What to Expect from a Custom Illustration Project with Jade Amalos
Commissioning custom illustration for your kids brand is exciting. It's also, if you've never done it before, a little unknown. What do you actually send me? What happens first? What if you don't love the sketches? How does the art get to you at the end?
These are completely normal questions, and I'd much rather answer them upfront than have you feel uncertain at any point. So here's the full picture: every stage of a custom project with me, in plain language.
Stage One: The Discovery Call
We start with a conversation. Before anything is quoted or scheduled, I want to understand your brand, your project, and what you're actually trying to create. This call is usually 30–45 minutes and covers your brand's world and visual direction, the specific assets you need and how you'll use them, your timeline, and any reference images or styles you love (or want to avoid).
You don't need a polished brief document to come to this call. Notes on your phone are fine. The clearer we both are after this conversation, the smoother everything that follows will be.
Stage Two: Proposal and Agreement
After the call, I'll put together a project proposal that outlines the scope of work, deliverables, timeline, licensing terms, and investment. Once you're happy with the details and the agreement is signed, a deposit is invoiced to lock in your project start date.
Licensing terms are worth a quick mention here: the usage rights included in your project (e.g. product print rights, marketing use, geographic limits) are all agreed upfront. No surprises later.
Stage Three: Concept Sketches
This is where the creative work begins. I develop initial concept sketches, rough but purposeful, that show the overall direction, composition, and key characters or motifs. These are shared with you as a PDF or image file, not a polished final.
The goal at sketch stage isn't perfection. It's alignment. Are we in the right world? Is the character feeling right? Is the energy on track? Your feedback at this stage shapes the direction before we commit to full digital illustration, which is exactly how it should work.
Stage Four: Revisions
Every project includes a set number of revision rounds (specified in your proposal). The first round typically addresses any direction changes coming out of the sketch feedback. Subsequent rounds refine the digital artwork — adjusting details, colours, expressions, proportions.
I ask for consolidated feedback at each round rather than rolling comments, which keeps the process moving cleanly and makes sure nothing gets missed. If a revision request falls outside the original scope, I'll flag it clearly before proceeding.
Stage Five: Final Artwork and Delivery
Once artwork is approved, final files are prepared and delivered. Depending on the project, this usually includes high-resolution layered files and flat export files in the formats you need for your manufacturer, printer, or design team.
I'll walk you through what's been delivered so you're clear on what you have and how to use it. And if your manufacturer needs something in a different format down the track, just ask.
After the Project
I genuinely love seeing the products that come out of the work we create together. If you share your launch, tag me, it's one of my favourite parts of this job.
For brands who want ongoing illustration support (new seasons, new product lines, campaign assets), I occasionally offer retainer arrangements for the right fit. That's worth raising on our discovery call if continuity matters to you.
If you're ready to kick off a project, or even just want to ask a few questions before committing, the best first step is reaching out.