Iman Ismail
As a Graphic Design student studying at Loughborough University, I have always been passionately drawn to various creative fields, including illustration, branding, and video production, dating back to my early years.
A picture book about a misunderstood child who finds belonging in a dreamlike animal world. Created for the Macmillan Illustration Prize.
Pocket Muse is a playful subscription-based craft experience designed to gently reignite creative joy in young adults who feel distanced from making. It combats creative block and decision fatigue through an element of surprise: each month, users receive a mystery craft kit selected through a roulette-style system, only revealing its theme and mascot upon delivery.
My main deliverables included the visual concept design for the app interface, where users manage their subscription, explore past and upcoming kits, and engage with a soft, character-focused brand world, as well as a social space to share their monthly creations. I also developed packaging design for the craft kits, designed to make each arrival feel like a whimsical, collectible moment.
This project is a contemporary illustrated retelling of The Conference of the Birds, reimagining the classic Sufi text through visual storytelling to make its spiritual themes: ego death, self-discovery, and the search for truth; more accessible to modern audiences. Aimed at introspective young adults, the book uses bold, symbolic imagery to translate the poem’s wisdom into an engaging and emotionally resonant experience.
