Keeping track of designers worth following isn’t about chasing trends or collecting references for their own sake. It’s about paying attention to people who consistently think about how and why visual communication works. People who evolve with new tools without becoming dependent on them. People who treat design as a way to clarify ideas, not just decorate them.

As we move toward 2026, the boundaries between motion design, graphic design, and illustration continue to blur. The most compelling work often lives at those intersections where movement supports narrative, illustration informs identity, and graphic systems adapt across formats and platforms.

The designers below aren’t here because they represent a single aesthetic. They’re here because their work reflects intention, authorship, and a deep understanding of communication. These are creative voices we believe are worth following closely as visual culture continues to shift.

1. Cindy Suen: Illustrator & Motion Designer

https://www.behance.net/cindysuen

Cindy Suen’s work stands out for its warmth, clarity, and sense of play. Her animations often feature expressive characters, bold color choices, and smooth, confident motion that feels both approachable and intentional.

What makes her practice especially relevant moving into 2026 is how naturally illustration and motion coexist. Movement isn’t added as an effect, but used as a way to extend character, mood, and story. Her work is a strong reminder that motion design can be engaging and emotional without being complex or overstated.

2. Eva Cremers: 3D Illustrator & Motion Artist

https://www.evacremers.com/

Eva Cremers has become a strong reference point for how 3D illustration and motion can feel bold, playful, and highly communicative. Her work often relies on simplified forms, confident color palettes, and rhythmic motion to create visuals that are immediately readable.

As more brands explore 3D and motion in digital spaces, Eva’s work shows how these tools can be used with restraint and clarity. The technical craft is evident, but never at the expense of concept or personality.

3. Jaedoo Lee: Animator & Illustrator

https://jaedoolee.com/

Jaedoo Lee’s visual language sits comfortably between illustration and animation. His work combines thin outlines, saturated colors, and playful concepts that feel light, approachable, and adaptable across platforms.

What makes his work stand out is its balance between charm and structure. The visuals feel effortless, but the ideas are clear and well-composed. For designers working across illustration and motion, his practice is a strong example of how simplicity can still carry depth and intention.

4. Victo Ngai: Illustrator & Visual Storyteller

https://victo-ngai.com/

While Victo Ngai is best known for illustration rather than motion, her work remains deeply relevant to anyone working in visual communication. Her illustrations are rich with narrative, symbolism, and cultural context, often telling complex stories through carefully constructed compositions.

In an environment where visuals are consumed quickly, Victo’s work reminds us of the value of storytelling, pacing, and meaning. Her practice offers important lessons for designers bringing narrative thinking into branding, editorial, and motion work.

5. Noma Bar: Graphic Illustrator

https://www.instagram.com/noma_bar/

Noma Bar’s work is a masterclass in visual economy. Using negative space, minimal forms, and sharp conceptual thinking, his illustrations communicate ideas with precision and impact.

As attention spans shrink and visual noise increases, this ability to say more with less becomes increasingly valuable. Noma’s work demonstrates how strong ideas and disciplined graphic decisions can cut through complexity without relying on excess.

6. Jo Ratcliffe: Animator & Visual Artist

http://www.jocandraw.com/

Jo Ratcliffe’s work blends hand-drawn illustration, surreal imagery, and expressive motion. Her animations often feel tactile and human, carrying a sense of craft that contrasts with more polished or automated aesthetics.

What makes her practice especially relevant looking ahead is its embrace of imperfection and artistic voice. Her work shows how motion design can draw from fine art and illustration to create visuals that feel authored, emotional, and distinct.

7. Kyle Victory: Motion & Graphic Designer

https://kylevictory.com/

Kyle Victory works at the intersection of motion, graphic design, and illustration. Her projects often use bold color, strong composition, and character-driven visuals to support branding and storytelling.

Rather than treating motion as decoration, her work shows how movement can reinforce identity and narrative. This makes her practice particularly relevant for brands looking to integrate motion as a core part of their visual system, not just an add-on.

A Final Thought

What connects all of these designers is not a shared style, but a shared mindset. Each of them uses their medium with purpose. Motion supports meaning. Illustration carries narrative weight. Graphic decisions are grounded in ideas rather than shortcuts.

As tools become faster and more accessible, the value of authorship, taste, and clarity only increases. Following designers like these isn’t about imitation. It’s about staying close to the kind of thinking that keeps design relevant, human, and culturally aware.

We’re curious to know who’s shaping your visual references right now, and which creative voices you believe will define the next chapter of design.