The Ellis School
Cover Illustration and Spreads for The Ellis School’s Summer 2020 Publication of Ellis Magazine.
I was approached by a former colleague to help create an exciting and illustrative experience for the 2020 summer issue of the Ellis School Magazine . The goal was to tell a story, be imaginative and also capture the idea of change and new horizons for the students and school as they navigate the problems involved with Covid-19.
I created the cover artwork, interior illustrations, and the decorative elements while working with the school’s in-house designer who laid out the text. I was given the direction that the girls (it’s an all-girl school), should be bold, spunky, and have character. Another direction was to use non-natural skin tones for the students to make the illustrations more ambiguous and whimsical. The pages include some iconography from the Ellis School’s branding.
Winner of the 2021 Brilliance Awards - Worldwide Private School Marketing
Silver for Magazine Cover Design
Gold for Magazine Feature Article Design
This inner spread is a continuation of the magazine cover design. I wanted the composition to keep your eye moving around the artwork and then rest on the Ellis girl and magazine title.
The tiger is the Ellis School mascot, and we thought it was a great idea to include it. I was told that the new library was a favorite hangout of students so I decided to draw it in.
In this decorative spread I wanted to focus mainly on the idea of moving forward, and I still wanted it to be whimsical and fun.
The final spread of the magazine fits the idea of Ellis looking to the next new horizon.
Cover Sketches and Color Studies
The globe, lightbulb, star, and rocket ship are The Ellis School’s pillars of learning, and I used the iconography in the final design. The main character in my sketches was this idea of a classic, strong-willed and confident, Ellis girl. We decided that the idea of moving forward, and seeking out new adventures was best represented as a ship sailing into unknown and exciting waters.