Illustrations that Feed the Soul: A Journey through the Collaboration between Okam Imago and IoScelgoVeg
Updated: Jul 24
Two recent projects and a valuable partnership that reinforce how visual art is essential for conveying messages and championing ethical causes.
The Illustrations for Veganuary 2025
January and June 2025 were intense and special months, marked by a collaboration that filled me with pride and satisfaction: our work with IoScelgoVeg.
Our journey together began with the social media campaign for Veganuary, a global initiative that encourages people to try a vegan diet and lifestyle for the entire month of January.
Founded in the UK in 2014, this campaign engages millions of participants every year and offers an opportunity to explore a more conscious, sustainable way of living.
In Italy, Essere Animali and IoScelgoVeg lead the effort to raise awareness about how our food choices impact health, animals, and the environment. The core idea is to try removing all animal-derived products (meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey, etc.) for 31 days while exploring plant-based alternatives. Key objectives include:
Rethinking personal health: Throughout the month, many participants notice health benefits such as higher energy levels, improved digestion, and a fiber-rich diet.
Advocating for animal ethics: Promoting awareness of animal welfare and reducing the demand for factory-farmed products.
Taking action for environmental sustainability: Over 31 days, adopting this new habit actively lowers one's ecological footprint by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption tied to livestock production.
IoScelgoVeg provides free support through its website, offering recipes, nutritional advice, guides, and a community for sharing experiences. Many restaurants and supermarkets also join the initiative with special offers, plant-based dishes, and vegan products.
Together with the vegan communication agency Amadou Comunicazione, we thought it would be a great idea to contribute to the Veganuary 2025 edition in our own way by donating some of our services.
While Amadou offered free consulting sessions during January (to learn more, read here), Okam Imago created four illustrations—dedicated to meat, eggs, dairy, and fishing—to accompany the copy for IoScelgoVeg's social media campaign.
Settimana Veg (Veg Week)
While Veganuary is a global challenge that lasts throughout the month of January, The Veg Week (La Settimana Veg) is shorter and more focused: as the name suggests, it lasts seven days, making it a less demanding option than Veganuary and ideal for anyone looking to try a plant-based diet for a shorter period, perhaps for the first time.
Participants—more than 4,000 people took part last time—receive comprehensive support throughout the challenge, including:
A recipe book featuring daily meal plans and recipes created in collaboration with food bloggers and vegan chefs
Nutritional advice from experts
In-depth information and insights via email on various aspects of plant-based eating (ethics, health, environment)
An online community to share experiences
For The Veg Week, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Valentina, Benedetta, and Lorenzo, shaping the 2025 Recipe Book featuring recipes by Lorenzo Biagiarelli, Alessio Cicchini, Fabiola di Sotto, Van Ver Burger, Betti Taglietti, and Benedetta Turrin, along with scientific consultation from Silvia Goggi.
Under the graphic supervision of Lorenzo Gasperoni, my role in this complex, collaborative effort focused on the illustrations, layout, and design of the recipe book. It was an intense and rewarding project, resulting in a guide that I hope is not only visually engaging, but also practical and inspiring to use. Every illustration was created to highlight the dishes, making them visually appetizing while sharing the joy of ethical, delicious food.
Beyond Form
In both projects, the illustrations are not mere decorations, but true communication tools. A well-crafted image can capture attention, simplify complex concepts, and evoke emotion.
For Veganuary, my illustrations helped demystify the choice to go vegan, highlighting the unsustainability of an animal agriculture-based food industry. For the recipe book, their role is to entice people to try new recipes, discover ingredients and flavors, and realize just how varied and satisfying a plant-based diet can be.
I firmly believe that an effective illustration can be the first step toward change—even a small one—in our daily habits.
Ethical Partnerships: Added Value
Beyond the purely creative aspect, what made this collaboration so meaningful was working with partners like IoScelgoVeg and Essere Animali. Working alongside organizations that share my same ethical values is an invaluable experience. It means putting skills at the service of a cause you truly believe in, feeling part of something bigger, and actively contributing to a better future.
Collaborating with organizations that promote sustainability, animal welfare, and the health of the planet is more than just a professional choice—it's a deeply enriching personal experience. It allows you to align your work with your values, turning every project into not only an opportunity for professional growth, but also a concrete contribution toward a fairer, more compassionate world.
I am grateful to IoScelgoVeg / Essere Animali for their trust and for this opportunity. I am convinced that art, combined with strong values, can truly make a difference.
To join IoScelgoVeg's initiatives, click the button below.
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