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InspirationIllustration

Zara Picken's visually striking illustrations that take a minimalist yet retro approach

When you consider these digital illustrations by Lincoln-based illustrator Zara Picken, you can see a strong element of design throughout as well as a nod to retro themes – perhaps hinting at the golden age of advertising when Madison Avenue ruled the world.

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Illustration of a profile head outlined in black with a stick of dynamite inside the brain against a yellow background, beside a hand holding a lit match

Using blocks of colour and texture that are bold and visually striking, composition is very important to her and you can see she often takes a 'less is more' approach, with many of her artworks evoking a sense of warmth and optimism.

Zara has been working as an illustrator since she graduated from the University of the West of England in Bristol in 2008. She works with a diverse range of international clients, creating illustrations for editorial, publishing and advertising. Clients include The Guardian, Waitrose, Wired, BBC and Times Higher Education. Discover more at www.zarapicken.com.

Via Creative Boom submission | All images courtesy of Zara Picken

A collection of isometric dice and polyhedral shapes in various sizes and shades of white, cream and grey arranged on a muted green background
Abstract chess illustration with scattered black and white pieces, dotted movement lines and red accents on turquoise background
Illustration of repeated legs in cream and black with red high heels arranged in a chevron pattern against a textured brown background
Vintage-style Little Bird toy box with illustration of a stylised bird in red, turquoise and cream on a yellow background, alongside scissors and packaging details
Turquoise silhouette of a head in profile filled with white clouds against a red background scattered with dark clouds
Stylised face with orange circular eyes crossed by a brown bar, turquoise lips and orange hair, wearing pearl and turquoise beaded necklaces against a turquoise and orange background
Abstract illustration of a retro-style microscope with gold and turquoise elements alongside a geometric network pattern on a dark background
Stylised illustration of a woman in profile with a blue circular head, wearing a polka dot top, pearl necklace and dark puffed sleeves, rendered in retro design style
Minimalist illustration of a woman with long brown hair and a blue teardrop on her face, wearing a striped teal and dark green top against a cream and teal background
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