In a world increasingly saturated with machine-generated imagery, illustration is having its moment of rebellion. I'm starting to see a number of common themes in the creative work that's coming across my desk at the end of 2025, including a hunger for authenticity, imperfection and the human touch.
Whether it's hand-drawn squiggles or story-rich scenes, more and more illustrators seem to be reaching for styles that feel crafted, honest and unmistakably made by people. To work out just what's going on here, I spoke to a number of design and branding experts.
