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Working on My First Female President was an exciting opportunity to bring a powerful and timely story to life. As the art director, character designer, and illustrator, I helped shape the visual narrative from the ground up. I worked closely with the author to translate her inspiring vision into a colorful and engaging world. Our goal was to encourage young readers, especially girls, to imagine themselves as future leaders. Every element, from character design to color choices, was created with care to reflect strength, joy, and inclusivity.
Character Design and Exploration
The main character was envisioned as an enthusiastically curious girl, around six years old. I developed several sketches to capture her personality and spirit; her name, Joy, to reflect the brightness she brings to every page and the playful sense of wonder that defines her.
Joy
I finally finalized Joy’s color palette and design, which is vibrant, lively, and full of personality. She embraces her feminine side with a tutu and bow, while also showing her tomboy spirit through sneakers and a t-shirt. This balance is what makes Joy special, she’s free to be whoever she wants to be. To help her stand out, I added a unique birthmark near her eye, making Joy even more memorable.
Joy wonders if she can become different things when she grows up. To capture her dreams, I created a sheet showing Joy in various outfits, each representing a career she imagined. These outfits reflect her limitless imagination and the message that her potential isn’t defined by gender.
Supporting Characters
Cj
Joy’s older brother encourages her to believe she can become anything she wants when she grows up. His character design evolved significantly from a boy just a couple of years older than Joy to a preteen who helps explain what a President is and what they do. These character studies highlight the close bond between CJ and Joy, showing how deeply they support and care for one another.
Madam President
Madam President drives the conversation between Joy and CJ. What is a president, and what do they do? Could they be woman too? CJ explains to Joy what Madam President's roles and responsibilities are. With her similar looks and colorful fashion, Madam President is a representation of Joy's bright future.
Behind the Scenes: Sketch to Final
Take a look at the transformation from rough sketches to final illustrations. These before-and-after images show how each scene developed through my creative process.