A well-crafted brief is the foundation of successful illustration commissioning. It communicates your vision clearly, sets appropriate expectations, and gives illustrators the information they need to deliver excellent work. Here is what every effective brief should include.

Project Overview

Start with the basics. What type of book is this - picture book, chapter book, educational material? Who is the target age range? What is the intended market - trade publishing, educational, self-publishing? This context helps illustrators understand the broader framework for their work. Our commissioning service can help develop comprehensive briefs.

Include a synopsis of the story or content. Illustrators need to understand the narrative arc, key themes, and emotional journey to create artwork that supports and enhances the text. A brief summary is usually sufficient - they will read the full manuscript separately.

Visual Direction

Describe the visual style you envision. Is this a warm, cosy book with soft colours, or a bold, energetic story requiring vibrant artwork? Are you imagining traditional media like watercolour, or digital illustration? Providing reference images - from other books, art, or even photography - helps communicate visual preferences more effectively than words alone.

Be clear about what is essential versus what is flexible. Perhaps the colour palette is fixed due to series requirements, but the illustration style is open. Or perhaps you have strong feelings about character design but are flexible on backgrounds. This clarity helps illustrators focus their creative energy appropriately. Browse our illustrator directory to see the range of styles available.

Character Descriptions

Provide detailed descriptions of main characters. Include physical attributes, personality traits, and any specific requirements. If a character must be recognisable as a particular ethnicity, age, or body type, state this clearly. If characters need to be consistent with existing artwork from previous books, provide those references.

Describe relationships between characters too. How do they interact? What is their dynamic? These details help illustrators portray characters authentically in scenes together. Our pre-production services include character development support.

Technical Specifications

Include all technical requirements. What is the trim size? How many pages? Which spreads require full-bleed artwork versus spot illustrations? What file formats and specifications are needed for final delivery?

If there are constraints - perhaps certain pages must leave space for text, or the cover needs to work at thumbnail size for online retail - state these upfront. Technical requirements discovered late in the process cause frustrating rework. Learn about production-ready specifications to ensure complete technical briefs.

Timeline and Process

Outline the project timeline, including key milestones. When are rough sketches due? When is final artwork needed? Build in time for feedback rounds - typically at least two or three review stages.

Describe the feedback process. Who will provide feedback? How will it be communicated? What is the expected turnaround time for responses? Clear process expectations prevent misunderstandings and delays. Our illustration services include structured feedback processes.

Budget and Rights

Be transparent about budget parameters. This does not mean stating a fixed fee upfront - that is often negotiated - but indicating the general range helps illustrators assess whether the project is viable for them.

Clarify the rights you need. Are you seeking exclusive worldwide rights in perpetuity, or more limited terms? Will the artwork be used beyond the book - for merchandise, marketing, or adaptations? Rights requirements significantly affect pricing and should be clear from the start. Explore our featured illustrators to see professionals experienced in various rights arrangements.

What to Avoid

Avoid vague briefs that leave too much undefined - they lead to misaligned expectations. Equally, avoid over-prescriptive briefs that leave no room for creative input. The best briefs provide clear direction while inviting the illustrator's expertise and creativity.

Do not assume illustrators will intuit unstated requirements. If something matters to you, include it in the brief. A comprehensive brief takes time to prepare but saves far more time during the project itself.