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Illustration or Photography?

Posted by Rick Hosmer on April 22 2010| 0 Comments

I recently came across a treatise making the case for the use of illustration in corporate communications pieces. As an illustrator myself (who doesn't get to use my talents very often), I could relate (and agree) to much of what the writer had to say. Unfortunately, there was no byline given for the author, so I am posting the piece below without a credit.

Why Illustration?

Unfortunately, illustration is not at the top of the list when art directors are thinking about solving visual problems.

Sure, there are the devotees out there, particularly on the editorial side, but it's rare to find an advertising agency art director using illustration.

There seems to be a real fear among art directors to hire illustrators. They may think they're giving up creative control, or think that it's too difficult or takes too long to do an illustration. That's where they can benefit from the experience of editorial art directors who have even tighter deadlines.

Working with an illustrator is not difficult, getting visual ideas from illustrators is not a cop-out. Working in partnership with an illustrator can benefit the client and career of any art director.

We believe photography cannot replicate the ideas illustrators dream up. That no amount if digital manipulation can manufacture an idea.

And from our vantage point, we see today's commercial photographers looking all too much the same. Whereas illustration looks as different as the artists themselves.

Everyone considers themselves a photographer, anyone can take a picture. Few can draw or paint one.

And draughtsmanship isn't enough. The true illustrator is a visual problem-solver par excellence. Each brings a unique perspective on our world, a personal vision that is translated in ink, paint or pixels. An idea that echoes our times, as original as original gets.

You can count on one hand the truly extraordinary photographers working today; you can fill a book with the work of today's illustrators.

(The above treatise was taken from the back cover of 3x3 Illustration Directory 2010.

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I know this piece has opened up my eyes to the potential for illustration in corporate and product marketing pieces, both in print and online. Looks like I may have to have to gather up my pens, sharpen my colored pencils and get prepared to make illustration the visual communication medium in an upcoming project.