“Banal ideas cannot be rescued by beautiful execution.”
Sol LeWitt
SKETCHES
The sketches you present to an art director should be simple, clear and give a decent idea of what the final is going to look like.
Arrange, crop and number them in a tidy manner, so that all your ideas are on the same page. Include panel borders clearly indicating the given format for the assignment.
Underneath the sketches write brief descriptions for each sketch. Avoid redundancy—try not to state what’s already drawn, highlight your concept or a specific aspect that’s central to the illustration.
ASSIGNMENT 1: STAMPS
Make at least three sketches for a commemorative stamp—the occasion can be real (seasons, celebrities, historical events, holidays) or imaginary (satirical, decorative, absurd, prospective), and a postmark to go with it.
Interpret the theme however you like—try to come up with as many diverse ideas as possible, instead of doing variations on the same one.
You can do the final larger than 2.5 x 1.5, but remember the final format for reproduction and adjust your level of detail accordingly.
Design the borders and the postmark and arrange the elements however you like. You may use background color, shadows, or patterns for presentation. You can also make 2 or even 3 stamps, if it fits your concept.
If you like your final, you can even order them for your mailing purposes.
For inspiration take a look at these Vanity Fair stamps (please don't share):
Format: 2.5 x 1.5" vertical or horizontal