visuals, making the information accessible for viewers of all backgrounds.

Architect character visualizing puzzle assembly for graph database modeling.

The architect handing over an intricately assembled cube to the database administrator, symbolizing the completed graph database structure.

Whether you need an illustrated workflow, a custom explainer video, or engaging visuals for marketing, training, or product demonstrations, I can create tailored solutions that connect with your audience, simplify complex ideas, and elevate your brand’s presence.

Database administrator at her desk analyzing a stacked cube diagram on multiple monitors.

15 Oct '23

Concept Drawings: Volkswagen Sedric

15/10/2023 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: idmarsden | In: Advertising, advertising illustration, business, Business Illustration, comiczeichner deutschland, Concept Art, Erklärvideo Deutschland, Erklärvideo Schweiz, graphiste montpellier, Ian David Marsden, Ian Marsden, illustrateur montpellier, Illustration, Illustration Deutschland, illustration montpellier, Illustration Schweiz, Illustrator Deutschland, Illustrator Schweiz, Marsden Illustration, Montpellier, Volkswagen

Creating Concept Drawings for the Volkswagen Sedric Concept Car Presentation at CEBIT 2018 *

As an illustrator, I encounter various projects, each offering distinct challenges and creative opportunities. One particular project that holds a significant place among my favortes is the creation of concept drawings for the Volkswagen Sedric Concept Car presentation at CEBIT 2018. These drawings aimed to convey a compelling narrative, capturing the essence of this innovative concept car in a visually engaging manner. Familiar with the unpredictable nature of creative projects, I embraced the challenge when the assignment came on short notice. Time constraints were no obstacle for me, as I thrive in such situations, drawing upon experience and adaptability to deliver results swiftly and effectively.

The Volkswagen Sedric self-driving concept car is a pioneering innovation in the automotive world, representing a glimpse into the future of mobility. Designed with a focus on autonomous driving technology, the Sedric Concept Car aims to redefine the way we perceive transportation. This revolutionary vehicle embodies Volkswagen’s commitment to innovation, sustainable transportation, and cutting-edge design. With its sleek, futuristic appearance and state-of-the-art autonomous capabilities, the Sedric Concept Car is not just an automobile; it’s a visionary step towards a new era of transportation that prioritizes safety, convenience, and environmental sustainability.

07 Oct '23

AN2V Kakemonos / Commercial Banner Illustration

07/10/2023 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: idmarsden | In: Adobe Illustrator, adobe photoshop, Banners, business comics, Business Illustration, Freelance, Freelance Illustrator, Freischaffend, graphiste montpellier, Illustrateur France, illustrateur montpellier, Illustration, Illustration Deutschland, Illustration France, illustration montpellier, Illustration Schweiz, independent illustrator, Kakemono, logo design montpelliler, Marketing, Montpellier, Point of Sale, Trade Show, vectoriels montpellier

I am frequently consulted by my clients to assist with marketing and advertising projects, with concepts and ideas, layouts and graphic design suggestions as well as of course drawings and illustration elements.

AN2V, the Association Nationale de la Vidéoprotection approached me for a very interesting project. Founded in 2004 by Dominique LEGRAND, this remarkable association was established to address the growing need for the exchange of experiences in the field of security technology. At the time, video surveillance, which we now call videoprotection, lacked structure, and many users were grappling with the challenges of deployment.

What sets AN2V apart is its unique combination of “demand” from both public and private users, along with companies offering products and services in the realm of security technologies. AN2V is truly one of a kind, and I was privileged to collaborate with them.

AN2V presented me with an exciting challenge – to create three distinctive, large-scale Kakémono display banners, each measuring 2.10 meters by 0.85 meters. These banners were designed to represent three key facets of AN2V’s activities: training, the association itself, and the universities they organize.

Two of the AN2V Kakemono banners on display at a tradeshow

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