UK-based illustrator and designer with a love of all things brightly coloured.

I have over two decades of experience as an illustrator, digital artist and graphic designer working across a range of sectors and specialisms.

I love the challenge of taking intricate concepts and boiling them down to their simplest form. I use shape, texture and colour to catch the eye and convey messages in a clear and impactful way. In short, my work isn’t just about looking good – it’s about making complex ideas easy to understand and enjoy.

I particularly enjoy working with ethical and socially-minded businesses and not-for-profit organisations. If you work hard to create a better world, educate people or improve life for others then I’d love to use my skills to help you do that.

I also create and produce my own product range including cards, calendars and homewares which I sell online.

When I’m not designing I like to cook, get outdoors, potter in my garden, clock up the kilometres on my bike, visit an art gallery or go and see a gig – the louder and more guitary the better. I try to get to a couple of rugby matches and some motorsport during the year and love a pub quiz. In many ways I was born in the wrong era – I love and am influenced by, second-hand books, mid-century ceramics, and colourful 1960s melamine and I often watch old sci-fi movies while I work, Destination Moon is one of my favourites, look it up, you’ll love it!

Selected Clients

Charities:

  • CAFOD World Gifts
  • The Children’s Society
  • Great Ormond Street Hospital
  • Save The Children
  • The Ethical Property Company
  • Global’s Make Some Noise
  • PSHE Association

Corporate and Commercial:

  • Adobe
  • Oxford University
  • The Design Museum
  • Classic FM
  • The Salters’ Institute
  • 3M Post-It Notes
  • Period Box
  • EarthKind Haircare
  • Active Essex

Publishing and Editorial:

  • Penguin Random House
  • Oxford University Press
  • WI Life Magazine
  • Bulletin Magazine
  • Hayhouse Publishing
  • Look Local Magazines
  • Think Publishing

Ten things you might not know about me

  • Looking at pointy objects gives me a headache
  • Dawdling, indecisive people drive me crazy
  • I played rugby at school and have the scars to prove it
  • I sing along to my music when I’m out running
  • My socks never match and are always brightly coloured
  • I rarely follow a recipe when I’m cooking
  • One day I will own 1955 gullwing Mercedes 300SL
  • When I go shopping I always forget something, even if I make a list!
  • I grind my teeth in my sleep
  • I could happily watch The Princess Bride every day for the rest of time

Follow Me

Member of

Member of the Association of Illustrators

Drawing

I draw on my iPad, in my sketchbook, with marker pens, with paint, at life drawing classes and sometimes straight into the computer.
They are experiments, a daily practice and how I will usually start all commissioned work.
Some are loose and inky and others are more fully formed – artwork in their own right.

Sam Osborne Life Drawing Charcoal
Amazing Women Wall Mural Sketches
Sam Osborne Figure Drawing Ink Line