When award-winning food writer Loukia Constantinou launched her Substack, Making a Meal of It, she wanted artwork that felt as personal and distinctive as her writing. Together, we developed a visual identity rooted in the everyday objects, memories, and traditions that shape her relationship with food.
The project began by collecting references that reflected Loukia’s kitchen and cooking life. From well-used Cypriot cooking pots and traditional wall hangings to familiar Tupperware pieces and treasured cookbooks, every object carried its own story. These details became the building blocks for an illustration that celebrated both her heritage and her approach to food writing.
I explored the composition through hand-drawn sketches and collage, experimenting with scale, balance and the interaction between different objects on the page. This analogue stage allowed ideas to evolve naturally before moving into Adobe Fresco on my iPad, where I developed the final artwork using bold colour, textured brushes and layered digital drawing. The finished illustrations were created in both banner and square formats, giving Loukia a cohesive visual identity across her Substack and social media channels.
Illustrated branding offers a thoughtful alternative to photography or stock graphics, creating an instantly recognisable visual language that feels authentic to the person or brand it represents. Whether for newsletters, editorial projects or independent businesses, bespoke illustration helps communicate personality before a single word is read.
If you’re looking to develop an illustrated brand identity or commission bespoke food illustration for your publication, hospitality business or creative project, I’d love to hear from you. Explore my food and drink illustration portfolio to see how illustration can bring your story to life.