When designing anything, whether it’s a product or a web page, user experience should always be a primary focus. After all, if something isn’t user-friendly, it’s not likely to be very successful or lead to repeat purchases.
What does all of this have to do with illustrative design? Believe it or not, illustrative design can play a critical role in the overall user interface and user experience. With a better understanding of how this is the case, plus some key considerations for using illustrative design in UI/UX, you can be better prepared as you embark on your career journey in this exciting field.
Understanding Illustrative Design in UI/UX
Before delving deeper into the benefits of illustrative design in user experience and best practices for designers in this realm, it’s important to understand what illustrative design entails and the different types of illustrative elements in UI/UX.
What Is Illustrative Design?
Specifically, illustrative design is a fine arts field that involves using drawing/illustration techniques to address and solve common problems from a design standpoint. Illustrative design is similar to graphic design in the sense that it aims to solve problems, but it is worth noting that illustrative design focuses specifically on the use of unique drawing and illustration techniques.
Types of Illustrative Elements in UI/UX
From a user interface illustration and user experience standpoint, there are many different illustrative elements that may be used. Some common examples here include:
- Mascots and other characters
- Hero images and other full-screen banners
- Gamification graphics
- Stickers
- Infographics
The Benefits of Illustrative Design in User Experience
Illustrative design is important for several reasons, not only can this type of design help brands capture their audience’s attention, but the right illustrative designs can even evoke an emotional response among users.
From a user interface/user experience standpoint specifically, illustrative design can contribute to the cultivation of a memorable brand identity, simplify complex information and enhance overall user engagement.
Creating a Memorable Brand Identity
When illustrations are used to add visual interest, they can help capture users’ attention better than text alone. This makes designs more unique and original, which can help brands further set themselves apart from their competitors and build a recognizable brand identity over time. All of this, of course, can also enhance the user experience.
Simplifying Complex Information
When complex information needs to be conveyed clearly, illustrative designers are the heroes who help make this happen. Specifically, illustrative designers may create infographics or use universally recognized symbols to communicate ideas that may not otherwise be clear from text alone. This is especially common in conveying large amounts of data or even in writing a tutorial. With images and pictures accompanying text, users can have an easier time getting through the material and thus enjoy a better overall experience.
Enhancing User Engagement
How do you feel when you land on a page that’s full of text and zero images? More than likely, you don’t feel super excited to read that daunting block of text that’s in front of you. However, if that text is broken up with eye-catching images that relate to the subject matter, the read may be a lot more enjoyable.
This precisely demonstrates the power of illustrative design in UI/UX. When users can consume information that goes beyond text, this tends to enhance engagement and thus improve the entire experience.
Key Considerations for Using Illustrative Design in UI/UX
Of course, implementing elements of illustrative design in UI/UX can be easier said than done, and there are some key considerations designers will need to keep in mind as they proceed with this type of project.
Balancing Visual Appeal with Usability
Usability and visual appeal are both important to the overall user experience, but designers need to strike a delicate balance between the two. Too many illustrations could be distracting or create issues with navigation, which could affect usability. That said, designers need to carefully decide where to add illustrations and when to leave them out.
Ensuring Consistency with Brand Style Guidelines
Companies generally try to stick with a certain color scheme and style when it comes to their branding, as this helps them become more recognizable over time. Designers need to conform to their desired style when creating illustrations for a specific brand to ensure consistency.
Accessibility in Illustrative Design
Another important consideration in illustrative design is accessibility, ensuring that designs are usable by as many people as possible (including users with potential disabilities or other limitations). In illustrative design especially, designers need to be careful about their use of color, contrast, and sizing.
Techniques for Integrating Illustrative Design in UI/UX
Illustrative designers looking to improve the user experience can implement a number of techniques in their work to get the job done, although the right technique will depend on the client’s goals and objectives.
Storytelling Through Illustrations
Illustrations can be one of the most effective and efficient ways to tell stories, which is a common strategy brands will use to better connect with their audiences. For example, illustrative designers might consider creating a sort of “comic book” illustration to tell readers about a company’s background and history. In some cases, animations may also be appropriate for storytelling purposes.
Using Illustrations for Onboarding and Tutorials
Illustrations can also be an excellent way to walk users through complicated processes or even for onboarding/training purposes with new employees. Users can better comprehend information by creating images that show users how to do something, rather than simply telling them.
Adding Personality Through Micro-Interactions
Unique illustrations can also be a great way to add a touch of unique personality to micro-interactions within an existing page. There are many micro-interaction examples that users come into contact with every day, including progress bars on surveys and response bubbles in a chat box. Illustrative designers can take these micro-interactions to a new level by making them more engaging and thus improving the user experience.
Examples of Illustrative Design in Effective UI/UX
To better understand the impact that illustrative design can have on user experience, it can be helpful to consider some real-world examples.
E-commerce and Product Pages
Illustrative design, for instance, may be used on e-commerce platforms and product pages to better communicate how specific products or features of a product can be used. This can be especially helpful when communicating the use of intricate features on a product that may otherwise be overlooked on a product page. Conversion rate and sales typically increase when users are properly informed.
Educational and Informational Platforms
Illustrative design can also be used in educational and informational platforms to help convey complicated concepts in a way that is understandable and accessible to users. For instance, a product assembly tutorial may incorporate the use of illustrative elements (such as universally recognized symbols and drawings of each assembly step) to walk users through the process more readily than text alone.
Mobile Apps and Social Media
Mobile apps and social media platforms also rely on illustrative design to communicate messages and engage audiences. For example, consider how some apps seem to have a very clear and defined illustrative theme. If you use Spotify, the interface and its unique illustrations (especially in its annual “Wrapped” feature) are likely very familiar to you.
Best Practices for Illustrative UI/UX Design
In applying illustration to creative UX design, there are some best practices that all designers should keep in mind as they relate to user-centered design, feedback, and keeping things up-to-date.
Prioritizing User-Centered Design
First and foremost, illustrative designers must also keep the end user at the center of their design choices. At the end of the day, even the most beautiful of illustrations can detract from user experience if they aren’t relevant and useful.
Testing and Gathering Feedback
Illustrative designers, much like graphic designers, must also get used to ongoing testing and feedback throughout the design process. A/B testing is a common strategy used by designers to test different iterations or placements of illustrations and decide which option is best.
Iterating and Staying Updated
The world of design is very dynamic, with new trends emerging on a regular basis. Illustrative designers must be committed to a lifetime of learning, innovation, and professional development to stay relevant in their fields and keep users happy.
Programs like RMCAD’s Renew initiative support this commitment by offering alumni the chance to refresh their skills and stay informed about the latest industry trends. Through this program, graduates can enroll in select courses at no additional cost, ensuring they remain competitive and innovative in the ever-evolving field of illustrative UI/UX design.
Looking for the Right Illustrative Design Program?
Illustrative design can improve user experience in many ways, especially when it comes to communicating information in an is easily accessible way for most audiences. Of course, it takes some time and practice to implement UI/UX best practices in your own illustrative design work.
Looking to expand your skills and knowledge in this crucial niche? If so, then it may be time to pursue your Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustrative Design degree from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD). This program, which is offered both on-campus and online, helps students learn about the technology, tools, and skills they’ll need in the illustration design field while building a professional and robust portfolio to use post-graduation. Learn more about our illustrative design program or any of the other programs RMCAD has to offer by getting in touch. If you’re ready, you can also get started with your online application for admission today.
