Editorial Financial Illustration the time of COVID 19

The brief

The title of the article is '5 things to consider if you're worried about your finances right now'. I was given this brief yesterday, March 23rd at around 1pm. I had to come up with an illustration that was expressing the idea but also wary of the sensitivities of the institution publishing it (TD Bank). 

Initial Concept

I normally come up with at least three to five concepts but time was limited, and this is all I could think of at the time.  I wanted to show a meditating figure with the solutions around her, with a backdrop of tension. The idea was rejected however as the team felt it was too relaxed, and would not be relatable.  Ans so I came up with some more ideas..

Reworking concept

And so I came up with these options sitting on my bed trying to get my son to nap at the same time. I wanted to focus more on the aspect of social distancing, and working from home tie the idea into that. The team went for option A, but felt that it shouldn't be too negative and there should be some sort of positive element in it showing the solutions.

Final illustration

That night I went right for it, and created this. The hardest thing was getting the expression right, so that the person seemed worried but also slightly relieved by possible positive things in the situation. The team liked it but felt however that the dollar signs were not necessary (perhaps too dramatic). I was worried that we would lose the financial aspect of it.. but then in conjunction with the headline it might work.

Publication

And this what the final looked like. I'm quite happy with it for the time it took to complete  (basically had half a  day). I like that the sense of isolation is clearly evident in the image and reflective of the times. The headline helps is make sense. I feel its a mood the people can relate with right now, and thats what's important, it reflects the times. 

Want to read it? Check out this link..
https://www.moneytalkgo.com/5-things-to-consider-if-youre-worried-about-your-finances-right-now/