Philipp Beck — Retro Illustrator for Packaging & Editorial

From the icons on vintage matchboxes to the bold vistas of 1930s advertising posters, German illustrator Philipp Beck’s work is infused with a sense of nostalgia – livened up by contemporary concepts, fresh ideas and a hint of surrealism. His unique style that blends modern thinking with traditional inspirations is catching the eye of international publishers and global brands, making Philipp a rising star in German illustration.

And Philipp’s story as an illustrator captures the zeitgeist. He’s an entirely self-taught artist who used his creativity to survive lockdown in 2020 and discovered his talent for illustration powered by digital tools and a long-held passion for drawing. While his main source of inspiration is the pre-digital artwork and lettering of the early 20th century – with requisite warmth, friendliness and sentimentality – Philipp also draws on diverse influences such as 19th century architecture, the Surrealist movement, sci-fi novels and comics, punk tattoos and 80s and 90s pop culture.

Approach

A project begins with pen-on-paper sketching to establish the composition, before Philipp builds up content in more detail in Procreate. When a direction has been chosen, the illustration is finalised in Procreate and/or Photoshop for delivery.

Key software

Procreate and Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator, After Effects for animation.

Style

Classic influences are given a bold, modern twist using strong line work and detailed compositions. Philipp works flexibly with his clients to meet their needs.