Toronto-based Sam Island’s topical and humorous editorial illustrations

Canada-born Sam Island’s editorial illustrations are witty, topical clusters of colour, and succinctly tell a story using simply featured characters. It’s been a few years since we last featured his work, but the illustrator is still being commissioned by the big names in news and editorial including The New York Times, Businessweek, Wall Street Journal and Vanity Fair. 

While his style has remained relatively similar with reductive line work combined with bursts of brightness, Sam’s execution and ideas have definitely developed. Tapping into current debates, cultural trends and visual gags, the illustrator adds humorous touches to work that perfectly communicates the articles they sit alongside.