The Most Valuable information I picked up at the 2006 SCBWI Conference, is a portfolio review form from Cecilia Young, art director. It covers what an art director for children’s books is looking for in an illustration portfolio. The categories are Basic skills, Pictorial legibility, Casting skills, Acting skills, Communication skills. Narrative skills, Narrative instincts, & Originality.
Cecilia said that the conversation about your portfolio should begin long before your work appears in front of an art director. Start the conversation now by reviewing your portfolio based the needs of a art director.
Thank you Cecilia for the information.
Download a pdf copy of the form here
Analyze Yourself
More basic information about illustrating children’s books
Children’s Picture Book Design 101
Scott,
Thanks for posting this (I found it on the SCBWI board…) – very, very helpful.
I was curious about Tomie dePaola’s master class – what else did you find useful? I’ll be attending his one-day conference in Paris, and was wondering about how I could prepare for it – any thoughts? Martha Rago, Executive Art Director at Harper Collins, will be doing the conference too. Any suggestions for topics of discussion?
jj
Hi JJ,
You will like Tomie. My first suggestion is, If he assigns you to bring homework for the class. Bring it!!
Keep an open mind and have a good time.
thanks so much for sharing this!