Searching for the Big Red Tree
It all started with drawing some funny faces on a note, followed by a sentence, then a story, and then an idea.
I wrote and illustrated this book when I was living in Milan, far from friends and family. This project became my way of channeling homesickness into creativity. The story pays homage to my closest friends and the challenges we overcame together, blending emotional depth with visual storytelling to capture the essence of our journey.
Role
Writer & Illustrator
Product
Storybook
Time
8 months
Character design
Each character is inspired by a real person, reflecting their unique traits—whether they are precise, passionate, witty, musical, a builder, or a combination of these qualities.
I love Easter Eggs!
I like to have fun with my illustrations and add small easter eggs that only a couple of people might get. Here's some examples:
1 friend - 2 characters
One of my friends had just renovated his house. On the other hand, he loves cooking.
Inspired by his character, one of the beavers has a watch on his wrist and busy building a lodge, while the other one is just eating.
Pick your battles
The city I lived in was very polluted, making it hard to breathe and live there. But the woods are a scary place too, full of unknowns and dangers. As the character runs into the woods, the smog from the city chases him, and the forest opens its jaws, showing that both choices are difficult and full of challenges.
Listen to my songs
This character is inspired by my friend Tara, a professional musician. The spider is always playing for an group of other spiders.
Whenever someone asks her name, she doesn't reply, but rather starts playing this rhythm on her webs: "tarammm, taramm, taramm…" which, funnily enough, also means "I am Tara" in Farsi.
Just for fun
Although not all easter eggs have a meaning behind them. Some of them are just there for me! just for fun!
Challenges
1. I didn't have a drawing pad back then, so I used the mouse to draw everything.
2. Show different phases of the journey in the storyline
3. Subtle but unmistakable inspirations from real characters
4. Hints of the actual conversations in poems and text
