We’ve all seen interfaces so minimal and clean. Perfect spacing, neat layout and typography, colors on point. It’s nice, It’s the standard. But oftentimes, they lack something… They feel soulless, empty, meh. They lack a touch of personality and emotion.
That’s when illustrations come into view. They’re not just there to sit still and look pretty on your screen. They’re there on a mission: to breathe life into your design. One illustration can carry more meaning than a block of text, transforming your product from a tool into an experience.
Also Read: Tiny UX Details That Feel Like Magic
Why Illustrations Matter in UI/UX
Illustrations aren’t just frosting. They’re part of the cake.
When you integrate them intentionally, they do more than just “look good”:
- They humanize sterile interfaces. Suddenly, your product feels less like a machine and more like a buddy.
- They convey emotion instantly. You don’t need three paragraphs of copy if one drawing already sets the mood.
- They guide users visually. Whether it’s onboarding steps or progress trackers, illustrations help users “get it” faster.
- They strengthen brand identity. An app can look like anyone’s. But your illustration style? Just you.
Duo via Duolingo
Think about Duolingo’s owl, Tokopedia’s Toped, Gojek and their playful quirky illustrations. They’re anchors for brand recognition and emotional connection.
And here’s the catch: people don’t always remember your layout or typeface, but they will remember how your product made them feel.
Define Your Vibe: Setting the Mood with Illustrations
Before you even open Figma and Adobe Illustrator, think about this: what’s the feeling you want the user to walk away with?
- Playful interface? Quirky characters, fun faces, bold shapes, maybe some exaggerated movement.
- Calm meditation tool? Gentle gradients, rounded corners, muted palettes.
- Premium loyalty platform? Elegant line work, refined palettes, and subtle illustrations.
The style you choose is basically your product’s body language and they both need to work in tandem. Consistency is everything. Jumping between clashing styles just confuses users, like changing your tone in the middle of a conversation.
✨ Quick Exercise: Imagine your app or web as a person walking into a party. Are they the hype friend in neon pink sweaters, or the calm one in an elegant black dress? Your illustration style should follow that vibe.
Beyond Decoration: Illustrations with a Purpose
A good illustration in UX always has a purpose. Without one, it’s just extra art on the screen.
Illustrations that elevate UX always do something specific:
- Onboarding flows → They break down complex steps into simple, visual moments.
- Micro-illustrations → Like a checkmark animation or a character giving a thumbs up—tiny reinforcements of progress.
- Error states → Instead of just “404 Not Found,” give me a sad cat tangled in wires or some cables getting unplugged. Frustration drops, forgiveness rises.
- Loading screens → Not just a pause, but a story beat. A tiny character, a looping motion, or a witty visual can keep users leaning in instead of zoning out.
404 Error via Slack
Example: Slack’s error page. Instead of a cold “Something went wrong” copy, they use light-hearted illustrations that make you smile even though the web broke. That’s design empathy at work.
So yeah, pretty is fine. But pretty and useful? That’s chef’s kiss.
Where Illustrations Shine the Most
If you’re not sure where to start, focus on screens that usually feel like dead air.
- Onboarding flows – Guide new users and make them feel welcomed.
- Empty states – Transform blank voids into moments of encouragement.
- Loading screens – Make waiting less painful, maybe even delightful.
- Error messages – Soften frustration with empathy (and maybe humor).
- Reward animations – Celebrate achievements in style.
Error State via SweetGreen and Upwork
These are the high-impact zones where an illustration can completely flip the user’s emotional response.
Imagine you’re stuck in traffic. Which feels better: staring at brake lights, or seeing street performers juggling on the sidewalk? That’s what illustrations do for the “waiting moments” of UX.
Don’t Fall Into These Common Traps
Because yeah, illustrations can backfire if you treat them wrong. They’re powerful when intentional, but sloppy use can actually hurt your UI/UX instead of elevating it.
Here are the classic pitfalls I see (and sometimes, have accidentally done myself 😅):
1. Decoration Overload
When everything is illustrated, nothing stands out. The whole interface starts to feel like a cartoon explosion. Remember: illustrations are there to guide and highlight, not to drown the user in visual noise.
Pick your battles. Use them strategically in moments that need emotional lift (like onboarding, errors, or empty states), and let other parts breathe with simplicity.
2. Stock-Style Sameness
You’ve seen the weird blobby humans with stretchy arms and no faces. They’re all over the internet, and honestly, they don’t tell your users anything about you. They’re just generic filler that could belong to any random app.
If your illustrations could be swapped into ten other apps without anyone noticing the difference, that’s a red flag. Build your own voice, even if it’s simple. Your own voice is better than blending into the blob crowd.
3. Clashing Styles
Mixing flat 2D icons with glossy 3D Pixar-style characters? Recipe for chaos. Users will feel like they walked into a room with five people talking all at once.
Stick to one consistent illustration language. If your icons are flat, keep your characters flat. If you’re going for textured and playful, commit across the board. Remember, consistency is the key.
4. Slow Load Times
Illustrations that look beautiful in Figma but tank your app or web performance are UX killers. No one cares how adorable your loading mascot is if it takes ten seconds to appear.
Optimize files. Compress images. Use vector formats where possible. Delight should never come at the cost of usability.
The Golden Rule
If an illustration doesn’t help the user feel something, understand something, or move forward, cut it.
Because at the end of the day, users won’t thank you for extra decoration. They’ll thank you for clarity, warmth, and flow.
Also Read: Color, Characters & Clicks: Engaging Children Through Design
Conclusions
Illustrations aren’t the cherry on top of UI/UX, they’re the sauce that ties the whole dish together. They humanize cold layouts, guide users without friction, and give your product an emotional heartbeat.
And the best part? You don’t need a 50-step plan to make them work. Start with one screen. One vibe. One sketch. Let the visuals carry the story.
Because in the end, users won’t remember every pixel you pushed. But they will remember how your product made them feel.
So go ahead. Show, don’t tell.