Introducing
Ian David Marsden

A Life in Hand-Drawn Art

Ian David Marsden is an illustrator, cartoonist, designer, and animator whose career spans over three decades and continents. Born in Greenwich Village, New York City, and raised in Zurich, Switzerland, his artistic path was shaped by the vibrant cultural landscapes of both cities. From an early fascination with Mad Magazine, underground comics, and Franco-Belge bandes dessinées, to formal training in graphic design at Zurich’s F+F School for Art and Design, Marsden’s artistic identity is deeply anchored in both tradition and innovation.

At just sixteen, he became the youngest contributor to Nebelspalter, Switzerland’s renowned satire magazine, and by eighteen, he had established his own studio in Zurich, working on editorial illustration, advertising campaigns, and publishing projects. His career later took him to Santa Monica, California, where he expanded into traditional and digital animation, publishing work in The New Yorker and MAD Magazine, and refining his distinctive approach to visual storytelling.

Marsden holds a unique distinction as the very first artist to illustrate the Google Doodles, the now-iconic illustrations that unfold around the Google logo. From 1999 to the end of 2000, he was the exclusive artist for these playful designs, shaping their early visual identity. Among his contributions was the creation of the “Kangaroodle”, a lively kangaroo character who excelled at a different sport each day during the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics, playfully interacting with the Google name.

Over the years, he has lived and worked in Zurich, Paris, New York, Santa Monica, and Barbados, before settling in the south of France in 2006, where he continues to work from his home studio. His career has led him to collaborate with clients across editorial, advertising, publishing, and branding, designing the official mascot for the 2003 Alpine Ski World Championship, creating royal crests for members of the Jackson family, design-collection porcelain and glassware for Ritzenhoff, and developing illustrations and visual identities that blend historical influences with contemporary storytelling. His work, instantly recognizable for its precision, wit, and refined aesthetic, continues to be highly sought after.

Why Modicum Editions?

The word “modicum” suggests something small yet essential—a reminder that art, like wit and reflection, needs only the right space to flourish. Modicum Editions was founded to offer exclusive hand-drawn giclée prints and elegant posters, capturing the warmth, craftsmanship, and quiet sophistication of Marsden’s work. His art, shaped by mid-century European design, classic travel posters, and the golden age of illustration, is created for spaces that invite thought and conversation—bookshops, cafés, libraries, creative studios, and refined personal collections.

Art That Rewards a Second Glance

Marsden’s work is for those who appreciate art that speaks without shouting, a refined, old-world aesthetic with a modern perspective, and illustrations that reveal more with time—inviting curiosity and conversation. Every piece is available exclusively through Modicum Editions, produced with an unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and craftsmanship.

A Philosophy Rooted in Humanism

Art, literature, and humor are not luxuries—they are necessary. In a time when the ideals of the Lumières seem to fade, Marsden’s work is a quiet resistance, offering a moment of reflection in an increasingly frenetic world. His illustrations do not proclaim; they suggest. They do not demand; they invite.

Discover the Collection

Exclusive, hand-drawn prints – Only available through Modicum Editions.