Modular Utilitarian Illustration System Project

The client approached me to develop a cohesive illustration system with a strong Utilitarian Design aesthetic, building on our successful previous collaboration. This project aimed to create 80 fully editable vector illustrations that showcase consistency, modularity, and flexibility, transitioning from a prior set of 120 pixel-art illustrations to a more functional and minimal visual identity.

The visual language was guided by characteristics of Utilitarian Design: clarity, function over ornamentation, and an industrial look. To achieve this:

Color & Contrast: The system was built entirely in black and white, leveraging contrast, line weight, and density to create visual hierarchy.

Grid Structure: A 32px grid ensured structural consistency across every illustration.

Consistent Frames: All assets were created within a 1024×1024 frame for uniform scale and proportion.

Stroke Weight: The primary stroke weight of 3pt was adjusted as needed to create different “grays” within the black-and-white palette.

Typography: Following the same logic, I used Inter in predefined text styles (H1, H2, H3), applied selectively based on design needs.

To maintain consistency and ease of maintenance, all illustrations were:

Created in Figma: Each illustration was individually built using clean, organized layer structures for easy navigation.

Delivered as SVGs: All assets were provided as fully editable SVG files with every element separated into layers.

Flexible Designs: The illustrations were designed for easy modifications, allowing the client to adjust colors, stroke weights, or remove text as needed.

Component-Based Approach: Utilizing this approach ensured coherence across all 80 assets and maximum flexibility for the client, minimizing their future dependence on me for updates.

Building on our previous collaboration, I worked closely with the client to translate their initial visual direction into a cohesive illustration system. The resulting set of 80 modular, functional, and visually coherent utilitarian-style illustrations is ready for diverse applications. This system balances precision, clarity, and flexibility, allowing the client to independently modify or expand the design without additional support. Ultimately, this project not only strengthened our partnership but also demonstrated the power of a modular design approach in enhancing operational efficiency.