Illustrated Goods

🎨 Cuco

COMPANY

Cuco

ROLE

Illustrator

EXPERTISE

Graphic Design / packaging design / Illustrated Goods

YEAR

2020

Description

Cuco Ilustración is a personal illustration project turned into a series of functional art objects. Focused on playful characters, expressive textures, and vibrant color palettes, the project brings illustration into everyday life through items like notebooks, mugs, posters, stickers, and more.

Each piece is handmade or printed in small batches, preserving the tactile and emotional essence of the original artwork while transforming it into usable, collectible formats.

Timeline

  • Phase 1: Development of characters and illustrative style

  • Phase 2: Design and production of illustrated goods (libretas, mugs, prints, etc.)

  • Phase 3: Participation in fairs, markets, and direct sales via social media

  • Now: Expansion into new materials and hybrid formats (illustration + ceramics + print)

Background

Born from a desire to share imaginative worlds through accessible objects, Cuco Ilustración started as sketchbook drawings and evolved into a full line of illustrated merchandise.

The brand combines storytelling with visual identity, creating emotional connections through small, everyday items. It serves as both a creative outlet and a bridge between illustration, design, and artisanal production.

Process

  • Character Design:
    Developed a bestiary of cute, strange, and expressive beings with hand-drawn charm.

  • Product Design:
    Adapted illustrations to different formats—paper goods, homeware, and wearables—while maintaining consistency in tone and color.

  • Production:
    Collaborated with local workshops for printing, sublimation, and screenprinting. Used sustainable or limited-run materials whenever possible.

  • Packaging & Branding:
    Designed packaging and visual identity for the Cuco line, including tags, labels, and wrapping with original illustrations.

Research & Planning

  • Studied trends in art toys, indie publishing, and illustrated merchandising

  • Defined a cohesive visual system for the collection (color palette, line work, expressions)

  • Planned object sets that could be gifted, collected, or used daily

Design & Prototyping

  • Created mockups of mugs, notebooks, and prints to test layout and scale

  • Illustrated each object individually with attention to symmetry, repetition, and material adaptation

  • Explored variations in black & white vs. full-color editions

Development & Implementation

  • Launched collections through fairs and pop-up events

  • Produced promotional material and social media content to showcase new releases

  • Managed orders, packaging, and logistics for physical deliveries

Solution

Cuco brings hand drawn art into people’s lives in a joyful, tangible way. The objects are designed to be approachable, emotional, and infused with personal character—making them perfect for gifting or collecting.

Key Features

  • Illustrated Objects – Notebooks, mugs, tote bags, posters, stickers, and more

  • Original Characters – Unique designs full of emotion, humor, and fantasy

  • Small-Batch Production – Handmade or locally produced with love

  • Flexible Branding – Consistent visuals across products, packaging, and promo

Results

  • 🛍️ Featured in local art fairs and indie design markets

  • 🎁 Strong emotional connection with buyers through storytelling and characters

  • 📦 Sold and shipped to collectors and friends across Argentina

  • ✍️ Served as a base for future mixed-media illustration projects

User Retention

Final Outcomes

  • A growing collection of illustrated products that blend art and function

  • A recognizable brand identity built around character design and playfulness

  • A celebration of handmade joy, drawing, and daily magic through everyday things