Upon discovering the fun drawings that Sarah Home creates, IKEA brought the artist on as its first ever Children’s Illustrator in Residence. As her first move as Children’s Illustrator in Residence at IKEA, Home was inspired to superimpose drawings of fantastical creatures like dragons, fairies, elves and yetis atop photographs from the IKEA furniture catalog.
These whimsical illustrations show the colorful mythical creatures celebrating special occasions, coming together for daily meals like breakfast and dinner, as well as having some fun with the way that they eat. Home describes that "When IKEA saw my creations and asked me to undertake a residency in store, I jumped at the chance to inspire other children who are just like I was. By sparking their imaginations, I hope we've made mealtimes more magical for children."
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Children's Illustrations
- Opportunity for artists to collaborate with brands in creating whimsical illustrations for children's products and publications.
- Mixing Fantasy with Reality
- The trend of blending fantastical creatures with everyday settings provides unique storytelling opportunities in various creative fields.
- Magical Mealtimes
- Creating a magical dining experience for children through imaginative illustrations and storytelling.
Where This Applies
- Art and Design
- Artists and designers can collaborate with brands to create whimsical illustrations for various products and marketing materials.
- Publishing and Media
- Children's book publishers and media companies can incorporate whimsical illustrations to enhance storylines and engage young readers.
- Food Service and Hospitality
- Restaurants and hotels can explore magical dining experiences by integrating creative illustrations and storytelling into their menus and dining areas.
