VANTAGE BANK + JAMES NELSON

December 12, 2024

✨ James Nelson brings the whimsy ✨


Illustrator James Nelson was recently awarded an exciting new project by Vantage Bank to create their 2024 Holiday card. His illustration will be featured on a printed card as well as an animated version to be sent to the bank’s clients via email.


For this project, the client requested a design featuring seven unique bird species native to Texas, each representing a different region and location across the state. James brought the concept to life by grouping the birds together on a stylized wreath adorned with a ribbon. In the animated version, three of the birds will take flight from the wreath, adding a dynamic and engaging touch to the design.


James thoroughly enjoyed researching and learning about the colorful birds indigenous to Texas’s various cities and regions. He embraced the challenge of creating a whimsical yet sophisticated design that perfectly met the client’s vision for a one-of-a-kind holiday card.

check out more of james' illustrations
Organized pull-out kitchen drawer with elegant blue dishware, captured by Amy Mikler to showcase fun
July 23, 2025
Amy Mikler captures Shelf Genie’s drawer solutions with clean, editorial-style photography that blends function, beauty, and visual storytelling.
May 28, 2025
🪄 Bringing Our Brand to Life with Freshly Cooked Creative 🪄 When we set out to celebrate our 36-year journey - and communicate who we are today - we partnered with Freshly Cooked Creative to help us tell that story visually and memorably. The result is a stunning animated piece that begins with our sapling logo and grows into a vibrant, flourishing tree. It’s more than a beautiful metaphor. The animation reflects our evolution: deep roots in the industry, decades-long relationships, and a future full of growth and possibility. Every frame is intentional, designed to reflect our expanding capabilities and continued relevance in the creative space. But Freshly Cooked didn’t stop at animation. They delivered a complete brand package built to meet today’s marketing demands. We now have: Four optimized formats of the animation for use across digital platforms Custom-designed web icons, Zoom backgrounds, and event signage Branded social media assets and sticker graphics for both digital and in-person impact Thanks to Freshly Cooked Creative , we now have a dynamic, versatile visual system that honors our past while positioning us for what’s next. Curious how Freshly Cooked can help bring your next campaign, pitch, or brand refresh to life? Check out their latest work and reach out to us if you want to see more!
May 21, 2025
✨ Why Custom Illustration Matter ✨ Why icons deserve a second look! Icons are often treated like a checkbox - something to grab from a stock library or pull from an existing UI kit. But when they’re built intentionally, they become one of the most quietly powerful tools in your creative arsenal. Custom icons do more than reinforce a brand. They clarify communication. They guide users. They bring visual consistency to even the most complex projects - across digital, print, packaging, environments, and campaigns. Illustrator James Nelson approaches icon work with that kind of purpose. His sets are clean, strategic, and built to flex—whether they’re solving for user experience, packaging hierarchies, internal comms, or large-scale marketing systems.