Creating medium-sized illustrations is not just about shrinking the large ones, the way hobbits are not just small humans. Medium illustrations have a lot of weight to pull and little (literally) leeway for error.

HTTP 404 is used in computer network communications, to indicate that the browser was able to communicate with a given server, but the server could not find what was requested. In other words, you are lost.

Thanks to our quarterly Product Engineering Week, I had a chance to come back to my project of making vector illustrations for Homeday. This time, I wanted to create a few options for the 404 page.

Oh, all the things UI illustrations can do. They can clarify complex or abstract ideas. They’re generally perceived faster than text. They deliver bite-sized brand experiences that ask for engagement in an elegant way.
They can go boldly where no photograph has gone before.
Illustrators out there, I salute you!

Apart from the eye-candy quality, they have to have a purpose and while researching potential areas where I could apply them, I looked specifically at the theme of the location. Of course, Berlin or Cologne have memorable architectural symbols.

“No-bullshit” is a golden rule at Homeday. We strive to treat our customers with respect, speak in a straight-forward & transparent manner. In short, we treat our customers how we want to be treated. No shady business.

Our visual communication must reflect those principles. But what does it mean to create no-bullshit illustrations?

Grid-based

In the soft science of no-bullshit design, grid is king. We applied the optical grid as well as the geometrical grid in the ultimate marriage of sense & sensibility.