ADVERTISEMENT

Just like Neo from The Matrix, we sometimes get a strange feeling deep in our guts that something is not quite right with the world. German artist Steffen Kraft, who also goes by the name Iconeo online, makes amazing social commentary pictures that highlight how ironic, weird and even hypocritical life can sometimes be.

Here are what we believe to be the most visually appealing pieces of Kraft’s unique artwork. So scroll down, upvote the ones you like, and share your thoughts in the comments. And make sure to read Bored Panda’s in-depth interview with the artist down below. After you’re done admiring these meaningful drawings, check out Kraft’s previous post on Bored Panda.

More info: Iconeo.de | Facebook | Instagram 

You May Also Like:
ADVERTISEMENT

Bored Panda reached out to Iconeo to learn more about him, the way he creates his meaningful art, and the philosophy that hides behind each thought-provoking picture. When asked about the main inspiration for his art, Kraft replied that he find creative ideas in both small and large things.

“On the one hand, I'm inspired by little things, like my pencil, a cup of coffee or toilet paper. These little objects are icons. Everybody knows them. We don't have to think about their function when we see them. It's good brain training trying to place these things in a different situation. Sometimes, the results are meaningful, sometimes not.”

#4

Thoughtful Illustrations

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
varwenea
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dumber meets dumber. Add Boris and there'll be a battle for the tweedle-dumbest title.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Thoughtful Illustrations

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kaisu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is essentially how soldiers are manipulated to give their lives for their country

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

“On the other hand, I'm inspired by bigger things, like climate change, plastic pollution or social behavior. I try to make these complex themes simple and surprising,” the artist revealed to Bored Panda.

#8

Thoughtful Illustrations

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
varwenea
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Luckily, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Rosa Park, and many others didn't think so. Just need many more to think differently and take action.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Thoughtful Illustrations

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
anonymous person
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Climate change is happening, people!!!!!! If we don’t act now to at least greatly reduce the rate at which it’s happening, our future children won’t have a hospitable planet to call home!!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Kraft believes that in our daily routine, we are “overwhelmed with images and impressions”, which is why we lose the ability to “self-reflect and to see the world from a different point of view.”

ADVERTISEMENT
#11

Thoughtful Illustrations

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
varwenea
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Plastic bags, choking the sea life to death, forever changing our ecosystem as we know it, is far scarier than a mere shark.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

“Of course, I also produce images, but it's the kind of communication most people understand quickly,” he admitted. “My goal is to surprise the viewer with simple drawing ideas that they may not have thought about and which make them think, and make them discuss them with others.”

ADVERTISEMENT
#13

Thoughtful Illustrations

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
Sherri Steinert-Brown
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so on track with what you see . I live in a small town in Montana but travel to Seattle WA every EASTER for cosplay convention . while I was there people and I am talking about the majority of people were walking around just like this illustration they didn't even look up when they were crossing the crosswalk in front of traffic. I guess they assume all drivers follow the rules.plus I am originally from the south and so I say hi to everyone not one person looked up or said hi back wait one person did but they looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language . This is who we now are in this world and it worries me when I think of my grandkids being taught or just shown that this is correct it is not. Our first language is talking to one another lets keep this new generation on the right path .

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#14

Thoughtful Illustrations

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kaisu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish there was an easy way for lonely people in the same area to meet up! However, a lot of people are too ashamed to admit that they're lonely

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Thoughtful-Illustrations-Iconeo-Steffen-Kraft

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
queen...<3
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just because you aren't vegan doesn't mean that you hate animals.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Iconeo got a degree in Communication Design in Germany and founded an advertising agency. He admitted to Bored Panda that at that point he was “far away from being an artist” and also didn’t want to be one.

ADVERTISEMENT
#16

Thoughtful Illustrations

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kaisu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's really sad how some people base their self worth on how many likes they receive

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Thoughtful-Illustrations-Iconeo-Steffen-Kraft

iconeo Report

ADVERTISEMENT

“I liked to work for clients and create ideas to sell products. It was an important time for me, but after 8 years, I left the agency. Since then, I explored the art part inside of me. And it's a funny journey, not a straight path. I still do graphic design, logo design, poster design for clients, but more the artsy way with my style, not the advertising way with trendy images.”

#19

Thoughtful Illustrations

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
Tiffany Marie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who knows maybe that will be the rest of the world one day? Be like either Mad Max or Waterworld?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda

Kraft had some advice for all the new, veteran, successful and struggling artists out there: “Being an artist means having good times and having bad times, especially in the beginning. Be patient when you are uninspired or when you feel misunderstood. You are on the right path, as long as you are engaged in doing what you find interesting. And don't forget to relax. I get the best ideas when I'm relaxed and out of my office.”

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#23

Thoughtful Illustrations

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kaisu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't assume you know how someone else feels until you ask. However, also don't kiss someone unless you have their consent

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Thoughtful Illustrations

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
Layla Cecil
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The vast majority of plastic comes from just a few rivers in China and India. They don't have trash pickup there, so people just toss all of their garbage into these rivers, which then feed into the ocean. Short of helping those countries with their waste disposal, the oceans will continue to fill with plastic.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda

Finally, Kraft told Bored Panda about his future plans. “I want to do a book for children, but as with every new thing, this is hard in the beginning. And I'm trying to learn AR-stuff to explore new ways of showing my art.”

#25

Thoughtful Illustrations

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
Shika Louis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even the turtles can't keep all the waste we leave... It's sad that turtles have to clean another species' mess

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#30

Thoughtful Illustrations

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
M Dream
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WARNING: Do not use plastic straws! Feel free to use plastic plates, pens, plastic anything else.. and of course products in plastic package. It's also ok to use products (of any material) that small children make in places outside your country. But please, do not use plastic straws or bags. Plastic life. One use only. Only for you.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#31

Thoughtful-Illustrations-Iconeo-Steffen-Kraft

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#32

Thoughtful-Illustrations-Iconeo-Steffen-Kraft

iconeo Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
ADVERTISEMENT
#38

Thoughtful-Illustrations-Iconeo-Steffen-Kraft

iconeo Report