Illustrations are a creative and unique way for your brand to communicate with your customers and stand out from the competition. Not only do illustrations reinforce brand identity, increase engagement, and improve memory retention, they also add a playful and personalised touch to your marketing materials.
Whether you choose custom or stock illustrations, they can play a key role in your brand's visual communication strategy.
Choosing between custom and stock illustrations is a crucial decision that your brand needs to make when creating visual content. Each type of illustration has its own advantages and can impact the overall look, feel and effectiveness of your marketing materials.
Custom illustrations are those that are created specifically for your brand or business. The advantage of custom illustrations is that they can be tailored to your brand's specific style, tone, and message. Custom illustrations can help set your brand apart, adding a unique and personalised touch to your marketing materials, and making them instantly recognisable. They are also ideal for showcasing complex concepts and ideas in a visual and engaging manner.
Stock illustrations, on the other hand, are pre-made illustrations that are available for purchase from stock illustration libraries. The advantage of using stock illustrations is that they are cost-effective, easily accessible and can save time compared to the process of creating custom illustrations. Stock illustrations can be used as is, or more commonly customised by your designer to fit your brand's style, tone and message. They also come in a wide range of styles, so it's possible to find one that matches your brand's look and feel, or to mix and match to achieve the desired output.
Custom illustrations and stock illustrations are both types of visual elements that can be used in various projects. However, they differ in the way they are created and their level of customisation. When it comes to choosing between custom and stock illustrations for your brand, here are some tips:
Identify your purpose and goals
What is the purpose of the illustration? What message do you want to convey? To decide whether to use custom or stock illustrations, it's crucial to consider the intended purpose and message of the illustration. By clarifying the purpose of the illustration and the intended message, you can determine which option will be the most effective.
For example, if the content is very specific or complex, it may not be possible to find stock illustrations and you could commission a set of custom illustrations. This would also be an option for a single major campaign or event where you want to showcase a unique key visual.
On the other hand, if your objective is to produce a regular stream of marketing materials with speedy turnaround times, stock illustrations will be more practical.
Consider your brand identity
Utilising custom illustrations is an effective approach to solidify your brand's identity. By tailoring illustrations to your brand's distinct style, tone, and message, you can differentiate yourself from competitors. On the other hand, while stock illustrations may not be as unique, they can still be modified by adjusting elements such as colour palette and line weight to align with your brand's aesthetic. However, if your branding or service requires a unique style that cannot be found in stock illustrations, opting for a custom alternative might be necessary.
Determine your budget
Custom illustrations are typically more expensive than stock illustrations, so budget is an important consideration. If you have a limited budget, stock illustrations would be the better option.
Identify timelines
Time is a significant factor to consider when deciding between custom and stock illustrations. Custom illustrations take significantly longer to create, especially if they are complex or require a specific style or message. On the other hand, stock illustrations are readily available and require less time to procure and edit.
When working on a project with a tight deadline, stock illustrations may be the better option since they can be accessed immediately. However, if you have the luxury of time, custom illustrations may be worth the investment of additional time.
When making the decision to choose between custom and stock illustrations, it is important to carefully consider the project's needs, budget, and desired style in order to determine the correct choice. By taking these factors into account, you can make an informed decision that will help you create effective and engaging visual content for your brand.
Choosing the right style for your illustrations ensures that your visual identity and marketing efforts will accurately reflect your brand and resonate with your target audience.
If you are a business looking to incorporate custom or stock illustrations into your visual communication strategy, reach out to us now for expert help!