The Carmelite Prize, now in its second year, is an exciting award created to recognise excellence in children’s book illustration, with the aim of encouraging and inspiring the next generation of illustrators for children’s stories.

Acclaimed author and artist Rachel Bright has written the text for a new and original picture book called Free-range Freddy and the Prize is inviting students, aged 18 and over, who are studying illustration and design at a further or higher education institution in the UK to submit their illustration ideas for this book.

Any medium may be used, but final artwork must be flat so it can be scanned. Illustrations with novelty elements or 3D structures will not be eligible.

The judges are looking for a series of original and outstanding illustrations demonstrating competency and creativity in visual storytelling for children. The illustrations should show characterisation, continuity and progression, plus a range of emotion and pace appropriate to the text. Originality is key as is the consideration for text placement and page design.

Only one entry per person allowed.

There is no entry fee.

Eligibility

Open to all students, aged 18 or over, who are studying illustration and design in the UK in further or higher education during the academic year 2016/2017.

Prize

The competition winner will receive 1,000 GBP (approx. 1,245 USD) and may be selected to work with Orchard Books on the final illustrations for Free-range Freddy.

There are also two runners-up prizes of 500 GBP and 250 GBP respectively and, in addition to this, the top 5 entries (including the winner and the two runners up) will be invited to show their illustration portfolios to Art Directors from Hachette Children’s Group for advice and feedback.