Where My Publishing Journey Began
Let's Play Chess! holds an incredibly nostalgic and significant place in my portfolio because it was the very first nonfiction book I ever illustrated.
Let's Play Chess
For art buyers, commissioning editors, and creative directors exploring my work, this novelty title represents the absolute foundation of my career in children's publishing. Taking on a complete, full-package product so early in my freelance journey required a deep understanding of structural paper engineering and exact spatial design. I am incredibly proud of how this project shaped my approach to complex, interactive children's non-fiction—proving from day one that I can successfully anchor a highly commercial, standalone book launch from initial concept to the final printed layout.
My role on this project required balancing playful, child-friendly design with strict mechanical precision. I was tasked with fully designing the actual physical game, the model board and all 32 press-out pieces, ensuring that every pawn, knight, and king was instantly recognisable, and engineered to slot together perfectly without glue.
About the Book
Aimed at future grandmasters aged 7 and up, Let's Play Chess! serves as a complete, interactive package that makes the world's most famous strategy game accessible to young minds. The format strips away dry, intimidating rules and replaces them with conversational explanations and distinct visual guides.
The book's heavy board format doubles as both a guide and a toy, featuring:
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A Complete Press-Out Chess Set: 32 interlocking, structural model pieces and a durable playing board that children can build themselves.
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Step-by-Step Tactical Manual: Clear, highly visual explanations of basic movements, board setup, and core tactics.
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Sophisticated All-Ages Aesthetic: A vibrant, bold color palette and clear line work specifically designed to captivate young children while maintaining a sophisticated look that appeals to adult players.
If you are an art buyer or publisher looking to collaborate with a versatile creator who understands how to tackle highly interactive novelty books, paper engineering, or full author/illustrator packages, I would love to connect. Take a look around my product design and non-fiction layout galleries, or just do what the king says!!
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