Illustrating a more human brand (part 2)

Note: this is part 2 of 2 about the history of Dropbox illustration. If you haven’t read part 1 and you’re interested in the pioneers of Dropbox illustration, <a href="https://medium.com/dropbox-design/illustrating-a-more-human-brand-part-1-e1cfe3c28d9" rel="noopener">click here to read up</a>. Also, if you’re just looking for the list of five lessons learned about illustrating for a brand, scroll past the verbose storytelling to the bottom, and I have a nice little listicle for you. <img alt="" src="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:3000/1*TbyG87pKx61DNmk1rAHizQ.jpeg" style="height:1651px; width:2400px" /> Illustration by Brandon Land When we left the story, our ragtag band of illustrators was fighting the good fight to create delightful work for the Dropbox brand. But as the company grew, it became more and more difficult for many to understand the role of brand designers and illustrators. After all, at that time there were no “brand designers” by title at Dropbox. There was no one whose role it was to be an evangelist educating people about the need for well-thought-through brand strategy. It all felt very fake it till you make it. I think it’s important at this time to quickly zoom out on the history of in-house brand designers and illustrators. Many young designers might not realize that working as an in-house designer used to be its own kind of hell. I believe Dante would have created a special ring for it had he lived in this day and age. For decades, in-house designers were faced with the Sisyphean task of trying to make work for vague marketing needs created by business-type folk who spouted art direction based on their whopping zero years of design expertise. The idea of design thinking or problem solving was nowhere to be found inside most companies. <a href="https://medium.com/dropbox-design/illustrating-a-more-human-brand-part-2-d2e9494cc8a3">Learn More</a>