The Creative Process

Step One: Illustrator Receives Design Brief

To start things off illustrators need to receive a design brief. This design brief will cover everything from environment descriptions, to the general vibe you want your project to give off, as well as character descriptions, genres, and themes. You can also cover off any specific ideas you have in mind for your project. For example, say you’ve written a novel featuring cowboys, maybe your cover would feature cowboy hats, and a rustic wooden fence with various horse-related accessories stacked against it.

Another asset you can give to your chosen illustrator is access to your inspiration Pinterest board. This is will aid your illustrator in their quest to make sure your project is perfect. It also ensures you’re both on the same page from the start.

After receiving a design brief I like to follow up with a phone or video call to start batting some ideas around with you enabling a two way conversation, plus you never know… You may end up wanting something completely different, perhaps even something deeper aligned to the plot to what is originally put in the brief.

Step Two: Quoting and Invoicing

Once the design brief has been finalised and signed off by both parties the illustrator will provide you with a quote. I personally like to break mine down into all of the different services I provide, as well as provide a rough timeline for completion for when the project goes ahead as it gives both parties clarity for deadlines.

Once the quote has been accepted, most illustrators will send you a contract, complete with terms and conditions. Read these, as they will likely delve into copyrights and licensing.

The contract is legally binding for both parties. This is to ensure fairness for both people. The invoice will also arrive with the contract.

Most illustrators tend to invoice 50% upfront, then 50% upon completion of the artwork. However, for larger projects, some illustrators- like myself- offer bespoke payment plans to split the costs into manageable chunks.

Step Three: Compositions and Typography

This is the fun bit where the illustrator will take your design brief and churn out a specified amount of compositional sketches, with or without typography plans. Great for especially complex designs, like board game boxes. The more context you can see in the beginning for composition, the better. It helps envision the final piece. This may or may not include:

• Colour plans

• Typography

• Lighting plans

• Shadow plans

This is also a great point to review the designs and provide feedback to the illustrator. Your input is key to shaping the design that is right for your project. An illustrator will usually specify how many free revisions are included in the design process in the contract. This will be different for each project.

Generally speaking, I tend to offer one free major revision session opportunity at this stage. I like to receive it in a single email with all of changes in writing. Sometimes the initial designs are all really good, but aren’t hitting it on the nail. But, if we combined them: winner, winner chicken dinner!

Step Four: Bringing it to Life

Once you have settled on the composition you like the most, the illustrator will start the detailed design work. This may take anywhere from days to months depending on the project.

A short-term project may be a book cover. This would take me roughly two weeks, along with a complimentary progress checkpoint with yourself. For any minor tweaks to be caught if needed.

Or…

For a long-term project such as a childrens’ book, this may take up to several months, with multiple complimentary progress checkpoints for minor tweaks to ensure we are both on the same page. Pun wasn’t intended to start with, but we’ll keep it in anyway :)

Step Five: You Receive the Final Files

After every artwork is complete. You will receive the final files, watermarked for final approval before the final payment. After the final payment has been settled your illustrator will give you the high-resolution files in the format you have specified in the design brief.

Download an editable design brief for a book cover.