Neurodivergent
This is a children’s book that explores neurodiversity in a spirited and dynamic way, inviting readers to reflect on something simple: despite our differences, we are all human.
Author: Tatiane Moraes Garcez
Graphic Design: Eduardo Cruz
The project was created by speech therapist Tatiane Moraes Garcez based on her experience working with people with intellectual disabilities, autism, syndromes and other neurodivergent conditions.
The illustrations and narrative were designed to challenge stereotypes and show that neurodivergence is an inherent part of the human condition.
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Moodboard and Visual Concept
Since the book was designed to communicate with both neurodivergent and neurotypical children, the project required a visual element capable of representing different ways of perceiving and expressing the world.
Flowing colored waves move through the illustrations. References include sound waves, cymatic patterns, brain activity, neural networks and the infinity symbol associated with neurodiversity, forming a continuous visual motif that suggests different rhythms of perception, sensitivity and communication.
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Character Design
The character development aimed to represent diversity among children, exploring different ages, ethnicities and body types.
Some characters present traits associated with different forms of neurodivergence or disability, while others do not, avoiding the explicit association of a specific condition with each character. The goal was to create a diverse group open to interpretation.
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Process
After defining the character designs, the storyboard was developed. From there, each scene was sketched, refined and colored according to the established visual concept.
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The Creative Process and Illustrations
