1
Initial Meet-up
We’ll start with a free consultation to discuss your project, typically lasting about an hour. During this meeting, we’ll go over your vision, project scope, and specific details. The consultation can be held in person or over the phone.
In our initial meeting, we’ll explore the following questions:
- What type of project are you working on? Picture book, board book, chapter book, digital book, character design, self-publishing support, merchandise, etc.
- What style of artwork do you envision for this project? Feel free to share examples or references of artwork you are drawn to (pun intended).
- What is your timeline for completion?
- How do you plan to use the illustrations? Self-publish, submit to a publishing house, post online, sell as merchandise, etc.
2
Perfecting your Text
We’ll make sure your story text is fully finalized before starting the illustrations. This includes checking for grammar, punctuation, diacritical markings (if using Hawaiian words), readability for the target age group, and ensuring the style is clear and flows smoothly.
Finalizing the text upfront helps avoid costly revisions later and ensures a smoother illustration process.
3
Storyboarding/ Design Elements
Storyboarding is a crucial step in creating a visually engaging children’s book. It acts as a blueprint, mapping out how the text and illustrations will interact.
During this phase, we’ll discuss your inspiration, explore artistic styles you prefer, and work on developing characters and initial sketches.
4
Illustrating and Formatting
Now the fun begins! I’ll start working on your illustrations and send them to you as they’re completed for your feedback and any necessary revisions.
During this phase, we’ll also focus on adding text to the pages and making key formatting and layout decisions, including font selection, size, and color.
Additionally, this step includes designing the cover. We’ll also register your book to obtain an official ISBN and barcode, which will be included on the cover.
5
Revision Cycles
Revision cycles involve refining an existing design based on your feedback. This can include adjustments to elements such as composition, color palette, character design, background details, or overall style to better align with your vision. Revisions may also address specific concerns like clarity, proportion, or consistency to ensure the illustration communicates the intended message effectively. The goal is to enhance the artwork while preserving the integrity of the original concept. Each illustration includes two rounds of revisions; any additional revisions will incur extra charges.
6
Printing and Publishing
Once all pages are finalized, revised, and formatted, they’re ready for printing. I can either guide you through the process step by step for an hourly rate or handle everything for you, with the finished product delivered directly to your door.