Gail Piazza shares a recent project that allowed her to work with Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, on Book Buddies, a literacy program that encourages reading among 4-5 year old children from low income families. Having founded Book Buddies in 2007, Dr. Biden wanted to create an illustrated logo to give her program the proper brand identity.

“After finding a designer to work with me on the project, we presented Jill with a visual concept as a starting discussion point.  She loved the look of the graphics and illustration, but made it clear that the age and ethnic background of the children they serve had to be PRIORITY #1.”

“She wanted to see many types of children the program serves, maybe five in all.  I felt strongly that showing fewer children would probably have more impact, so that's what I went with.  I presented her with three roughs out of about a dozen I had worked up.  Jill selected her favorite, and I quote from her email, "they are great --- I like the one that expresses joy--- you can feel it right through the sketch--- ..."

“From that point, I started the search for the kids to portray the 'right kids.'  I arranged a photo shoot with a studio photographer, and a group of several children from different ethnic backgrounds (Puerto Rican, African American and some white kids), and then a second shoot at one of the program's actual locations in Wilmington, DE. One of Jill's staff assisted me during the photo shoot with roughly twenty 4-5 year old kids!!  That was a fun day!”

“Back in my studio, I created the final sketch that was presented to Jill using bits and pieces from both photo sessions. She loved it.  Below is the start of the working final illustration. The whole process has taken a while...waiting for approval of sketches etc. But I am shooting to be finished within the next two weeks!”