Freelance illustrator/surface pattern designer for kids’ products

We are a kid’s room decor and accessories business looking to hire a talented freelance illustrator/surface pattern designer to create 1) illustration wall art prints, 2) high-quality surface patterns designs.

Project details:
The surface pattern designs will be printed onto products such as blankets, comforters, bedsheets, throw pillows, tote bags, towels, mugs, water bottles, tumblers. The illustration wall art prints will be used to decorate kids’ bedrooms. The prints will not be surface patterns.
The print illustrations and the surface patterns will revolve around 8 characters: the boy’s collection will have 4 boy characters and the girl’s collection will also have 4 girl characters. On most products the 4 characters for each collection will all show in beautiful colorful patterns which include animals and/or objects around several themes. Also, because our customers will have the option to personalize the products (with kid’s name), we will also need to design versions of the patterns with text, thus we need to find fonts that will beautifully fit in the patterns and prints.

Characters description:
The characters need to be black kids around 8-10 years old with 4 different skin tones representative of the diversity present in the black community. Several black hairstyles also need to be showcased (around 8 different hairstyles for girls and 4 hairstyles for boys).
Themes:
Here are the themes being considered for now (additional themes possible later):

BOYS
Astronaut
Superhero
Race car driver
Pirate
Pilot
Firefighter
Sports

GIRLS
Mermaid
Princess
Ballerina
Fairy
Astronaut
Gymnastics/sports
Superhero

In conclusion the work has the following steps:
1- Design the 8 characters. Next step will not happen until we are completely satisfied with the characters.
2- Design the illustration prints around the characters and above-mentioned themes.
3- Design the surface patterns which will include the characters based on the above themes for the other kids’ room decor products (mainly blankets and pillows to start).

Ideally, we would like one professional to do the role of illustrator and surface pattern designer. However, we are open to separate the job in two: one illustrator to design the characters and one pattern designer to use the characters to design the surface patterns.

Requirements:

• The ideal candidate will be able to follow our guidance but also will be creative and have a lot of imagination to be able to make proposals as well.
• Ability to create fun, creative and engaging designs suitable for a wide range of kids products including wall art, blankets, mugs, pillow, tote bags etc….
• Ability to collaborate and meet deadlines.
• Digital drawing skills.
• To be considered for this job, we require that you submit a proposal that outlines your approach to the project and how you plan to contribute to its success.
• Please include links to past completed projects that demonstrate your ability to create high-quality designs that are suitable for kids’ products.
• We might require a test for the illustrations before we award the entire project.
• Please write the word “Colorful” in your response.

We are excited to work with a talented and experienced illustrator/surface pattern designer who can help us create unique and captivating designs that will delight children and their parents alike.

Note: We will need all source files. All designs will be our intellectual property and we will have the exclusive rights on them (no permission to sell the designs to others). There is great potential for long term work as we will need to come up with new products and designs as we grow.

In what capacity are you hiring?
On behalf of my company

Where are you in the hiring process?
I’m ready to make a paid hire

Would you like to state a preference for hiring from underrepresented group(s)?
No preference

Where did you find Twine?
Google

Is this an independent one off job, or part of a larger project?
Single job with follow up work

For what period of time will the freelancer be needed?
More than a week

What freelancer experience level is needed? (per hour)
Junior: $25-35, Beginner: $10-25

What types of illustration are you open to?
2D, I want to discuss with the freelancer