At Luddington Creative, we believe that illustration briefs are the first step to brilliant collaboration. Once we’ve handled the commissioning, contracts, and all the nitty-gritty details, the next step is where the real magic begins – when our talented creatives and clients start working together.
An illustration brief is your roadmap to ensuring the final artwork aligns with your vision. Think of it as giving directions. If you want to reach the right destination, you need a clear route! But don’t worry, we’re not after an essay. Just enough detail to keep things on track whilst still leaving room for creativity to shine. Here’s how to make sure your next project runs smoothly.
What is the purpose of an illustration brief?
An illustration brief is the blueprint for your project, and is essential for providing a clear direction for the artist. It lays out what’s needed, from style and messaging to intended audience and final usage. It helps to make sure that both you and the illustrator are aligned in expectations, vision and style right from the start. When done right, it saves time, prevents miscommunication, and guarantees that the artwork meets expectations.
What makes a bad illustration brief?
Let’s start off with what makes a bad illustration brief. A vague illustration brief can lead to confusion. For example: “Can you create an illustration of a bowl of fruit?” Sure, but what kind of fruit? A realistic still-life? A playful, stylised version? A single apple and pear, or an overflowing basket?
Specifics matter! While the level of detail will vary depending on the type of project – be it a middle-grade book, an editorial piece, or a fiction cover – it’s important to think about the market and ensure key details are covered from the start.
What makes a good illustration brief?
A strong illustration brief sets up both the client and the creative for success. At Luddington Creative, we’ve found that having everything in writing avoids unnecessary back-and-forth, and keeps everyone aligned. Solid illustration briefs help avoid confusion later on, and serve a point of reference throughout the project, ensuring a smooth creative exchange.
What is in a good illustration brief?
To make life easier for your illustrator, think of the brief as a way to give them all the details they need to deliver exactly what you’re after. Here’s what we like to see:
- Project name: Start with a clear, descriptive title to keep things organised.
- About you: If you and the creative haven’t worked together before, give a bit of background about you. What do you do and why? It helps us understand the bigger picture!
- Project overview: Be specific! Instead of “We need an illustration for a book about fairies,” something like “We need an illustration for a book about four fairies who live in a hidden forest” is far more useful.
- Target audience: This can completely change the tone and feel of the illustration, so it’s really important to clarify upfront. Never assume that the artist knows who you want to target – it’s the mother of all creative chaos! Even if the artist should know, it never hurts to re-iterate.
- Vision and style: Have a particular style in mind? Fantastic! If you have examples (from the artists portfolio or elsewhere), send them over. It helps us understand what you’re leaning more towards.
- Goals: What are you trying to achieve with the illustration? Are you trying to get people to feel a certain way, or maybe understand something new?
- Deliverables: Be clear about exactly what you need – whether it’s a series of spot illustrations, double-page spreads, or a single hero image.
- Artwork specifications: What size do the illustrations need to be? What formats do you need them in? Clarify dimensions, formats, and any technical requirements from early on so we know the scope of the work.
- Timeline: Reiterate deadlines so that expectations are set from the start.
Final tips for a successful collaboration
- Be clear, but stay open minded: The more specifics you provide, the better. But remember, the best creative work often comes from when there’s still space for interpretation and innovation.
- Think about the market: The needs of a picture book differ from an editorial illustration or a commercial campaign. Keep the end goal in mind.
- Enjoy the process: This is a creative exchange, and it should be fun! And remember, Luddington Creative are always here to help things run smoothly.
Ready to bring your vision to life?
Now that you’ve got the know-how to craft the perfect illustration brief, why not take the next step! Dive into our illustrators portfolios to find the perfect fit, and get in touch today to commission. We can’t wait to help you turn your vision into something truly special!
(And to wrap things up, here’s a montage of some of our past collaborations – proof that great briefs lead to great work!)
