For a lot of people when asked what they choose when buying food they will usually say the taste or possibly the cost of what they are buying. However on an unconscious level it is often the images on the packaging in front of them that will influence their decision even if they are not necessarily aware of it. This is why it helps to have the right kind of food packaging illustration.

The right kind of illustration will depend on the kind of target market you are after. For example the pictures used to illustrate an upmarket brand of fillet steak will be different from a range of hamburgers marketed at children. While on a basic level they are both meat they are aimed at very different markets and therefore need to be shown in the right way.

This is why before approaching an illustrator you need to consider this. Think about your target audience. Once you have an idea of who you are marketing the product towards it then helps to look around and see similar products on the shelves. You do not and should not wish to copy other designs but it can help to generate ideas for a final brief.

A brief should provide details of your product, your target demographic and an idea of the kind of illustration you want. Ideally you should also provide some kind of rough mock up and some reference material. Additional information such as this can often make it easier for an illustrator to know what you want.

It is best to look online to see who is available in your local area and possibly beyond. If possible you should meet illustrators in person. This will allow you to look through their portfolio and get more information on their qualifications and experience. Ideally they should also provide you with a quote for their work.

If you can draw a mock up of what you would like. It does not necessarily need to be artistically accurate but it can give them a reference to work with. Alternatively you can show them similar types of packaging to give them an idea of the kind of image you want for your product.

It is also worth considering whether you trust the person you work with. They should be willing to listen to you. This does not necessarily mean that they cannot give feedback but they should do so in a way that is helpful and not overly blunt. If you are in any doubt or do not feel comfortable then you should look elsewhere.

You can find a number of food illustration agencies and independent illustrators online. As well as looking for the illustrators themselves you should also look for feedback from clients who have used their services in the past. This will make it easier to choose someone who is best suited to your needs and to help get your product packaging illustrations looking as appetising as possible!