Illustrated products includes any products with illustrations on them so it is found everywhere around us. It can be typically associated with paper products such as greeting cards but extends to apparel, pattern design, ceramics, prints, homeware and so much more.

The history of illustrated products is hard to define as there are so many elements of it. However,
a big part of the history of illustrated products would have been the introduction of mass printing
which would have made illustrated products quicker to produce and more affordable. Therefore the
growth of illustrated products would have been around the 1800s.

Today it has only become easier and more accessible to make and sell illustrated products. Illustrators can not only
design products for other companies but they commonly have control of their own work selling through their websites
or online retailers such as Etsy. Online selling and the growth of social media has given illustrators today not only greater autonomy but also allows them to be better connected to their customers, creating a community. Illustrators are not just people behind the scenes drawing but they are often business people, brands and public figures.

Success is different for every person but from researching illustrated products my personal beliefs are that before anything it is important to make work that feels authentic to me. A goal of mine is to be able to be self-sufficient and live off the money I make from illustration alone but I believe it is most important to make work that I am happy with rather than making work for money alone. A more practical measure of success is to be able to work with companies I love and to be able to take on exciting projects.