Illustrator on competition’s shortlist

A Perth illustrator has been shortlisted to have her design on a new children’s book.

Charlie Dear of CharlieDoodles is one of 10 shortlisted entrants to the Kelpies Design and Illustration Prize, a national competition to find the illustrator of Floris Book’s new children’s novel.

The book, Ruby McCraken: Tragic Without Magic, is by 2016 Kelpies Prize winner Elizabeth Ezra, and will be released in Autumn this year.

Charlie said:“I’m absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for the Kelpies Design and Illustration Prize. To be recognised by Scotland’s largest children’s book publisher in this way is a real achievement, and opens up so many opportunities within the industry.

“The brief was a joy to illustrate. I interpreted Ruby as sassy and slightly chaotic - defiant to her predicament, with a hint of misfit to demonstrate that in the ordinary world, she’s not like the other girls.

“Combining this with subtle, fun

Charlie Dear

details, I aimed to create a vibrant design with strong appeal to the young target audience.”

The former Perth High pupil studied BAH Visual Design and Communications at Perth College UHI and now works as a graphic designer in medical illustration at the University of Aberdeen. She has also sponsored the story competitions with the Perthshire Advertiser, Waterstones and St John’s Shopping Centre since 2014.

Charlie will have her illustration on display at an exhibition at Edinburgh’s Creative Exchange, and the winner, including a people’s choice winner, will be announced at a private ceremony on Thursday, March 30.