Daniel Sulzberg

All

Cartoon & Humour

Character Design

Children & Family

Conceptual

Editorial

Sport & Fitness

Cartoon astronaut with fishbowl helmet and peace sign on purple background

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Playful cartoon brain with glasses and cap walking

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Slip-on trainers by Vans and Daniel Sulzberg

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Happiness is easy

“The vibe of being relaxed, casual and yourself is a part of who I am and it definitely shows in my work."

COMIC BOOKS, NINTENDO GAMES, AND SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS... As a child of the 80's, this was Daniel's life! Daniel Sulzberg, Santa Barbara based illustrator still embodies this style. He is the artist behind Danvillage Studios. Danvillage Studios builds quirky, intricate universes for the likes of sports & music brands. The characters, locations, objects, visual language, maps, Easter eggs and mythology turn a one-off illustration into a powerful brand specific world. Former Smallville screenwriter, Pandemic Studios concept artist, and Red Bull Cartoon creative director, Daniel brings storytelling muscle to every brief. Whether it's a beer label, a trading-card universe, or a full brand mythology, if you are a client who needs characters with personality Danvillage Studios will deliver.

Approach

Dan’s process starts with loose sketching on paper as he plays with ideas for each piece. The sketches are refined and the composition is honed for a final drawing, which he’ll scan to colour with his iPad and Apple Pencil, before transferring it into Photoshop for the finishing touches.

Key Software

Photoshop

Style

Vivid color, positivity, surrealism and whimsy are all elements of Daniel’s style, which is heavily influenced by where he’s from – California. “The vibe of being relaxed, casual and yourself is a part of who I am and it definitely shows in my work,” he says.

Impressions

Interview

Video

Website

Send Enquiry

Interview

What led you to become an illustrator? It seemed that right around 3rd grade when other kids stopped drawing, I kept on going. I drew on everything from the walls of my bedroom to the margins of my notebook paper. I was always drawing. Becoming an illustrator was a natural process for me and being a kid from the 80's I was inspired by Saturday Morning Cartoons, Comic Books, and Nintendo games. My dad owned an art gallery and I never knew there was a career outside of being a professional gallery artist so it was extremely eye opening when I learned all the different kinds of illustration jobs that existed. Did you study illustration in college? I didn't study illustration in college but I did go to a masters program at UCLA for Communication Arts. It was there that I realized that I didn't really connect to graphic design work and all of my projects were illustrative. That's when I knew that was what I truly enjoyed. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Danville California, a small town about 45 minutes of East of San Francisco. I love where I grew up and everyone knew me as Dan from Danville, which is why I called my illustration studio "Danvillage."Do you have a childhood memory relating to drawing/art that you hold dear? I have many childhood art memories but one of my favorites was that my older brother who is ten years older than me was also an artist and extremely talented. I used to sit next to him and try to draw just like him and it's how I learned a lot of my early skills. Where do you live now and what drew you there? I currently live in Santa Barbara California. My wife and I moved here about 3 years ago from Santa Monica after our son was born and we absolutely love it here. It's a small beachy town with mellow and positive vibes and a great place to raise our children. Living near the beach was something I've always aspired to and it's my place of meditation and happiness.Describe your studio for us My studio is a room in our house that includes a giant bookshelf filled with my favorite comic books, art books, beer can labels I've designed, and work I've had the pleasure of collaborating on. I have a large art desk that holds my ipad and laptop and I've filled the space with candles, a light up lava rock, and a record player. The other half of the room is a baby nursery for our newest addition who just turned one years old in January so the vibe is cozy, relaxed, and inspiring. Do you have a studio pet?My studio pet is my fluffy dog Coco. She is a Corgi/chow mix which we call a Chowgi and she constantly lets me know when she'd like a walk, a snuggle, or for me to feed the baby so she can eat all the dropped scraps. Describe the view from your window The view from my window is the street of our neighborhood in San Roque. I love to stare out sometime and see people walking their dogs or loads of interesting birds that fly right up to my window. My neighborhood has a flock of wild parrots and occasionally I see their beautiful green and red feathers land right on the telephone lines outside. Who or What is your biggest inspiration? I am inspired by so many things. There is not just one that I can point to. Music is a big inspiration to me and I'm a huge fan of music from the 80's. In the art world, I've always been drawn to the work of Murakami, Salvador Dali, and Studio Ghibli. I'm definitely inspired by nostalgia and things that make you smile or give positive vibes. These days, my biggest inspiration are my two kids. They make me want to create work that will leave a positive impact in the world.How do you get your ideas? I've always been a storyteller. Before I was an illustrator I worked as a screenwriter in Los Angeles and was always coming up with ideas for stories. I have numerous ways that I like to stimulate creative ideas and one day, I'd like to put together a book of all the techniques I use to generate stories, projects, and ideas. I keep a special note section on my phone where I will add bits and pieces of ideas and see if they can fit together with other bits and pieces.

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Daniel Sulzberg photograph of a sober ride billboard among palm trees

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Daniel Sulzberg illustration of Treasure Island pirates and San Francisco landmarks

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Daniel Sulzberg illustration of a GitHub monkey above a San Francisco cable car and colorful landmar

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Daniel Sulzberg poster showing a crowned tiger for Matisyahu’s Hold the Fire Tour

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Coin shortage editorial graphic during pandemic

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Concert Flyer for Indie Rock Band Khruangbin

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Psychedelic cartoon scenes inside letters Q, A, and H with vibrant colors

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Colorful cartoon map with amusement park and city landmarks

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Daniel Sulzberg illustration of a colorful whimsical candy city filled with shops, snacks, and chara

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Daniel Sulzberg cartoon ad for PianaSoberRide.com featuring passengers in a vehicle

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Poster honoring reggae icon Ziggy Marley

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Santa Barbara Half Marathon medal featuring sun character with sunglasses by Daniel Sulzberg

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Los Angeles Times features top kids' food places in town

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Great American Beer Festival 2021 poster with animated beer mugs by Daniel Sulzberg

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Three animated characters with rockets and scientific symbols by Daniel Sulzberg

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Colorful digital communication scene with diverse characters and devices by Daniel Sulzberg

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Colorful whimsical cartoon collage with diverse characters by Daniel Sulzberg

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Colorful cartoon characters racing go-karts on a winding track by Daniel Sulzberg

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Cartoon turtles surfing and playing music on tropical beach by Daniel Sulzberg

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Colorful life board game scene with houses, cars, balloons by Daniel Sulzberg

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Colorful animated Danvillage scene with diverse characters and activities by Daniel Sulzberg

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A piece about spring dining during the Pandemic

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Illustration of crowd watching a football match by Daniel Sulzberg

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Happy Hanukkah fantasy poster for Facebook

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Cartoon illustration of 'Freaky Fair Ground'

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Whimsical cartoon band performing on stage by artist Daniel Sulzberg

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Daniel Sulzberg

Selected illustrations

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Daniel Sulzberg cartoon of friends laughing at a bar with a sober ride message.

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Daniel Sulzberg illustration of a colorful surreal city filled with winding paths and whimsical deta

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Daniel Sulzberg illustration of travelers exploring a colorful river beside mountains

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Daniel Sulzberg cartoon of a soccer player meditating cross-legged

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Pixel-art arcade world by Daniel Sulzberg with colorful rooms, games, and playful characters.

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Washington Post editorial about father's day

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Lagunitas Brewery Digable Planets concert poster

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Example of a humorous sandwich character

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Highlights Magazine cover on "What's Wrong Section"

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Art gallery interior with people viewing paintings by Daniel Sulzberg

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Colorful Daniel Sulzberg illustration featuring Ovative Group and Boost Mobile

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Cover illustration for Sarasota magazine with a kids theme

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Animated taco truck with dancing legs and taco character by Daniel Sulzberg

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Editorial section called Unshaken about earthquake preparedness

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Illustrated book cover with Vincent van Gogh and sunflowers by Daniel Sulzberg

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Prairie Artisan Ales beer bottle and glass with chocolates by Daniel Sulzberg

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Santa Barbara Half Marathon colorful illustration by Daniel Sulzberg

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Daytrippin in Paradise cartoon with character and animals by Daniel Sulzberg

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Alien spacecraft abducts accordion player in cartoon style by Daniel Sulzberg

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Colorful board game with car driving between houses by Daniel Sulzberg

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Cartoon character with large hand, green cap, and quirky expressions

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Daniel Sulzberg’s Feast LA poster illuminated on a city building at night

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Illustration of a soccer player kicking ball with Santa Barbara background

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Cartoonish cover for Music Geeks Magazine

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Colorful holiday illustration with diverse people and West Hollywood greeting.

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Graphical illustration of giant garbage bin

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Connecticut Department of Transportation poster illustration

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Kids' Theme Poster Print for D Prints in China

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PFP NFT Collection for the charity "Glow Tribe"

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What's Wrong Section for Highlights Magazine

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Daniel Sulzberg illustration promoting sober driving with diverse friends and an avocado toast messa

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Daniel Sulzberg illustration of two children exploring a city park with an owl and skyscrapers

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Daniel Sulzberg illustration of a colorful World Cup soccer celebration

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Colorful cartoon sticker collage by Daniel Sulzberg

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Daniel Sulzberg’s colorful surreal collage with playful characters, rockets, instruments, geometri

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Santa Barbara Family and Life's cover celebrates creativity

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Hotspur's Asian footballer of the year Son Heung Min poster

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Psychedelic San Francisco Brewing Co. beer can with Haight Street signs and surfboards

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Cover design of 'A Monstrous Search-and-Find' book

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Colorful illustration of diverse characters and objects around Wacky Words text by Daniel Sulzberg

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Dead & Company's Final Tour Jun 07, 2023 Poster

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Daniel Sulzberg illustration of travelers sailing toward a mountain waterfall

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Daniel Sulzberg illustration of a smiling hockey puck and players

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Sun character running with sunglasses in Santa Barbara Half Marathon poster by Daniel Sulzberg

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Daniel Sulzberg illustration of colorful stacked arcade rooms with characters, games, toys, and plan

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Surreal colorful meditation scene with a figure and whimsical cosmic objects by Daniel Sulzberg

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Vibrant skull and coffee cup illustration by Daniel Sulzberg

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Children searching for afikomen in a vibrant room with cityscape by Daniel Sulzberg

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Children building snow monsters decorated with candy canes and horns in mountains by Daniel Sulzberg

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Dark beer bottle with colorful geometric and miniature room illustrations on label by Daniel Sulzber

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Colorful illustration of diverse people on paths with house and signpost by Daniel Sulzberg

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Streaming platform logos performing comedy on stage

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Tugboat packaging design by Daniel Sulzberg

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Daniel Sulzberg illustration of a tired family navigating a chaotic morning

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Label illustration for San Francisco Brewing Co.

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Dune Coffee Roasters advertising illustration

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Selected Clients

Red Bull, Major League Soccer, The Washington Post, LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, Tottenham, Hotspur, Evite, Zedge, Wise Potato Chips, Lake Colouring, The Dirty Heads