serahmisu

[serahmisu]

Hey everyone! I can proudly say that I made a children's book! These are my final reflections regarding the process. 💚

[serahmisu]

Realized I forgot to share my book :P

It's better if you view on a computer so you can enjoy the full spreads!

https://online.fliphtml5.com/yrrqx/bjof/

[serahmisu]

Update #7

What’s been happening over the past 2 weeks? 

Past few days have been finish up the painting, then scanning all of my illustrations. I have a total of 29 pages and I’m feeling happy with them!  

What’s coming up for the next 2 weeks? 

Today, I will be finalizing/digitally arranging everything. Then turning it in by tonight. THen graduating on saturday OHMY! 

Hiccups/hurdles/AHA moments? 

Not really any right now, just working to get it done! 

Any deliverable drafts to share? 

Soon! 

Visual Documentation of the progress.

(some before pictures, and the finished stack of illustrations!)

Where are you on your timeline? 

SO CLOSE. Literally at the end. Today is gonna be my last grind for the book. My scans came out pretty good, just need to fix some accidental smudges, add my story, and put it into my flippable format! 

[serahmisu]

What’s been happening over the past 2 weeks? 

Okay- this was supposed to be my update to post 2 days ago but painting. Been painting. I'm likely gonna post another update tonight or tomorrow since things are going fast now.

What’s coming up for the next 2 weeks? 

Next few *days, are doing digital arrangement of my book pages to fix any small things and get it into digital book format. 

Hiccups/hurdles/AHA moments? 

I mentioned this during class, but I only got the grasp of a mental compartmentalization strategy for myself which is to pretend my other classes don’t exist, in order to get my project done.

Any deliverable drafts to share? 

Will include some pics as usual. The theme is: green. 

Visual Documentation of the progress.

(green paintings that were in progress a few days ago)

Where are you on your timeline? 

Almost at the very end literally. 

Update #6

[serahmisu]

Tumblr Update 5

Realized I messed up the numbers for these updates so I think I'm actually on 5. :/ But here's an update:

What’s been happening over the past 2 weeks? 

This is an update that probably spans over the past 2 weeks, but I’ve been sketching sketching sketching. In my last update I did my thumbnail sketches, but these were the real sketches/ the basis for my paintings. 

What’s coming up for the next 2 weeks? 

The next 2 weeks, well less than that is just finishing painting, arranging, and turning this in on time. And graduating. 

Hiccups/hurdles/AHA moments? 

Some hurdles have been managing this and other final projects, work, life, etc. However, I’m so happy I finished my sketches. I didn’t want to start painting until I did ALL of them because I was thinking about color consistency. I also experimented with my scanner because I wanted to have backup copies of my sketches in case I messed them up while painting. Scanning.. Working with my printer.. gave me a huge headache because sometimes technology doesn’t do what it should, but that was worked out so I’m prepared for when it’s for real scanning day! 

Any deliverable drafts to share? 

Will include some pics 

Visual Documentation of the progress.

(some of my favorite pages:

One of my main characters Unko Bully

A family of 'Io

Uh oh watch out! Here comes the poodles ;)

Where are you on your timeline? 

Same as last time, illustrating and arranging. But, finally getting to paint is amazing!!

[serahmisu]

Continuation from my last update: I encountered some issues with my paint & paper. First gouache test was with some old, unopened paint I had in my closet for like 2 years so.. it had some separation of the pigment & binder.. and the liquid in it was doodoo brown. Had to buy another set because I wanted my white paint to actually be white!

In that experimentation process, I also realized that the watercolor paper I used was too textured for my liking. So, luckily I was able to get new paint & new mixed media paper today for my 2nd go at gouache! I really love it! I've only ever used acrylic paint, so this new medium I'm testing out is wow amazing why haven't I tried it out before. (Because I left it in the closet)..

But here's to the joys of experimentation & learning! #illustrationphase #gogouache

[serahmisu]

UPDATE 4

1) What’s been happening over the past 2 weeks? 

I forgot to upload my recent progress, so here’s what’s been going on and I’ll likely post another update really soon! In the past two weeks (spring break then- back to school) I’ve been continuing revisions rounds 2, 3, 4? of my story drafts with the help of my elementary school librarian and peers. I also purchased a cheap sketchbook from daiso in order to do my thumbnail sketches- which are pretty rough/ugly sketches, but the point of them is to help me with the layout of text & images. 

2) What’s coming up for the next 2 weeks? 

Next 2 weeks are time for final revisions to the story and MAJOR crunching on illustrations. I have a few small tweaks to make to the story which were recommended by the librarian, and I’m also sending in my draft to the English professor I used to work with for grammatical things. 

As for illustrating, I have my medium picked out (gouache and maybe also another), but I haven’t started it yet. I realize that it’s crazy to illustrate (paint) 32 pages in 2 weeks, but I am GONNA make it work. I have a hybrid process planned, which should make things a bit more efficient. But, I’ve really got to commit to illustrating a few pieces everyday. I set a due date in my calendar, and the 3-4 days after it will be designated to digitally arranging/enhancing. 

3) Hiccups/hurdles/AHA moments? 

Some hurdles have been time and prioritizing. I was not focused enough on my book during the first half of spring break which leads to me now, regretting my own actions, but I’m motivated to finish. I also realized, this whole time I’ve been putting too much of my focus on the writing, when I should have just started or at least experimented with the illustrating while I was doing that. It would’ve made me feel more comfortable and on schedule, but I can’t change the past now. I can only push forward and do the best that I can. 

Another thing, when I was doing my thumbnail sketches I realized that I mostly put all of my type boxes on the bottom half of the page. So, I changed it to have more variation because kids’ minds need to be actively engaged, tracing the directions of where the text is not only good for them to follow, but can also benefit the story visually. 

4) Any deliverable drafts to share? 

Draft 3 or maybe 4:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j_Bm22UYEObpohqmlPz76HhrM9Oi4u8MP33kJ4FfYFI/edit?usp=sharing

5) Visual Documentation of the progress.

(video of some thumbnail sketches + medium of choice)

6) Where are you on your timeline? 

I’ve got 2 main things left: illustrating and arranging. So, although the finish line seems far, I know what I need to do in order to reach it. These remaining few weeks are going to be a precarious time for me. 

#crunchtime but not eating paint n paper. 🥲

[serahmisu]

Tumblr Update #3

Aloha everyone. Tumblr update 4!! 

What’s been happening over the past 2 weeks? 

In the past 2 weeks I finished my first story draft! Woo a milestone done. I’ve been adding to it bit my bit though because sometimes I have to fill in certain blanks or I have new visual ideas to note.

What’s coming up for the next 2 weeks? 

Next 2 weeks are time for revision! I’ve already conversed with a trusty peer, then I will be asking my elementary school librarian about how she feels about the draft, and then getting grammatical side revisions from the English professor I used to work with. 

Another thing going on at the same time will be starting my art concepts and sketches! I have notes written down and also images in my head that I want to test out. 

Also, something exciting & related–  for another class I have I will be interviewing a local children’s book author/illustrator. So, this will be a great opportunity for me to learn more about the field and possibly get some pro advice. 

Hiccups/hurdles/AHA moments? 

Honestly, my AHA moment was finishing the draft. And then having my second AHA moment of further finishing the draft after I sprinkled more details. Upcoming art experimentation will be a hurdle though haha.  

Any deliverable drafts to share? 

Yes! https://docs.google.com/document/d/17n_XEmcUddx7RnHlhMatSdQCVqd9-CtENthvuu0bBiE/edit?usp=sharing 

Visual Documentation of the progress.

(picture is part of my draft, I’ve highlighted the names in the designated color of the rainbow that family’s color theme will be) 

Where are you on your timeline? 

I have finally finished my draft, so if I can get started on art this weekend that will be great. I guess I’m on my 2nd quarter ish mark.

[serahmisu]

Update #2 - Production Began

What’s been happening over the past 2 weeks? 

The past few weeks I have been doing some visual research, looking at different children’s books and trying to see things such as how they are formatted art and text wise, how many pages they are, and how much text they have. I also finally got past my initial story plotting and idea mapping and began my draft!

What’s coming up for the next 2 weeks? 

In the upcoming 2 weeks I need to 1) finish the draft 2) Get feedback and revisions and 3) start medium testing and character sketching. 

Hiccups/hurdles/AHA moments? 

My first and sort of prolonged issue was understanding the process of layout, scanning, and printing. I had no clue how I would approach that, so I did some research and decided my best option would be to have my printing done online. However, this gives me a lot of anxiety time-wise. I will have to wrap this project up perhaps more rushed than I want to, in order to get my book printed and shipped on time. Yikes. 

And perhaps my biggest difficulty was starting the story. While this project and topic of diverse, non-trad. family structures is extremely important and beautiful to me, it became a great hill for me to climb. I struggled to find a way to open my book with a triggering event that starts off the story. I couldn’t write for the longest time. It dawned on me that I was having problems getting started because this was an emotionally difficult topic for me. So, I had to tune in with my pain , also talk to a peer, and turn it into a plausible, yet fictitious event that would kick off the story of this little girl and her uncle seeing all of the different types of families that exist. So, while later than I planned, I was able to get my production started. 

Any deliverable drafts to share? 

I have a draft, but I honestly don’t want to share it yet- it’s not done to my satisfaction, but I can show you a tidbit of it and my process!

Visual Documentation of the progress.

(pictures: while doing my bubble maps for the opening/triggering event, I also decided to make some family ones to help me to name the kids. I also included a snippet of some dialogue in the story.)

Where are you on your timeline? 

I am not where I predicted I’d be, a but behind, but I am in production for sure! The ball is finally rolling, I’ll be done with my full draft soon and then I can dive into art!

[serahmisu]

Hey everyone! This is my first bi-weekly update.

1. The past 2 weeks have honestly been a lot of adjusting to new routines & getting back into the groove of school. I did have a bit of a late start on my project planning but I was able to get it decently laid out this week. I created my back plan and got some project related thoughts organized.

2. In the coming weeks, I will be starting my story plotting. I have ideas laid out already, but I know that the wording will be really meticulous and crucial. At the same time, I also hope to start testing what mediums I'd like to use for illustrations.

3. Hiccups- oh my did I get overwhelmed trying to figure out the process for this project. However, I did not let this stress stop me. I did some research and talked to a peer then I was able to get a decent understanding of what I need to do and who I need to talk to in order to execute this book. I made a little list to help me to know what will be going on (the picture I've included). It will change around as I go, but I feel more prepared now.

4. No deliverable drafts yet! Everything is all mumble jumble in my Google docs & brain.

5. Picture is of my plan!

6. I am still at the beginning of my timeline (pre-production). It took some time to get settled with my schedule/school, but I'm excited to get my story organized!

[serahmisu]

Aloha! My name is Serah. This is the introduction to my senior project: a children's storybook!

Some things to add: my concentration is General CM! For last semester's pre-capstone class I did research on the lack of non-traditional family representation in media, particularly children's books. I also compared demographics and other factors on a national and local scale. In addition, I looked at the pros and cons of positive, negative, or the lack of representation of diverse families and other forms of identities.

After graduation, I hope to continue writing and creating, hopefully publish this project, maybe go to barber school. That sorta sounds all over the place, but either way I go, I want to be able to utilize all of the things I've picked up in ACM. Mahalo!