Get inspired by 10 dog-themed design projects and see how our canine companions are taking over our screens, magazines, and products, too.
With designers looking to dogs for creative inspiration, a range of brand identities, website designs, and print projects are highlighting the humorous, playful, and beautiful nature of pups and mutts.
From soulful canine photography to furry-themed packaging, read on to discover how dogs are taking the design world by storm.
1. Cats and Dogs – Portraiture
Scottish artist Lola Dupre explores the “honesty and beauty” of our furry companions in her surreal and mesmerizing collage-style portraits. Choosing to expand her study of a studio cat into an extensive series of portraits of the dogs of Instagram, Dupre lends her unique perspective to depicting whippets, borzois, beagles, and labradors.
Each image exaggerates the proportions of the dogs’ features, expanding floppy ears and long noses to enhance the personality of the subject.
Bolstered by the success of the outcome, the artist hopes to work with “raccoons, cows, horses, robins, foxes, hedgehogs, sheep, opossums, and more” in the future.
2. Underwater Dogs – Photography
Taking their cameras underwater, contributors Saif ud din and Keekah are able to look at dogs from a radically different angle. Diving enthusiastically for tennis balls or simply enjoying a dip, feelings of excitement, novelty, and pure joy are heightened in these underwater portraits.
Learn how to make a start with submerged photography with this beginner’s guide to shooting underwater photos by filmmaker Robbie Janney.
3. Durgs Durgs Durgs! – Illustration
San Francisco-based illustrator Natalie Murrow used dogs as a starting point for practicing her character design skills.
The result is a series of beautifully-executed vintage-infused drawings of pugs, basset hounds, bulldogs, and more brimming with fun and humor.
Through her cartoon-like style, Murrow captures and enhances the joyful, lovable, and varied nature of dogs as they play, sleep, and interact with the world around them.
4. Petful – Brand Identity
Mexican creative agency Stundra created a slick and urban identity for a veterinary clinic, complete with a “Petful mascot,” a stylized line-drawn dog used across the clinic’s stationery and advertising.
A mint green and blue palette feels fresh and youthful, while geometric sans serif type keeps the brand looking modern and sleek.
With the brand identity extended to t-shirts, tote bags, and even pet bandanas, it means that staff and customers, both dogs and humans, can advertise the clinic’s services out on the street too.
5. Anthropomorphic Dogs – Photography
Many dog owners treat their pets as one of the family, and why not? Dogs have their own personalities and character traits that can make them feel more human than they are.
Anthropomorphic portraits blend photos or illustrations of dogs with human aspects, creating a surreal and quirky juxtaposition that can enhance the character of both subjects.
Shutterstock contributor tommaso lizzul brings out the elegant and haughty character of a greyhound by blending his animal portrait with the figure of an elegant woman.
Meanwhile, contributor Seriv combines a plucky Jack Russell terrier with a suited businessman to create a dapper portrait.
6. La Finesse Truffles – Brand Identity
A lesson in how dog-themed projects can ooze sophistication, this brand design project by Brandsummit makes use of the talents of graphic designer Alex Monzó.
Rendered in a traditional woodcut style, spaniel illustrations adorn the website and packaging of La Finesse. This design pulls from the fact that dogs are used to seek out black truffles in the mountains of Teruel in Spain. A punchy red and black palette and cutting-edge serif type keep the identity looking both contemporary and luxurious.
7. Pro-Earth WWF – Campaign
Portland-based designer Andrew Fowler made dogs the focal point of his poster designs for WWF’s Pro-Earth campaign, which looked to raise awareness of animal rights and the need to “protect, defend [and] preserve” wildlife.
Use of black and white photography, an alarm-red pop of color and minimal layouts and typography come together to create a somber and impactful poster campaign.
8. MEKA – Logo Design
A refresh of the designer’s own logo, this dog-themed graphic for Montreal-based designer Thibaut Desiront (aka MEKA) is based on observations of his two pet dogs, Bast and Atari.
Taking inspiration from Soviet-era illustration, the badge-style logo is rendered in a vintage-flavored color palette of orange, black, and oatmeal. Grainy texture overlays and slab-serif type complete the modern-retro style.
9. Pop Art Dogs – Illustration
Vector artist and contributor priatna788 takes a colorful approach to her canine subjects. Rendered in rainbow brights and geometric shapes, chihuahuas, dachshunds, and huskies are given an ultra-stylish and vibrant makeover.
The result is a series of portraits that bring out the playful, happy, and exuberant character of dogs.
The artist extends her pop art style to cats, lions, birds and much more. Discover priatna788’s full portfolio on the Shutterstock library here.
10. Shutterstock – Stock Photos
Dogs in design isn’t just for ad agencies and creative groups. Anyone can put a canine twist on their design projects with Shutterstock. Discover a cute puppy face for your social feeds, a festive pup for holiday campaigns, or a couple of adventurous dogs to inspire your followers’ wanderlust.
Check out Shutterstock contributor otsphoto‘s portfolio full of professionally shot and extra whimsical dog photos. From classic shots of dogs outdoors, to fun photo shoots involving Halloween costumes, this contributor’s collection shows how versatile and surprising stock photography can be.
Inspired to use your pet as a creative starting point?
Polish up your pet photography and animal illustration skills with these tutorials:
- Pet Photography Tips: How to Keep and Capture a Dog’s Attention
- 6 Photographers on How to Take Fantastic Images of Dogs and Cats
- 8 Tips for Drawing Adorable, On-Trend Illustrations
- How to Create a Flat Vector Illustration of Your Pets in Illustrator
- Illustrator Olga Angelloz Expands the Animal Kingdom with ‘Humanimals’
Discover more canine-themed photography, illustrations and vector graphics on Shutterstock.
Image above by contributor Rawpixel.
