PORTFOLIO OF WORK

Lola the Ladybug is a picture book for 3–8-year-olds. The story centres around Lola, a plucky young ladybug who can’t wait to get her spots! But when Lola wakes up with just one measly spot... and everyone else has so many beautiful ones, can she learn to be confident and comfortable just as she is? This important book encourages kids to wholeheartedly embrace their individuality by taking pride in their differences. The author is seeking a cohesive visual strategy which embodies the book’s heartfelt message. Furthermore, promotional materials are required to help the author launch a read-aloud school tour. 

PROCESS

Research—Consultations to finalize the manuscript. Exploring the thesis and important themes of the narrative. Audience research pertaining to 3–8-year-olds and parents of young children. Discussions with an Early Childhood Educator. 

Mood boards—Collaborating with the illustrator to establish character and world design. 

Idea Generation—Concept—Each page interprets the story’s themes of courage, friendship, and belonging/identity through illustration, colour, and composition. 

Layout—Crafting a storyboard and establishing pagination is paramount. 

Colour Palette—The palette is festive, kid-friendly, and has enough variation to reflect Lola’s different moods throughout her journey. 

Illustration— Employing the colour palette, the quirky, whimsical, and expressive illustrations play with scale, perspective, and emotion. 

Typography—Overall, the typography is unobtrusive in order to let the illustrations shine; however, the use of a decorative typeface to emphasize certain words allows for some typographic expression. 

Design—The front cover design is bold and eye-catching; the title is intentionally large and full of personality in order to stand out. The back cover evokes a deeper mood and inspires curiosity about the story inside. Promotional materials reflect the overall look and feel of the book.