I have always been drawn to nonfiction books for children, especially illustrated encyclopedias, so I wanted to include a mock nonfiction concept in my portfolio.
For this project, I chose to create a nature guide to Socotra, an island known for its extraordinary landscapes and its iconic dragon’s blood trees, a species found there and nowhere else in the world. Because Socotra is such a remote and difficult place to visit, I liked the idea of making its natural wonders more accessible through an illustrated book for young readers.
The cover composition looks out from a dark, organic cave opening onto a glowing Socotra landscape filled with distinctive dragon’s blood trees, warm ochre hills, pale rock formations, and soft pink blossoms. The deep blue sky and layered natural textures create a feeling of adventure, discovery, and wonder.
My goal was to balance education with visual magic, creating a design that feels informative, atmospheric, and inviting for children.
