Colorful Style Projects on Upwork with Vollna

I need a talent to revise my project and bring it to life revamped with great illustration. I would like to put this children book in circulation within 1-2 months.

I have a picture AI generated that I want take to the next level and have a human redraw it much better

Single-illustrator commission for Caroline, an MTG social-media
creator: one cute chibi Food Token showing her eating a donut, with
purple hair, mahoca_x handle and Instagram icon. Artwork is for
100+ physical convention giveaways; illustrator must provide an
adaptable print-ready master file by 31 Aug 2026. Budget is $20–$50;
English communication required.Instagram is her only public
presence; no website.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahoca_x/

About the client:
Caroline is an MTG social-media creator with an established personal
visual identity built around chibi-style emojis and icons. Purple hair is a
distinctive feature of their look, and their Instagram is @mahoca_x.

Project Overview:
We need Magic: The Gathering token artwork for social-media
giveaways at conventions. The token should feature mahoca_x as a
cute chibi character, with purple hair as a defining visual feature and
decorative token details around the character. It should clearly show the
name “mahoca_x” and their Instagram account, accompanied by an
Instagram icon, so recipients can follow @mahoca_x.

What we need:
Create one original Magic: The Gathering Food Token design for physical
convention giveaways.
Depict Caroline eating a donut in a cute chibi style.
Make purple hair a prominent character feature.
The token can show half of the body or full body (a bit metal / goth
clothing)
Clearly include the name “mahoca_x”, the Instagram handle @mahoca_x,
and an Instagram icon.
Add decorative elements that make the piece read as a token.
Prepare an upload-ready final file in the format required by the chosen
printing website for 100 or more printed tokens.
other suggestions are also welcome

Visual Direction:
The visual direction should match the chibi style already used for
Caroline’s emojis and icons: cute, personal, and playful. The selected
concept is a Food Token showing Caroline eating a donut, with purple
hair as a prominent feature and decorative token details around the character.
The donut should support the purple-focused colour palette. Other
suggestions are also welcome.

Greetings!

My name is Brian Park and I'm the CEO of a small publishing company based in South Korea. We specialize in unique educational materials that are story driven and illustration-heavy.

I'm looking for an illustration and design team that can help me produce a history workbook targeted for grades 2-5.

Here is a description of the project.

I'm looking forward to reading your cover letters and viewing your portfolios of similar or related work in education, publishing, or media.

Please specify if you can handle both the illustration and design aspects with your team.

Our goal is to complete the project in less than one year. There are three books with four volumes each. In total, the book series will consist of well over 500 pages.

I will be asking for a mock-up sample before committing. The time spent on constructing the sample pages will be compensated according to an agreed upon hourly rate.

Attached is a sample page mocked up by Chat GPT. It doesn't have to look exactly like this, but this should give a general idea of the aesthetic we are looking for.

Below is a full description of the project.

Thank you!

Across the Ages
Illustration & Design Project Description
Project Overview
Across the Ages is a children’s history series designed to feel less like a traditional textbook and more like an old-school role-playing video game guidebook.
The reader follows two main characters, Kairos and Mirae, as they travel through different periods of human history. Rather than simply reading about historical events from the outside, students are meant to feel as though they are inside the game, traveling through history, completing missions, gaining knowledge, unlocking items, and making decisions along the way.
The visual inspiration comes from the feeling of classic video-game handbooks and early console RPGs. We especially want the pages to have the approachable, information-packed feel of the Minecraft Handbook series, combined with the digital visual language of an 8-bit or 16-bit Nintendo-era RPG.
The final result should feel like a history textbook disguised as a game guide.
________________________________________
Core Visual Concept
The book should look like a printed version of a retro video game interface.
Imagine that a student has opened a strategy guide or quest manual for an old Nintendo or Super Nintendo game, except the “game world” is actual human history.
The visual style should combine:
• History textbook content
• Retro RPG interfaces
• Pixel-art illustrations
• Character dialogue windows
• Mission and objective screens
• Item and skill unlocks
• Inventory-style icons
• Side notes and guide commentary
• Maps, facts, vocabulary, and historical explanations
The design should feel intentionally somewhat simple and old-fashioned.
We do not want highly polished modern fantasy illustration.
Instead, the charm should come from the feeling that this could have been artwork from an old computer game or a 1990s console RPG.
________________________________________
Illustration Style
The preferred illustration style is:
Retro 8-bit to 16-bit pixel art
The artwork should generally resemble graphics from the early Nintendo through Super Nintendo era.
It should be:
• 2D
• Flat
• Slightly pixelated
• Colorful
• Friendly
• Expressive
• Easy for children to understand
• Somewhat simple in an intentional and humorous way
The artwork does not need to imitate the technical limitations of an actual NES game exactly. The illustrator can use enough detail to make characters expressive and environments interesting.
The target is closer to a stylized 16-bit RPG look than extremely crude 8-bit graphics.
Characters should still have recognizable expressions, poses, clothing, and personalities.
Historical environments should be visually interesting without becoming highly realistic.
________________________________________
Main Characters
Kairos
Kairos is the main male player-character.
Visual characteristics:
• Blue hair
• Energetic
• Curious
• Impulsive
• Adventurous
• Often points, runs ahead, investigates, or acts before thinking
Kairos represents the instinct to act quickly and discover things through experience.
His name comes from the ancient Greek idea of the “right” or “opportune” moment.
________________________________________
Mirae
Mirae is the main female player-character.
Visual characteristics:
• Pink hair
• Calm
• Intelligent
• Observant
• Thoughtful
• Often examining something, thinking, or considering different possibilities
Mirae usually thinks before acting and weighs the advantages and disadvantages of a decision.
Her name means “future” in Korean.
Together, Kairos and Mirae represent two different approaches to solving problems.
The reader effectively plays as both characters.
________________________________________
The Future Guides
Three additional characters communicate with Kairos, Mirae, and the reader from the future.
These characters should appear constantly in the margins of the book.
They function almost like RPG party members, mission control, or commentators watching the player.
Their portraits can appear inside small dialogue windows.
________________________________________
Sarah
Sarah is the responsible one.
Her personality is:
• Practical
• Intelligent
• Serious
• Organized
• Mission-focused
Sarah usually gives genuinely helpful instructions.
Examples:
“Find water first. Then look for food.”
“When food runs low, it’s time to move.”
Her visual interface color could consistently be something like red, coral, or orange.
________________________________________
Sonic
Sonic is calm and helpful.
He usually explains game mechanics, missions, or what Kairos and Mirae should do next.
His personality is:
• Relaxed
• Logical
• Helpful
• Slightly detached
Examples:
“You’re not ready for hunting yet. Gather what looks safe.”
“A river is a smart next stop. It gives you water and food.”
His visual interface color could consistently be blue.
________________________________________
Jaden
Jaden is the comic relief.
He frequently gives comments that are unnecessary, immature, or technically true but not particularly useful.
Examples:
“Don’t drink the brown water. Trust me!”
“I hope there’s a shortcut. My feet hurt already.”
Jaden should often look slightly ridiculous.
His expressions can be exaggerated.
His visual interface color could consistently be green.
________________________________________
Page Design Philosophy
The margins are extremely important.
The book should not simply consist of a block of text with occasional illustrations.
The entire page should feel active.
There should constantly be small things for the reader to notice around the main reading passage.
A typical page might contain:
• Main historical text
• One large environmental illustration
• One or two small character illustrations
• Sarah commentary
• Sonic commentary
• Jaden commentary
• Historical fact boxes
• Vocabulary explanations
• Items
• Objectives
• Mission instructions
• Game statistics
• Maps
• Icons
• Arrows
• Small jokes
• Footnotes
The effect should be similar to looking at a video-game strategy guide.
Even while the student is reading the main text, the margins should make it feel like the “game” is still happening.
________________________________________
Main Text Area
The historical reading passage should remain highly readable.
The center or main portion of the page should contain the actual history lesson.
The visual design around it can be energetic, but the text itself should never become difficult to read.
The page should therefore have a clear hierarchy:
1. Chapter / Mission Title
2. Main Illustration
3. Historical Reading
4. Side Commentary and Game Elements
Students should be able to follow the lesson normally while discovering additional information around the edges.
________________________________________
Recurring Game Elements
The book should develop a consistent visual language for the following recurring features.
OBJECTIVE
Used when Kairos and Mirae receive a specific task.
Example:
OBJECTIVE
Find food, water, and shelter before nightfall.
This should resemble a quest or mission window.
________________________________________
MISSION
Used for major story objectives.
Example:
MISSION
Survive long enough to discover how early humans lived.
________________________________________
ITEM UNLOCKED
Historical objects can become RPG-style items.
Example:
ITEM UNLOCKED
Woven Basket
Use this to gather food and carry supplies.
The object should appear as a small pixel-art inventory icon.
This allows ordinary historical objects to feel exciting.
Later examples might include:
• Stone axe
• Spear
• Pottery
• Wheel
• Papyrus
• Bronze sword
• Compass
• Printing press
• Telescope
________________________________________
Skills
Historical developments can also become skills.
Example:
SKILL GAINED
Foraging
You can now identify and gather useful plants.
Other possible skills might include:
• Hunting
• Farming
• Sailing
• Writing
• Metalworking
• Trade
• Navigation
• Engineering
These should resemble RPG ability unlocks.
________________________________________
Did You Know?
Short historical facts should appear in colorful information windows.
Example:
DID YOU KNOW?
Not all early humans lived in caves. Many people built temporary shelters from wood, branches, and animal skins.
These should feel like optional bonus information rather than required textbook reading.
________________________________________
Mission Tips
These are quick practical explanations.
Example:
MISSION TIP
Rivers were extremely valuable because they provided water, fish, fertile soil, and transportation.
________________________________________
Vocabulary
Important historical words can also appear in small interface panels.
For example:
VOCABULARY
Nomad — a person who moves from place to place instead of living permanently in one location.
Forage — to search for food.
These should visually resemble information windows or game menus.
________________________________________
Party / Character Status
Occasionally we can include playful RPG-style status screens.
For example:
PARTY STATUS
Kairos ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Mirae ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Jaden ❤️ ❤️ 🖤
These do not necessarily need to represent actual gameplay mechanics.
They are primarily there for humor and immersion.
________________________________________
Margin Commentary
One of the most important design features is the use of side margins as active storytelling space.
Small portraits of Sarah, Sonic, and Jaden can appear beside their comments.
Their dialogue should feel like NPC communication windows or radio messages.
Sometimes they will:
• Explain something
• Warn the player
• Introduce an objective
• Make a joke
• Give a historical fact
• React to what Kairos and Mirae are doing
The margins should therefore feel like a second conversation happening around the lesson.
________________________________________
Historical Illustrations
Large illustrations should show Kairos and Mirae physically moving through history.
For example, in the first chapter they may appear:
• Walking across a prehistoric grassland
• Gathering fruit
• Watching early humans hunt
• Carrying baskets
• Looking at animal tracks
• Helping build a shelter
• Moving camp
• Approaching a river
Later chapters might place them:
• Inside an ancient Egyptian city
• Along the Nile
• In Mesopotamia
• On a Greek trireme
• In ancient Rome
• Along the Silk Road
• Inside a medieval castle
• On an Age of Exploration sailing ship
• During the Industrial Revolution
Kairos and Mirae should visually remain recognizable even as their clothing changes to fit different historical periods.
________________________________________
Historical Characters
Important historical figures may occasionally appear in the same pixel-art style.
The intention is not to create highly realistic portraits.
Instead, historical figures should look like recognizable RPG characters within the same visual world.
Their clothing, objects, and environments should still be historically understandable.
________________________________________
Interface Design
The book should contain a consistent system of retro game windows.
These might include:
• Blue information windows
• Green inventory windows
• Gold fact boxes
• Red warning boxes
• Pixel borders
• Arrow cursors
• Selection triangles
• Small icons
• Hearts
• Stars
• Shields
• Maps
• Scroll icons
• Compass icons
• Water drops
• Coins
• Inventory slots
The exact color system can be developed by the design team, but once established it should remain consistent throughout the series.
For example:
Sarah: coral/red
Sonic: blue
Jaden: green
Items: green
Facts: yellow/gold
Objectives: red/coral
Mission Tips: blue
________________________________________
Typography
Headings can use pixel-style or block-style fonts.
Examples:
CH. 1 — THE EARLIEST PEOPLE
THE FIRST NOMADS
ITEM UNLOCKED!
MISSION START
Main reading text should use a much more readable font.
It does not need to be pixelated.
The contrast between readable modern body text and retro interface typography will probably work best.
________________________________________
Overall Tone
The book should feel:
• Adventurous
• Funny
• Slightly chaotic
• Educational
• Smart
• Accessible
• Nostalgic
• Game-like
It should not feel like a serious academic textbook.
At the same time, the design should never make the history feel meaningless.
The game mechanics exist to make the history more memorable.
The core idea is:
History itself is the adventure.
Kairos and Mirae are not merely reading about historical events.
They are traveling through them.
The student is traveling with them.
________________________________________
Desired Reader Experience
When a child opens the book, the immediate reaction should ideally be:
“This looks like a video game.”
Then, after reading for a few minutes:
“Wait—I’m actually learning history.”
The design should encourage students to explore every part of the page.
They should want to look at:
• The character dialogue
• The pictures
• The item boxes
• The mission objectives
• The facts
• The maps
• The vocabulary
• The small visual jokes
The page itself should feel like something to explore.
________________________________________
Key Design Principle
The most important principle for the entire project is:
Do not design a history textbook and decorate it with game graphics.
Instead:
Design a video-game guidebook whose subject happens to be human history.
The RPG concept should influence the illustration, page layout, icons, margins, chapter structure, and visual storytelling from beginning to end.
That distinction is central to the identity of Across the Ages.

We're a rapidly growing US-based education brand looking for a talented graphic designer to join our product development team on an ongoing, part-time basis. You'll help us design new educational products, including workbooks, activity pages, flyers, and other learning materials, plus static ad creative for our Instagram and Facebook campaigns, all while staying true to our established brand guidelines.

This is a great fit for a designer who loves creating content for kids and understands what makes educational materials both effective and visually engaging.

What you'll be doing:

Designing new educational products from concept to final files, including workbooks, activity/worksheet pages, flyers, and promotional materials
Laying out full workbooks and multi-page documents that are clean, age-appropriate, and easy to follow for young learners
Creating static ad creative for Instagram and Facebook to support our marketing campaigns
Applying and maintaining consistency with our brand guidelines (colors, typography, illustration style, logo usage) across all deliverables
Collaborating with our team on new product concepts and iterating based on feedback
Preparing print-ready and digital-ready files as needed

What we're looking for:

Proven experience designing children's workbooks, worksheets, or other educational/learning materials (please include relevant samples in your portfolio or proposal — this is required, not just preferred)
Experience designing static social media ad creative (Instagram/Facebook) that follows platform best practices
Strong layout and typography skills, with an eye for what works for young readers and parents/educators
Ability to work within and maintain an existing brand identity/style guide
Proficiency in industry-standard design tools (e.g., Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, or Canva/Figma equivalents)
Reliable communication and ability to turn around revisions in a reasonable timeframe
Comfortable with a flexible, as-needed work schedule while remaining responsive when projects are active

Nice to have:

Experience designing for early childhood, elementary, or homeschool curriculum products
Illustration skills or experience working with illustrators
Familiarity with print production requirements (bleed, trim, CMYK, etc.)

About the engagement:

This is a part-time, as-needed position — work volume will ebb and flow based on our product development calendar, so this is best suited to a freelancer who wants flexible, recurring work rather than a fixed weekly commitment. That said, we are specifically looking to build a long-term working relationship with the right designer, not a one-off project. If this goes well, you can expect ongoing, repeat work as we continue to expand our product line.

To apply, please include:

A brief note on your experience designing children's/educational materials specifically
3–5 portfolio samples of workbooks, worksheets, or similar educational content (links or attachments)
Your hourly rate and general availability

Summary
We're looking for a skilled illustrator to join our team as a backup/additional illustrator for TOBY, an established series of city-specific travel keepsake booklets for kids aged 6–12.

TOBY already has a defined visual identity: a signature mascot, established color palette, and a consistent illustration style used across multiple published city editions (Rome, Sarajevo, Los Angeles, Budapest, London). You will not be creating a new style — you will be matching ours precisely, so new city editions feel seamless with existing ones. Customers should never be able to tell that artwork came from a different illustrator.

What we need:

Strong ability to study and replicate an existing character/mascot and art style exactly (color, line, proportions, mood)
Illustration of new city-specific scenes (landmarks, food, activities) based on our established design language
100% original, hand-illustrated work — no AI-generated or AI-assisted images, at any stage. Portfolio must reflect your own original illustration work
Reliable communication and ability to meet milestone deadlines

What you'll receive:

Full style guide, mascot reference sheets, and examples from existing editions
Clear per-piece brief and city content to base illustrations on

Selection process:
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a small paid test illustration (one scene, in TOBY style) before any ongoing contract is offered. As part of this, we ask for your working file (with layers) and a few WIP snapshots or a short process recording — standard practice for our team so we can hand off files cleanly.

To apply, please include:
-Portfolio link (original work only)
-A short note on your experience matching/replicating an existing illustration style
-Your rate per illustration or day rate

This is a paid, contract-based, ongoing opportunity with potential for regular work as we expand to new cities. A signed NDA and work agreement will be required before starting.

I’m looking for a talented illustrator to create original LGBTQ+ / queer-focused illustrations for SAFO, a global community platform for queer women.

The illustrations will primarily be used for:
• social media campaigns (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn)
• promotional posts and ads
• website and landing pages
• editorial/content campaigns
• potentially printed promotional materials

I am NOT looking for generic corporate illustrations, stock-style graphics, or stereotypical rainbow imagery.

I want to develop a distinctive, modern and recognizable visual style for SAFO — something that can become part of the brand identity long-term.

The visual direction should feel:
• modern
• bold
• inclusive
• warm and community-driven
• feminine without being overly stereotypical
• authentically queer
• suitable for an international audience

The illustrations should represent diverse queer women and relationships, including different body types, ethnicities, gender expressions, ages and styles.

Examples of themes we may illustrate:
• queer friendship and community
• dating and relationships
• Pride and LGBTQ+ events
• travel and discovering queer-friendly places
• meeting new people
• long-distance relationships
• everyday queer life
• safety, belonging and acceptance
• community events and nightlife
• SAFO product features

IMPORTANT:
All artwork must be original.

I need commercial usage rights for SAFO's website, social media, advertising and promotional materials. Please clearly state what rights are included in your proposal.

Please include:
1. Your portfolio, especially character/editorial/LGBTQ+ illustration work
2. Your proposed illustration style for this project
3. Price per illustration OR package price
4. Number of revisions included
5. Typical delivery time
6. What source files you provide (SVG/AI/PSD etc.)
7. Commercial usage/licensing terms

For the first project, I would like to commission a small set of illustrations to establish the visual direction.

If the collaboration works well, this can become ongoing work. SAFO will need new illustrations regularly for social media, editorial content, marketing campaigns and product launches.

Please start your proposal with the word "SAFO" so I know you have read the brief.

I care much more about a strong portfolio, original style and understanding of the project than formal qualifications.

We are developing a new premium character-led collectible/lifestyle brand and are looking for a talented packaging designer with strong experience in modern branding, packaging systems, and consumer products.

The character itself has a soft, charming personality, but we want the overall packaging identity to feel modern, distinctive, premium, and collectible — not overly childish or generic “cute” packaging.

We are particularly interested in designers who can balance emotional character storytelling with sophisticated art direction, typography, color, composition, and contemporary graphic design.

Phase 1 — Creative Exploration ($300 fixed price)
For the initial phase, we will provide one hero character, brand direction, visual references, packaging requirements, and available dieline/specifications.

We would like the selected designer to develop 3 distinctly different creative directions for one hero package, exploring possibilities such as:
* Clean, modern, premium collectible
* Contemporary art / bold graphic direction
* Modern storybook / artistic direction

These are starting points rather than strict formulas. We welcome original creative thinking and would like the designer to bring their own point of view.

Phase 1 Deliverables:
* 3 clearly differentiated packaging concepts for one hero product
* Primary/front-facing package design for each direction
* Simple 3D mockup of each concept
* Proposed typography, color and graphic language
* Brief rationale for each creative direction

This phase is focused on creative concept development, not final production-ready artwork.

Potential Follow-On Work
This project is intended to continue through two additional paid phases if Phase 1 is successful:

Phase 2: Refine the selected direction and develop the complete package across all panels, including revisions, production-ready artwork/dieline, source files and final mockups.

Phase 3: Extend the approved packaging system to additional characters/SKUs and establish basic packaging design guidelines for future products.

Our goal is to find a designer who can potentially become a long-term creative partner as the character collection and product line expand.

What We're Looking For
Strong portfolios in premium consumer packaging, collectibles, toys, beauty, lifestyle, fashion or modern CPG are especially relevant. Character-product experience is helpful but not required.

We care deeply about taste, originality, typography and brand-system thinking. We are not looking for generic templates or direct copies of reference designs.

Please include 2–3 examples of packaging/brand projects most relevant to this assignment, ideally showing how a visual identity was translated across packaging or multiple SKUs.

Confidentiality / NDA

This project involves an unreleased original character and intellectual property. The selected designer will be required to sign an NDA before receiving confidential character artwork, detailed brand materials, product-development information, and other proprietary assets.

All provided materials are confidential and may not be shared, published, used in portfolios, posted on social media, or disclosed to third parties without prior written permission.

Job Title: YA Novel Illustrator Needed. Cover (Colour) + Chapter Illustrations (Black & White) for Christian YA Fiction (Series). Start Date: Late September 2026

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About the Project

I am a Canadian author looking for a talented illustrator for my Christian Young Adult novel, Luke Sevyn. The book is 27 chapters (including an epilogue) and I need someone who can bring the visual world of this story to life with a strong, cinematic illustration style suited to YA readers.

I am currently finishing my final self-editing pass and am vetting candidates now so I can move quickly when the manuscript is ready. The project start date is late September 2026. I want to find the right creative partner in advance so we are fully aligned before work begins.

Luke Sevyn is a Christian YA novel exploring themes of faith, identity, spiritual warfare, and purpose. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic North America, a world reshaped by religious conflicts. Within that world, the story moves between brutal earthly realities and vivid atmospheric moments in the spiritual realm — shadows, light, invisible beings, and environments that exist beyond the physical. The illustrations need to handle both with equal confidence and visual power.

This is Book 1 of a series. A great working relationship here has strong potential for ongoing illustration work across future books.

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On the Use of AI

I want to be upfront about this: I do not want AI used at any stage of this project. No AI-generated image tools. I am hiring a human being for their talent, their judgment, and their creative intelligence.

If you rely on AI tools to do the core of your work, this is not the right project for you. If you are a human professional who does the work themselves, I would love to hear from you.

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What I Need

1. Book Cover (Full Color)
One full illustrated cover in a YA style that captures the post-apocalyptic and spiritual tone of the book. The cover will be in full color. It must feel compelling, marketable, and appropriate for Christian YA audiences. I have visual references and examples of the direction I have in mind and will share these with shortlisted candidates. That said, I am genuinely open to your creative interpretation. The best result will come from a real creative conversation. Cover must be delivered as a high-resolution print-ready file (300 DPI) with a full wrap version (front, spine, and back) if possible.

2. Chapter Illustrations (Black and White)
One illustration per chapter as a standard, with some chapters requiring two illustrations depending on content and context. Total chapters: 27 (26 chapters + epilogue). I will provide a scene brief for each chapter with the specific moment to illustrate and any visual notes. All interior illustrations will be in black and white, clean, expressive, and cinematic in tone. Consistent character appearance and style across all illustrations is non-negotiable.

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Optional Sample Illustration

If you would like to include a sample illustration of one of my characters as part of your proposal, I would genuinely welcome that. It is not mandatory as your portfolio should be sufficient, but a character sample would give me a meaningful sense of how you interpret this world and would carry real weight in my decision. I am happy to provide a brief character description to anyone who wishes to attempt one.

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Delivery Requirements

- Cover: high-resolution (300 DPI), full colour, full wrap file if possible
- Interior illustrations: black and white, consistent sizing for standard YA trim (6x9 inches), 300 DPI
- Editable source files preferred (PSD, AI, or equivalent)
- Watermarked previews for approval at each stage before final file delivery
- Milestone-based delivery, cover first, then chapter illustrations in agreed batches

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Budget

I am on a fixed budget at this stage and do not have a set figure yet. I would like to have an open conversation about what works for both of us. Please quote your cover rate and per-illustration rate separately and we will work from there.

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How to Apply

In your proposal please include:
1. A link to your portfolio, especially any YA, dystopian, fantasy, or supernatural illustration work
2. Your rate for the cover illustration (full colour) quoted separately
3. Your rate per black and white chapter illustration
4. Your estimated timeline for the full project
6. Whether you are comfortable with Christian YA content including spiritual warfare and supernatural themes
7. Whether you are open to phased milestone-based delivery and payment
8. Whether you are open to ongoing series work
9. Optionally, a sample illustration of a character if you would like to include one (brief available on request)

I look forward to finding the right creative partner for this project and for the books that follow.

Hi! I’m looking for an illustrator to help bring a children’s book series to life.

I already have the character concepts, story direction and visual references. I’m looking for someone who can create a unique, professional style and maintain strong character consistency throughout the books.

If interested, I’d love to see examples of your children’s book or character illustration work.

Hi!
I'm working on a children's picture book for ages 4–8, expected to be around 32 pages. It's the first book in a planned series about Captain Brain, where children go on adventures inside the body.

The work will start in later part of august.

I'm looking for someone who can create the backgrounds and environments for the book and also help with the final book layout.

My wife will draw all the characters herself in Procreate. Your part would be to create the environments – for example a playground, Captain Brain's control room and imaginative scenes inside the human body.

We're looking for a warm and playful children's book style, with a soft digital/hand-painted look and some watercolor feeling. We have reference images to show the style we're aiming for.

The background files need to work in Procreate, preferably as layered PSD files, so my wife can add the characters afterwards.

Some environments will appear more than once, so backgrounds may be reused or adapted for different scenes rather than creating everything from scratch.

Once the illustrations are finished, I would also like help with the final layout and preparing the book for print.

If you're interested, please send a few examples of children's books or background/environment illustrations you've worked on. I'm hoping to find someone we can continue working with for future books as well.

Thanks!
Dan

We are looking for a creative illustrator/designer to develop a visual direction for 7 collectible Superpower Cards for children aged 6–12.

The cards are part of YoLo Training, a Dutch physical and social-emotional training programme for primary-school children.

Children will choose a card representing a Superpower they already have or want to develop.

The most important goal:
When the 7 cards are lying on a table, children should immediately think:

“Wow — which one do I want?”

The 7 Superpowers

- Doorzetten / Perseverance – Japanese Dragon
- Respect – Japanese Crane / Tsuru
- Geduld / Patience – Mystical Turtle
- (Zelf)vertrouwen / (Self-)Confidence – Tiger
- Samenwerken / Cooperation – Two Wolves
- Plezier / Joy – Kitsune / Japanese Fox
- (Zelf)beheersing / (Self-)Control – Kirin

Each card will eventually have its own colour identity.

The style

We will provide a visual reference sheet.

This reference shows the idea and atmosphere — it is NOT a design to copy.

We actively encourage your own creative interpretation.

Possible directions include:

- Mystical Japanese / modern fantasy
- Modern Japanese illustration
- Manga-inspired
- Colourful and bold
- Clean/stylised vector illustration
- Minimal contemporary illustration
- Modern trading-card aesthetics

Detailed or simple can both work.

We want:

Mystical • Cool • Friendly • Powerful • Beautiful • Collectible

Not aggressive, scary or childish. No weapons or fighting scenes.

Stage 1 – Small PAID concept assignment ($50–60)

We may select 2–3 designers for this paid concept stage.

The purpose is to explore different creative directions before selecting one designer for the complete project.

For this stage, we are NOT expecting a complete set of 7 finished cards.

We want a small but convincing visual concept that clearly demonstrates your proposed illustration and design style.

For example:

- One visual interpretation of one creature
- Proposed card style/layout
- Suggested typography/colour direction
- Enough detail for us to understand what the final collection could look like

It does not need to be a fully polished final card at this stage.

We value creative direction and originality more than hours spent polishing the concept.

After reviewing the paid concepts, we intend to select one designer to continue with the project.

Stage 2 – Complete card design

With the selected designer we will then develop:

- Final illustration style
- One complete card front
- One complete editable card back/template
- Colour/typography system
- Revisions until the visual system is established

Stage 3 – Complete collection

The selected designer will then create the remaining creatures/cards using the approved visual system.

Further work may include classroom posters, PVC keychains/bag tags, certificates, stickers and other YoLo materials.

Stage 2 and Stage 3 will be separate paid projects/milestones and the price will be agreed with the selected designer.

Technical requirements

Final artwork must be suitable for professional reuse.

Ultimately we require:

- Editable EPS/vector source files
- Individual creature artwork
- Editable text
- Editable card elements
- Print-ready files
- Commercial usage rights

We will provide our YoLo logo in EPS and the correct Japanese characters.

Final text will be Dutch, but English or placeholder text is completely fine during the design stage.

Card format

Approximately 63 × 88 mm, similar to a trading card.

The front will feature the creature, Superpower name, Japanese characters and YoLo logo.

The back will use a reusable template containing the Superpower name, Japanese characters, short explanation and approximately three examples.

All text must remain editable.

When applying

Please do NOT create unpaid custom artwork for your application.

Instead, please:

1. Show us relevant examples from your existing portfolio.
2. Tell us briefly which visual style you would propose for this project.
3. Tell us which of the 7 creatures you would most like to use for your paid concept and why.

We are particularly interested in designers with a distinctive personal style.

Our process

Applications → select 2–3 designers → $50–60 paid concept each → choose one designer → complete the full collection.

Our reference sheet shows the idea.

Your job is to surprise us with what it could become.

**Illustrator Needed for Whimsical Theatrical Scenic Artwork**

Looking for an illustrator to create a small collection of artwork for a professional theatrical production of *Ugly Duckling*.

The project includes:

* Three seasonal tree illustrations: **Autumn, Winter, and Spring**
* Recreations/adaptations of **two existing artwork references**
* An illustrated **school locker/hallway environment**
* A small collection of **school poster/sign artwork**

The overall visual world is **whimsical, dreamy, theatrical, and slightly surreal**, with a painterly/watercolor-inspired quality. It should feel illustrated rather than photorealistic, with strong shapes and colors that will read well onstage.

The tree illustrations are the largest and most important assets. They depict the **same tree/world progressing through three seasons**, with a simple background and foreground.

These designs will ultimately be printed as **large-format fabric theatrical scenery**, so the selected artist must be comfortable preparing high-resolution, print-ready files. Vector is preferred where appropriate, but high-resolution raster artwork is also acceptable.

I have a **complete visual brief, reference images, exact dimensions, and printer specifications** ready to provide.

Please include examples of illustration, scenic/environment, children's book, or similarly whimsical artwork in your application.

I need an illustrator for a children's book series that I have written. My company is just me, so I want to look for someone who is also entry level and would be interested in continuing to illustrate many books. This is a beginning, not a fully established company. I need someone willing to help build something with an opportunity to be paid more hourly later down the line.

We are an Australian loungewear label. Micromodal and bamboo pyjamas, tees and pants, sold direct. Our most recognisable product is the all-over printed pant: cartoon comfort food, drawn with real craft, on a soft solid ground. Have a look at slouchpotato.com before you apply.

This posting is a paid trial for an ongoing print and product design role.

The trial is a real collaboration brief we are working on with an Australian partner brand. One all-over print for an existing pant, one placement graphic for an existing tee. About six hours of work over five days. You are paid on submission whether or not we go further, and the work stays yours.

WHAT WE NEED

Character illustration and seamless repeat craft in the same person. That combination is rarer than it sounds and it is the whole job. Your portfolio needs all four:

1. A true seamless repeat, shown tiled or on a product
2. At least one character with a personality. Objects with eyes count
3. Vector or vector-grade linework, clean outlines and cel shading
4. Artwork applied to a real garment, product or package

We print digitally on knit, so colour count and repeat size are open. Florals and boho geometrics are not what we sell. We need cartoon characters with faces, drawn with real craft. If there are no characters in your portfolio, this is not the right job for you.

WHAT YOU DELIVER

One PDF plus your working files: the idea on one page, the seamless repeat tile shown flat and tiled three by three, a second colourway, the tee graphic, both garments mocked up on photography we supply, and half a page of production notes.

The full brief and a complete asset pack are supplied on acceptance. Questions are welcome and we answer the same day.

IF IT GOES WELL

Ongoing work: prints, colourways, graphics, collab work and tech-pack artwork. Remote is fine. We would rather pay properly for someone who can do this than cheaply for someone who nearly can.

I have written two children's books for my granddaughter using Claude AI illustrations, but I'm seeking more dynamic and professional illustrations. The books are approximately 12 pages each. I'm looking for a skilled illustrator to enhance the visual appeal of the stories and then print several copies of each book. The ideal candidate should have experience in children's book illustration and be able to deliver high-quality artwork that captivates young readers.

[ Overview ]

We're looking for a freelance illustrator to create a custom illustration set for our upcoming company (Directus) all-hands retreat in Cancún, Mexico in October.

---

[ What We're Looking For ]

We'd love to collaborate on the visual approach with the illustration. The art direction is still open air, but we're interested in somethings that feels:

- playful & energetic
- colorful (since we're going to a tropical location in Cancún, Mexico)
- able to incorporate Cancún / Mexico-inspired elements without feeling cliché but more about the local culture and the people with some elements of our company and retreat activity
- cohesive enough that it can work across multiple applications (from digital to print assets)

---

[ Potential Deliverables ]

1x main illustration (that we can use for things like the back of our sweatshirts and also main social media graphic)

A few smaller illustration elements (can be pulled from the main illustration to be used as stickers)

Illustrated elements that can be turned into a pattern/composition (to be used on printed items like bandanas, book covers, "Hawaiian" t-shirts)

---

[ Timeline ]

We are hoping to have the illustrations completed within 2 weeks in preparation for the print production. Happy to discuss further on the exact timeline based on your availability and scope.

I’m sorry, but the app would not let me click on. This is a one time job there is no future job after this.
This is a children’s book I wrote for my grandchildren. I need about 20 illustrations it’s not a rush job. It takes place on the moon in Hawaii on the ocean inside caves.

I’m looking for a talented illustrator/designer to create a professional, eye-catching cover page for a children’s book.

What I Need
A fun, colorful, and engaging children’s book cover
A strong main character/illustration that immediately captures attention
Child-friendly typography and title placement
A polished, professional composition suitable for publishing
Artwork that matches the tone and story of the book
Print-ready, high-resolution final files
Ideal Freelancer
Experience creating children’s book illustrations or covers
Strong understanding of character design, composition, and color
Able to create artwork that feels original, warm, playful, and appealing to children
Good communication and attention to detail
Please include relevant children’s book or illustration samples in your proposal

I will provide the book title, story/theme, and any character or visual references needed to develop the cover.

Please share your portfolio and a brief description of your approach when applying.

# Illustrator Needed for 32-Page Children’s Picture Book

I’m looking for a talented **children’s book illustrator** to bring a 32-page picture book to life.

This is part of an original children’s book series, with **9+ books planned**, so there is potential for ongoing work for the right illustrator.

### 🎨 The Project

* 32-page children’s picture book
* Square format: **20 x 20 cm**
* Full-bleed, print-ready illustrations
* Warm, whimsical and emotionally engaging style
* Illustrations should appeal to children aged approximately **4–9 years**
* Characters need to remain visually consistent throughout the book
* Backgrounds and scenes will be provided through a detailed storyboard/illustrator brief
* Final artwork will need to be suitable for professional printing.
Each book will have 2 versions- male copy and female copy.

### 🌟 What I’m Looking For

I’m looking for an illustrator who:

* Has strong experience illustrating **children’s picture books**
* Can create expressive, lovable characters
* Is excellent at capturing emotions and storytelling through visuals
* Can maintain character consistency across multiple pages
* Is comfortable following detailed briefs while also bringing creative ideas
* Understands print-ready artwork and full-bleed requirements
* Is reliable, communicative and able to meet agreed milestones

### 📚 Ongoing Opportunity

This is not intended to be a one-off project. I am developing a **children’s book series** and hope to work with the same illustrator across future titles if we are a good fit.

### 💰 Budget & Milestones

Please provide:

* Your **price for the complete 32-page book**
* Your preferred milestone structure
* Estimated turnaround time
* Examples of relevant children’s book work

I’m happy to discuss the budget with the right illustrator based on experience, quality and scope.

### 📩 To Apply

Please send:

1. Your portfolio, particularly **children’s book illustrations**
2. Your price for a 32-page book
3. Your estimated timeframe
4. A brief description of your illustration style
5. Whether you are available for ongoing books in the series

**Please only apply if you have relevant children’s book illustration experience.**

I’m looking for someone who can become a long-term creative partner in bringing these stories and characters to life. ✨

I’m looking for a logo that is playful and colorful. The business is based on chocolate dipped bananas with fun toppings. It’s very simple, however I’m not interested in a “simple” design. The logo will be followed by a menu flyer. I’d like to achieve a final product within the next 3 weeks. In an artist/ creative I’m looking for someone who’s communicative and not afraid to color outside the lines. This is a second attempt at finding the perfect logo, I hope it ends here. I’m open to negotiating and will have more details available when necessary

I’ve already started mapping out the illustrations for each page and have the overall page designs and compositions planned. At this stage, I’m looking for an illustrator who can take my concepts and execute them professionally while maintaining a consistent style throughout the entire book.

I also have a rough draft of the cover design. Many of my current visuals were AI-generated specifically as references to help communicate the characters, scenes, layouts, and overall direction I’m envisioning. They aren’t intended to be the final artwork, but they provide a clear starting point for what I’m looking for.

For the final illustrations, I’d love a bright, colorful, warm, and playful look that feels engaging for young children. As far as budget, I’m flexible and happy to discuss pricing based on the scope of the project.

I will discuss further if interested and a contract will need to be signed prior to starting.

I have a Twitch overlay project, and I saw that you create them.

I'm a bartender, and I'm currently looking to replace my Twitch overlay with a complete animated package. However, I want something that doesn't feel too "gamer-like"—no RGB lighting or stereotypical gaming aesthetics.

From what I've seen in your portfolio, I really like your illustration style, and I think you might be a great fit for what I have in mind.

For the starting/intro scene, I'd like something very calm and atmospheric, almost from the point of view of a customer sitting at the bar and watching the bartender go about their work. If possible, I'd love to have several different animations/actions: shaking a cocktail, pouring drinks, cleaning glasses, etc.

I previously commissioned an artist to create my current overlay, but I suspect they may have used AI. That being said, they did capture the kind of colors I like, and I'm happy with the logo itself—especially since I now have that logo on my professional bartender apron. Ideally, the overall theme should match the existing logo. Alternatively, the colors of the logo could be adjusted to better fit the new artwork, but I'd like to keep its actual design unchanged.

The goal is to have a professional-looking overlay that I could also reuse in other videos.

As for the overall composition, as mentioned earlier, I'm imagining a bar seen from a customer's table, with the bartender working behind it. My sketch isn't great, but hopefully it gives you an idea of what I have in mind xD

On the shelves, I'd like around six bottles from each category, using real brands and keeping the recognizable design of the original bottles:

Gin: Hendrick's, Tanqueray, Gin Mare, Monkey 47, Christian Drouin Gin (the red bottle), Gin No7.

Rum: Santa Teresa, Sailor Jerry, Bacardi Carta Oro, Bumbu, Don Papa, Zacapa.

Whisky: Aisla Bay, Lagavulin 16 Year Old, Glenfiddich, Laphroaig, Yamazaki, Maker's Mark.

Others: Strato, Chambord, Italicus, Patrón Reposado Tequila, Guillotine Heritage Vodka.

For the bar tools, just in front on the right-hand side, I'd like three shakers—preferably Boston shakers, so two separate parts placed together, with the smaller tin in front and the larger one behind. There should also be a jigger next to the shakers, as well as a transparent glass mixing glass with a bar spoon inside.

Finally, on the left-hand side, I'd like a standard beer tap (see reference photo), along with a Guinness tap.

The lower/front section of the bar should be covered in emerald-green tiles (see reference photo).

It's absolutely fine if the bartender partially covers some of these elements, and of course, feel free to add your own details or elements if you think they would improve the scene! The most important thing is that you put some love into it! ;D

I know that's a lot of details, so if you have any questions or need additional references, please don't hesitate to ask.

I need a story book illustrator to design a standout cover for my children's picture book. The cover needs to capture the heart of the story at a glance and set the tone for what's inside, since it's often the first thing readers see. I'm open to a long-term collaboration if this project goes well.

What I'm looking for:

Strong story book cover design skills with an eye for composition and title placement

Ability to translate a story's mood and characters into one striking image

Experience with square or standard trim sizes for print and digital publishing

A cohesive, story book quality style that feels inviting to young readers

Willingness to do a round or two of revisions based on feedback

Please share cover design examples from past story book illustration projects, along with your estimated cost and turnaround.

Skills to Add:

Story Book Illustration
Book Cover Design
Children's Book Illustration
Cover Art
Character Illustration

Deliverables: Finalize and execute 4 to 5 retail packaging designs.

Design Execution: Apply existing brand guidelines, illustrative assets, and copy to multi-panel box dielines. The required layouts are detailed and involve organizing complex information into clean, engaging designs. This includes formatting step-by-step instructional graphics, illustrated "what's included" inventory lists, visual design guides, safety warnings, and clear typography.

Production Readiness: Ensure all files are perfectly prepped for immediate sample production (correct bleed, barcode placement, die-line setup, and color profiles).

Timeline & Milestones

Kick-off: Immediate (Today 8/12 till Tomorrow).
Deadline: All final files must be completed by 8/13

Requirements

Proven expertise in retail packaging design and working meticulously with complex dielines.

Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite

Ability to work rapidly under a strict deadline without sacrificing attention to detail.

Excellent communication skills and availability for quick, responsive feedback loops over the next 72 hours.

To Apply / Next Steps
A quick link to 1–2 relevant packaging examples in your portfolio.

**Graphic Designer Needed for Ongoing Agency Work**

We are looking for a skilled and reliable graphic designer to support our agency with ongoing client design work. The ideal candidate has a strong portfolio, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work across different brands and visual styles.

**Typical projects may include:**

* Social media graphics
* Digital advertisements
* Presentations and pitch decks
* Marketing materials
* Website graphics and landing page assets
* Brand collateral
* Light photo editing and retouching

**What we’re looking for:**

* A strong portfolio demonstrating clean, professional design
* Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Canva, or similar tools
* Ability to follow brand guidelines and creative briefs
* Strong communication and time-management skills
* Consistent attention to detail
* Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines
* Experience working with agencies or multiple clients is preferred

This has the potential to become a long-term working relationship for the right designer. Work volume may vary depending on our active client projects.

**To apply, please include:**

1. A link to your portfolio
2. Your hourly rate
3. Your typical turnaround time
4. Your weekly availability
5. A brief description of your agency or client-work experience

Please begin your proposal with the word **“CREATIVE”** so we know you have read the full job description.

I have written a children’s book and need someone to illustrate it for me. I will need some guidance since this is my first book, so I’m unsure of how many pages it will be exactly. I have attached an AI generated image of what I think the characters should look like. I have also written 2 more books about the same characters so if this goes well, there could be more work in the future.

We are seeking a talented and creative Children’s Book Illustrator to design expressive, memorable characters for an upcoming children’s storybook series. The ideal candidate specializes in child-friendly artistic styles and can create consistent character models, turnaround sheets, and emotional expressions that will be used across multiple books.

I am looking for a talented children’s book illustrator to create a fun, humorous cover for story books

The cover should show a playful classroom scene with diverse children on portable toilets learning from the goofy,using funny diagrams and visual explanations.

looking for someone with a warm, expressive, character driven style who can bring humor and storytelling into the artwork.

This cover is the starting point, but we’re hoping to build a long-term relationship with the right illustrator for future books in the series. Please share relevant children's book work, your availability, estimated cost, and how you would approach the concept.

I am looking for a talented children’s book illustrator to create a fun, humorous cover for Learning to Poo with Mr. Luckabah Loo (8.5 × 8.5).

The cover should show a playful classroom scene with diverse children on portable toilets learning from the goofy Mr. Luckabah Loo, who is teaching the “science” of poo using funny diagrams and visual explanations.

looking for someone with a warm, expressive, character driven style who can bring humor and storytelling into the artwork.

This cover is the starting point, but we’re hoping to build a long-term relationship with the right illustrator for future books in the series. Please share relevant children's book work, your availability, estimated cost, and how you would approach the concept.

Less than 30 hrs/week
Hourly
Less than 1 month
Duration
Intermediate
I am looking for a mix of experience and value
Contract-to-hire opportunity
This lets talent know that this job could become full time.

Hi! I’m launching a crafting/sculpting YouTube channel called Crafting Under Duress, and I’m looking for an illustrator/brand designer to help me create a cohesive visual identity for the channel.
The overall personality is cute, colorful, slightly unhinged, and humorous. Think adorable chibi art and pretty colors combined with the energy of someone making increasingly questionable crafting decisions at 2 AM. 😂
My content will focus heavily on clay sculpting, ceramics, mold making, painting, gaming/pop-culture-inspired projects, and eventually my own original creature designs.
Mascot / Character
I would like a custom chibi character based on me. I already have an existing chibi concept/reference that I LOVE and will provide to the selected artist.
Character features include:
• Long brown hair
• Bright blue eyes
• Cute oversized Skitty (pokemon)-inspired hoodie/onesie
• Cream belly/details
• Cute, expressive anime/chibi proportions
• Artist/crafter personality
I’d especially love for the mascot to have several expressions that I can reuse in thumbnails and social media, such as:
• Happy/excited
• Panicking
• Dead-inside/exhausted 😂
• Angry/frustrated
• Crying/devastated
• Proud/holding a finished craft
Extra personality details like clay on her face, broken sculptures, sculpting tools, or crafting chaos are welcome.
Channel Branding
Channel name: Crafting Under Duress
Possible tagline: Crafts, Chaos & Questionable Decisions
The branding should feel playful and recognizable rather than corporate.
I love a palette centered around:
• Deep purple
• Hot/electric magenta
• Cherry blossom pink
• Cyan/teal
• Small amounts of neon/lime green
• Warm cream for contrast
I will provide a branding/concept PDF showing the direction I have in mind.
Requested Deliverables
• Primary Crafting Under Duress logo
• Simplified/secondary logo or icon
• Chibi mascot illustration
• Approximately 4–6 mascot expressions/poses
• YouTube profile-picture composition
• YouTube banner/header
• Final color palette with HEX codes
• Recommended typography/font pairing
• Simple one-page brand/style guide
• Transparent PNG versions
• High-resolution files
• Vector logo files where applicable
• Editable/source files (AI, PSD, etc.)
Because this branding will be used for a potentially monetized YouTube channel, social media, Patreon, and future business materials, I need commercial usage rights for the artist’s original work included in the project agreement.
Style I'm Looking For
Cute/chibi/anime-inspired illustration with clean linework and expressive faces. I do NOT want a generic esports/gaming logo or an AI-generated mascot. The character should feel hand-designed and have enough personality to become a recurring part of thumbnails and channel branding.
When applying, please include:
• Examples of chibi/mascot characters you have illustrated
• Examples of logos or creator/YouTube branding
• Your fixed-price estimate for the project
• How many concepts/revisions your price includes
• Whether editable source files and commercial usage rights are included
Bonus if you enjoy Pokémon, gaming, anime, ceramics, crafting, or similarly chaotic humor. 😂
I’m hoping to find someone I can work with again later for additional mascot expressions, seasonal outfits, thumbnails, emotes, stickers, and original characters if the channel grows.