As if by magic, each new occasion to showcase our work turns into a process of rediscovery. Our dialogue with the audiences enjoying our output and with the clients taking a chance alongside the Deveo Studio team as part of a fascinating art-venture inflates our sails beyond belief.

A major reason to be excited: we realized that our projects are, slowly but surely, reaching all corners of the world. Did you know that, in Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania’s biggest city, there is a studio making illustrations landing on the pages of children’s books all over the world? We already have hundreds of books, tens of comic books and graphic novels, thousands of minutes of cartoon animations — totaling 400 projects in all — going to various destinations on three continents: the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Norway, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Greece, Germany, Ireland, and of course, Romania.

We fondly remember at this juncture our very own Big Bang, located, on the axis of time, sometime in 2011. At that time, Adrian Barbu’s artistic talents and Ciprian Beldean’s managerial vision came together (yes, similar to how it happens in super hero stories) and created „Reclamation” (link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R80WRL0vo0g), a motion comics project (link http://reclamationthemotioncomic.blogspot.com/) for a client in one of the galaxy’s farther reaches, all the way over in the United States of America.

And what better outcome could be hoped for from a first successful collaboration than the unanimous decision to start a campaign to conquer the universe through the power of storytelling? More specifically, we created an illustration and animation studio endowed with all the inspiration and determination needed to provide top-notch services to authors, editors and producers looking for the ideal vision for their projects. Our creative team gradually underwent an enrichment process, bringing together a series of artists, all graduates of the Fine Arts and Design University of Cluj-Napoca. Some even have tens of years of experience under their belt, or, as we like to put it, they were there for the first Moon landing.

But subsequent challenges and undertakings led us off to Mars instead, in terms of visual storytelling. This would be the most suitable analogy given the innovative joining of illustration, 3D modeling, animation and programming happening in the augmented-reality books we have created. We would thus like to invite you to continue your journey into the Deveo universe by visiting www.deveostudio.com. Happy Moon landing!

I’m sure we’ve all read a children’s book to our own children, nieces and nephews, or even kids we’re babysitting, and thought “Wow. Writing a children’s book must be so easy. I could probably do it in my sleep!” I used to be as guilty as the next person, until I learned how complicated and intricate children’s books really are. So, if you have decided to write your own children’s book, make sure to avoid a couple common mistakes. It’s very easy to tell the difference between an experienced author and a rookie from just these mistakes that they tend to make, so set yourself apart by avoiding them altogether!

One of the most common mistakes made by first-time children’s book authors is making the book too dumb. Yes, it is necessary that children are able to understand it, but don’t write a book intended for second graders at a preschool reading level. Kids love feeling smart and acting like adults, so write the story in such a way that they feel grown up reading it. Don’t talk down to the children either, even if you feel you need to to get the lesson across. A good children’s book shows the child the lesson and lets them partake in learning it; it’s not forced or demanding.

Another easy-to-make mistake is not creating any actual conflict. Sometimes we, as adults, are scared to show children real world conflicts and problems because we are scared it might somehow damage them. Because of this, we go along acting like we live in a world of actual unicorns and rainbows. To be honest, that’s just not interesting, especially in a book. A lot of children have trouble getting into reading because they find it boring, so a book with no real conflict, plot, or climax will just bore them even more. It’s important for children to see real problems being fixed by the characters in the book, that way they stay interested and learn how to handle those problems when they arise in real life.

So next time you’re caught reading a children’s book, pay attention to these two things. Is the book written in a demeaning and “preaching” style? Are there actual conflicts the characters must solve? Chances are you’ll be more appreciative of the work that went into the book, and you’ll learn to enjoy it almost as much as the children you’re reading it to.

Often times people come up with brilliant ideas for a comic book, but they just don’t know how to execute their ideas properly, so their ideas are never used. If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place! Here are 10 simple secrets to write a good comic book script.

1. Make sure your plot and story are completely planned out before you start. You don’t want to get halfway through then realize you don’t know where your story is going!
2. Despite this, expect it to change. If you try to stick to your outline too rigidly, you’ll miss out on great opportunities to make your comic even better. Have a plan, but be open minded to see if it was encompass anything else along the way.
3. Pick the best script format for you. Don’t worry about what somebody else might prefer, pick the script format that is easiest for you to read and understand.
4. Focus, focus, focus on the characters. Without memorable characters, your comic will be seen as mediocre and unmemorable. Your characters must be original, and they must embody the main values of the comic.
5. Determine the type of dialogue and speech you want used. This can really change the mood of the comic, so make sure the way the characters talk reflect what you want in your comic.
6. Take your time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Spiderman. To have a stunning and memorable comic book, take your time ironing out every single detail of the script, along with everything else.
7. Think of your comic book as a novel. Great comics have just as good of plots as novels, with a wide range of emotion and character changes. People should get the same satisfaction that they would from reading a book.
8. Work backwards. Sometimes it’s easier to know exactly what the ending is, then work back from that point, determining the exact details and perfecting the plot as you go.
9. Make sure you have an interesting setting. Yes, memorable characters and a solid storyline are of the utmost importance, but the setting helps create the overall tone of the comic book, so choose it wisely.
10. Keep your story simple and to the point, but effective. Obviously the space for words in comics is very limited, so tell you story in as few words as possible (try to use illustrations to explain what is happening, rather than describing it).

Technology has come so far, that nowadays we can use it to enhance the physical world we see and live in, in real time. Augmented reality is one of the latest digital inventions that can actually blend real life and virtual reality. But how exactly does it work and what can we use it for?
Augmented reality basically takes a pre-established set of digital information and overlays it onto the physical world. The process involves two elements: a camera and a target image. The camera detects the target image and projects digital information onto it, thus making it move and come to life. The camera has sensors that detect how far we are from the target image and adjust the projection accordingly. We can use either a cell phone camera or a tablet camera and all you have to do is download an app created for augmented reality. The target image also needs to have the right parameters set around it in order to be read by the camera, but as long as you have the app, you can use it with any designed image.
Unlike virtual reality which transposes you into a completely artificial universe, augmented reality allows users to stay in touch with the real world while interacting with virtual objects.

Now that we understand how it works, the more important question is: How can we use it?

Augmented reality can help us see how a certain piece of furniture would look like in our house before buying it, in actual size; it can work as a translator: we just point the camera towards the text image that we want translated and the screen will directly show the translated version; it can also help you turn your children’s books into pure magic: direct the camera towards the page of the book that we are interested in and the characters will literally come to life. Kids will be twice as fascinated by their bedtime stories and they will be much more attracted to educational activities performed using augmented reality .

Augmented reality is one of the latest and most successful technological inventions and it can turn any plane image into a magic show. This new creation of the digital era uses a camera with sensors to transform a target picture into moving action. Unlike virtual reality, it does not replace the physical object, it completes it.

You might think that this is a new threat to the print industries that have suffered in the past years due to the digitalization of information, but it’s all the opposite. Like I said, for augmented reality to work, a camera as well as a trigger image is compulsory-just like the toothbrush and the toothpaste, having just one is useless. Therefore, consumers need to download an AR app, but they also have to obtain the target image and, of course, they will choose the image that provides them with the best 3D experience.

Why wouldn’t it be your book they buy? That trigger image can be any piece of paper, including your printed books. You start by adding the right parameters to the pages, and then you create the digital overlay and synchronize it with the pages. Then, make sure your marketing clearly states that your print books are available with augmented reality. You will be ahead of your classical print book competitors and you might get new customers, attracted by the innovation.

Augmented reality can best help selling children’s books, because children’s ability to focus on a static object is lower than adults, so they need movement and action to captivate them. What AR does is that it overlays one or several 3D moving objects onto the page that is scanned. They can be human characters, animals, objects, letters- just about anything; the app can also, make them talk, sing or just play background noises and music.

If, in the case of traditional print books, children might get bored and prefer to watch a new cartoon instead of reading a new book, it will definitely not be the case with AR books. They offer the same dynamic as cartoons, with the advantage of being available anytime you turn on the app. If before, a kid would say “I want a new toy”, after trying once, he will say “I want a new book”- and since the app stays the same, what the parents will buy is your print book, the one that makes the magic possible.

The power of distraction of media and the digital world is so strong nowadays, that it becomes increasingly difficult to awaken children’s interest in learning activities, let alone make them stay focused. But how about we change the perspective: why not use those same distractions as a tool in our children’s education?

First of all, new technologies like augmented reality and interactive books are amazing methods of satisfying both you as a parent, and your child, whose primary desire is playing. They can provide high quality teaching materials, as well as being fun for children. You can choose the subject of the books, thus controlling the content of what your child is exposed to. You will not have to insist on him learning new things because, with moving characters, singing letters or 3D developing scenes at every page, he will come himself asking to watch more.

Moreover, augmented reality and interactive book are both based on the visual and audio factor, which are also the most effective ones in learning. Images and sounds are the easiest way to assimilate new information, and even more if they are presented in a dynamic manner.

Let’s take for example, learning the alphabet: you can buy a book with the augmented reality option. Then, when you show it to your kid, you can use the augmented reality option to show him 3D objects containing that letter, or the way it’s written. He will find this much more attractive and enjoyable than the classical teaching method and will even want to see it again. Interactive books, on the other hand, are perfect for kinesthetic learners-meaning children who learn best while doing practical activities. Using these books, the little ones can learn, for example, the vegetables and the fruits, while moving them from one place to another.

Whatever your education option might be, it’s important to remember that children think differently, therefore they need to be taught differently. Whether you like classic books or you want to test the new digital inventions, you can find it all on deveomedia.com.

One of the biggest confusions in the virtual space today is the distinction between Virtual reality (VR) and Augmented reality (AR).  Both are getting tremendous attention from the media and both are showing great growth possibilities.  But is the difference between them? Let’s find out.

Virtual reality is the creation of artificial, computer-generated simulation of real life and environment, or of non-existing realities and situations. Virtual reality’s main goal is creating an artificial world that the users can interact with. Users experience simulated reality firsthand, and it is designed in such a way that they find it difficult to difference what’s real and what isn’t. VR works by stimulating mainly the visual and the audio perception and it usually involves wearing a special helmet or goggles. It can be used for two purposes:

1. Creating a special environment for gaming and entertainment
2. Creating simulations of reality in order to enhance training for real life, by allowing people to experience a certain type of environment or situation, before actually having to face it

Augmented reality on the other hand, is the layering of computer-generated enhancements onto a real life support, with the purpose of making reality more attractive or meaningful. Using AR, users are able to interact with digital contents, while still being in contact with the real world, thus they are able to distinguish between the two. Augmented reality can be used to make characters of a print book move, to pop up 3D emails and photos on mobile devices, or to display a short-introduction of your business by scanning your business card.

Yes, they both involve adding a non-existing digital compound, but the difference resides mainly in the perception of our presence. With virtual reality, we are completely transposed into another universe. The goggles and the headsets separate us from the real world and force to exist somewhere else. With augmented reality, we simply add elements to the existing reality. We are not separated from it, we enhance it. So, AR does not move us to another place, it just makes our current place more complex. Moreover, with VR, it’s difficult to discern what’s real and what’s not, whilst with AR it’s bluntly clear which is the real support and which is the digital overlay.

Due to its balanced blending of real and digital, Augmented reality has found more practical uses in publishing, advertising and personal use, while Virtual reality remains an entertainment and gaming option.

So you just finished writing the text for your picture book and now you’re anxiously waiting to move on to the next stage: the illustration process. Weather you already have a clear image of what you want your book to look like or you want to leave it to the artist and be surprised, you will have to go though the same process of illustration. But how does it work?

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Finding the illustrator
2. Budget estimation
3. Time schedule
4. Style of drawing and color style
5. Contract
6. The actual illustration process

First things first, you have to find your illustrator. If you’re self-publishing you can find them through Google or mostly in freelancing websites however this is time consuming and sometimes you get over unreliable artists; if you’re working with your own publisher or literary agent, finding the illustrator becomes their job, not yours. You might have little say in the choosing process, but don’t worry- they are professionals who will select the artist that best complements your work.  Another option is working with an illustration studio like Deveo Media. We have a strong experience in childrens book illustration, great in-house team and a portfolio with wide variety of illustrations styles. View it here.

You might find some illustration prices a bit spicy; they are. According to The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines –which provides the current industry rates for cover and interior book illustration and is used by the majority of illustrators to price their work- the illustration of a 32-page book can range from $3000 to $10,000. No need to pay the highest amount, but you have to keep in mind: quality has its price. So, set your budget-but realistically- before you start talking to an illustrator or illustration studio. It will save everyone time and energy.

You need to be time-aware. We know you are excited to see your book come to life, but good work takes time and you will see why at point 6. The actual illustration process. Most projects take between a a month and a 3 months to be print ready.

Check out the illustrator’s portfolio to get a taste of his style. It’s okay to ask for samples of his/her previous work, but don’t expect for work on spec without any compensation. Believe it or not, it takes an artist a few hours to come up with a character/scene and they will not (and should not) do it for free. If you do want to try more illustrators to see which one best envisions your book, be ready to pay extra. Most illustrators require a deposit prior to starting the sketches, some milestone payments (as he presents to you sketches and rough work) and a last payment upon or prior to the final delivery.

When you get into such an important and costly project, the contract is a must, both for you and for the illustrator. Here is where you decide the most important things about the illustration process: price, number of pages, color/black and white, deadlines (both for payments and deliverables) and intellectual property rights. Usually, illustrators want to keep the intellectual property rights of their work to use it for their portfolio or marketing, so you will not have exclusive rights over the illustrations. This is something negotiable,but, however and whatever you decide, put it in the contract!

Now, finally getting down to work. The illustration process itself takes a little bit of time because it has to pass thorough a lot of stages:

• Pagination of the text

This is where you decide how you will arrange your text on page, which will determine in turn what illustrations go on each page. Also, be specific if you want a double-page spread or a more traditional, single-page spread.

• Thumbnail sketches of each double-page spread

Nowadays is common to work with double-page spread, but things can be adjusted for single-page. This step is important because you don’t want any key scenes trapped in the space between the two pages.

• Character design and development

Before they start working on particular scenes, most illustrators will design your main character/characters first. Here you can change whatever you want, until you are fully satisfied. Since they are the centre of the story, you both must make sure you will create an original and attractive character.

• Full sketches for each spread or illustration

Now that the main points have been discussed and approved, the artist can move on to sketching up the full illustrations. This will take some time; be patient. Once he is finished, you will have the chance to make changes before he moves on to the next stage.

• Color studies

This is the illustrators’ area of expertise rather than the writer’s, but you can still have a conversation over what type of coloring you prefer- digital watercolour paintings are a thing right now.

• Final sketches/drawings

At this stage, you will see the sketches after all your changes and suggestions have been applied. It’s your last chance to make modifications.

• Final artwork

The illustrator will apply all your feedback and soon you will receive the final artwork for your book. Now it’s the time to relax and prepare the champagne!

So if your have the script ready for evaluation  contact us today, we’re very easy to work with and open to discussion about budget, time frame and drawing or coloring style.