My book is based on the famous story by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry "The Little Prince". It has eight chapters, each standing as individual book. There are many reasons for which this book was chosen including conceptual, technical and personal.
The conceptual reasoning behind this choice was partially based on the fame of this book. I wanted my audience to be familiar with the story line. Then, I would take the conventional and traditional understanding and memories of this book and transform them into something new. In other words, people will be expecting to see old and cozy illustrations by the author himself but instead they will find out something else. However, my intent was not to shock but to play with people's emotions and expectations. Another conceptual reason for which this book was selected was the re-invention of old writing. Although it would be an option to re-write the story in my own way, I have chosen not to since I did not want to force my interpretation on the reader. I believe that reader has to make own conclusions about the book. As a solution, I have decided to tell the story through illustrations and very few phrases-dialogs between main characters. Also, my target audience is mainly kids of all ages, the adults are welcome to look a the book as well.
The technical reasoning for choosing this book was based on the intent to make illustrations for this project in general. This book perfectly fit into criteria, although there was a challenge of eliminating original illustrations and replacing them with my own. This was a risky step but it was worth taking to fulfill conceptual intent of revisiting old. Another technical reason was based on the idea of creating interesting design. From the beginning I wanted the chapters to be separate books, representing each planet. And all those planets had to come together under one solid base. Although, the final project was a bit revised, the concept of having separate chapters as individual books has not changed.
The personal reasons for choosing to work on this book are interest in the story, interest in developing illustration skills, improving designing and binding techniques. Also, I wanted this book to be a good keeper, something that I and my reader would not mind to have in the personal library. Therefore, creating own fiction or research-based story was not an option for me.
Overall, this project has a "fine art" feel to it. In order to combine elegant illustrations with text, the organization system had to be established. In other words, each chapter has its own colour scheme. For example, The King has blue motives, while The Tippler uses blue colour. Adding a little bit of colour has definitely made those illustrations more alive, but at the same time not too heavy.
illustrations for "The Conceited Man"
illustrations for "The King"
THE EVOLUTION OF THIS PROJECT
This project has been evolving in many ways and as I am still working on it, I am sure there will be more revisions as I go through. The main and the most visible revision was seen in the actual structure. Originally, all the chapters also known as "plan ets" had to be in circular forms and fit perfectly into "space" or the book base. However, due to neatness, layout problems and illustration placements, this idea was changed into more traditional approach. All the books are still fitting together but in easier way. They are connected by the main drawing (box base) and each book jacket, while placed correctly should contribute to the picture. This is almost like a puzzle idea but not quiet. The books are just placed nicely together and connected by large illustration.
Another major change that has taken place was the illustration style. Right from the beginning it was a challenge to establish one. Then, the challenge was to carry it on through all of the books. Text had to go along and, while originally it was planned to make hand-drawn text, at the end, the text I used was computer generated. Since the illustrations were so elaborate, text had to be more or less simple to compliment them.
final layouts for "The Tippler"
COMPROMISES
If I were to do this project again, I would make those illustrations even more simple. Also, I would have even more white space to add modern feel to hand-drawn illustrations. However, I would have more colour and probably use different medium for execution.
I would also like a different fabric for each book cover that would exactly match with the colour scheme of a given book. In other words, underneath the jacket there will be a solid but bright orange, green, blue, etc. fabric.
Another thing that would sound as a great solution for this project is to get it binded and trimmed professionally. This would make books look more sharp and professional. I am still considering this option for the rest of them.
PLEASURES AND FRUSTRATIONS
I would start with frustrations and then move to pleasures. The main frustration for this (and frankly, for any other project) was time management. The scope of work was quiet large and time constrains made me to simplify certain aspects and sacrifice some of the intended ideas. Therefore, the valuable lesson was learned. Time management is definitely a key to a large project. In fact, it is possible to execute 150 illustrations in few months, if time was appropriately planed. This also includes making illustrations cleaner from the beginning to safe some time on editing in Photoshop.
Another frustration was the technical part, the process binding. Being a person who does not see things three-dimensionally but more of two-dimensionally, and having very little patience, imagining how the book will open, fit together was a challenge. Binding was the main concern. Once, you begin to make things, they appear so much different as you originally have imagined. Binding made the book look bigger than needed but it was not necessary bad thing, just a bit unexpected.
As for pleasures, there were a lot of them. First of all, I was enjoying working on the illustrations. Although, they might appear elaborate to some people, I do not consider drawing them a hard task. It is time consuming but it is still interesting and quiet engaging process. As the result of drawing, I felt that I have established a common communication language for this book. Illustrations were executed in the same style with all the details included.
Another positive aspect of this book which was frustrating at times was to learn book binding. Although, it will take me more time and practice to get it close to perfect, I have enjoyed this challenge very much. Putting things together, building, cutting, matching was an exciting part. Once you look a the result, you feel like you have learned new skill.
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