Ted and Teddy
2016
Children's Book Design
Role:
Illustrator
Project overview
Inspired by a cherished childhood collection of Grimms’ Fairy Tales, this final school project involved creating a children’s book that tells its story primarily through illustrations. The objective was to craft visuals so captivating and expressive that children could grasp the narrative without relying on text.
Challenges
Story development
The initial task was to brainstorm and write a story that would resonate with children. Starting with classic themes like princesses and magic, the project evolved into a modern tale inspired by an illustration of a teddy bear protecting children from nightmares.
Optimizing narrative flow
After creating a detailed storyboard in Photoshop, feedback indicated that the story was too lengthy and might lose young readers' attention. The challenge was to condense the narrative into 10 impactful double-page spreads while keeping it engaging
Colour tone consistency
Choosing the right colour palette was crucial. After experimenting with various hues, the final illustrations adopted a unified colour scheme, using the teddy bear's brown as a base, complemented by blue and purple tints to harmonize the visuals.
Solutions
Immersive storytelling through illustration
The book was designed in a double-page spread format, enabling immersive illustrations that draw readers into the heart of the story. The expansive width of two pages was strategically utilized to highlight the most critical moments of the narrative.
Iterative feedback and refinement
Prototypes were printed, bound, and shared with peers for feedback. This iterative process led to minor adjustments that enhanced the final product, ensuring it was both visually captivating and narratively compelling.
Results
This project stands out as my favourite due to the challenges it presented and the creative growth it fostered. From mastering the intricacies of storytelling to achieving consistent colour tones, every aspect of this project contributed to my development as an artist and designer. The book not only tells a meaningful story but also serves as a testament to the power of visual storytelling—a skill I've since applied to numerous other projects.
