Overview
A playful picture book about curiosity, cause and effect, and a child’s inventive way of solving a simple problem.
Illustrated for Pratham Books, the story follows Nivi as she builds a Rube Goldberg machine using everyday kitchen objects—so she doesn’t have to stop reading. Script for the book was written by Rahul Raghvan.
Concept: Cause and Effect
The core idea draws from a Rube Goldberg machine—where simple actions are linked through a chain of cause and effect.
The challenge was to translate this into:
- Everyday kitchen objects
- A sequence children can follow
- Clear visual logic without over-explaining
I started with quick sketch while going over the script and once the match between the sketch and script was approved, I explored it in detail while designing the environment.
Visual Approach
The illustration style evolved during reference research, environment design and character exploration.
It was shaped by:
- The reading level and age group
- Existing visual language across Pratham’s books
- The need for clarity over detail
Forms were kept simple, with texture and color used to add warmth without distracting from the action.
Environment Design
The kitchen played important role in the story as it would act as functional playground for the Rube Goldberg based machine.
I started by collecting references of Indian kitchens and building a moodboard, which informed the 3D model of the space used to plan and guide the illustrations.
Character Design
Nivi and her expressions anchor the story.
Her reactions—impatience, curiosity, satisfaction—guide the reader through the sequence and keep the narrative grounded.
Here are few iterations that we explored for the book.
Sketches & Thumbnails
The project began with thumbnail sketches developed directly in the book’s layout format.
Instead of isolated drawings, each spread was sketched with:
- Text placement
- Image composition
- Page flow
This approach allowed early testing of how illustrations and typography would work together within the given guidelines. It helped establish rhythm across spreads and ensured that the visual narrative remained clear alongside the text.
Final Spreads
The thumbnails were refined into more detailed sketches, focusing on:
- Character expression
- Object placement
- Continuity of action
Since the story relies on a chain reaction, maintaining spatial consistency across spreads was critical. Each step was designed to transition smoothly into the next.
Reflection
This project required balancing narrative clarity with mechanical complexity.
Designing a chain reaction for young readers meant simplifying logic without losing engagement—ensuring that every step felt both intuitive and delightful.
