Petit Raphael

Affirmation cards for children

TIMELINE & TOOLS

Procreate and Illustrator, 6 weeks, 2021.

Freelance design for Petit Raphael.

ABOUT

Petit Raphael is a company that aims to sell sustainable and socially conscious items like toys or interior items for children. They have a curated selection of brands from accessories, educational toys, interiors and socially conscious reading material. Over the course of six weeks, I worked with the founder of Petit Raphael to illustrate, design and curate a package of ten illustrations. Their affirmation cards are geared towards empowering positive mindsets in children.

The client ask was —

  • Ten illustrations on prompts she had about different virtues; ‘I am joyful’, ‘I have courage’, or ‘I am a friend to all’.

  • A monotone or pastel color palette

  • Incorporating animals and a boho-look.

My Approach —

Inspiration

I started to do some research and find inspiration. I pulled inspiration from google images, gifting cards, and Pinterest. I looked at some commercial items that are closely related to affirmation cards (virtue cards, album art of self-help tracks, playing cards).

Playful · Comforting · Encouraging 

I wanted the design to be

Initial Execution

The client provided me with a list of the ten affirmations I had to illustrate for. To start off the illustration process, using one of the affirmations on the list, “I am joyful like the birds chirping in the trees on a sunny morning,” —I designed a card from start to finish — sketched, refined, colored it, and added the finishing details.

I showed the client what one complete illustration would look like to make sure she approved of the style, colors, and approach I was taking.

Client Feedback & Response

  • Less cartoon-like

  • Lesser bold lines

  • More toned down colours and simple

I re-illustrated the bird with slightly different color tones, used a different brush on Procreate that had less weight to it and more timid strokes. I also changed the background components a little bit and added and removed minor details to stress it’s simplicity. The client approved of the final bird, this process gave me a better understanding on what the client may like and dislike and I was able to deliver their asks more efficiently.

Final Outcome

Illustration Deliverables

  • I am joyful like the birds chirping in the trees on a sunny morning

  • I am strong like the powerful tiger strolling in the jungle

  • I am grateful like the flowers are to the rain

  • I am loved for who I am and the special qualities hidden inside me

  • I believe in myself as loudly as a lions roar, that’s my super power

  • I learn from my mistakes by staying mindful and reflecting on my day every night before bed

  • I am unique, like the spots found on a leopards fur, each one is different and beautiful

  • I am a friend to all, ready to hold anyone’s hand in need. No matter who or where they are from

  • I am honest with everyone who crosses my path

  • I have courage shining from every part of me like rays of the sun