Botanical Gardens Brochure Cover Illustration

Illustration for a Brochure

Artist, Illustrator, Designer: John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
Client: Flamingo Gardens
For information on Flamingo Gardens botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary please visit their website at FlamingoGardens.org
 

Following the completion of the illustrated map for Flamingo Gardens, I was invited to design the brochure cover for the map. I was thrilled to continue working with one of my earliest clients and approached the project with the goal of creating a striking and memorable illustration. The design needed to reflect both the charm of historic Florida and a sophisticated, contemporary art deco aesthetic.

As the centerpiece of Flamingo Gardens, a flamingo was naturally the dominant feature. I used vivid, contrasting colors to bring energy to the illustration while balancing sharp geometric elements with softer, subtle textures to create depth and visual interest. The result is a simple yet elegant design that captures the spirit of Flamingo Gardens and draws the viewer in.

The brochure cover also inspired an animated version, adding an interactive layer that further enhances the visitor experience and reinforces the identity of this iconic South Florida destination.

ANIMALS IN ILLUSTRATIONS:

I have had the honor of working with several animal sanctuaries and reahabilitation centers over the years. It's very rewarding to contribute even a small amount to the preservation of species and the humane treatment of wildlife thats injured or neglected.

I also have more than a few fictional animals populating my portfolio including a dragon, a snake made out of an electrical cord and several dinosaurs.

WHAT IS ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR?:

Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard software for creating vector based illustrations. Unlike pixel-based images, vector graphics are defined by shapes and points along their edges, known as Bézier points, which control direction, curvature, and form. This allows vector images to be scaled to any size without losing resolution, making them ideal for precise, clean, and visually striking illustrations used in print, digital media, and large-format displays.

I have worked with a variety of vector illustration programs over the years, including Freehand and CorelDRAW, but Adobe Illustrator became my primary tool for both vector art and graphic design. Even when I create vector files in other programs such as SketchUp or Maperitive, they are typically imported into Illustrator for refinement and final output. I have been using Illustrator since around 1990, developing a workflow that combines technical accuracy with artistic expression.

Adobe Illustrator is particularly well suited for the bold, geometric styles I frequently work in, including Art Deco and Italian Futurism. Its vector-based format is ideal for creating flat fields of color, sharp lines, and axonometric illustrations, which are often used for architectural and technical renderings. The program's precision and flexibility allow me to create both highly stylized artistic works and functional maps or diagrams with exacting detail.

Vector artwork created in Illustrator can also be animated and integrated into motion graphics using Adobe After Effects, opening opportunities for dynamic presentations and video content. To explore examples of my motion work, see my After Effects and Premiere Pro Portfolio.

PORTFOLIO SELECTIONS

• Custom illustration & covers: Featuring bespoke illustration, book and magazine covers, hand-drawn maps, and building renderings.
• Fine art & murals: Including one-of-a-kind paintings and drawings, the Custom Halftone Series, and large-scale murals.
• Design & motion media: Covering graphic design, plus video and motion and animated illustration.
• Mapping by application: Tailored maps for marine events, hospitality, waterfront, property, transit, municipal, recreation, and navigation needs.
• Additional creative work: Includes editorial covers, vehicle graphics, concept renderings, and public art.
• Mediums & formats: Ranging from digital vector and isometric projection to traditional paint, line art, GIS-based, aerial-style, and halftone.
• Software expertise: Proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp, InDesign, and Premiere/After Effects for motion.