Annual Report Illustrations for Japanese Pharmacy Company

Lots of excitement in the studio when I got my first glimpse of the completed Annual Report for Japan's QOL Co. Ltd. earlier this month. I've created illustrations for magazines in Japan, but this is the first time my work is being used for a corporate piece there, which is very satisfying.


The client, which operates pharmacies in Japan, wanted to include and modify existing images of mine along with new artwork to help tell the story about the company's philosophy, their business focus, and their people.

I had the good fortune to work with Japan-based corporate and editorial design specialists KF Design. (And they're bilingual, so my rusty, tourist-level language skills weren't needed.)


I believe this is QOL's first Annual Report, so hats off (and thanks) to them for choosing illustration to help connect with shareholders in a unique way. I hope it's a big success for them.

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Inquiries please contact: sean@seankane.com.
Annual Report Copyright QOL Co Ltd. Illustrations Copyright 2009 Sean Kane.
(QOL's line art logo was created by another artist.)

Ethical Dilemmas Visualized: Illustrations for Magazine Column

One of the great aspects of being an illustrator is exposure to a variety of subject matter and topics, and contributing to the Everyday Ethics column in The United Church Observer magazine is no exception.

Each month I am commissioned to come up with a conceptual illustration to accompany this feature, helping visualize an ethical dilemma at hand, typically a hypothetical one facing a church congregation or member.

Below are a few of the ethical questions I've tackled for the magazine and the resulting images.

Dilemma: Your church gym is a busy community focal point that helps keep local youngsters healthy and off the streets. But it badly needs refurbishing and your church has no money. A sporting goods merchant offers $10,000 but wants a small sign advertising his store displayed somewhere in the gym. Do you accept?

Dilemma: You are a minister and an outspoken opponent of gambling. After a community kitchen meal for the poor, you find a crumpled lottery ticket on the floor by the coat rack. Out of curiosity you check the numbers on the Internet and discover it’s a winner. What do you do?

Dilemma: A wealthy member of the congregation where you are a minister plans a gift that will sustain the church for many years. There’s a catch: he wants you to cancel Spirituality and Suds pub nights that are popular with young adults from the congregation and the community at large. Do you turn off the tap?

Dilemma: A colleague has gone on short-term disability following the flare-up of an old back injury. You are both in the running for the same promotion, one that you feel you deserve and one that you need so you can make ends meet. One day you spot your colleague zipping down the ski hill. What do you do?

A big thanks to the editors at UC Observer. More examples of illustrations helping to tell unique stories about events, products, and various topics can be seen in my portfolio.
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These illustrations are available for print, web, and other licensing uses and as individual art prints.
Reuse and assignment inquiries please contact: sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane.

Artist Profile: A bit of Q&A and featured designs

Kate Harper Designs was kind enough to feature my fun bicycles and teapots and more along with an interview with me on the Greeting Card Designer Blog. A bit of a discussion about art licensing and inspiration.

Thanks to Kate and welcome to those visiting from her blog — Lots of useful art licensing, pattern and greeting card info and resources there.

Interview with Sean Kane ©Kate Harper Designs

Lots of Dots: Design Pattern Rollout

Introducing Dots, a colorful design that rounds up a mix of little gems into a festive everyday pattern.


With botanical bits and references to the seasons, Dots could hit the spot for a number of products, from outdoor gear to gift wrap, eco-friendly lines, and more.


I'm envisioning fun in foul weather and gifts that get noticed.


I'd welcome any thoughts about turning this theme into goods that will shine on store shelves. Other designs for product licensing can be seen at my portfolio here.


This illustration is available for print, web, and licensing uses and as individual art prints.
Inquiries please contact: sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane.