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Create a Theme Park Style Map for Gloucestershire’s Library Challenge this summer.
We are seeking a talented illustrator to create a vibrant, theme‑park style map for this year’s Library Challenge history theme - Tales Through Time.
This illustrated map will guide families on a playful journey across Gloucestershire, encouraging them to discover local libraries, explore history‑themed zones, and take part in a county‑wide adventure.
“I liked visiting different libraries because they all had different things to explore.”
— Participant in last year’s Library Challenge
This is exactly the sense of joy, discovery, and exploration we want this year’s artwork to inspire.
🌟 Purpose of the Library Challenge
The Library Challenge aims to inspire reading for pleasure, spark creativity, increase library usage, and strengthen community engagement through inclusive, flexible tasks that children and families can enjoy throughout the summer.
The map will be a key tool in achieving this — making it fun, inviting, and exciting for children to visit multiple libraries and explore new places.
🎨 What We’re Looking For
An illustrator who can create a lively, immersive map of Gloucestershire that feels like stepping into a time‑travel theme park, featuring:
🗺️ A Playful, Adventure‑Driven Map
- Gloucestershire depicted as a colourful, illustrated world full of story and history
- Clearly marked library locations, each designed as a fun “time portal” or attraction
- Distinct district zones, each based on a themed era or historical concept
- Engaging visuals suitable for ages 3–12, while appealing to families and older siblings
- A style adaptable for A4/A3 print, digital use, and social media
💡 Style Inspiration
Think:
- Children’s festival maps
- Theme Park layout guides
- Video‑game adventure maps
- Packed with charming, discoverable details that reward exploration
🕰️ About This Year’s Theme: Tales Through Time
Children will journey across eras — from ancient worlds to local history, myths, legends, inventions, and stories from throughout the ages.
We want the map to echo this sense of discovery, with each district represented by its own time‑themed zone:
- Daring Dreamers — Cheltenham
- Big Stories, Small Island — Gloucester
- Lost Worlds & Hidden Treasures — Cotswolds
- Perilous Past — Stroud
- Courageous Quests — Forest of Dean
- Epic Myths & Fables — Tewkesbury
📎 What We Will Provide
- District themes and suggested visual motifs
- Library locations and their sub-themes
- Branding guidelines, colour palette, and tone
- Examples from previous Library Challenge artwork
📬 How to Apply
Please send the following information using the webform below:
Deadline to apply is Monday 9th February
- A short introduction
- Links or samples of relevant illustration work
- Your availability for February-March 2026 (Design deadline 16th March)
- Your estimated fee/quote
