Behind the scenes:
Building a Collectible Illustration World
The Brief:
To create a collection of illustrations that captures the emotional essence of iconic cities, moving beyond landmarks to evoke atmosphere, memory and everyday beauty.
The work needed to translate seamlessly across products, from prints to stationery, while remaining distinctive and recognisable.
My approach:
Each illustration begins with observation: focusing on small, characterful details that define a place.
Working in ink and watercolour, I developed a visual language that balances precision with spontaneity, allowing each piece to feel both composed and alive.
The aim was to create not just images, but collectible moments.
The outcome:
The collection has grown into an ongoing series, with multiple releases and international distribution. The illustrations resonate with a wide audience, offering a timeless and emotional connection to place. It contributes to the brand’s identity and commercial success.
Paper and Cities
Capturing the spirit of iconic cities through collectible illustration
Since 2019, I’ve collaborated with Paper & Cities to develop a series of hand-painted illustrations celebrating London, Paris and New York.
Each piece is designed to evoke a sense of place and nostalgia, transforming everyday city scenes into timeless, collectible objects across prints, cards and seasonal collections. The ongoing success of the collection has led to multiple releases and international distribution.
All set photography on this page by Alex Zouaghi
