Mickey Mouse turned 80, marking a huge anniversary in the history of cartoons. Innovation played a tremendous role getting illustration and design to evolve from the first days of Walt Disney’s most famous character to the innovative animated graphic cartoons of today.

As our tribute to Mickey Mouse, and to offer you insight into the innovations in modern cartoons, we’ve collected a visual example of some of the most fascinating new advances in the world of illustration as well as the influence Mickey Mouse continues to have on the world of design.