Are ‘People’ Illustrations a Good Choice for Your Website?
In the digital age, websites are more than just online spaces—they are the heart of a brand’s identity. A well-crafted website showcases a brand's prowess and uniqueness, setting it apart in a crowded marketplace. However, in the pursuit of creating visually appealing platforms, many brands have fallen into a common trap: relying on templated, stock illustrations of humans. While these may seem polished at first glance, they often dilute a brand's individuality, leading to a digital landscape where everything looks the same.
Not too long ago, we saw this play out with the rise of the "Corporate Memphis" style—a design trend characterized by simple, featureless people with exaggerated limbs, often engaged in mundane corporate tasks. This style, inspired by the bold and toy-like designs of the Memphis Group from the 1980s, was quickly adopted by tech giants like Google, Facebook, Shopify, and Hinge. It became so ubiquitous that it started to lose its impact, making once-distinct brands blend into a sea of sameness.
Brands pour significant resources into marketing to highlight their uniqueness, yet many fall into the trap of using this standardized style simply because it was easy to create and animate. The result? A visual identity that feels uninspired and, worse, forgettable.
So, should brands rethink their illustration style? Absolutely. We are now seeing a shift away from Corporate Memphis toward more distinctive, personal designs. Take Notion, for example. In 2023, the productivity tool overhauled its branding with a fresh set of illustrations that use sketched humans, breaking away from the 2D flat graphic illustration style. These new visuals, with their quirky hand-drawn feel, have helped Notion stand out in the crowded productivity market, making the platform feel more accessible and creative.
Another example is Mailchimp. In 2020, the email marketing platform moved away from its traditional design and adopted a quirky, hand-drawn illustration style. This change was more than just aesthetic; it was a strategic move to communicate Mailchimp’s playful and approachable brand personality. The unique illustrations have become a defining feature, setting them apart from competitors and making a lasting impression on their audience.
The takeaway is clear: a carefully crafted, brand-specific illustration can evoke emotions, tell a story, and embody a brand's essence in a single stroke. It's more than just decoration—it’s an emblem that communicates a brand's values, culture, and identity at a glance, leaving a memorable imprint on visitors.
However, when human illustrations are carelessly integrated into websites without thoughtful consideration, they become nothing more than a shortcut, leading to a homogenized digital landscape that fails to inspire or leave a lasting impression. Brands that truly want to stand out need to invest in visual identities that are as unique as the products and services they offer.
In this blog, we delve deep into the world of human illustrations on websites, exploring the potential pitfalls of generic visuals and the remarkable impact of custom, thoughtfully designed characters. We’ll uncover how certain brands break free from conformity, daring to express their uniqueness, and how this has reaped rewards in customer engagement and loyalty.
Breaking the Mold with People Illustrations
Introduction
In a world where design often leans toward uniformity, brands are discovering the power of human character illustrations to stand out. This blog delves into how various industries use these illustrations in more engaging ways, creating memorable experiences and moving beyond the conventional Corporate Memphis style.
1. Fintech: Adding Personality to Financial Services
Chime: A Friendly Take on Banking
Chime brings its brand to life with vibrant human character illustrations that populate its website. These lively visuals feature a diverse cast of characters engaged with various banking features, making the often-intimidating world of finance feel welcoming and personable. Dominated by Chime’s signature green, with thoughtfully chosen complementary colors, the illustrations not only enhance the site’s aesthetic but also reinforce the brand’s identity. This integration of color and character creates a cohesive and memorable visual experience that resonates with users and reinforces Chime’s approachable, customer-centric ethos.
Why it works: The approachable visuals make banking less intimidating, aligning with Chime’s mission to simplify financial services.
Visit Chime: Chime
2. Productivity and Collaboration: Bringing Tools to Life
Notion: Enhancing Organization with Custom Illustrations
Notion uses hand-drawn human character illustrations to add a personal touch to its productivity features. These simple black-and-white drawings, though static, convey a surprising amount of motion and personality. Each character is designed to show distinct traits—whether it's a focused worker or a collaborative team member—bringing a variety of emotions and interactions to life. This hand-drawn style adds a genuine, human element that makes Notion feel more approachable and relatable.
The minimalist approach of these illustrations captures the essence of each character's actions and moods with impressive clarity. This not only fits well with Notion’s clean design but also adds a bit of charm and energy to the user experience. By using these lively, expressive visuals, Notion makes its features more engaging and relatable.
Why it works: The illustrations add a human touch to productivity tools, making complex functionalities more accessible.
Visit Notion: Notion
3. Health and Wellness: Humanizing Healthcare
Radicle Health: Personalized Health Illustrations
Radicle Health employs watercolor illustrations to infuse warmth into its medical website, transforming what could be a cold, clinical space into one that feels inviting and approachable. In an industry often characterized by its serious tone and stark visuals, the use of watercolor adds a soft, personal touch that helps humanize the experience. Each illustration, with its gentle hues and fluid strokes, brings a sense of comfort and calm, making visitors feel more at ease as they navigate through the site.
These watercolor illustrations not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also contribute to a more engaging user experience. By choosing a style that contrasts with the typical rigid and impersonal imagery often found in healthcare, Radicle Health creates a welcoming atmosphere that encourages trust and connection. This thoughtful approach highlights the brand's commitment to providing compassionate care and emphasizes the human aspect of their services, making the website not just a resource but a comforting presence.
Why it works: Tailored illustrations help make healthcare services more relatable and engaging.
Visit Radicle Health: Radicle Health
Oscar Health: Engaging Illustrations for Health Insurance
Oscar Health, a forward-thinking healthcare app, leverages vibrant and engaging illustrations to transform the way users experience their healthcare journey. The app’s illustrations go beyond mere decoration—they actively encourage users to take charge of their health and embrace a more proactive approach to well-being. These dynamic visuals are not just eye-catching but are crafted to inspire a sense of participation and empowerment, reinforcing the idea that managing your health can be both positive and empowering.
Moreover, the illustrations celebrate health and human potential in a way that resonates deeply with users. They highlight the diverse experiences and aspirations of individuals on their journey to better health, portraying an inclusive and optimistic vision of well-being. By integrating these thoughtful and energetic illustrations, Oscar Health not only enhances the user experience but also reinforces its commitment to celebrating human potential and promoting a healthier, more engaged approach to personal health management.
Why it works: The friendly visuals make complex insurance topics more relatable and easier to understand.
Visit Oscar Health: Oscar Health
Garner Health: Illustrations for Health and Wellness
Garner Health employs a unique comic panel format to bring their vibrant illustrations to life, vividly showcasing the transformative power of healthcare. These illustrations do more than just capture attention—they celebrate the journey of patients who find renewed hope and vitality through selecting the right doctor. Each panel tells a compelling story of how a thoughtful choice in healthcare provider can lead to a significant improvement in quality of life. By visually narrating these impactful experiences, Garner Illustration effectively communicates the profound difference that personalized, attentive healthcare can make.
Furthermore, the illustrations highlight the crucial importance of the doctor-patient partnership. Through dynamic, engaging visuals, they emphasize that successful healthcare is not just about medical expertise but also about the collaborative relationship between doctor and patient. This partnership is portrayed as an essential component of the healing process, where mutual trust and understanding play a pivotal role. Garner Illustration’s approach underscores the value of this relationship, reinforcing the idea that great healthcare is as much about connection and communication as it is about treatment and diagnosis.
Why it works: The illustrations add a personal touch to health services, enhancing user engagement.
Visit Garner Health: Garner Health
4. Demo and Sales Tools: Making Presentations Fun
Demostack: Bringing Demos to Life
Sometimes, even just the hands can convey a complete and compelling sense of humanity, and Demostack masterfully employs this concept on its website. By focusing solely on hands performing various tasks, Demostack creates a captivating visual narrative that showcases how users interact with their platform. These illustrations, though minimalist, effectively demonstrate a range of activities and interactions, providing a clear and engaging representation of the platform's capabilities. The hands, meticulously detailed and animated, engage with the interface in ways that highlight the platform’s ease of use and versatility, making the complex process of building and distributing sales demos feel intuitive and accessible.
This approach perfectly aligns with what Demostack offers: a streamlined way to give sales teams the ideal demo experience. The platform allows users to create custom instances that are not only simple to build but also easy to distribute and measure. By using illustrations that focus on hands interacting with the platform, Demostack emphasizes the hands-on, practical nature of their service. This visual strategy not only enhances the user experience but also reinforces the platform’s promise of simplifying and enriching the process of sales demonstrations, making it a magical and impactful experience for its users.
Why it works: The hand as a mascot helps potential users visualize the product, creating that magical experience.
Visit Demostack: Demostack
5. Marketing and Communication: Adding Charm to Campaigns
Mailchimp: Engaging Email Marketing
Mailchimp brings a touch of whimsy to its email marketing tools with playful human character illustrations that make the platform feel more approachable. These vibrant, hand-drawn characters are depicted engaging in a variety of email marketing tasks, from creating campaigns to analyzing performance metrics. This creative approach not only adds a fun and engaging element to the user experience but also helps demystify the often complex processes involved in email marketing.
The use of these whimsical illustrations helps Mailchimp stand out in a crowded market by transforming technical tasks into visually appealing and relatable scenarios. By integrating characters that users can connect with, Mailchimp effectively enhances its platform's accessibility and user-friendliness. This playful and personable touch aligns perfectly with the brand's mission to make email marketing enjoyable and easy to navigate.
Why it works: The illustrations make email marketing feel more accessible, aligning with Mailchimp’s user-friendly brand personality.
Visit Mailchimp: Mailchimp
Slack: Illustrations for Team Communication
Slack elevates team communication with its vibrant human character illustrations, which are a central feature of its branding. These illustrations depict characters engaged in various communication scenarios, perfectly mirroring the collaborative spirit that Slack fosters. Whether it’s brainstorming in a virtual meeting or exchanging quick messages, the lively and diverse characters bring a sense of energy and relatability to the platform. This visual approach not only adds a touch of personality to the interface but also reinforces the core value of teamwork that Slack embodies.
By integrating these colorful, dynamic illustrations, Slack creates a more engaging and human-centric experience for its users. The characters' interactions highlight the platform's functionality and ease of use while emphasizing its role in facilitating effective communication and collaboration. This thoughtful use of visuals helps users connect with Slack on a personal level, making the platform feel more approachable and integral to their daily workflows.
Why it works: The illustrations make team communication through Slack more engaging and user-friendly.
Visit Slack: Slack
6. Delivery and Logistics: Making Services More Engaging
Dunzo: Fun Illustrations for Delivery Services
Dunzo infuses its website with vibrant human character illustrations to bring its delivery processes to life. The platform showcases characters engaged in a range of delivery scenarios, from bustling city streets to cozy neighborhoods. These illustrations not only capture the energy and dynamism of Dunzo’s operations but also add a playful, engaging element to the user experience. By highlighting various delivery moments with colorful, lively characters, Dunzo makes the process of managing and tracking deliveries feel more approachable and fun.
This creative approach helps users connect with the service on a more personal level. The playful illustrations inject a sense of enjoyment into the otherwise routine task of managing deliveries, reinforcing Dunzo's commitment to making logistics more engaging and user-friendly. By visually narrating the delivery journey through these animated characters, Dunzo transforms a standard service into a more interactive and delightful experience for its customers.
Why it works: The unique illustrations offer creative relief and enhance the flow of understanding Dunzo’s products and services. They add to brand recall by integrating a distinctive visual language that’s uniquely associated with Dunzo.
Visit Dunzo: Dunzo
7. Customer Support and Services: Enhancing User Experience
Zendesk: Illustrations for Customer Support
Zendesk brings its customer support experience to life with human character illustrations that vividly depict various support scenarios. These characters interact with Zendesk’s support tools, adding a personal touch that enhances the overall service experience. The sketchy chalk style of the illustrations is distinctive to Zendesk, and it adds a layer of warmth and familiarity to the brand. This approach not only makes the service feel more accessible but also suggests that Zendesk has made a genuine effort to understand its customers and deliver an experience that goes above and beyond.
The unique, hand-drawn style of these illustrations is more than just visually appealing; it embodies the brand’s commitment to celebrating people at its core. By integrating these human elements into their branding, Zendesk effectively communicates that they value and prioritize their users. This visual strategy enriches the brand’s narrative, making it clear that Zendesk is dedicated to creating a supportive and empathetic service environment.
Why it works: The illustrations help humanize customer support, making it feel more personal and accessible.
Visit Zendesk: Zendesk
SupportNinja: Adding Personality to Support Services
SupportNinja enhances its user experience with thoughtfully crafted human character illustrations that vividly represent its support services. These clean and engaging illustrations depict characters in a range of support scenarios, from problem-solving to providing assistance, capturing the essence of the company's service ethos. The simplicity and clarity of these visuals not only make the website aesthetically pleasing but also create a warm, inviting atmosphere that resonates with users. Each illustration is designed to convey a sense of professionalism and friendliness, reinforcing SupportNinja's commitment to high-quality customer support.
The integration of these illustrations with real human imagery on their website further emphasizes SupportNinja's dedication to people. This combination showcases the company's passion for delivering exceptional service and highlights its focus on creating genuine, human connections. By blending real-life photos with illustrative elements, SupportNinja effectively bridges the gap between digital representation and human interaction, making their commitment to customer care palpable and engaging. This approach not only enhances the visual appeal of the website but also fosters a deeper connection with users, demonstrating that SupportNinja values both the art of support and the people it serves.
Why it works: The calm, soothing visuals not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also create a reassuring atmosphere, making support services feel welcoming and comforting.
Visit SupportNinja: SupportNinja
8. Innovative Platforms and Tools: Making Complex Solutions Approachable
Atticus: Illustrations for Legal Services
Atticus, a cutting-edge legal services platform, sets itself apart with its use of unique black-and-white pencil illustrations to depict various legal scenarios. These illustrations are meticulously crafted, with a level of detail that suggests they were drawn by a highly skilled artist. This choice of medium is not just an aesthetic preference; it reflects the platform’s commitment to providing thoughtful and attentive legal support. The intricate, hand-drawn quality of the illustrations conveys a sense of precision and care, aligning with Atticus’s promise to offer dedicated assistance in navigating complex legal matters.
By integrating these detailed illustrations, Atticus emphasizes its core mission: to cut through bureaucratic red tape and ensure that individuals receive the help they need during times of crisis. The visuals reinforce the message that as an American, access to aid in critical situations is not just a service but a fundamental civil right. Atticus’s approach to visual storytelling underlines their commitment to delivering justice with empathy and expertise, making the legal process feel more personal and accessible.
Why it works: The detailed sketches showcase the attention they are willing to pay to each cause.
Visit Atticus: Atticus
Image suggestion: Human character illustrations showing legal scenarios.
Hopscotch: Engaging Educational Platforms
Hopscotch, a B2B platform designed for invoicing and cash flow control, utilizes vibrant illustrations to showcase the ease of managing finances for freelancers and small businesses. These illustrations vividly portray how streamlined financial management can transform a busy workday into one of ease and freedom. By depicting scenarios where business owners have more free time to engage in activities they love, rather than getting bogged down by tasks that can be automated, Hopscotch effectively communicates the benefits of its platform.
The illustrations do more than highlight the platform’s efficiency; they convey the ultimate benefit of Hopscotch’s services, giving users back their time. By depicting individuals enjoying leisure activities and pursuing their passions, rather than being preoccupied with tedious financial tasks, these visuals emphasize how Hopscotch enables users to automate routine processes. This approach not only underscores the platform’s ability to streamline financial management but also resonates with the desire for a more balanced and fulfilling work-life experience. In essence, Hopscotch’s illustrations illustrate a future where financial tasks are simplified, allowing business owners to spend more time doing what they love.
Why it works: The illustrations make learning more enjoyable and relatable for users.
Visit Hopscotch: Hopscotch
Forma: Illustrating Creative Solutions
Forma employs human character illustrations to vividly showcase its innovative solutions for selecting employee benefits. The illustrations bring the platform to life by featuring characters engaged in a range of creative activities, which adds a dynamic and engaging element to the website. This visual approach not only highlights the platform’s creativity but also mirrors its commitment to simplifying the benefits selection process.
The website’s illustrations effectively convey how Forma makes finding the right benefits for employees a seamless experience. By depicting characters navigating various benefits options with ease and enthusiasm, Forma emphasizes its role in streamlining the decision-making process. The lively and interactive visuals reinforce the platform’s mission to make benefits management straightforward and accessible, reflecting a user-friendly approach that enhances the overall experience for both employers and employees.
Why it works: Human character illustrations effectively convey the platform's creativity and ease of use.
Visit Forma: Forma
Boobook: Creative Illustrations for Books
Boobook is about growing your business with consumer-driven insights. Unlock the full potential of your business with data-driven consultancy that blends expert data interpretation with strategic insight. Harness this powerful combination to make informed decisions that optimize pricing, brand equity, product development, and customer targeting, all while driving sustainable growth in today’s competitive market.
The human illustration central to this consultancy features a mascot with a head replaced by a large eye, symbolizing unparalleled insights and expertise. This all-seeing eye represents a deep understanding of market dynamics and business opportunities, reinforcing the consultancy’s commitment to delivering profound and actionable intelligence.
Why it works: The illustrations create a more engaging and visually appealing experience for users as the mascot stands as a symbol of expertise.
Visit Boobook: Boobook
Allwhere: Human Illustrations for Location Services
Allwhere distinguishes itself with a refreshing and unique approach in a space that can often feel technical and clichéd. By incorporating simple, digital sketch illustrations and animations, the website provides an engaging and approachable way to understand its IT asset management software. These illustrations, with their casual, almost impromptu quality, give the impression of being sketched during a Zoom call, making the complex topic feel more relatable and less intimidating.
This innovative visual strategy not only breaks away from conventional design but also enhances user engagement by offering a clear and intuitive understanding of the software’s capabilities. Allwhere’s approach demonstrates that technical subjects can be presented in a way that is both informative and personable, proving that a creative touch can make even the most intricate details accessible and enjoyable.
Why it works: The engaging visuals help make location services more accessible and relatable.
Visit Allwhere: Allwhere
Conclusion
Human character illustrations are revolutionizing how brands connect with their audiences. From fintech and healthcare to education and creative solutions, these illustrations offer a fresh, engaging way to enhance user experiences. By moving beyond traditional design trends, brands can create memorable interactions that resonate with users on a personal level.
These examples illustrate how human character illustrations can enrich industries that prioritize human interaction and experience. By incorporating visuals that depict real-life scenarios and diverse personalities, these sectors create more engaging and relatable experiences for their users. For brands that celebrate people, using character illustrations as a unique style can effectively communicate their commitment to understanding and connecting with their audience.
However, while human character illustrations are powerful tools for enhancing engagement in industries that focus on human experience, they may not always align with the needs of more technical or formal sectors. In highly technical fields such as advanced engineering or scientific research, where precision and detailed technical information are paramount, detailed diagrams and infographics may be more appropriate. These industries often prioritize accuracy and clarity over visual style, and human illustrations might not effectively support these objectives.
Similarly, niche industrial sectors like heavy machinery or specialized manufacturing often focus on technical specifications and functionality. In these contexts, straightforward, practical visuals that highlight the functional aspects of products are typically more effective than playful character illustrations. These industries require clear and direct communication of technical details, and character illustrations may not always align with their goals.
In professional services sectors such as legal services or corporate finance, where formality and professionalism are key, human character illustrations might seem out of place. These industries often prefer clean, sophisticated design elements that convey reliability and expertise. While character illustrations can add warmth and approachability, they may not always suit the formal and professional tone required in these sectors.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of human character illustrations depends on how well they align with a brand’s goals and audience expectations. Industries that celebrate human interaction and experience can greatly benefit from using these illustrations to enhance engagement and relatability. By integrating visuals that reflect real-life scenarios and diverse personalities, these sectors create more compelling and memorable user experiences. For brands focused on celebrating people, character illustrations offer a unique opportunity to connect with their audience in a meaningful way.
On the other hand, industries that prioritize precision, functionality, and professionalism may find that other visual strategies are more suitable for conveying their messages. Each industry must carefully consider how best to use visual elements to support its brand identity and communicate effectively with its audience. By choosing the right approach, brands can ensure that their visual strategies align with their goals and resonate with their target audience, ultimately enhancing their overall impact and success.
In summary, human character illustrations are a powerful tool for industries that prioritize human experience and interaction. By embracing this unique style, brands can create more engaging and relatable user experiences that reflect their commitment to understanding and connecting with their audience. Whether in fintech, healthcare, education, or creative services, human character illustrations offer a valuable way to enhance engagement and celebrate the essence of people at the core of their brand.
Recommended Articles for Review
- "Why Illustration Matters More Than Ever in Web Design" - Smashing Magazine
This article discusses the growing importance of custom illustrations in web design and their impact on user experience and brand identity. - "The Rise and Fall of Corporate Memphis" - The Verge
An in-depth look at the Corporate Memphis design trend, its origins, and why it eventually fell out of favor. - "How to Effectively Use Illustrations in UX Design" - Nielsen Norman Group
This piece offers a research-based perspective on the role of illustrations in enhancing user experience. - How to employ illustrations on B2B Website to boost marketing?
- How can Illustrations be employed in your B2B Website as a powerful marketing tool?
