Author(s): John Reilly; R. Klanten (Editor); Sven Ehmann (Editor)

Art

Whether as a complement to written contentor a stand-alone attention getter, illustrationis being used more and more oftento set prominent accents. Illustrationshave become a key component of advertising,communication, reporting, and othermedia. Because visual storytelling gets messagesacross more effectively in our age ofinformation overload, illustration is gainingin importance. It's no wonder that thecurrent spectrum of creative expressionrepresented by this technique is so vast.Illusive 4 is the definitive reference ofcontemporary illustration and these developments.Showcasing the work of around200 active Illustrated bys --both establishednames and new talents --from around theworld, the book demonstrates the dynamismof this creative technique and documentsglobal trends. Some examplessurprise the viewer by integrating elementsfrom fashion sketching, figurative painting,collage, and photography.Astute texts describe how and whereillustration is being used today and put thefeatured work into context. They exploreopportunities for illustration in fieldsincluding advertising and merchandisingand for thematic topics such as fashion,lifestyle, politics, and culture.Illusive 4 makes it clear that illustrationsare not only used as decorative elements,but to visually convey both content andemotions. Because of its role as a transmitterof information, the medium of illustrationis not limited by current fads. In fact,much of the included work is characterizedby an impressive creative independence.The results are as astounding as they areinspiring.Its scope makes Illusive 4 a rich source ofideas for Illustrated bys, painters, and visualartists, as well as for graphic and Edited byialdesigners. Its combination of images andtext offers added insights for Edited bys, writers,and anyone working in communication. Inshort, the book is meant for everyone who ispassionate about illustration, as well as thosewho are interested in new visual experiencesand are involved in their creation.