How »Cultivation Breeds Diversity« Sprouts Interest and Curiousity for Science and Museum Education

This blog discusses Kimberley Hoffman’s illustrated search-and-find artwork “Cutlivation Creates Diversity,” created for the German Plant Breeders’ Association (BDP). With six main scenes and ten charming vignettes, the illustration brings to life the journey of a new plant variety—from lab research to market approval—in a way that’s both engaging and educational.

Whether it’s Gregor Mendel with his peas in a greenhouse, the Corn Cob King wearing a crown and receiving a chocolate cake for his 15th “birthday,” or the bees attneding a flower wedding—this visual narrative makes complex topics like genetics, climate resilience, and plant breeding accessible to all ages.

Perfect for museums, exhibitions, and educational formats, this artwork supports creative museum education, visual storytelling, and family engagement—making it a powerful tool for visitor connection and lifelong learning.

»Historischer Wimmelspass in Stuttgart« (»History is Fun in Stuttgart«) is a lovingly illustrated search-and-find-book that takes children and adults on an exciting journey through Stuttgart’s amazing history.

With lots of fun facts, funny hidden object pictures and surprising details, »Historischer Wimmelspass in Stuttgart« entices the reader with easy access to Stuttgart’s history. This colorful search-and-find book explores everything from fashion and everyday life to significant historical events to life with humorous, colorful illustrations.

Ideal for booksellers, educators, for use in museums or for family tourism offers, or just for an enjoyable round of personal time travel. Read more about the creation of “Historischer Wimmelspaß in Stuttgart” in hoffmanillustrates! blog.

Ein Wort, eine Zeitreise, eine Partyigel-Illustration
Kreative Gedanken sichtbar gemacht

Die Illustratorin Kimberley Hoffman erzählt in ihrem neuen Blog-Beitrag, wie sie eine Partyigel-Illustration entwickelt. Inspiriert von Kindheitserinnerungen und kreativen Assoziationen erzählt sie vom Prozess der Ideenfindung bis zur Entstehung ihrer Igel-Illustration. Kimberley Hoffman beleuchtet die Verkettung der Gedanken und Ideen, die während des kreativen Prozesses entstehen, und lädt die Zuschauer ein, ihr über die Schulter zu schauen und an ihren kreativen Flow teilzuhaben.

In her latest blog post, freelance illustrator Kimberley Hoffman talks about the art and challenges of designing Artist Trading Cards. She uses an excerpt from her search-and-find book “Die Kurpfalz wimmelt“about Germany’s Electoral Palatinate Region to demonstrate how she adapts an extremely busy, amusing and detailed scene for Hireillo’s Artist Trading Cards.

These Artist Trading Cards, about the size of business cards, are part of a quarterly series that Hireillo sends out to interested customers.

The illustrator describes the creative process behind the selection and adaptation of the motif and provides insights into the design decisions involved in reducing the size of a large-format hidden object picture.

With humorous anecdotes and a deep understanding of her art, she invites readers to discover the world of Hidden Objects in the smallest of spaces. The full description of the extracted scene and other exciting details can be discovered on her blog.

Contact Hireillo and the illustrator for more information about these delightful Artist Trading Cards.

hoffmanillustrates! celebrates 20 years: A journey of creativity and perseverance

Dive into the world of Wimmel books with illustrator Kimberley Hoffman, who celebrates her 20th anniversary in the industry this year. From her beginnings with self-doubt to current projects with the renowned Silberburg publishing house, this journey is full of highs and lows. Find out how a chance meeting at the Frankfurt Fair kick-started a remarkable career.

Accompany the illustrator on her tour through cities such as Heidelberg, Mannheim and Ludwigsburg and discover how she successfully realizes her projects with creativity and perseverance. From UNESCO World Heritage Sites to fascinating local dialects: Her stories are full of surprises and inspire you to explore the world of Wimmel books. Join the illustrator as she brings the Electoral Palatinate, the Hohenlohe district and other regions to life and prepares for her next adventure: a Wimmel book about the development of Stuttgart. Join us and immerse yourself in a world full of creativity and inspiration. Look forward to more exciting adventures in future Wimmel books and discover the creative magic behind the pictures!

Join me on my journey back through 20 years as a freelance illustrator, peppered with the highs and lows of imposter syndrome. From the early days as a young mother to the challenges of making it in the industry, I honestly share my experiences and doubts. Discover how small jobs opened up big opportunities and how I battle imposter syndrome. Immerse yourself in a world of creativity, perseverance and unexpected success. Be inspired by my unique path and the valuable lessons I’ve learned on my 20-year journey as an illustrator. Look forward to stories that encourage and touch hearts. Let’s go!

Look what the post has brought! Discover the exciting pages of the “Mannheim wimmelt” Wimmel book in this unboxing video. A lively video tour of the city’s many sights, from the palace and harbor to Luisenpark and the Landmark Water Tower, accompanied by the illustrator herself. Dive in to find out more about the creation of the book and its charming details!

Carnival, the 5th season of the year, is certainly the most popular time of year and is always a favorite theme in my Wimmel books about Baden-Württemberg towns and regions. 
Anyone who knows Carnival knows how much fun it can be. It’s a colorful chaos that only rivals the hustle and bustle in my Wimmel books.  

Initially, there was little Carnival hustle and bustle in Baden-Württemberg up to the mid-20th century. In a conversation with my relatives from Heidelberg, I was surprised to hear that Carnival was not celebrated on such a grand scale in their childhood. 

My cousin’s wife grew up in a Swabian town not far from the university city of Tübingen. She told me that children got “at best one Fastnachtsküchele,” a sweet pastry, before the start of Lent. Today’s Carnival celebrations, as we know them, have only become more popular in the last twenty or thirty years through television. The »Jecken« or Carnival fools were hardly known before then.

In my research for my previous Wimmel books, which are all about regions in Baden-Württemberg, I came across many different traditions surrounding Carnival. The costumes have a special meaning, whether they portray witches, devils, or angels. I have illustrated these as authentically as possible in my hidden object books. Do you want to take a look? Then open my new blog post quickly with a cheerful shout of Carnival now! https://hoffman-illustrates.com/en/carnival2024_hustlebustle/

Press Release
KimberleyHoffman

»Der Hohenlohekreis wimmelt«
A Delightful Search-And-Find Book For All Ages

The most delightful collection of hidden object books illustrated by Kimberley Hoffman, hoffmanillustrates! is bursting from the seams! The lovingly designed pages of »Der Hohenlohekreis wimmelt«, which means »The Hohenlohe District is Teeming« take readers young and old through the beautiful landscapes of the Hohenlohe district.

There is something going on everywhere.

Discover the festivals and get to know the delightful Old World customs in the towns and villages.

Experience the region with its beautiful castles and rivers, the Kocher and the Jagst. Every page is teeming with humorous characters. Many children, historical figures and adults explore the most beautiful sites of the wonderful Hohenlohe district. Join us on a delightful reading expedition through the Hohenlohe district — the insider tip for families, vacationers, campers, cyclists and adventurers — in Baden-Württemberg.

»Der Hohenlohelkreis wimmelt« is published by Silberburg-Verlag, Tübingen, Germany
ISBN 978-3-8425-2390-6

Twice the joy. Twice the happiness! My 2023 spring new editions are here-»Die Kurpfalz wimmel« and »Heidelberg wimmelt, 3rd edition« are fresh on the market. The corn mice, who made their debut in »Heidelberg wimmelt,« take you on a tour of the Kurpfalz (Electoral Palatinate) region. Of course, they make a stop in Heidelberg, where anyone, including you, can lose their heart. Wimmel Fun for the whole family!