I had just two months to design a bunch of unique characters from scratch, 

and then create five murals to decorate five classes. It was quite a challenge, but fun indeed! Let me show you how it went...

I was given a brief text description for characters: role models they represent, features they might have. I then proceeded to design their looks and personalities.

I designed 10 (+1*) characters: 3 pairs of kids (targeted to primary, middle, and high school age accordingly), and 4 “supportive adults” (mother-like character, a couple of young scientists, and a nice monster). And a frog! Because frogs are cool.

I didn't have much time to spare on designing the characters, so I wanted them to be easy enough for future developing, and useful in the long run - for the website, apps and merch. I went for nice simple shapes, yet keeping away from corporate vector style.

*FUN fact: After sharing the sketches, the client felt that we need one more character - Trickster (how fitting to his role that he had to appear the last and unplanned for!)

After some searching, I ended up with a wingless bat in boots. 

In the sketches it could also shift its shape. I love the potential of this little guy.

I went for bright and colourful palette, featuring the brand's colours: 

yellow, turquoise and beige (is it beige? maybe brownishly-grey)

First in the series and my favourite mural for the SPORT class. 

Since we didn't have much time, I had to finalise the looks of my characters while creating this scene, nevermind figuring out the whole plot for it too! I decided each character will represent one type of sport, and assigned the roles according to their personalities.

I was working on the designs remotely. To print the images on the wall we used a special vertical printer.
It was my first experience of working with this technology.

I created designs in vector and converted them for a format used by the printer.
Although located in different country, I was constantly in touch with the client and the printing team to make sure the process running as smoothly as it can be.

I wish I was there to witness and control the process myself 

(and take better quality photos haha), but I’m quite impressed with the results!

We spent way too much time getting the printer right and sorting out all the technical questions, so I had to work triple speed to prepare the rest of the murals.
I brainstormed the ideas to make each of the compositions interesting to study yet possible to create in such a short timing. 

My personal goal was to make a side story that goes through all of the illustrations. For example, a bike from Sports class is being designed in Informatics, 

and you can guess it's the same bike that children draw on the canvas in Art Class too!

Informatics - STEM idea shown by two kids working on the bike for the frog.

Art class - it was necessary to create a scene around the white rectangular where later the drawing board would be installed. I wonder who spilt the paint...

Math - here we had to work around the plug sockets, so I sat Trickster on one of them.

Not everyone likes math, but almost everyone like Pie! (Chart)

Literature - the most complicated scene of all that I wish I had much more time for. 

It shows our characters in the world of their fantasies in the magical Book Country. 

Bc literature is not boring, and every book is a new adventure!

( and mock ups but pssss don't tell anyone):

For all inquiries write to avoirbanane@gmail.com

To see up-to-date works follow my instagram 

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