The Journal

The Dutch Uncle Journal is a considered study of illustration, design, and animation in practice, how they are conceived, commissioned and realised in the wider world.

This is where we share the thinking behind our latest projects and engage with the wider shifts shaping visual culture, from the resurgence of handmade texture to the ways art redefines the spaces we inhabit.

A considered collection of work and ideas from the front line of contemporary illustration.

Toby’s Estate Brings Australian Coffee Culture to Tribeca with Quirky Debora Szpilman Illustrations
Illustration, Branding and Advertising, New York, Debora Szpilman Helen Cowley Illustration, Branding and Advertising, New York, Debora Szpilman Helen Cowley

Toby’s Estate Brings Australian Coffee Culture to Tribeca with Quirky Debora Szpilman Illustrations

Toby’s Estate has arrived in Tribeca, blending Australian coffee heritage with vibrant design. The flagship features playful illustrations by Debora Szpilman across menus, merch, and t-shirts. The space, designed by New York Design Architects, celebrates Toby Smith’s journey from a garage roastery to a global presence at 310 Greenwich Street.

Read More
Golden Threads: Kustaa Saksi x Oribe Artist Collaboration
Luxury and Retail Illustration, Artist Collaborations, Kustaa Saksi Dutch Uncle Luxury and Retail Illustration, Artist Collaborations, Kustaa Saksi Dutch Uncle

Golden Threads: Kustaa Saksi x Oribe Artist Collaboration

Kustaa Saksi collaborates with Oribe on the Golden Threads holiday collection, blending textile art, mythology, and luxury packaging. Inspired by Norse themes, the project spans illustrated designs, a large-scale tapestry, and sustainable production, creating a cohesive visual identity that connects beauty, craft, and contemporary art.

Read More
Debora Szpilman illustrations for the Knight Frank Residence Report 2025/26
Branding and Advertising, Debora Szpilman Dutch Uncle Branding and Advertising, Debora Szpilman Dutch Uncle

Debora Szpilman illustrations for the Knight Frank Residence Report 2025/26

Debora Szpilman transforms Knight Frank’s Residence Report 2025/26 from a dense property study into a vivid visual narrative. Her fluid, observational illustrations animate global data, reflecting a shifting luxury market focused on wellness and community. By humanizing economic trends, Szpilman’s work provides a dynamic energy to this prestigious global outlook.

Read More