Museum and Heritage: illustrative graphic design
Illustration and graphic design that turns research, history and place into engaging visual experiences for public audiences
Kati is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer working with museums, heritage organisations and cultural institutions across the UK. She collaborates with curators, interpretation teams, heritage consultants and creative producers to translate research and historical narratives into clear, engaging visual experiences.
Interpreting research for public audiences
Museums and heritage organisations face a familiar challenge: how to communicate complex research, layered histories and place-based stories in ways that are accessible, engaging and accurate.
Whether developing a new exhibition, refreshing interpretation panels or designing a visitor map, visual communication plays a crucial role in shaping audience experience.
Illustration can humanise archival material, clarify spatial information and bring lesser-known stories to the surface — helping visitors of all ages connect more deeply with the past.
Kati’s work supports this process by balancing historical integrity with clarity and visual appeal, ensuring that interpretation is both rigorous and welcoming.
How I can
support you
Kati’s illustration and graphic design supports heritage projects in four key areas: exhibition & interpretation, publications, public engagement & promotional services and digital & illustrated websites and assets.
Exhibition & interpretation
Exhibition graphics
Illustrated interpretation panels
Visitor maps
Visitor maps are designed to support first impressions. Whether used at entrances, in guidebooks or as part of interpretation, they help visitors quickly understand where they are and how to move through a site.
In heritage and cultural settings, visitor maps can also introduce the wider story of a place – showing how buildings, landscapes and routes relate to one another and helping visitors feel more curious and engaged from the outset.
Family trails and interactive learning materials
Illustrated maps provide a fun and functional way for visitors of all ages to explore your grounds and discover the activities you offer. Additionally, illustrated family trails can encourage adventure and learning among younger visitors.
Using narrative imagery, the maps can also serve as educational tools, allowing children to learn more about your venue in an engaging way.
Development-led heritage interpretation
Even new housing developments have a past – one that sometimes gets revealed through archaeological digs. The characters that once occupied a space can create connections with new home owners and develop meaning for a new community.
Publications
Exhibition catalogues
I create exhibition catalogues, cookbooks, brochures and calendars in a style that meets your brand guidelines and the spirit of the project that it serves.
Illustrated books and brochures
With a lot of experience in creating print-ready materials, I produce attractive leaflet designs that appeal to your target audience while ensuring that it meets your printer’s requirements.
Research-led educational publications
Whether for school visits or on-site training, illustration and graphic design can bring your learning materials to life. What is more, as a former teacher, I bring creativity and understanding to the art of designing effective educational materials.
Posters
My poster designs aim to catch the attention of potential visitors and promote important events in your calendar. By understanding your needs, I work to create designs that effectively communicate your message.
Public engagement & promotion
Leaflets & Printed Materials
With a lot of experience in creating print-ready materials, I produce attractive leaflet designs that appeal to your target audience while ensuring that it meets your printer’s requirements.
Whether it’s an event, a theatre performance, or a puppet show, a thoughtfully designed advert with illustrated elements is the best way to capture the attention of a broad audience.
Website illustration
An illustration can bring a website to life in a way that text alone cannot. My illustrations aim to be both engaging and aligned with your project’s voice, helping to create a lasting impression on your visitors. This works especially well for brands that want to stand out from the typical stock photography seen on many websites. In the above example, the illustrations humanise the topic of health histories and turn these past events and characters into real people and places.
Merchandise
If you have a shop, illustrated merchandise provides visitors with the opportunity to take home a distinctive memento from a great day out.
My illustration process in a nutshell
Research & discovery
Initial discussions explore your objectives, audience and key messages. Background reading and visual research ensure a thorough understanding of the wider context, the theme and the layers of interpretation that needs to appear in the illustration.
Concept development and layout
Sketches and rough compositions are developed to agree direction, tone and structure before the creation of the final artwork begins. The roughs are always pencil drawings and the main aim of this phase is to agree on the ideas and if applicable, the composition.
Final artwork & design
Once approval, illustrations are completed. Depending on the feedback, the line drawings are sometimes shared before applying colour and textures but usually this is not necessary.
Finishing touches and application
The illustrations are integrated into the required formats – whether panels, maps, publications or promotional materials -, finalised and shared for approval.
File delivery
Final assets are prepared for print or digital use, ensuring technical accuracy and ease of implementation.
FAQs
What types of heritage illustrations do you offer?
I work with a wide range of clients, including events, theatre productions, film posters, packaging design, venues, exhibitions, websites and academic institutions. My illustrations cover maps, interpretation panels, visitor guides, publications and promotional graphics. If your project is not listed, please get in touch to discuss how I can assist you.
How do you ensure the illustrations align with the organisation’s identity?
Every project begins with a meeting, typically held online, to connect and fully understand your organisation’s character, audience and objectives. Throughout the project, I collaborate closely with you to ensure the illustrations reflect your desired tone, visual style and brand identity. For more detail, please refer to my process above.
How long does the heritage illustration process take?
Timelines vary depending on the scope and complexity of each project. A small commission, such as a single character or mascot, may take around two weeks, while larger projects – like full illustration sets for exhibitions, websites or publications – can take several weeks. After our initial consultation, I provide a clear timeline and keep you updated throughout.
Can I request revisions to the illustrations?
Yes. My process includes opportunities for feedback. From experience, most projects are completed within three rounds of revisions, ensuring everyone is fully satisfied with the final illustrations.
What file formats will I receive the final illustrations in?
Final artwork is delivered in the formats best suited to your project. Common file types include PNG, JPG and PSD. If you require a specific format for a particular purpose, please let me know.
How much does heritage illustration cost?
Pricing depends on the scale, complexity and intended use of each project. For example, illustrations for exhibitions differ in scope from artwork for long-term publications or marketing materials. After our initial consultation, I provide a tailored proposal to suit your project and budget, accommodating both small organisations and larger institutions.
How do I get started with a heritage illustration project?
To begin, contact me via the form on this page or by email. We’ll arrange an initial consultation to discuss your project, goals and requirements. I will then develop a proposal outlining the timeline, deliverables and pricing, so you have a clear understanding before work begins.
What are the benefits of using heritage illustrations?
Heritage illustrations bring historical narratives to life, making them more engaging and accessible to a broad audience. They enhance exhibitions, publications and digital platforms, offering visually appealing ways to communicate the significance of people, places and events from the past.
What others have to say
“Kati has been a pleasure to work with. Her dedication to the project has been consistent from the first minute to the last. She captured perfectly what the Old Fire Station stands for through her extensive research, unique way of seeing, beautiful colour palette and dreamy characters. We are overjoyed with the result!”
Justine Malone
Arts at the Old Fire Station, Oxford
"It was not an easy brief but Kati interpreted the complex theme to present it in a way that was accessible and identifiable to a broad audience, which demonstrated a deep understanding of both design principles and the subject matter. Kati’s creative vision and attention to detail brought the theme to life in a way that was both engaging and informative. The design elements were not only visually impressive but also served to enhance the overall narrative. The use of colour and typography has really helped us to create an identity throughout the site and adapt the theme to different seasons, moreover the design combined artistic creativity with practical functionality. We wouldn’t hesitate to work with Kati again. Thank you."
Emma Emerson
Hughenden Manor, National Trust
“The illustrations and site-map that Kati has created for Kelmscott Manor are really very successful and everyone associated with the National Lottery Heritage Fund project was equally impressed with their clarity and the way in which the drawings of the Morris family members, birds and other characters work so well with the typography. She has made a delightful contribution to the Interpretation of the Manor and its outbuildings.”
Peter Cormack
MBE FSA Hon. Curatorial Adviser, Kelmscott Manor
“Kati has been an utter delight to work with and her illustrations have already become a treasured part of our College community. Now, with the map, we have a lovely (and very useful!) souvenir to give our visitors!“
Maryanne Saunders
Lincoln College
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