Christchurch
Laura Fisher
Graphic Designer + Illustrator
Hire an illustrator in New Zealand
Turn brief ideas into distinctive visuals that strengthen your brand and marketing, including hand-drawn and digital illustration options.
Waikato
Tom Dawson
Brand Designer & Website Designer
Auckland
Elise Hopkins
Graphic Designer
Auckland
Libby Cunniffe
Graphic Designer
Cambridge
Tori Veysey
Graphic Designer
Wellington
Rebecca Rhodes
Graphic Designer
What this service is for
What can an illustrator help you build?
Illustrators turn brand ideas into recognisable visuals—logos, packaging art, editorial and web graphics—so you can increase clarity and cut-through across marketing, products and communications.
Create brand and campaign art
Commission distinctive characters, icons or imagery that make your brand and campaigns more recognisable.
Design product and packaging visuals
Develop label artwork and repeat patterns that lift shelf presence and support product launches.
Produce marketing and digital assets
Get hero illustrations, social-first frames and on-site art that improve engagement and storytelling.
How Unicorn Factory works
A simple way to find the right freelancer.
Create one project brief, compare applications from relevant freelancers, and choose who you would like to meet.
Step 01
Tell us what you need.
Use the guided brief to explain the outcome, timing, budget, and context. You do not need to prepare a technical specification.
Freelancers in our network
See example profiles
Below are example illustrator and designer profiles from the Unicorn Factory network. If one fits your brief, or if you prefer a different style, post a short brief and relevant illustrators will apply.
Tell us about your project
Ideas for your brief
Project ideas you can commission
Three practical illustration engagements with typical deliverables you can ask for in your brief.
Brand illustration system
Create a suite of brand illustrations and a short usage guide so your marketing and product teams apply visuals consistently.
- 4–8 core illustrations or motifs in vector and PNG formats
- A two-page style tile explaining scale, colour and placement
- Print-ready PDFs for collateral and web-optimised PNG/JPEG files
- A short note on usage/licensing and recommended file naming
Packaging and label artwork
Artwork and repeat patterns tailored to one or more SKUs, with production-ready files for your printer or packager.
- Final dieline-aware artwork as vector (AI or EPS) and a print-ready PDF
- Pattern repeats or hand-painted elements supplied as layered files
- Colour callouts and suggested finishing (spot varnish, emboss)
- Guidance on packaging file handover and usage licensing
Editorial or children’s book illustration
Page layouts and spot illustrations that support a publication, report or single-feature story.
- Concept sketches and one agreed composition direction
- Full-resolution final artwork (TIFF/PNG) and vector assets where applicable
- Supply-ready files for printers or ebook formats
- A usage and rights summary for cover, print run or digital distribution
Proof lives in the work
Related work from our network
Here are real case studies from the Unicorn Factory network that involve illustration, brand art or visual design for reference.
See Illustration Projects
Design & Creative
Animated Visual Assets for Global Management eLearning Course
- Infographic Design
- Brand Identity & Visual Identity
- Motion Design
Chris Callus
Design & Creative
Playful Beer Can Illustration Featuring Brewery Workers
- Infographic Design
- Illustration
- Graphic Design
Katharine Hall
Design & Creative
Children's Book Illustrations for Huia Publishers
- Illustration
- Editorial & Layout Design
- Graphic Design
Katharine Hall
Design & Creative
Book Cover
- Illustration
- Editorial & Layout Design
- Graphic Design
Nikite K
Branding
Friendle Mail - Brand Identity
- Logo Design
- Brand Identity & Visual Identity
- Illustration
Nicky Busch
Design & Creative
Auckland Wooden Boat Festival 2026
- Illustration
- Editorial & Layout Design
- Graphic Design
Ellie SmithPricing guidance
How much does illustration cost?
Indicative NZ$ price bands to help you set a realistic brief—final scope and rates are agreed with the freelancer after applications.
Small: icons, single spot illustration or social asset
One-off spot illustrations or social hero assets, delivered as web and basic print files; suitable for short marketing runs or single uses.
NZ$300–NZ$1,200
Medium: multi-asset campaigns or small packaging runs
Sets of illustrations, label artwork for a small SKU range, or a short editorial commission requiring multiple deliverables.
NZ$1,200–NZ$8,000
Large: books, full brand suites or extensive packaging ranges
Complex projects such as illustrated books, full brand illustration systems, or full packaging ranges—price varies with pages, revisions and licensing.
NZ$8,000–NZ$40,000+
What affects the price
- Style and complexity — highly detailed or hand-painted work costs more than simple vector icons.
- Usage and licensing — broader usage (packaging, print runs, merchandise) increases the fee.
- Number of assets and format requirements — many deliverables or print-ready files add time and cost.
- Urgency and rounds of feedback — faster delivery or many revision rounds will affect the price.
All estimates are indicative NZ$ ballparks. Prices may exclude GST and ongoing software or printing fees. Final scope, file formats and licensing are agreed directly with the freelancer; request a tailored quote when you post your brief. Local pricing guidance and freelancer pricing models vary by project complexity and experience. ([afirmo.com](https://www.afirmo.com/nz/resources/how-to-price-your-freelance-services/?utm_source=openai))
Frequently asked questions
Common questions before you hire.
Answers to the questions clients commonly ask before starting a brief.
Still deciding what you need?
Start with the outcome and the context you already have. A polished specification is not required.
How do I specify rights and usage?
Ask illustrators to include a short usage/licence summary in their proposal—specify where and how long you’ll use the art (web, print, packaging, merchandise). Fees rise with broader or perpetual rights.
How long will a typical project take?
Small jobs can be completed in a few days; medium or complex projects (books, packaging ranges) take weeks to months depending on rounds of feedback. Agree dates in the brief.
Can I see examples of the illustrator’s past work?
Yes — request links to portfolios, case studies or a style sample when you review applications before making an introduction.
What’s the Unicorn Factory hiring process?
You submit a short project brief, relevant freelancers apply, you review proposals and portfolios, and Unicorn Factory makes warm introductions so you can negotiate directly. (unicornfactory.nz)
How do I choose the right style or illustrator?
Describe the feel, reference images and where the illustrations will appear. Prioritise illustrators who show similar work in their portfolio and ask for a short style or colour study if you need to confirm fit.
Ready to get moving?
Ready to commission an illustrator?
Post a short brief with goals, budget range and deadlines — illustrators will apply and you’ll receive proposals to review.