Before the final artwork begins, our illustrators work closely with publishers and authors to develop the visual direction and ensure the perfect match of style to story. This exploratory phase saves time and ensures everyone is aligned on the creative vision.
What We Offer
Laying the groundwork for exceptional illustration
Visual Development
Exploring colour palettes, textures, and overall visual mood to establish the look and feel of your book before committing to final artwork.
Storyboarding
Rough page layouts and thumbnail sketches that map out the visual narrative, pacing, and composition across the entire book.
Style Matching
Finding the right illustrator whose style perfectly complements your manuscript, genre, and target audience.
Character Sketches
Initial character designs and turnarounds showing your characters from multiple angles and in various expressions.
Colour Palette Development
Creating cohesive colour schemes that support the emotional journey of your story and appeal to your readership.
Sample Spreads
Fully rendered sample pages that demonstrate how the final book will look, perfect for presentations and approvals.
Why Pre-Production Matters
Investing in pre-production saves time, money, and ensures a smoother creative process:
- Aligned Vision: Everyone agrees on the direction before significant work begins
- Fewer Revisions: Catching issues early means less rework on final artwork
- Better Budgeting: Accurate scope and timeline estimation from the start
- Stakeholder Buy-in: Visual materials to share with editors, sales teams, and rights buyers
- Creative Exploration: Freedom to try different approaches without commitment
Ready to Develop Your Vision?
Get in touch to discuss pre-production services for your children's book project.