We use illustration intentionally and intelligently to enhance our storytelling. Our unique artwork elicits an emotional response, fostering deeper connections with our products, services and people.
With its handcrafted and bespoke qualities, illustration is effective at conveying desired emotions and environments. Illustration is versatile and may be used across all types of communications, alone or in combination with other imagery.
First Republic has two illustration styles: DeLorenzo and Cutler. Each style serves an intended purpose when enhancing our brand. Our focus here is on DeLorenzo, which we use in a range of day-to-day communications.
A modern and modular library of illustrations created by Chris DeLorenzo, this collection conveys ideas with simplicity and directness. Considered supporting elements, these depictions guide a viewer through a narrative with focused, dynamic and delightful design.
Customizable through a kit of parts and available via Figma and as Adobe Illustrator (AI) files, DeLorenzo illustrations can enhance a range of digital and print communications.
The clean lines and engaging silhouettes of DeLorenzo illustrations reinforce our messaging quickly and clearly.
A discussion of illustration would not be complete without acknowledging the Cutler style. Imaginative, intricate and impactful, this collection of illustrations is the creation of Dave Cutler.
These vivid, enchanting and often metaphorical illustrations aid in communicating more complex and involved narratives. Although they feature considerable variation in color, space and elements, they retain focus and balance when used in thoughtful compositions.
Available via SharePoint, our Cutler images are typically applied to communications with longevity, such as editorial and thought leadership pieces as well as other select content, as noted below. For access and guidance on use, contact the Brand Team.
Vibrant, detailed and narrative, Cutler illustrations reinforce our messages and our considered and comprehensive approach to sharing information.
This classic style graces materials with longevity, such as our Annual Report, and serves as a thread connecting one volume to the next.
Our DeLorenzo illustrations feature modular elements, which aid in creating figures that reflect the broad diversity among our colleagues and clients and within our communities. The First Republic brand experience is inclusive, and illustrations are one way to invite participation.
Skin tone
The color palette includes various skin tones to ensure that we can represent people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Age
Characters are created from extensive collections of illustration parts, details and color options to represent all stages of life.
Disability
The illustration library includes parts that honor and acknowledge the ranges of abilities in our communities.
Culture
A variety of clothing, accessories and other accents creates opportunities to represent cultural diversity.
Enliven illustrations with shades from the exclusive color palette below. Selected specifically for illustrations, these hues may not be applied to any other design elements.
However, First Republic brand colors may be added to the illustration color palette, where appropriate, to reinforce the brand connection.
Below are swatches from the DeLorenzo illustration color palette. For complete color usage guidance, visit this section on your desktop.
Patterns may be applied to certain illustration elements, such as clothing, accessories or furnishings, to add subtle interest. Use only the combinations specified below when pairing base and pattern colors. Use only one pattern per scene.
Illustration elements are typically filled with solid colors and have specific color palettes, as shown below.
Patterns may be applied to certain illustration elements, such as clothing, accessories or furnishings, to add subtle interest. Use only the combinations specified below when pairing base and pattern colors. Use only one pattern per scene.
Illustration elements are typically filled with solid colors and have specific color palettes, as shown below.
We have two color palettes for illustration figures, one for bankers and one for clients. Some colors are shared, but others are unique. For example, Pine and Evergreen are reserved for bankers.
Colors often have emotional associations, so apply them to evoke a feeling or a response to illustrations.
Various hair and skin tones allow us to represent the diversity of First Republic’s clients, colleagues and communities.
In certain cases, such as holidays, illustrations may feature shades outside our approved color palette to convey a distinct message and aesthetic. Such hues may not be used elsewhere without prior approval from the Brand Team.
Patterns add texture, depth and interest to illustrations, contributing an air of refinement that enhances brand recognition. When used sparingly, patterns imbue characters with personality and polish, and they infuse objects with style.
Always used in shades from the dedicated color palette, patterns serve as an occasional accent to draw the eye. Only one pattern should appear in any composition, and it should be applied to balance other illustration elements in terms of its scale and scheme.
Note: Pattern swatches are represented below. For other color combinations, refer to the color palette for guidance.
Note: Pattern swatches are represented below. For other color combinations, refer to the color palette for guidance.
Note: Pattern swatches are represented below. For other color combinations, refer to the color palette for guidance.
Apply only one pattern in any scene to maintain our refined aesthetic. This restraint avoids creating a cluttered image that overwhelms the eye.
Draw attention to a banker by using an understated pattern that reflects our brand behaviors and elicits a sense of confidence.
Reflect the diverse personalities we serve by using pattern in client clothing to communicate individual style.
Create a lifelike scene by adding color to furniture. Use patterns sparingly and only if not used on other elements. Vibrant colors of Sky, Glacier and Coral are reserved for settings outside
First Republic.
Our DeLorenzo illustration kit of parts provides components for building custom scenes and characters or for inspiring the creation of new, sophisticated, expressive elements.
When constructing an illustrative scene from these assets, always refer to an existing approved illustrations to ensure alignment with our brand’s refined aesthetic.
Below are samples from our kit of parts library, which is available on Figma (digital) and through the Adobe Illustrator folder (print).
Our DeLorenzo collection of illustrations allows for considerable flexibility, as designers may determine whether a message is conveyed best with a simple depiction or a complex drawing with more detail.
Start with a simple illustration and add select elements to enhance the meaning. Or, start with a complex image and scale back certain features until you achieve the desired outcome.
Use a simple illustration to focus the eye and be direct.
Add select objects to infuse more personality into a scene.
Expand background details to create a complex, inviting setting.
To ensure consistent representation of our brand and the DeLorenzo illustration style, please follow our clearance, scale and placement guidelines.
Clearance is negative space around an element that provides compositional balance and visual appeal. It should be uniform and proportional to the illustration’s size.
Maintain the integrity, visibility and impact of an illustration’s hero element, such as a character, by establishing enough clearance around it to achieve a comfortable visual pause.
A background scene adds context and supports the overall message of an illustration. As it is not the focal point, it may bleed beyond the artboard.
On this brochure, the hero element, or character, is given ample clearance to retain its prominence, while the background scene bleeds to the back cover for a natural fade of the illustration.
In this example, the background still bleeds to the back, but the hero element nearly touches the brochure’s spine due to the lack of clearance on one side, creating an unbalanced feel.
Illustrations have been crafted to retain their narrative qualities when scaled across various applications, with the intention of enhancing — not overwhelming — a brand experience.
When scaling an illustration, keep its purpose and placement in mind and consider the following tips.
Maintain the aspect ratio, the proportional height and width relationship, when resizing an illustration to avoid distortion and preserve integrity.
Save illustrations at a resolution appropriate to the use case to maintain crisp, clean lines and legibility.
Test an illustration’s scale in sample applications to ensure that its appearance and impact are executed as intended.
In this digital ad, the illustration is scaled in proportion to the text, creating a balanced composition that conveys a clear message.
In this example, the illustration dominates the composition, drawing the eye and overshadowing the main message.
Placement requires careful thought. An illustration must work alongside all other composition elements to convey a message and add the intended emphasis. Consider these placement tips.
Use our grid system in Layouts to guide composition and ensure alignment of the illustration with other design elements, such as typography and logo.
Strive for a balanced composition by using negative space to give the eye a pause between design elements and ensure that key features are not overshadowed.
Confine hero elements, such as characters, to the grid and margins to keep illustrations whole. Background scenes may bleed beyond the artboard.
In this digital ad, the illustration is scaled in proportion to the text, creating a balanced composition that conveys a clear message.
In this example, the illustration dominates the composition, drawing the eye and overshadowing the main message.
Never apply characters, colors or patterns in any way that would undermine the simplicity, refinement and inclusivity of our brand.
Don’t apply unapproved color palettes to illustrations, including in patterns.
Don’t use unapproved colors as skin tones.
Don’t change the outline stroke value.
Don’t create new, unapproved patterns.
Don’t use patterns on more than one object in an illustration.
Don’t create new characters with unrealistic proportions.
Don’t apply illustrations on backgrounds without enough contrast.
Don’t leave characters outlined with no fill color.
Don’t fill background elements.
For inspiration, consider these examples of our illustrations in use.
