Robert Nicol Creates Editorial Puzzle Illustration for The Observer’s National Hair Day Feature

Robert NicolEditorial IllustrationPaintingIllustration
Written by Dutch Uncle

Robert Nicol x The Observer

Illustrator Robert Nicol has created a new illustration for The Observer, contributing to its Observers Needed feature with a special edition celebrating National Hair Day.

A Rapunzel-inspired illustration puzzle

Inspired by the story of Rapunzel, the visual centres on Rapunzel’s castle filled with people preparing for a new hairstyle. Readers are challenged to find 10 x hidden objects and characters, including a comb, pink bow, hairdryer, barber’s chair, scissors and a bird’s nest in someone's hair.

The Observers Needed feature combines editorial illustration with a search-and-find puzzle, inviting readers to explore the scene and discover its hidden details. Nicol's commission brings an imaginative visual interpretation to the brief, creating an illustration that works both as a complete composition and an interactive challenge for readers.

The Observer's new magazine identity

The commission also coincides with an important moment in the publication's history. In April 2026, The Observer Magazine was relaunched as O, introducing a new editorial identity and visual direction.

The redesign was led by design consultant Mark Leeds, working with the magazine's in-house art director Jo Cochrane and designer Lola Williams. Jon Hill was also involved in the creative direction of the new identity. The distinctive O marque was developed in collaboration with typographic illustrator Tobias Hall, drawing on the publication's historic visual identity. The relaunch marks a new chapter for one of Britain's longest-established Sunday newspapers and its magazine, with a renewed emphasis on design, typography and visual storytelling.

Illustration: Robert Nicol
Publication: The Observer
Feature: Observers Needed – National Hair Day
Representation: Dutch Uncle

Discover more work by Robert Nicol at Dutch Uncle.

Dutch Uncle

Dutch Uncle is an award-winning international illustration and animation agency founded in 2006 by Helen Cowley. With offices in London, New York, and Tokyo, we operate across every major timezone, connecting the world's most ambitious brands with exceptional global creative talent.

Over nearly two decades, Dutch Uncle have built one of the most decorated artist rosters in the industry. Our artists have produced Gold Clio and Cannes Lions award-winning work for clients spanning fashion, luxury, fintech, tech, healthcare, and publishing. We have collaborated on prestige illustration and animation projects for global leaders, including Hermès, Burberry, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Rimowa, as well as Apple, Google, Mercedes, Netflix, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, The New York Times.

We represent illustrators and animation directors who lead their fields in conceptual thinking, visual intelligence, and craft. Artists whose work cuts through algorithmic sameness to deliver genuine cultural impact.

Beyond our core roster, we also draw on an international network of talent across five continents to meet the scale and complexity of any brief.

Dutch Uncle operates as a full-service creative production partner, managing everything from artist sourcing and briefing through to licensing, copyright, animation production, and final delivery.

We specialise in complex, multi-market projects that demand creative precision and seamless execution. Whether that is a single editorial commission, a suite of high-impact social media assets, or a global animated campaign.

For nearly twenty years, the world's leading agencies, publishers, cultural institutions, and brands have trusted us to bring their most ambitious work to life.

https://www.dutchuncle.co.uk
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