Abstract illustration represents unbridled imagination

One of the most challenging tasks you can be presented with as a pro illustrator is to visualise an abstract concept. And the cover story for September's New Scientist magazine fell squarely into this category.

"New Scientist was quite specific about the style and imagery they wanted to represent imagination," the pair explain. "There were specific references to children's imagination so we had to include a number of clichés like dragons, mythical creatures and unicorns. We needed to represent imagination, not really use our own, so it needed to have conventional and recognizable links to the article."

As you can see though, the pair still managed to put their unique stamp on the illustration. All in all, it's a beautiful, and deceptively intricate, design that truly illuminates and enhances the words rather than detracts from them – as all great examples of editorial illustration should do.

Have you seen an inspiring editorial illustration? Let us know in the comments box below!

Tom May
Freelance journalist and editor

Tom May is an award-winning journalist and author specialising in design, photography and technology. His latest book, The 50th Greatest Designers, was released in June 2025. He's also author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Great TED Talks: Creativity, published by Pavilion Books, Tom was previously editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine.