Barbara Knopek - All the bright places

All the bright places

Time duration: 6 weeks
Tools: Traditional sketch, Adobe Illustrator
Status: Student project

Introduction

This university project is an assignment performed as a part of Graphic Design course focused on a book illustration. It involved creating an illustration serie and a book cover for whichever position chosen. The main challenge was to understand the narration's matter, and, basing on that, build an adequate, integral world which reflects story and emotions behind it. Finding a way to maintain consistency in style and quality was also crucial.

Process

Stage 1: Defining

My choice was to work on a novel called "All the bright places", which impacted me immensely when I first read it. Position gently touches topics of first love and explores difficulties of teenage years. Author does amazing work by dealing with sensitive, yet important topics, such as depression, domestic violence, grief, and intertwines them with moments of hope and joy. Story shows the importance of valuable relations, kindness, and empathy. It highlights, that the right person might become a bright place in someone's darkest moments of their lifes.

My aim was to portray hope and comfort which main characters found in each other's presence. This relationship was their escape from everyday problems, which I intended to depict by creating a soothing, daydreamy aesthetic.

Stage 2: Quick drawings

This stage is dedicated for collecting rough ideas, exploring techniques, searching for composition and corelation between characters.

Some of the drawings for "All the bright places"

Stage 3: Turning traditional sketch into digital

This stage turns traditional drawing into digital work. I usually use photographed sketch as a base in Adobe Illustrator. At this point, I'm starting to create vector shapes that overlaps with the sketch beneath.

Part of working in Adobe Illustrator

Stage 4: Colors

After setting up composition it has come to the hardest choice – a color palette. I created multiple versions of one illustration to see how each one of them works for perception.

At first step I rejected "Color palette 1". with warm hues. Even though book is about finding brights moments and people, it is generally a sad and an overwhelming novel. It seemed logical that cold tones would portray it better, at the same time providing calmness and serenity.

At second step I rejected "Color palette 2.", My decision was to apply blues onto elements that are not blue in real life (for example: hair) to achieve more surreal and dreamy effect, which was my main goal.

Color palette 1.

Color palette 2.

Color palette 3.

Color palette propositions for "All the bright places" illustration series

Stage 5: Book cover

After applying chosen color palette the last left piece was a book cover. To maintain consistency it is advisable to use same elements as used in illustration serie. In this case I decided to go with starry sky theme, which appears through illustrations story. It also relates to book's title ("All the bright places"). I tried to keep it simple and nostalgic.