If you’re a designer in tech you’ve likely come across them. Any search for UI or product design on Dribbble will yield at least a few. Amid the sea of pastel blues and pinks, accented neon purples and gamboge yellows, these faceless, nebulous bodies have become the lorem ipsum of graphic embellishment in todays product landscape.

如果您是技術設計師，那么您可能會遇到他們。 在Dribbble上對UI或產品設計的任何搜索都會產生至少一些結果。 在一片柔和的藍色和粉紅色，海重音的霓虹燈紫色和黃色藤黃，這些面目模糊，模糊的機構已經成為Lorem存有圖形點綴在今天的產品格局。

Humaaans is a library of vector based, free-to-use illustrations launched in late 2018 by Pablo Stanley, Design Lead at InVision. Upon its arrival, this mix-and-match collection exploded in popularity, inspiring waves of similarly floaty, ambiguous humanoids that remain on-trend to this day.

Humaaans是一個基于向量的免費插圖庫，由InVision設計負責人Pablo Stanley于2018年底啟動。 抵達市場后，這個混搭收藏系列大受歡迎，激發了至今仍在流行的類似漂浮，模棱兩可的類人生物浪潮。

For many upstart product designers, illustration libraries are a practical resource to easily extend the communication around a product. As with all free asset collections, they can expedite the design process while elevating the status of the original creator.

對于許多新貴產品設計師而言，插圖庫是一種實用資源，可輕松擴展產品周圍的交流。 與所有免費資產收藏一樣，它們可以加快設計過程，同時提高原始創作者的地位。

However, for companies trying to establish a brand, these libraries can act as pitfalls against finding a unique voice within the market.

但是，對于試圖建立品牌的公司而言，這些庫可能會成為在市場中找不到獨特聲音的陷阱。

插圖的目的 (The Purpose of Illustrations)

Their role in product.

他們在產品中的作用。

Illustrations used in product need to live within the context of a brand. This means that effective graphics are supplemental to the overall messaging, serving only to elevate what is already being communicated through an established design system. If a team finds benefit in curating illustrations, time, attention, and budget is needed in order to make sure the deliverables add value to the product experience.

產品中使用的插圖必須與品牌相關。 這意味著有效的圖形是對整體消息傳遞的補充，僅用于提升已經通過已建立的設計系統傳遞的內容。 如果團隊在策劃插圖中發現好處，則需要時間，精力和預算，以確保可交付成果為產品體驗增加價值。

Several digital product companies already utilize custom illustrations to elevate their brand experience. Examples include:

一些數字產品公司已經利用定制插圖來提升他們的品牌體驗。 示例包括：

Duolingo uses its famous owl and school-like graphics to communicate their friendly, game-based approach to language learning. Most graphics in the app serve as visual aids within lessons.

Duolingo使用其著名的貓頭鷹和類似學校的圖形來交流他們友好的，基于游戲的語言學習方法。 應用程序中的大多數圖形在課程中都可以作為視覺輔助。

CoStar incorporates abstract symbols and objects to add a little mysticism to an otherwise pulled-back, monochromatic astrology brand.

CoStar結合了抽象符號和對象，為原本退縮的單色占星術品牌增添了一點神秘感。

Byte uses colourful 3D renderings to communicate the diversity of content found within the app, suggesting an energetic and ever-changing experience.

Byte使用豐富多彩的3D渲染來傳達應用程序中發現的內容的多樣性，暗示著充滿活力且不斷變化的體驗。

Despite their differences, the common thread between these apps is how they use graphics as a tool to push communication. Everything is presented with a purpose in mind, elevating the brands overall messaging.

盡管它們之間存在差異，但這些應用之間的共同點在于它們如何使用圖形作為推動交流的工具。 呈現每件事都是出于目的，從而提升了品牌的整體傳達力。

All too often, designers plonk in graphics because someone decided “we need something here”. This is when libraries like Humaaans come into play. Without consideration into the communication intent behind their illustrations, designers reach for the most immediate aesthetic option on hand. This graphics-for-the-sake-of-it approach dilutes the core messaging of a product through visual ambiguity.

設計師經常在圖形中作圖，因為有人決定“我們在這里需要一些東西” 。 這就是類似Humaaans的圖書館開始發揮作用的時候。 在不考慮插圖背后的交流意圖的情況下，設計師可以立即獲得最直接的美學選擇。 這種“以圖取勝”的方法通過視覺模糊性稀釋了產品的核心信息。

To avoid this, designers looking to add a little art should ask themselves:

為避免這種情況，希望添加一些藝術作品的設計師應自問：

• What would graphics serve to effectively communicate within the product?

  圖形將在產品內部有效通信的作用是什么？

• How would their presentation elevate the voice of our brand?

  他們的演講將如何提升我們品牌的聲音？

雇用插畫家 (Hiring an Illustrator)

Bring in the pros.

引進專業人士。

While some teams may identify a need for graphics, they might not have the internal ability to execute ideas effectively. If this happens, teams should hire a professional as the first step in what will be a new design process. Dribbble and Behance are already host to hundreds of unique illustrators able to guide clients towards desired outcomes. Finding someone whose graphic style aligns with a products messaging is worth the upfront cost in order to elevate its communication.

盡管有些團隊可能確定需要圖形，但他們可能沒有有效執行想法的內部能力。 如果發生這種情況，團隊應該聘請專業人員作為新設計流程的第一步。 Dribbble和Behance已經接待了數百名獨特的插圖畫家，他們能夠指導客戶取得理想的結果。 尋找一個圖形風格與產品信息相吻合的人是值得的，以提高其溝通水平。

如果成本是一個問題 (If Cost is an Issue)

Dealing with budgetary restraints.

處理預算限制。

Not every design team has the resources or flexibility to hire an illustrator. Thankfully, there are still a number of ways to incorporate graphics meaningfully when tight on budget:

并非每個設計團隊都有資源或靈活性來聘請插圖畫家。 值得慶幸的是，在預算緊張的情況下，仍有多種方法可以有意義地合并圖形：

Use lesser-known libraries — With illustration libraries becoming more common, there’s growing opportunity to find and utilize graphics that play better with your product. With an uncommon library, there’s a smaller chance seeing it used in other designs.

使用鮮為人知的庫 -隨著插圖庫變得越來越普遍，發現和利用與您的產品更好地配合使用的圖形的機會越來越多。 對于一個不常見的庫，看到它用于其他設計的機會較小。

• Open Peeps — Also created by Pablo Stanley, this library isn't used as heavily as Humaaans, and is more sketch-like in quality.

  開放窺視 ( Open Peeps) —由Pablo Stanley創建，該庫的使用率不像Humaaans ，而且質量更像草圖。

• craftwork.design — While this company embraces the floaty-boy aesthetic with open arms, they still offer a few unique libraries including Afterclap, 3DDD, and Thursday.

  craftwork.design -盡管這家公司擁抱輕飄男孩審美張開雙臂，但仍然提供了包括一些獨特的庫Afterclap ， 3DDD 和 周四 。

Customize — Pictured earlier, Hinge is actually a good example of how libraries like Humaaans can be used as a base for custom illustrations. This is especially true for apps focused on connecting people.

自定義 -如上圖所示，鉸鏈實際上是一個很好的示例，說明如何將Humaaans之類的庫用作自定義插圖的基礎。 對于專注于聯系人們的應用程序尤其如此。

Go without —Fonts and colours alone can go a long way in establishing an apps central theme or idea. Companies like Nowness, Medium, and Soundcloud all have a unique look and feel that lets uploaded content shine within their frameworks.

去無 -fonts和顏色單獨可以去長的路在建立應用中心主題或想法。 諸如Nowness，Medium和Soundcloud之類的公司都具有獨特的外觀，可讓上傳的內容在其框架內發光。

最后的想法 (Final Thoughts)

A drawn out process.

制定的過程。

Everyone wants their product to stand out in what is an ever growing, already crowded market. In order to be noticed, design teams need to look to their core communication as direction when building out unique experiences.

每個人都希望他們的產品在不斷增長的，已經擁擠的市場中脫穎而出。 為了引起注意，設計團隊需要在建立獨特體驗時以核心溝通為指導。

As illustration libraries are available to everyone, they are inherently not unique, serving only to water down a products brand voice. A cut-corners approach to graphic development is a short term solution with diminishing returns.

由于插圖庫可供所有人使用，因此它們本質上并不是唯一的，僅用于淡化產品品牌的聲音。 圖形開發的切角方法是一種短期解決方案，其收益遞減。

So if your budget allows, hire an illustrator. Your product deserves a chance to find its voice.

因此，如果您的預算允許，請聘請插圖畫家。 您的產品值得找到聲音的機會。

NotesI’m a Vancouver based digital designer and creative director. For 6 years I’ve helped companies establish themselves online through design informed by strategy. I’m currently looking for opportunities on product teams. If you’re looking to grow your team, connect with me on LinkedIn.

注 ：我是總部設在溫哥華的數字設計師和創意總監。 六年來，我一直在幫助企業通過戰略指導的設計在網上建立自己的位置。 我目前正在尋找產品團隊的機會。 如果您想擴大團隊規模，請通過LinkedIn與我聯系。