Case study:

The goal of this illustration was to create a New Year card for family and friends, along with posts for LinkedIn, Instagram, and a magazine double-spread.

Inspired by Christmas and New Year celebrations, I wanted to capture the festive spirit through a vibrant illustration that embodied themes of celebration and renewal, and which could be shared widely.

celebration

the process

Initially, I sketched three female characters of different ethnicities, but combining them didn’t work, so I developed them separately.

The character of African descent became the face of the New Year. I imagined the character in bright, contrasting colors, wearing a long-sleeved dress with ruffles. I drew inspiration from real-world fashion and integrated these elements into my sketch.

I envisioned the character sitting proudly on a heart-shaped couch, holding a glass to toast the New Year.

The result was an illustration used for a New Year card, a book cover, and a spot illustration in a magazine spread.

The final color palette—red, gold, and green—evokes themes of life, bounty, and hope. I further emphasized these themes by incorporating flying birds as the catchlight in her eyes, symbolizing aspiration and joy.

Initially, I sketched a flute glass but later changed it to a coupe glass to harmonize with the semi-circular design of the dress. I tilted the glass for a more dynamic composition and added a gift, symbolizing the act of giving and receiving, allowing viewers to interpret its meaning.

The response to the illustration was positive. People liked the vibrant design and the joyful spirit it conveyed. The project celebrated the New Year and demonstrated the power of illustration in connecting with people through culturally rich and meaningful artwork.

outcome

impact