Redfin Brand Illustration Development
Mini Brief:
Build an illustration style & system that captures the emotion and sense of wonder that comes along with searching for your next home.
Role: Creative Direction, Individual Contribution, Mentorship of Junior Team Members
A system that flexes across surfaces
From our smallest icon size (duotones) to our most detailed moments (scenes) all of our illustrations should have an awareness of the story they are trying to tell. Illustrations are more than visual flair and always serve a greater purpose—making it easier to understand conceptual ideas, or bringing our viewers’ attention to a specific item or action.
Creating moments of story and magic
Moments of magic throughout the home-search journey are brought to life through delicate scene building, hand-drawn line work, and considered focal points of red.
Scene illustration: New condo
A new homeowner is prepping a meal at home. The mood is comforting and optimistic—the kind of moment Redfin aims to deliver.
Scene illustration: Enjoying the View
Rob and Stacia stood on the wraparound porch, the air crisp with possibility, the hills stretching wide before them. The house felt like a secret meant just for them—every room, every view, a quiet kind of perfection.
Scene Illustration: Vaulted Ceilings
Emma and Jack stepped into the bright, airy home, sunlight pouring through vaulted ceilings and towering windows. The open space felt alive with possibility, as if it had been built just for their dreams. Jack turned to Emma with a grin that said, “This is it.”
Scene Illustration: A Whole Life
Ryan and Sam climb the staircase leading up from the foyer. The home is staged perfectly. As they pass the framed photos on the wall, they see their own memories waiting to happen. Sam's graduation. Ryan's promotion. Sunday mornings and quiet evenings. A whole life, just beginning.
Adding motion
For Redfin illustrations, animation scales by size. Smaller illustrations are kept simple. Larger ones have more movement. We use smooth easing for an effortless feel and we animate with hierarchy, emphasizing the main element over supporting details.
Motion Credits: Jerome Damey & Dorian Heller
