06/15/2026
Call for Graphic Designers & Digital Illustrators
ARIZONA'S EVERYDAY HEROES
Inspiring Civic Leadership Through Literacy and Art
Application Deadline: June 26, 2026
Artist Notification: July 3, 2026
Apply Online at: https://artstateaz.formstack.com/forms/call_for_graphic_designers_digital_illustrators_arizona_s_everyday_heroes
Help Bring Arizona's Civic Leaders to Life for Young Readers
Art State Arizona, in partnership with the Flinn Foundation and the Flinn-Brown Fellowship, is seeking one Graphic Designer/Illustrator to create and design Arizona's Everyday Heroes, an original children's book celebrating civic leadership through storytelling, illustration, and visual design.
Created in honor of the 15th Anniversary of the Flinn-Brown Fellowship, this publication will introduce children ages 7–11 to real Arizona leaders whose work has strengthened communities through collaboration, service, innovation, problem-solving, and civic engagement.
The selected artist will serve as both the lead illustrator and book designer, creating original artwork, developing a cohesive visual identity, and designing the complete publication from cover to final print-ready files.
In addition to publication, selected artwork will be featured in a public gallery exhibition at the Flinn Foundation, transforming stories from the book into large-scale visual experiences.
About the Book
Arizona's Everyday Heroes will feature approximately fifteen stories highlighting Flinn-Brown Fellows from across Arizona whose leadership has positively impacted communities through:
Education
Healthcare
Public Service
Environmental Stewardship
Tribal Leadership
Economic Development
Advocacy
Community Development
Nonprofit Leadership
The goal is to help young readers understand that leadership is not limited to elected officials or public figures, but can be practiced every day through service, creativity, collaboration, compassion, and action.
Compensation
The selected Graphic Designer/Illustrator will receive a commission of $3,500.
Compensation includes:
Original illustration development
Book design and layout
Cover design
Production file preparation
Up to two rounds of revisions
Payment schedule:
50% upon contract ex*****on
50% upon delivery and approval of final files
Project Scope
The selected Graphic Designer/Illustrator will be responsible for creating a visually cohesive publication that combines original illustration, graphic design, and book layout.
Publication Specifications
Approximately 60–70 pages
Landscape format
Final trim size: 11" wide x 8.5" high
Full-color throughout with bleed
Designed for children ages 7–11
Softcover publication anticipated
Approximately 30-40 original illustrations and connective design throughout the entire book
Front and back cover design included
Design & Illustration Responsibilities
The selected artist will:
Develop the overall visual style and artistic direction of the publication
Create approximately 30-40 original full-color graphic illustrations
Design front and back cover artwork
Design all interior page layouts
Select and integrate typography and graphic elements
Create visual consistency across all stories
Collaborate with writers, editors, and project leadership
Participate in review and revision cycles
Prepare final print-ready production files
Writers will provide completed and edited story content for layout and design.
Graphic Illustration Expectations
Illustrations should:
Support emotional storytelling and narrative clarity
Engage children ages 7–11
Capture Arizona's diverse landscapes, cultures, and communities
Balance imagination with authentic representation
Translate civic concepts into visually approachable storytelling
Emphasize leadership, collaboration, community impact, and problem-solving
Artists may work in a variety of styles, including:
Digital Illustration
Hand-Drawn Illustration Style
Graphic or Stylized Approaches
The final publication should feel warm, engaging, vibrant, optimistic, and cohesive.
Story Structure
Each story will generally span four pages and follow a consistent narrative framework:
Page One: Introduction
Introduce the Fellow, their role, community, and setting.
Page Two: The Challenge
Present a community issue, obstacle, or need in a way children can understand.
Page Three: Taking Action
Show how the Fellow responded through leadership, service, collaboration, or innovation.
Page Four: Impact and Reflection
Highlight positive outcomes and conclude with an empowering message for young readers.
Deliverables
The selected artist will provide:
Illustration Deliverables
Approximately 30-40 original full-color illustrations
Cover artwork
High-resolution artwork files suitable for publication and exhibition use
Design Deliverables
Complete interior book layout
Typography and graphic design system
Print-ready PDF
Web-ready PDF
Production Files
Upon project completion, the artist shall provide:
Packaged Adobe InDesign files
Native Illustrator and/or Photoshop files
All linked assets
Fonts used in the publication (where licensing permits)
High-resolution production files
Exhibition Component
Selected illustrations may be enlarged and reproduced for exhibition purposes at the Flinn Foundation and related project exhibitions.
Artists should create artwork at a resolution suitable for large-format display.
Project Timeline
June 26, 2026
Applications Due
July 3, 2026
Artist Selected and Notified
July 2026
Project onboarding, introduction to writers and Fellows, concept development, visual research, mood boards, and initial sketches
July 31, 2026
First Draft Illustrations and Preliminary Layout Due
August 10, 2026
Final Illustrations Due
August 2026
Layout refinement, proofing, revisions, and production preparation
September 1, 2026
Final Print-Ready Files Delivered
September 21, 2026
Exhibition Reception at the Flinn Foundation
Rights & Usage
Upon final payment, Art State Arizona and the Flinn Foundation shall receive perpetual rights to reproduce, publish, distribute, exhibit, promote, and utilize the artwork and publication for educational, marketing, exhibition, and mission-related purposes.
Artists retain the right to display completed work within professional portfolios, websites, exhibitions, and promotional materials.
Artist credit will be included within the publication and exhibition whenever practical.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
Strength of portfolio
Illustration quality
Visual storytelling ability
Experience working with youth audiences
Graphic design capabilities
Ability to create cohesive publication design
Interest in civic engagement, education, community impact, and storytelling
Ability to meet project deadlines!
Preference will be given to artists whose work demonstrates warmth, imagination, accessibility, emotional resonance, and strong narrative communication.
Who Should Apply
We welcome applications from:
Children's Book Illustrators
Graphic Designers
Fine Artists
Muralists
Community-Based Artists
Emerging Artists
Established Professionals
Artists working in culturally rooted storytelling traditions
How to Apply
Please submit the following:
Short artist biography
Resume or CV (optional)
Portfolio link and/or 3–8 work samples
Brief statement of interest (optional)
Applications should be submitted no later than June 26, 2026.
GO FOR IT and Good luck
Flinn Foundation Flinn Scholars Program
