Sometimes I'm asked about the process of writing an illustrated book like the ones I've done in the past. tl;dr: it's not easy, takes a considerable amount of time, and you're bound to doubt yourself along the way.
Here's the rough, behind the scenes, process in 7 steps:
Here's the rough, behind the scenes, process in 7 steps:
1/7
A lot of reading, researching, writing, and re-writing (seems like ad infinitum at times). This is by far the most time-consuming stage, yet one that I really enjoy. I normally keep disjointed paragraphs on different topics, which I then start grouping to form a narrative.
A lot of reading, researching, writing, and re-writing (seems like ad infinitum at times). This is by far the most time-consuming stage, yet one that I really enjoy. I normally keep disjointed paragraphs on different topics, which I then start grouping to form a narrative.
2/7
Many sketches (I'm a designer after all) on things like models, arrangements, taxonomies, and page layouts. This process is quite fun and open-ended, but it can also be intimidating since you're venturing in fairly uncharted territories at times.
Many sketches (I'm a designer after all) on things like models, arrangements, taxonomies, and page layouts. This process is quite fun and open-ended, but it can also be intimidating since you're venturing in fairly uncharted territories at times.
3/7
Hundreds of emails in order to get the final assets and the right set of approvals/permissions. This is the lengthier of all stages. I used a color system to help me keep track of all ongoing requests, e.g., green=approved, yellow=in-progress, red=denied, grey=silent.
Hundreds of emails in order to get the final assets and the right set of approvals/permissions. This is the lengthier of all stages. I used a color system to help me keep track of all ongoing requests, e.g., green=approved, yellow=in-progress, red=denied, grey=silent.
4/7
Many hours organizing, editing, optimizing, and renaming images. I associated metadata with each image (so it wouldn't get lost) and a color system, which in this case indicated editing progress. Thanks to Adobe Bridge - a tremendous tool that makes most of these tasks easy.
Many hours organizing, editing, optimizing, and renaming images. I associated metadata with each image (so it wouldn't get lost) and a color system, which in this case indicated editing progress. Thanks to Adobe Bridge - a tremendous tool that makes most of these tasks easy.
5/7
Several painstaking text revisions on things like grammar, sourcing, and annotations. It's painful because you think you're almost done and then you realize it's just the beginning. I almost had a nervous breakdown when I received my first annotated manuscript years ago.
Several painstaking text revisions on things like grammar, sourcing, and annotations. It's painful because you think you're almost done and then you realize it's just the beginning. I almost had a nervous breakdown when I received my first annotated manuscript years ago.
6/7
Design revisions... Sounds fun, but it can be difficult for a designer who happens to be a perfectionist. There's always a page layout or a font size that's not quite right... The fact you can't work f2f with the designer makes it harder. Asynchronous feedback is hard.
Design revisions... Sounds fun, but it can be difficult for a designer who happens to be a perfectionist. There's always a page layout or a font size that's not quite right... The fact you can't work f2f with the designer makes it harder. Asynchronous feedback is hard.
7/7
Final product. You never forget the unpacking. It's quite the feeling to be able to finally hold the physical object in your hands after such a long and arduous journey. Somehow it makes it all worth it.
Final product. You never forget the unpacking. It's quite the feeling to be able to finally hold the physical object in your hands after such a long and arduous journey. Somehow it makes it all worth it.
