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- Tasks: Illustrate and design a charming children's picture book with a Texas twist.
- Company: Creative project seeking talented illustrators for a fun collaboration.
- Benefits: Flexible timeline, potential for long-term work, and creative freedom.
- Why this job: Bring magic to life for kids while showcasing your artistic skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's book illustration and character design required.
- Other info: Opportunity to be part of a series with ongoing projects.
The predicted salary is between 1500 - 2100 £ per month.
Scope of Work
Illustration & Book Formatting Services
Project: Red Dog Ranger Tales: The Night the Stars Called
1. Project Overview
I am seeking an illustrator and book designer to collaborate on a children's picture book titled: Red Dog Ranger Tales: The Night the Stars Called. This is the first book in a planned series for children ages 4–7. The book blends gentle adventure, humor, and bedtime storytelling with subtle magical elements and Texas-inspired themes. The final book will be self-published using IngramSpark and must meet professional print standards.
2. Target Audience
- Children ages 4–7
- Parents, grandparents, and educators
- Bedtime and read-aloud use
3. Illustration Scope
Style & Tone- Bold watercolor or watercolor-inspired
- Warm, cozy, and expressive
- Slight humor and personality (not overly cartoonish)
- Soft magic / imagination-driven (no high fantasy)
- Texas-inspired landscapes (wide skies, stars, subtle regional cues)
- Two young boys
- One grandfather figure
- One horse character
- Supporting background characters as needed
Character consistency across all illustrations is critical.
Illustration Deliverables
- Estimated 32-page picture book (subject to final layout), including:
- Front cover illustration (full color)
- Back cover illustration (may be simplified or extended art)
- Interior illustrations:
- Combination of full-bleed spreads, spot illustrations, and vignettes
- Approx. 14–18 interior illustrations total (to be confirmed)
- Optional: endpaper illustration (please note separately in quote)
All illustrations must be original and created specifically for this project.
Illustration File Requirements
- CMYK color mode
- 300 DPI resolution
- Full bleed where applicable
- Final delivery as:
- High-resolution TIFF or PSD files
- Flattened PDFs for print
- Illustrator retains portfolio rights; full commercial print rights granted to author
4. Book Formatting & Layout Scope
Trim Size (Tentative)- Square or near-square format (e.g., 8.5" x 8.5" or 8" x 10")
- Final size to be confirmed before layout begins
- Interior page layout (text + illustrations)
- Typography selection suitable for ages 4–7
- Proper margins, gutters, and bleeds
- Print-ready PDF files compatible with IngramSpark
- Cover layout including spine (based on final page count)
Formatting Deliverables
- Print-ready interior PDF
- Print-ready cover PDF (front, spine, back)
- One round of revisions included (additional rounds quoted separately)
5. Collaboration & Process
- Illustrator/designer will receive:
- Final manuscript
- Creative direction and reference mood (if needed)
Process should include:
- Initial concept sketches
- Color palette approval
- Final artwork approval prior to layout
- Clear communication and milestone check-ins expected
6. Timeline (Estimated)
Please include your estimated timeline for:
- Initial sketches
- Final illustrations
- Layout & formatting
- Final delivery
Target publication window: TBD (flexible for the right fit)
7. Budget & Proposal Request
Please provide:
- Total project cost
- Cost breakdown (illustration vs. formatting)
- Payment schedule
- Number of revisions included
- Any optional add-ons (endpapers, marketing assets, etc.)
8. Rights & Ownership
- Author retains full ownership of the book and series
- Illustrator retains the right to display work in portfolio and self-promotion
- All artwork must be exclusive to this project
9. Submission Requirements
When responding, please include:
- Portfolio link (children's books preferred)
- Relevant experience with picture books or print publishing
- Estimated cost and timeline
- Any questions or suggestions for the project
Optional Add-On (Future Work)
This book is the first in a planned series. Long-term collaboration opportunities may be available for future titles. Contract duration of 3 to 6 months, with 30 hours per week.
Mandatory skills: Storybook, Illustration, Character Design, Book Cover, Drawing, Colorful Style, Playful Tone
Children\'s Book Illustration employer: FreelanceJobs
Contact Detail:
FreelanceJobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Book Illustration
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio ready! Make sure it showcases your best work, especially illustrations for children's books. We want to see your unique style and how you can bring characters to life!
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to other illustrators, authors, and industry professionals. Join online forums or social media groups where we can share tips and opportunities. You never know who might have a lead on the next big project!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Send your portfolio directly to publishers or authors you admire. A personal touch can make all the difference, and we love seeing enthusiasm!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s super easy and ensures your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for fresh talent to join our creative community!
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Book Illustration
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Style: Make sure your portfolio reflects the bold, warm, and cozy style we're after. Include illustrations that capture the playful tone and subtle magic we want for 'Red Dog Ranger Tales'.
Tailor Your Application: When applying, highlight your relevant experience with children's books and print publishing. We want to see how your skills align with our vision for this project.
Be Clear on Costs: Include a detailed breakdown of your costs in your application. This helps us understand your pricing structure and ensures transparency from the get-go.
Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to include any questions or suggestions you have about the project. We value clear communication and want to ensure we're on the same page before we start collaborating.
How to prepare for a job interview at FreelanceJobs
✨Showcase Your Unique Style
Make sure to bring your portfolio that highlights your best work, especially illustrations for children's books. Focus on pieces that reflect the warm, cozy, and expressive style mentioned in the job description. This is your chance to show how your artistic voice aligns with the project's vision!
✨Understand the Audience
Familiarise yourself with the target audience of children aged 4–7, as well as their parents and educators. Think about how your illustrations can engage this age group and make bedtime storytelling magical. Be ready to discuss how you can incorporate subtle humour and Texas-inspired themes into your work.
✨Prepare for Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with the author, be prepared to discuss your collaborative process. Highlight your experience with initial concept sketches, colour palette approvals, and how you handle feedback. Clear communication is key, so think of examples where you've successfully collaborated on projects before.
✨Know the Technical Requirements
Brush up on the technical aspects of illustration and book formatting, such as CMYK colour mode and 300 DPI resolution. Be ready to talk about your experience with creating print-ready files and any software you use. This will show that you’re not just creative but also technically savvy, which is crucial for this project.
