Illustrated poster & leaflet designer
Kati is a freelance illustrator specialising in brand illustration, which most commonly translates in to illustrated poster and leaflet design. She works with a range of businesses and organisations, including theatres, art centres, universities, museums, charities, food brands, heritage sites, festivals and restaurants.
What makes a great poster illustration?
A poster is similar to a book cover or to a magazine cover. So called ‘cover illustrations’ always need to capture the eye of the target audience and connect with the viewer on an emotional level.
Although typography is strictly speaking not part of poster illustration, I do design posters with the text included. Posters can be either simple or detailed, as long as the typography is clear even from a distance. The best posters often focus on a single, compelling idea and reveal more depth or meaning upon closer inspection.
Illustrated Posters & Leaflets
Posters are leaflets are marketing materials visually engaging and effectively communicate your message. Whether you’re promoting an event, a service, or a product, the right illustration can really help you stand out.
Exhibition Posters
Exhibition posters are designed to attract attention to art shows, trade fairs or other art exhibitions. A well-crafted exhibition poster can intrigue potential visitors and encourage them to explore the work on display.
Promoting the stories of historic places
Promoting the stories of historic places brings history to life, connecting audiences with the people, events, and cultures that shaped a site’s past. Through rich storytelling, immersive visuals, and engaging narratives, posters can reveal the unique character and significance of a location.
Exhibition posters are designed to attract attention to art shows, trade fairs, or educational exhibitions. They often feature striking visuals and concise information about the event, including dates, locations, and highlights. A well-crafted exhibition poster can intrigue potential visitors and encourage them to explore the showcased works.
Concert and Gig Posters
Concert and gig posters often feature bold typography and imagery that represent the performing artists. They form an essential part of music culture.
Festival Posters
Festival posters celebrate the spirit of various events, from music and food festivals to cultural gatherings. They highlight key performances, activities, and schedules while conveying the festival’s unique atmosphere. An eye-catching festival poster can create excitement and attract a diverse audience.
Posters to promote places
Posters designed to encourage visitors to explore new places combine striking visuals with a sense of adventure, inviting people to experience the unique character of a location. These posters often highlight key landmarks, cultural symbols, or scenic views, using bold colours and captivating compositions to spark curiosity.
Event Promotion Posters
Event promotion posters are versatile tools used for community events, workshops, or conferences. They provide essential information in a clear and engaging format, helping to draw in attendees. By combining visual appeal with informative content, these posters ensure that the event is well-publicised and attended.
Show Posters
Show posters are specifically designed to promote theatrical productions, performances, and other live events. These posters aim to capture the essence of the show, often featuring the title, key visuals, and details about the cast and crew. A well-designed show poster serves not only as a promotional tool but also as a piece of art that reflects the mood and themes of the production. By combining striking graphics with compelling typography, show posters can attract audiences and generate excitement for the event.
Educational Posters
Educational posters are used in schools, libraries, and community centres to convey information on various topics. They can range from science and history to motivational themes. By presenting information in a visually engaging way, educational posters can enhance learning and stimulate curiosity among viewers.
Public Awareness Posters
Public awareness posters aim to inform and educate the public about important issues, such as health campaigns, environmental concerns, or safety initiatives. They utilise impactful imagery and concise messaging to raise awareness and encourage positive behaviour, making them valuable tools for social change.
My illustration process in a nutshell
Research
Gathering relevant information about the project. This could include reading around the subject to have a deeper understanding of the bigger picture, creating mind-maps, coming up with ideas and identifying themes. This stage is usually preceded by a meeting where I can listen to the key messages and discuss them with you.
Rough sketches
Based on the research, I create a series of rough sketches. There is usually one main application where the illustrations will be used – this could be a site map, a website or a poster. If this is the case, I tend to sketch out the illustrations with that purpose in mind. The roughs are always pencil drawings and the main aim of this phase is to agree on the ideas and if applicable, the composition.
Creating the illustrations
Once the rough sketches are approved, I begin to create the final drawings. Depending on the feedback, the line drawings are sometimes shared before applying colour and textures but usually this is not necessary.
Finishing touches
After another round of feedback, I apply the finishing touches to the illustrations and share them for approval.
Creating assets
As illustrations are often used for a number of different applications, the final stage of this process is to create the required applications or prepare the files in a suitable format for others to work with.
FAQs
What types of poster illustrations do you offer?
I work with a wide range of clients including events, theatre productions, film, venues, exhibitions, websites, and academic institutions. If your project is not listed, feel free to get in touch to see if I can assist you.
What’s the typical turnaround time?
Turnaround time varies depending on the complexity of the project, your approval process and the number of people involved, but most projects are completed within 2–4 weeks.
Can we include maps or illustrations on the posters or leaflets?
Definitely! Adding maps or illustrations can enhance the visual appeal and usability of your materials, making them more engaging for visitors.
Can we include a QR code on our poster or leaflet?
Yes, QR codes are a great way to provide visitors with access to additional information, such as guided tours, event schedules, or site details. We can incorporate a QR code in the design.
How much text can I include?
I recommend keeping text concise for clarity and impact, especially on posters. However, leaflets can accommodate more detailed content. We can help you balance text and visuals for optimal readability.
What file formats will I receive the final illustrations in?
Posters and leaflets are most commonly delivered in pdf files. I always include a print-ready high-res version and low-res web version for easy viewing and online use. If you require a specific file format for a particular purpose, just let me know!
Do you offer printing services, or should we handle that separately?
Although I can handle printing for you, it is usually best done by yourself. However, I am happy to advise on paper types, finishes, and quantities based on your budget and needs.
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
Get in touch
Ready for a chat?
Tell me a little bit about your project and we can take it from there.
I’m not quite ready,
show me more!