A smart and ambitious owner, boss, or investor will use an illustrator for drawing innovative and eye-catching additions to be used online to entice the consumer. The impact a well-choreographed vector from a professional can achieve is astonishing and can be both aesthetically and economically rewarding in the right setting. We decided to look further into the dynamics of editorial and product illustration;

When to use product illustration?

You should use product illustration when the accompanying text is harder to read and understand or when users need to know what to do next. It can be useful for onboarding users and if a user has reached a goal and you want to congratulate them. Product illustration is also appropriate to use when a user is confused or frustrated.

When to use editorial illustration?

Editorial illustration is an image created to express and provide clarity of an idea from the original text. The aim of an editorial illustration is to fixate the reader’s attention and to capture the tone and concepts of the article in a visual form. Almost bringing the content to life with images to emphasise the points the words collectively make and by expressing the mood within.

Editorial illustration is particularly apt when accompanying longer content pieces and articles which elevate the impact they can have on the reader. Typically used in a book, magazine, newspaper, or web resources, editorial illustrations can become an important part of the content in terms of connecting the reader to the true meaning of what is in front of them.

How is product illustration different from editorial illustration?

There are both subtle similarities and striking differences between the two whichever way you view them. Product illustration is a lot more sales-orientated and has the objective of highlighting the benefits and advantages a product can bring to the consumer. It pinpoints what the customer will get out of their purchase and hones in on that as the main focus.

In contrast, editorial illustration is less about the persuasive side of things and rests more on the explanation front. It will advance your understanding of the words and make the content more transparent rather than try to sell you something with specific details. Editorial illustration is there to arouse interest and drum up enthusiasm rather than market or promote an item.

Final thoughts

The use of both editorial and product illustration to elevate your business in terms of commercial value, branding, and design is commonplace in 2021. Enhancing visual communication with modern digital skills and contemporary graphic styles on your website shows appreciation and care being placed in your company in order for it to thrive in its specific market segment.  To get the balance right you have to decide whether you want to really engage and educate your reader (editorial illustration) or if your goal is simply to get the product over and keep the bottom line healthy (product illustration). Choose wisely and link it in with the objective of your project to ensure you make the correct decision.

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