2022’s Top 10 Posts

With 2022 coming to an end, we reviewed our top Instagram posts to see what resonated the most with our audiences this year. The themes were clear – the war in Ukraine, social & climate issues, historical events, whimsical textures, bright, playful graphics and bit of humor.

Throughout the highs and lows of 2022, we’ve featured amazing illustration work from all over the world. Thank you to the artists who rallied support and highlighted important issues through their inspiring work and also gave us whimsical, playful places to escape to. Here’s a review of the Directory of Illustration‘s top 10 Instagram posts of the year.

Egle Plytnikaite — Rapp Art

The creative community stands with Ukraine 🇺🇦

Exemplified here by Egle Plytnikaite’s (@egle.plytnikaite) powerful illustration. Represented by Rapp Art (@rappart)

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“All people are equal, it is not birth, it is virtue alone that makes the difference.” – Voltaire

Illustration by Anna Sun (@thatannasun) for a Polish protest and women’s strike.

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HifuMiyo — Folio Illustration Agency

The new year is just around the corner! Illustration by HifuMiyo (@hifumiyo1234illustration), represented by Folio Illustration Agency (@folioart)

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Corey Brickley — Début Art

“The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.” ~ Albert Einstein.

Illustration by award-winning artist, Corey Brickley (@coreybrickleyillustration), represented by Début Art (@debutart). Corey primarily works in editorial and publishing and specializes in motion graphics and animation. Clients include: The New Yorker, The New York Times, Netflix, The Folio society, Ted Baker, Penguin, Macmillan, Harpercollins, Vice Magazine, Variety, Vanity Fair, Verge, Texas Monthly.

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Camelia Pham — Folio Illustration Agency

Camelia Pham (@camelia.pham) is an illustrator and art director based in Hanoi, Vietnam. “Camelia began drawing as a remedy for the pressures of the Asian education system. Her art progressed from a state of catharsis to one that reached people with self-doubts mirroring her own. After discovering a love of conceptual, storytelling illustration, she now finds herself rendering the breadth of the human psyche in strong colors, bold geometry and kaleidoscopic textures.”

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Anna & Elena Balbusso — Shannon Associates

“Stop War” – A powerful series by the Balbusso Twins (@balbusso_twins). Represented by Shannon Associates (@shannonassociates).

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Today is Rosa Parks Day, a holiday in honor of the civil rights leader that is celebrated on her birthday, February 4th.

Illustration by Johan Papin (@johanpapin) for “Rosa Parks, the Woman Who Said No,” a children’s book about the life of Rosa Parks and the way she took part in the civil rights movement.

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Marco Melgrati — Salzman Art

“The Zoo,” illustration by Marco Melgrati (@m_melgrati) for the cover for El Malpensante Magazine.

Marco is a freelance illustrator from Milan, Italy with over a decade of experience. His client list includes: The Washington Times, The Economist, Nature Magazine, GQ Magazine, Volkskrant, Politico, Variety Magazine, Corriere della sera, MN8 Studio, Marie Claire, Palm Angels, Money Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, and the Boston Globe. Marco is represented by Salzman International (@salzmanart).

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Steve Adams – Painted Words

“There is no question that climate change is happening; the only arguable point is what part humans are playing in it.” ~ David Attenborough

Illustration by Steve Adams (@steveadamsillustration), represented by Painted Words (@painted.words)

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Muokkaa – JSR Agency

We love Muokkaa’s (@muokkaa) type designs! Focusing on geometrical shapes and isometric perspectives, Muokkaa’s creative goal is to make graphic images where bold colors, light and shadows have the main prominence.

Álex López, aka Muokkaa, cut his teeth at the renowned studios ILOVEDUST and Brand New School, collaborating on projects for Nike, Audi, Mercedes, RedBull, Starbucks, Google and Samsung. Since going it alone, Muokka has worked for clients including Facebook, Billboard, The Oprah Magazine, Fortune, Wired, Women’s Health, Goop, Yorokobu, AIGA and Heineken.

Muokkaa is represented by JSR Agency (@jsragency).

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Follow the Directory of Illustration on Instagram at @dirilllustration to see more inspiring illustrations daily and to see what visual trends will emerge for 2023!