As a visual designer in the animation industry, it is my job to ensure that every illustration we create tells a compelling story that captures the audience's attention from the first glance. This is especially true for our latest project, Tugboat of Terror, where we wanted to convey the sense of fear and shock that tourists experience when they take a wrong turn on the Amazon river and find themselves in a spooky swamp with creatures big and small.

To create the key illustration for Tugboat of Terror, I spent many hours researching the Amazon jungle and its inhabitants. I wanted to make sure that the illustration was not only visually striking but also conveyed the sense of danger and uncertainty that the tourists were experiencing.

To ensure that the illustration was an instant read, I enlisted the help of my family members. I asked them to describe to me what they saw in the illustration and used their feedback to make adjustments and improvements. I found this to be invaluable, as my family members, who are known for their dry and sarcastic humor, provided me with a unique perspective on the illustration.

One of the most challenging aspects of the illustration was capturing that “Oh Fudge!” moment when the tourists and their captain realize that they are in for a tentacle of a time. I wanted to convey the sense of fear and shock in the tourists' faces without making it too overt. I achieved this by carefully positioning the characters in the illustration and using lighting and shadows to create a sense of depth and movement.

In the end, I am happy with the final illustration and believe it captures the sense of danger and uncertainty that we wanted to convey. The illustration tells a story that is both visually striking and instantly readable, making it an important part of our Tugboat of Terror project.

Rough Drafts and progress

Finished version