Character Design, Brand Identity & IP Package

**Project Title:** *Pico the Howler-Sloth* — Character Design, Brand Identity & IP Package

**Target Audience:** Children aged 3–7, families, and tourists

## 1. Project Overview & Brand Vision

We are seeking an experienced illustrator and character designer to create the visual identity, character model sheets, and brand trademark assets for **Pico the Howler-Sloth**—a new children’s book series, merchandise line, and animated brand ecosystem based in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica.

The brand style requires **vibrant, expressive, high-contrast 2D vectors** (think *Galinha Pintadinha*, *Plim Plim*, or modern Disney/Pixar 2D storybook style). Characters must be immediately recognizable, highly expressive, and suitable for plush toy manufacturing, apparel printing, print publishing, and 2D vector animation.

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## 2. Scope of Work & Deliverables

### Phase A: Character Model Sheets & Turnarounds

Vector artwork and character sheets for the core cast:

1. **Pico (The Howler-Sloth)** — *Hero Character*
* 4-Point Turnaround (Front, 3/4 angle, Side, Back).
* Expression Sheet (5 key expressions: Curious/Sniffing, Sweet Tooth/Eating, Sleeping, Big Smile, and the famous **"...EEP!"** chest-puffed roar face).

2. **The Howler Troop (4 Characters)**
* **Mama Congo** (Warm, protective, flower behind her ear).
* **Don Bellow** (Broad shoulders, bushy beard-fur, puffed chest).
* **Nico** (Hyperactive, lean, hanging upside down by tail).
* **Kiki** (Smallest, big ears, wearing a fruit-rind hat).

3. **The Coastal Wildlife Friends (2 Characters)**
* **Iggy the Green Iguana** (Cool, sunglasses/sunhat, lounging pose).
* **Tuga the Sea Turtle** (Wise, gentle eyes, warm-toned shell).

4. **The Commentary Duo (2 Characters)**
* **Pip & Pop (White-throated Magpie-Jays)** — High-contrast blue/white birds with dramatic, expressive curled head crests.

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### Phase B: Trademark & Brand Identity Package

Specific visual assets required for legal trademark registration in Costa Rica (*Registro Nacional*) and internationally:

1. **Figurative Mark (*Marca Figurativa*):** Isolated clean graphic of Pico’s face/body with zero text or background.
2. **Combined Mark (*Marca Mixta*):** Full composite logo featuring Pico alongside custom typography for `"PICO THE HOWLER-SLOTH"` and his catchphrase `"...EEP!"`.
3. **Logotype / Wordmark:** Custom text treatment for `"Pico the Howler-Sloth"` and `"Zuzu's Bistro"`.
4. **Black & White / Grayscale Line Art:** Pure monochrome vector renderings of all logo variants (required for broad legal trademark protection).
5. **Color Reservation Palette:** Official style guide including **Pantone (PMS)**, **CMYK** (print), **RGB** (digital), and **HEX** codes.

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### Phase C: Sample Key Illustration (Book 1 Concept)

* One (1) full-color, high-resolution hero illustration depicting Page 5–6 of Book 1: **Pico puffed up, surrounded by his Howler family, opening his mouth wide to let out his tiny "...EEP!"**
* This illustration will serve as the master visual benchmark for the upcoming 20-page storybook and YouTube animated short style.

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## 3. Technical Requirements & Asset Formats

All deliverables must meet the following technical standards:

* **Source Files:** Fully editable, layered master files in Adobe Illustrator (`.AI`), `.EPS`, and clean `.SVG`.
* **Exported Formats:** High-resolution PNGs (transparent background, 300+ DPI, minimum 3000x3000px) and print-ready PDFs.
* **Vector Quality:** Clean vector paths, closed shapes, and organized layering (essential for embroidery, plush manufacturing blueprints, and 2D bone-rigging animation).

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## 4. Intellectual Property & Copyright Assignment Agreement

> **Mandatory Condition:** The selected designer will be required to sign a formal **Copyright Assignment Agreement (*Contrato de Cesión de Derechos Patrimoniales*)** prior to project kickoff.

* 100% of economic rights, commercial rights, licensing rights, and copyright for all final deliverables, character designs, sketches, and logo marks will be exclusively transferred to **[Insert Your Company Name]**.
* The designer may showcase final published assets in their professional portfolio, subject to brand launch timelines.

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## 5. Proposal & Quote Submission Guidelines

### Please include the following in your response:

1. **Portfolio / Relevance:** Link to your portfolio highlighting character design, children's book illustration, or brand identity work.
2. **Itemized Quote:** Please fill out the cost breakdown table below:

| Deliverable Module | Estimated Timeline (Weeks) | Proposed Cost (USD) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Phase A:** Character Model Sheets (Pico, Troop, Coastal Friends, Pip & Pop) | | $ |
| **Phase B:** Brand Identity & Trademark Asset Package | | $ |
| **Phase C:** Sample Book 1 Key Illustration | | $ |
| **Total Project Quote:** | **_____ Weeks** | **$ _____** |

3. **Revisions Policy:** Number of revision rounds included per phase.
4. **Availability:** Earliest potential start date.