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# Unusual City Illustration Books
Strange Island is an NYC-Themed Photo Book

By Jessica Mary Cooper | Published 2014-02-28 | Art & Design
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/illustration
References: [kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jmcooper/strange-island-30-days-of-manhattan-weirdness-illu)

Strange Island is a beautiful book of illustration that focuses on the oddities, urban legends, and daily weirdness that lurks under the surface of life in Manhattan.

Pending a successful [Kickstarter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/masters-of-anatomy) campaign, freelance illustrator J M Cooper is heading to NYC to make a small and peculiar book of illustration, in her signature vector style. The illustrations will be based on the stranger side of life in New York City, the [urban myths, legends, rumors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ghost-town1) and just plain weirdness that underpins daily existence.

From alligators in the sewers and ghosts in central park, to hints of alternate dimensions and legendary inhabitants, this book will contain 30+ illustrations of weirdness in Manhattan.

**Implications** - The use of [crowdfunding platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-yorks-streeteasy) to fund projects that artists would otherwise be unable to create is a rising trend. This example illustrates how a freelancer can create work for his/herself through self-initiated projects - and is also a showcase for J M Cooper’s style - a subtle, textural approach to vector illustration that is fast gaining popularity.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 1.6/10
- Popularity: 27% | Activity: 12% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial
- Top markets: North America, Europe

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign)

## Key Themes

### What Makes This Trend Stand Out

- **Crowdfunding Art Projects:** Crowdfunding platforms are increasingly being used to fund projects that artists would otherwise be unable to create.
- **Self-initiated Art Projects:** This example illustrates how a freelancer can create work for his/herself through self-initiated projects.
- **Textural Vector Illustration:** J M Cooper’s style - a subtle, textural approach to vector illustration that is fast gaining popularity.

### Sectors Adopting This

- **Graphic Design:** Graphic designers can explore crowdfunding platforms to fund self-initiated projects.
- **Publishing:** Book publishers can consider using crowdfunding platforms to fund unusual or niche projects.
- **Tourism:** Tourism companies can use unique city-themed art projects to attract visitors to their locations.

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