Art and Text Guidelines

by Joe Holly, Project Art Director (and his elves)

One of the basic tenets of the Special Species Project is giving kids an unencumbered shot at self-expression. We invite teachers to encourage their students to let their creative juices surge. However, experience has shown that some methods work better than others. We try to use all the art we receive. Every year though, for various reasons, some very good artwork simply will not reproduce. We recommend teachers review these guidelines (not "rules") and exercise gentle teacherly guidance toward their implementation whenever possible.

Art

Contrast: Light pencil strokes on brown pulp paper can be difficult for old elfin eyes to see and are impossible to reproduce. The more contrast between drawing and paper, the happier is our little band of elves.

Lined paper: Please have your artists draw on unlined paper.

Detail and color: We publish traditionally (books) and electronically (our Web site). Each medium has its strengths and limitations. Neither has enough space. So, when it comes time to choose pieces, naturally, we try to use those which can be scanned and displayed accurately and, then, to place them in the proper vehicle. Crayon produces wonderful artwork, but tends to flake off and build up on the electronic chips when put into the computer. This is especially true when lots of crayon is used. The elves welcome them and we use them, but cleaning chips can be a pain. Please avoid if possible. Colored markers and pencils are great.

Size: Please, please have your budding Picassos keep the size of their artwork to 8" x 12" or smaller.
Text

When it comes to accompanying articles, we highly recommend that teachers submit text in typed format using a basic style font (that is, Helvetica or Arial; no script or stylized fonts, please).

  • If you can provide computer text files on a disk (floppy or CD), the elves will be ecstatic!
    1. From the File menu of each source document, select Save As.
    2. Select the Save as type value of *.rtf
    3. Click the OK button.
  • If it is not possible to submit computer .rtf files or printed text that has been typed, the elves will try to use handwritten submissions that are neat, preferably on unlined paper, and offer good contrast. Light pencil or washed out photocopies will not reproduce.

We scan all submissions into the computer, and our poor old scanner is happiest with clean, typed, very readable copy. Otherwise it sometimes sees gobblygook. If anyone would like to market test or donate a high-quality scanner that can read childrens' handwriting in crayon, charcoal, magic marker, pencil, fingerpaint, or mud, please let us know immediately. We have seen it all. And we would like to use it all. In exchange, we will make sure you get a big Special Species on-site thank you! Contact us at Special Species Letters.

Things teachers can do to make the elves (and their families) happier:

Submitting Hard Copy Projects

Submitting Electronic Projects

  • Please send original artwork. Occasionally, we receive Xeroxed copies (sometimes they are better, more contrast, and so on), and we really appreciate your effort and concern. Please send the original artwork, too.

  • Please check to ensure that the student artist's full name and school are clearly printed somewhere on the artwork, preferably on the back.

  • Paperclip items together rather than using tape or staples.

  • Definitely encourage your kids to go for it. The chief elf gets very excited when given the opportunity to design a page around inspired artwork!

  • Check out our Web site and previous editions of our Special Species books, if for no other reason than to see how much (or little) stuff fits on a page. We will send you a recent book if you send us US$10 (payable to Special Species; it helps keep the project going, too).

  • Please create a CD/DVD with all of the student work. Submit it and hardcopies of all of the signed permission slips. We cannot publish any work for which we do not have a permission slip.

  • Please include on your CD/DVD, a README file that lists, for each source file, the full name and school for the student author(s). Please use a two-column table with the exact source file name on the left and the student information on the right--one table row for each file.

  • Definitely encourage your kids to go for it. The chief elf gets very excited when given the opportunity to design a page around inspired artwork!

  • Check out our Web site and previous editions of our Special Species books, if for no other reason than to see how much (or little) stuff fits on a page. We will send you a recent book if you send us US$10 (payable to Special Species; it helps keep the project going, too).

By far the most important item is to get the childrens' artwork published. The expressions on their faces when they see their work published is everyone's best payback. You can help considerably by keeping these simple things in mind. Keep up the good work. "Ew evol uoy!" (Elfin talk for "We love you!")

 

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