Illustration inspired by Prince William and Kate Middleton

Recently, aisledash.com honored me with a request to create a save the date card design concept with a tailor-made illustration inspired by His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton.

Scroll down to see what I’ve created, or go behind the scenes and see my work process below!

In order to personalize a design as much as I can, I usually get to know the couple and their story. Of course, a phone appointment with Prince William and Kate Middleton wasn’t in the cards, but thankfully I was able to get to know them a bit with some online research.

First of all, they are simply an adorable couple!

official engagement photo by Mario Testino

Prince William and Kate Middleton, at the announcement of their engagement

Both have a history of supporting good causes and charities and, despite their status, seem very goodhearted and down to earth:

They also share an appreciation for design. At the University of St. Andrew’s in Fife, Scotland, they met while studying Art History, and Miss Middleton has had a career in the fashion industry. Therefore, it’s no surprise that she’s known for her fashion sense (read more here):

Kate Middleton is known for her sense of style and contemporary, chic elegance. Photo (1) spotted on Glamour Magazine UK | images (2) and (4) seen on Whimsy Worldwide Blog | photo (3) via Dailymail UK |  (5) Kate Middleton’s casual style spotted here

On their eighteenth birthdays, the Princes of Wales receive a personal coat of arms, which is traditionally derived from armorial bearings of Her Majesty the Queen of England. Prince William’s also includes elements from the coat of arms of his mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Coat of arms from Prince William of Wales

Royal wedding invitations are usually very formal and classical. For example, this was the invitation for Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales’s legendary wedding:

The formal wedding invitation for the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana (found online here)

While designing my save the date concept inspired by Prince William and Kate Middleton’s engagement, I aimed on reflecting the following: their love for each other, warmhearted character, appreciation of art, Miss Middleton’s sense of fashion and elegant simplicity, royal tradition, the appropriate dignified elegance, and two subtle tributes to Prince Williams’ mother, Princess Diana.

Royal save the date design concept I submitted to aisledash:

Save the date card concept with couture illustration by Astrid Mueller, inspired by the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Illustration: all rights reserved © 2011 Astrid Mueller, please do not use without permission.

I chose to feature the couple in a fashion-inspired illustration on the cover of the save the date card, with a tailor-made modern take of Prince William’s royal coat of arms. In the illustration, Miss Middleton wears her actual engagement ring, originally owned by Princess Diana.

Close-up of all the gorgeous details in the artisan print (by Letterpress Light); it’s so lush I wish you could have touched it!

As a tribute to Prince William’s mother, the calligraphic font I chose is called “Diana.” The inside of the card holds the save the date information, but could be used for any other invitation purpose, since the details within are easily exchanged.

Save the date card concept inspired by the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, showing the inside of the card.

Though the royal couple will most likely follow royal wedding stationery traditions and work with one of their trusted stationery designers, I would be absolutely thrilled to create their tailor-made illustration for another use, such as a personal, privately owned, framed print to commemorate their wedding. One can always dream, right?

What are your thoughts on my design suggestion? I’m looking forward to your comments! See the full post and the save the date submissions from all designers here on aisledash.