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  • Berkeley Global

Illustrating Children's Books

DESIGN X437

40708
Delivery Options Classroom

Develop a portfolio as a children's book illustrator. You will learn the creative process of designing art for picture books, as well as build your design skills and stretch your imagination. Discover the magic of book making from simple concept to finished and portfolio-worthy artwork. You will learn how to transform basic drawing through personal style and use of colors to develop your own character designs by using visual details to create a compelling storybook.

In this Illustrating Children's Books class, you’ll master the principles of successful children's books, pacing and creating a story arc. Learn about the importance of character consistency, page design, sequence, type placement and the double-page spread, and how to design all details accordingly. Understand why it’s important to have visual variety in one’s book and then identify your own style and technique. While in class, we will discuss the legal and practical aspects of publishing and an artist’s submission package to editors and art directors working at publishing houses.

Did you know that instructor Julie Downing has published more than 45 picture books in her career as a children's book artist?

Sonoma illustrator Gianna Marino, a graduate of our program, teams up with Chelsea Clinton on a children’s book called Don’t Let Them Disappear.

Course Outline

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We design the best possible online learning experience for you with an unparalleled illustrating children’s books syllabus to prepare you with the skills and a quality portfolio to become a confident design professional.

  • Create a book dummy with finished work to present to publishers and art directors
  • Design characters and environments for a picture book
  • Design appropriate imagery for double-page spreads and spot illustrations
  • Demonstrate advanced concept development skills
  • Make appropriate media and publishing choices (traditional and/or digital)
  • Articulate your intentions and analyze whether or not objectives are met

What You'll Learn
Create an industry-ready picture-book submission package that includes a book dummy, character sketches and final art. You will improve your visual narrative skills while learning to creatively work within the framework of the book.

  • Principles of successful children's books
  • Pacing and creating a story arc
  • Using visual details to create an interesting character
  • The importance of character consistency
  • Page design, sequence, type placement and the double-page spread
  • Importance of visual variety
  • Composition exercise and visual perception
  • Importance of research
  • Using color to enhance your story
  • Cover letter and type manuscript
  • The importance of covers
  • Legal and practical aspects of publishing

How You Learn
We are online! All of our design classes are conducted remotely, including video classes, mentor-led learning and peer-to-peer support through our student online platform, Canvas.  

  • Lectures
  • Reading assignments
  • Small-group activities
  • Homework assignments
  • Capstone project

Is This Course Right for You?
Illustrating Children’s Books is intended for any student or working designer who is interested in the process of creating art for picture books. Our experienced instructor provides practical information in design skills and monitors your development, along with peer-to-peer support on our student online platform.
Other classes to be considered: Illustrator I, Photoshop I

Learner Outcomes

Instructor Julie Downing example work of what you'll learn while taking Illustrating Children's Books.

View larger image.

View the Graphic and Interactive Design Flickr gallery.

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Sections

Section 007

Feb 23, 2021 to Apr 27, 2021 Live Online

Course Fee(s)

course fee credit (2 units)

$850.00


Type Live Online

Access classroom-style interactive learning from anywhere in the world! Attend scheduled online sessions with your instructor and classmates in addition to completing your coursework.

Live Online format allows you to take classes from anywhere with an internet connection. Classroom sections will be taught in this format through Spring 2021. Learn more about this format.

Beginning August 15, 2020, you must have a Zoom account to participate.

Many schools are now accepting transfer credit for online coursework, including health and sciences programs. Check with your institution before enrolling.

Days

T

Time

6:30PM to 9:30PM Pacific Time

Dates

Feb 23, 2021 to Apr 27, 2021

Schedule and Location

View Details

Instructional Hours

30.0

Delivery Options

Classroom

Available for Credit

2 semester units

Instructors

  • Julie Downing

Section Notes

Course meets from February 23 to April 27, 2021.

Please bring materials to the first course meeting:

  • 9"X12" pad of tracing paper
  • artists tape
  • drawing materials such as 3B pencil, markers and/or other sketching materials
  • scissors
  • 11X14 drawing sketch book

    Enroll early to secure a space for this course. Enrollment will not be accepted after the second class meeting.

This course applies to the following programs:

Professional Program in Graphic Design

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Required Courses

  • Visual Design Principles
  • Illustrator I
  • InDesign
  • Typography Fundamentals
  • Photoshop I
  • Web Design With HTML5 and CSS3
  • Graphic and Web Design Portfolio

Courses for Further Advancement

  • Animation Design and Video Production
  • Diagramming and Prototyping for UX
  • Illustrating Children's Books
  • Essentials of User Experience (UX) Design
  • User-Interface (UI) Design
  • Branding
  • Expressive and Experimental Typography
  • Information Architecture (IA) and Content Strategy

Learn More About this Program

Notes

Departmental contact: extension-graphicdesign@berkeley.edu | (510) 643-8916
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DESIGN X437 - 007 - Illustrating Children's Books

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Classroom

Julie Downing

Julie Downing B.F.A., has written and illustrated more than 45 picture books, and has worked with major publishers including Harper Collins, Simon and Schuster, Scholastic Press and Houghton Mifflin. She has won many awards for her work, including a Parent's Choice Award, and the New York Public Library Best Books Award. Downing is most noted for her rich, jewel-like watercolor illustrations. Her work has been exhibited in galleries throughout the United States and England.

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