Exercise 1:-
I started this exercise by writing down all the section it asks you to think about with your presentation, then I worked out and wrote down the sections and points that where relevant to my presentation.
For my presentation I am going to design a section on my portfolio website that people can access to see the progression of my major project ‘The Gardening Angel’ children’s picture book.
I started by drawing out a spider diagram to get me started on all the areas I needed to think about and work on over the next few weeks.
Major Project Presentation Plan – The Gardening Angel
- Format
My presentation will be hosted on my portfolio website, allowing for an interactive and visually engaging experience. The goal is to showcase both my creative process and final illustrated book in a professional, narrative driven format.
Structure:-
Introduction: A brief overview of The Gardening Angel – concept, themes and target audience (ages 3-5).
Development: Research, sketches, visual experiments, and character development work.
Final outcomes: Selected spreads and or spots, 1/2 pages from the book, mock ups, and cover designs.
Reflection: Discussion of my processes, challenges, learning outcomes, and aspirations.
Format style: A scrollable page with embedded visuals, short text sections, and possibly a short presentation video.
I looked at an illustrator I follow on You Tube Kriskiss, when she had completed her MA in illustration and did a gallery presentation of her work for her final project.
Her presentation was having her sketchbook on display for people to flick through to see the progression of her art work and the stages that made up her process. A selection of finished spreads for her book, made up in different sizes to show the hierarchy in the book. Also some promotional products, stickers, postcards etc to showcase smaller spot designs and the characters from the book. This inspiration helped to think about the design on my website and how to lay out the section and elements, and how I might be able to make some interactive parts.
2. Design
my website presentation will reflect the visual language age of my book – painterly textures, a nature inspired colour palette, and a gentle, storytelling tone.
Visual Aesthetic:
Using soft watercolour textures or background washes inspired by the illustrations.
Maintain a cohesive colour palette – greens, blues, yellows, and warm neutrals.
Incorporate botanical motifs (flowers, leaves, stars) as subtle design elements (trial – I don’t want it overly messy)
Typography:
I will choose a legible, friendly sans serif or rounded serif font to reflect children’s book clarity.
Use consistent headings and sub headings for structure and layout definition.
Layout:
Use white space strategically to highlight artwork.
Include image sliders or gallery sections to showcase spreads and mock ups.
Keep navigation intuitive and easy – Process, Final Book, Researcg, Reflection etc.
3. Technical Requirements.
To ensure my website and presentation run smoothly and display my work clearly.
Image Preparation:
Optimise all images for web (72dpi, compressed without loosing quality.
I will use JPEG for flat images.
Video:
If I decide to include a video (for example a page- turning Timelapse of my illustration process, or myself painting the illustrations) I will keep it under 2 minutes and export MOV for web compatibility.
Website Hosting:
My website is with Squarespace so I will test across all devices – desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Accessibility:
Add alt text to images.
Ensure text contrasts well against backgrounds.
4.Supporting Material.
I will be including materials that demonstrate the depth of my creative and research process.
- Sketchbook scans and research images: character sketches, visual experiments, mood boards.
- Development stages: Early thumbnails, storyboard iterations, colour testing.
- Written Refection: A concise evaluation of my process, linking research, concepts, and final outcomes.
- Mock Ups: Display my cover design and selected double page spreads in context (e.g. a mock up of a front cover on a book).
- Promotional Material: (maybe) A poster or postcard design for The Gardening Angel. Product mock ups from my surface pattern designs ( showing my style consistency).
5. Preparing the Presentation.
- Create notes or written guide if I speak over the video.
- Double check the links, media files, and layout on multiple devices.
- practise presenting the story: How The Gardening Angel developed from concept to final illustrated book.
- Prepare a shirt reflective summery of how the project connects to my ongoing practise and aspirations as a children’s author- illustrator.
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