Sean Sims Stunning contemporary-retro illustration to brighten your day

A fab new discovery comes in a double measure of good news. Firstly that the work of Sean Sims shines out like the brightest, fun-filled and quirkiest British ‘Contemporary Retro’ that I’ve seen in a long time. But also that he’s the latest illustrator to sign up with my agents over at  Yellow House Art Licensing, Yay !

Originally from Teesside in the industrial North East Sean Sims now lives and works as a professional illustrator in Brighton. His colourful creations have distinctively retro feel and he describes his styles as “1970’s Primary School library-esque.”

Sean Sims’ design and illustration clients have included: Paperchase, The Guardian, The Discovery Channel, Marie Claire, The BBC, The Independent Magazine, The Sunday Times, Sainsburys, Holland & Barratt, Yellow Pages, Vodafone & Virgin. He was asked by Fisher-Price USA to create a set of illustrations of their ‘classic’ toys in celebration of their 60th birthday which was particularly exciting for Sims because “I am a big fan of vintage fisher-price toys from the 1960’s and 70’s.”

Some very fetching repeat patterns here.

Designs for T shirts and Kids dishes for Marsh Mellow.

And for a few more grown up clients too !

1973 sell some of Sean’s cards.

One of Sean Sims’ most successful creations has been ‘The Brighton Line’, a quirky version of the London underground map based on his beloved home city. It is a delightful journey of the city’s real locations, from Devil’s Dyke in the north to Brighton Rock in the south. The Hove line is wittily called ‘Actually’, in reference to the residents’ determination to maintain their independence from Brighton. When it was realised Sims said, “I think it’s the first time someone has designed a Tube map of Brighton and I hope it puts the city on the map.”

Celebrating London themes like the Olympics, Pearly Kings and royal celebrations.

Ahh I’m feeling all chilled and visually refreshed now, like this chap with the hat.

If you enjoyed this post you will also like this, this and this, believe me, because I do too … Enjoy !