OUGD503 - Studio Brief 02 - The Macmillan Prize

The Macmillan Prize for Children's Book Illustration:
The competition is for a series of outstanding illustrations that show that the artist understands how to match pictures to text. The pictures should also demonstrate the entrant's grasp of narrative, pacing and characterisation. Focus on the quality of the illustrations rather than the standard of writing/ high-quality illustrations, suitable for children's books, which are considered to be original in contribution to the field. Must clearly show how the style and layout of the illustrations contribute to the development of the story and characterisation. Avoid monotonous layouts with little contrast in composition or colour/ avoid too many words.

You must submit:
1. pencil roughs or sketches for a children's picture book, cover to cover, including text or a clear indication of the story line.
2. finished artwork for at least four double-page spreads, or at least three spreads and a front cover.

Length: picture books should be 32 pages long, including the front and back endpapers, a title page and a copyright page. Books with novelty elements, such as flaps, fold-out pages, etc should not exceed 24 pages. Pop-up books should not exceed six double-page spreads.
Size: the size of the finished book should not exceed 300mm in width or height.
Text: the book may be fiction or non-fiction/ entrants can either devise their own story, collaborate with a writer or use a traditional story as long as it is not in copyright.
Artwork: can be prepared either to the same size or up to 30% larger than the page size of the finished book/ corner marks to show the trim must be clearly indicated.
Bleed: at least 5mm trim outside the trim.
Lettering: any lettering should be in black and put onto a transparent overlay, not directly onto the artwork.

What is a standard picture book format?
The standard format for a 32 page self-ended picture book:

- page 1 stuck down
- pages 2/3 endpapers
- pages 4/5 imprint page and title page
- 12 story spreads
- pages 30/31 endpapers
- page 32 stuck down