Illustration Trends: 2020’s Top 20
What were the top illustration trends of the year? Now that 2020 is finally over, the numbers are in and the answer is clear: Nature, Cinema, and Conceptual art.
Through quarantine and the Covid-19 crisis, it’s no surprise that social media reflected our collective sense of foreboding and desire for escapism. With less time spent outdoors, one of the most craved subjects this year was nature: dark forests, twisting vines, and vibrant florals. The extra time spent indoors meant there was a strong trend for posters, character art, and cover art from our favorite books and movies. Conceptual illustrations that could inspire imagination in a single image were extremely popular this year as well. Throughout the highs and lows of 2020, we’ve featured amazing illustration work from all over the world. Thank you to the artists who took us to new worlds, vibrant dreamscapes, and everything in between. Here’s a review of the Directory of Illustration‘s top 20 instagram posts of the year.
Nicolas Delort — Shannon Associates
“Something wicked this way comes” 🌪️ ⚡️ 💀
Dark dreams by @nicodelort represented by @shannonassociates
Nan Lawson — The Bright Agency
The saddest scene in cinematic history 😢 🔮 Name of the movie? Bonus points if anyone can name the horse. Illustration by @nanlawson, represented by @brightillustration
Daniel Taylor — Debut Art
“Haven’t you ever thought of living unconsciously like bears, sniffing the earth, close to pears and the mossy dark, far from human voices and fire?” 🐻 🌲 Illustration by @mrtaylordani, represented by @debutart
Julian De Narvaez — Folio Art
Heavy lies the crown 👑🌱 Illustration by @julian.de.narvaez.art, represented by @folioart
Save a tree 🎄 Grow a beard 🧔 Loving this festive illustration by @daryashnykina “GROW A BEARD” Alpha Book Magazine Issue’1, 2018 Communication Arts Annual 2019 Winner
Dinara Mirtalipova — Magnet Reps
“Seaworld Goddess” 🦀❄️ Underwater holidays brought to you by the uniquely talented @mirdinara, represented by @magnetreps
Kilian Eng — Debut Art
PSA: The Iron Giant is on Netflix right now. 🤖 🍁 Poster art by @kilianeng, represented by @debutart
Karolis Strautniekas — Folio Art
“All men are enemies. All animals are comrades.” 🐷 👁🗨 Loving this Animal Farm cover artwork by @strautniekas, represented by @folioart
Victo Ngai – Morgan Gaynin
Several weeks ago, a 12,000 year old rock work dubbed the “Sistine chapel of the ancients” was discovered in the Amazon Rainforest. 🐎🌳Feeling inspired by the nuance and detail in this cave-painting themed work by @victongai, represented by @morgangaynin
David De Las Heras – Central Illustration Agency
Firelight Sonata 🔥 🎼 @david_delasheras illustration for the book “Los Seres que me llenan” by @mikelizal. Represented by @central_illustration
Iain Macarthur – JSR Agency
We’re thrilled to introduce @iain.macarthur, represented by @jsragency, as the next featured artist in our “Heads Above the Rest” campaign! 🌟After inviting artists to create a silhouetted head graphic showcasing their own creative style, 20 illustrations were selected to appear in the Directory of Illustration’s annual outreach campaign – designed by Art Director at SPUR, Dave Plunkert.
“A whimsical illustration series detailing the ups and downs of quarantined life through wacky characters and delightful icons” by illustrator @lukeyschroeder #directoryofillustration
Know your memes 😤 👉 🙀 The famous “Woman Yelling at Cat” meme, re-imagined in an ukiyo-e japanese print style by @griffinisland
Andres Lozano – Folio Art
Little cliffside home = weekend goals 🌙 🌊 By @andreslozanom, represented by @folioart
Feeling jazzy 🎶Diptych by @anni_tett inspired by funky and sophisticated Jazz rhythms • This project was included in the World Illustration Awards 2020 longlist! #directoryofillustration
“Sleep is good, he said, and books are better” – George R. R. Martin. Diving into a good book this weekend 🏊 📚 with @mattchinworth
Alexander Jackson – AAARep
CHOOSE YOUR FIGHTER ⚡️ 💀 Can any HP fans name every character? Magic work by @alexanderjacksonart , represented by #AAArep
Richard Wilkinson – Central Illustration Agency
“Seeing eye to fly” 👁️ Fantastic attention to detail in this work by @richardwilkinsonart, represented by @central_illustration
Strawberry Fields Forever 🍓 🌱 🐄 Delicious and dreamy illustration by @menghuimh. Menghui won the DOI award in this year’s #worldillustrationawards 🏆
