When you need top-quality, out-of-the-box illustrations to rope in leads, it’s best to turn to professional illustration talent for help. Read on for our tips on what to look for in an illustrator or agency plus Superside’s list of the top illustration agencies for 2024.
Illustration can be a powerful visual solution to your next campaign challenge, bringing standout color, character and life to your creatives.
The power of illustration is also what makes it so challenging. The choices of style, color, texture and viewpoint are endless, which could leave you feeling overwhelmed. Every chosen element should also align with your brand’s identity—a tough ask.
Stuck without an illustrator with a deadline looming? Don’t panic. There are many talented illustrators who can come to your rescue. For small one-off projects, you could turn to a freelance illustrator. For larger projects, you can’t go wrong with one of the world’s top illustration companies listed on this page.
Let’s dive in with a few definitions, tips and the only list of agencies you’ll need this year. 👇🏾
What is Illustration Design?
Copy is important. So are photographs, videos, infographics and other ways to communicate information. But illustrations can do things other visuals can’t.
Illustrations can create a visual narrative with instant emotional appeal if you cleverly tie in your branding elements and visual identity. While professional illustration services aren’t free, they can also be more cost-effective than shooting video footage, for example.
Otto | Bolt | Turing Illustration work samples
Some of the most common uses of illustration include:
What To Look For in an Illustration Studio
It’s worth doing thorough research before selecting the best illustration design company for your project. You don’t want to get halfway through the design process only to realize your chosen illustrators can’t deliver the style you need.
Get this step right with the following tips:
Top Illustration Design Companies in 2024
1. Superside
- 2D and 3D character design
- Iconography
- Custom illustrations
- Storyboarding
- Infographic design
Other design services:
- Ads and social media design
- Motion graphics and video production
- AR and 3D design
- Print, packaging and merch design
- Branding services
- Concept design
- Presentations, eBooks and report design
Location: Worldwide: the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia
Need an agency that understands the challenges of managing complex creative projects, offers global expertise across time zones, and promises a supercharged turnaround time? Then you can’t go wrong with Superside.
The thing is, we do so much more than illustration design. Our unique Creative-as-a-Service (CaaS) model gives you access to a fully stacked design team via an always-on creative subscription. This means any unused hours roll over—if you don’t use all your hours for illustration design, you can use it for any of our other design services.
We recruit only the top 1% of global talent, which also means you get to work with the best illustrators or designers around the clock. What’s more, our talented designers are equipped with cutting-edge AI tools to produce high-quality work faster and at a lower cost. Simply opt for our AI-enhanced creative services to tap into this benefit.
Take a look at the recent illustration work we did for Bolt and Otto to see why our illustration work is highly rated.
The Superside illustration and creative teams are distributed worldwide, so clients can access top talent at all hours to turn projects around fast and flexibly. Our diversity is our biggest strength—it keeps us responsive and adaptable to our clients’ needs.
A case in point: Independence Pet Group (IPG), one of North America's premier pet insurance and service conglomerates, asked Superside to develop stickers and virtual meeting backgrounds to enrich their internal merchandise collection. Our AI creative team helped them find their ideal visual identity, ensuring efficiency without straining resources in just 11.5 hours.
Pricing: Subscription packages from $5,500 and up.
Best for: Enterprise and mid-market companies who want a full creative team by their side, including versatile illustrators immersed in the world of branding.
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2. Cabeza Patata
Source: Cabeza Patata
Services:
- Illustration
- Character design
- 3D design
- Animation
- Training
Location: London, U.K.
Remember Mr Potato Head, the classic low-tech kids’ toy favorite? Enter London-based illustration and 3D design duo Cabeza Patata (“Potato Head” in Spanish.)
Like the spud we got to know as kids, the talented illustrators at Cabeza Patata are masters at turning the everyday into a playful work of art. They’ve won several awards for their 3D illustrations and character animations with a distinctive, charming style.
Notable past work by this illustration agency includes character illustrations for Spotify, Lego and Costa Coffee campaigns.
Pricing: On request
Best for: Midsize and larger companies looking for playful character and animation design.
3. Hey Kid!
Source: Hey Kid!
Services:
- Illustration
- Branding
- Photography
- Packaging
Location: Bogotá, Colombia
The multidisciplinary team at Hey Kid! are brand creation and digital arts specialists. Their understanding of the power of storytelling in branding makes them a great choice if you want strong illustration skills as part of a brand creation package.
Note that they’re probably not the right choice if you’re looking for stand-alone illustration services such as book illustrations.
For an idea of their style and approach, check out their branding illustration work for Lupe Mezcal and NatNack.
Pricing: On request
Best for: Midsize companies wanting to add playfulness to their branding design.
4. BROSMIND
Source: BROSMIND
Services:
- Illustration
- Product design
- 3D design
- Exhibitions and environmental design
Location: Barcelona, Spain
This illustration agency will bring your wildest psychedelic neon dreams to life. The Spanish agency turns digital illustration into a color-crazy playground and even manages to make NFTs fun.
Unable to sit still for long, they’ve also brought their signature style to animated illustrations for clients such as the Wall Street Journal and Bicycle playing cards.
BROSMIND’s style is highly distinctive and might not be for everyone, but it’ll resonate if you’re looking for something just a little off the wall.
Pricing: On request
Best for: New and established brands that want to bring wacky colors and illustrations into their campaigns.
5. ITAL/C
Source: ITAL/C
Services:
- Illustration
- Motion design
- Branding
- Packaging
- Graphic design
- Environmental design
Location: Los Angeles, USA
ITAL/C (Italic Studio) is a contemporary illustration agency based in Los Angeles. Their top-notch ad illustration and environmental illustration skills put their branding offerings a step above the rest. Their work is distinguished by their use of bright colors, geometric shapes, and an emotionally appealing stylized aesthetic.
They’ve worked on complex projects with big names like Patagonia, using illustration and environmental design to bring a fresh perspective to the much-loved outdoor brand.
Pricing: On request
Best for: Large and midsize companies looking for illustrators with a talent for branding and general design.
6. Illo
Source: Illo
Services:
- Illustration
- Motion design
- Art direction
- Branding
- 3D design
Location: Turin, Italy
Italian studio Illo is a contemporary illustration agency representing all things colorful, creative and unique. Their illustration work leans towards the abstract, using flat planes, smooth gradients and minimalist linework while still effectively conveying characters and relationships.
This illustration agency has produced an illustration system for major online retailer Alibaba, embracing outlines and dynamic poses while keeping a minimal, doodle-inspired look.
Besides commercial art, they also offer illustrated animation work. Their award-winning visual journey into the heritage and visual world of northwest Alaska's Iñupiat people stands out.
Pricing: On request
Best for: Ital/C’s first projects were for micro-startups, but their veteran illustrators now work with some of the biggest global brands.
7. Ink Factory
Source: Ink Factory
Services:
- Illustration
- Visual note-taking
- Presentation design
- Ad illustration
- Cartooning
Location: Chicago, U.S.A.
Ink Factory bills themselves as “visual note-takers” with powerful, fast illustration skills. They’ve worked with giants like Amazon, Deloitte, Ford, Target and Unilever to communicate ideas and processes, using sketches and illustrations to capture information that mere words can’t.
Their focus is a little different from the other illustration agencies on this list, but they also produce illustration graphics for presentations, internal communications, and digital and marketing purposes.
Check out how this illustration agency has helped grill company Char-Broil LLC communicate with their employees. Their beautifully designed visual communications for the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics also caught our attention.
Pricing: On request
Best for: Businesses from small to multinational looking for innovative ways to capture and share information visually. Ink Factory offers one free day of visual note-taking services to new Black-owned business clients or nonprofits fighting for racial justice.
8. Watermark Creative
Source: Watermark Creative
Services:
- Ad illustration
- Animation
- Character design
- Interactive design
- Logo design
- Packaging
- Print design
Location: Sydney, Melbourne (Australia) & Auckland (New Zealand)
While many illustration companies have a distinct look and style, Watermark Creative is a global agency that can do it all. Their team is versatile, representing illustrators who work across styles and purposes—from ad illustration to motion design, interactives, packaging, character design and children’s book illustrations.
They’re very versatile and can create 3D illustrations, abstract designs, line art, retro, photorealism, and lots more. The Watermark team also includes many talented mural artists.
This illustration agency has worked for major names like Lexus, Pfizer and Qantas, as well as app developers, book authors and local businesses. If you’re unsure which illustration style to use for your campaign or project, Watermark is a good choice.
Pricing: On request
Best for: Midsize to large firms that need the flexibility of multiple styles.
9. GraphicMama
Source: GraphicMama
Services:
- Illustrations
- Character design
- Motion graphics
- Web, email and app design
- Print design
- Logo design
Location: Varna, Bulgaria
GraphicMama offers a wide range of design and marketing skills at relatively affordable prices. One of their specialties is illustration design, so if you need illustrations or characters in a hurry (and can’t break the bank), give this team a shout.
They promise custom illustration work in any style you like, with under a week turnaround, unlimited revisions, and a money-back guarantee.
Pricing: On request
Best for: Smaller to midsize brands needing solid budget illustration services.
10. Design Garden
Source: Design Garden
Services:
- Illustration
- Animation
- Brand design
- Web design
- Logo design
- Illustrated portraits
- Crowdfunding campaign design
- Design mentoring
Location: London, U.K.
This small but dynamic studio’s love of beautiful things and creative problem-solving shines through its designs and artwork. Design Garden founder Sabina Radeva originally trained as a molecular biologist before switching to a more creative career.
Past work includes stunning botanical illustrations for posters, short animations, and branding illustration for an innovative zero-waste plantable planner.
Pricing: On request
Best for: Small to midsize businesses looking for illustrations with hand-drawn charm and a contemporary flair.
11. Truly Design
Source: Truly Design
Services:
- Illustration design
- Product design
- Murals
- Anamorphic wall art
- Environmental and experiential design
Location: Turin, Italy
Truly Design is an Italian team that has turned its passion for graffiti, street art and murals into a thriving outdoor and environmental illustration brand.
If you’re specifically looking for a street art aesthetic, let Truly Design bring their effortlessly cool, colorful style to your branding on everything from basketball courts to skateboards.
Their most unique offering is their anamorphic art murals, where they use their 3D illustration magic to turn flat surfaces into captivating multi-dimensional illusions.
Previous clients include Adidas, Facebook, Lavazza and Spotify.
Pricing: On request
Best for: Midsize to large brands who want to bring street art style into their branding.
12. DKNG
Source: DKNG
Services:
- Brand illustration
- Branding
- Packaging
- Art prints and posters
Location: Los Angeles, U.S.A.
DKNG was born from its founders’ experience in the music and entertainment industries. They initially claimed a niche working with musical artists, brands and businesses. But these days, they bring their branding, film, fine art and design skills to a wider range of clients.
They work across various design and branding, including custom brand illustration and even postage stamps. Their illustration style uses high-contrast graphics and color blocks for an aesthetic that feels retro without losing contemporary relevance.
Check out this illustration agency’s previous work for Opendoor, StubHub and Heinz.
Pricing: On request
Best for: Midsize to large companies looking for a clean retro aesthetic.
IC4DESIGN
Source: IC4DESIGN
Services:
- Illustration
- Graphic design
- Package design
- Game and puzzle design
- Book design
Location: Hiroshima, Japan
It’s not hard to see why Japanese illustrators IC4DESIGN have been snapping up awards everywhere, from Cannes to Dubai. This Hiroshima-based team is known for its intricately detailed drawings, outdoor scenes and urban landscapes packed with character and movement.
If you grew up obsessed with Where’s Wally books and Richard Scarry’s illustrations, IC4DESIGN’s work will resonate. They offer a particular aesthetic that won’t work for all campaigns. But dive right in if you want to create worlds to delight and get lost in.
Pricing: On request
Best for: Midsize to large companies that want unique illustrations to transport their customers into imaginary worlds.
Choosing the Right Illustration Agency For You
With so many great agencies out there, you might not know where to start. Let Superside take the pressure off. We have a team of expert illustrators ready and waiting, plus all the additional creative expertise your project could need.
Superside also does things a bit differently. For starters, we’re not an illustration agency. Our CaaS model lets you supplement your in-house creative team with talented illustrators and other designers at a transparent, predictable price.
Find out what we can do for you. Book a call.
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