Literature

The Little Prince is a poetic novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, first published in 1943. It tells the story of a young boy from a distant planet who travels through the universe, meeting different characters that symbolize various human traits and values. The story explores themes of friendship, loneliness, imagination, and the importance of seeing with the heart rather than just the eyes. Although written in the style of a children’s book, it carries profound philosophical messages for readers of all ages.

Process

I began by creating a moodpboard, a mind map and by identifying key symbols from the book—such as the fox, the rose, stars, the prince’s planet, snake, elephant. These elements were then illustrated as simple icons using Adobe Illustrator. With these, I started experimenting with compositions and colours and created various patterns. The resulting visuals are colorful and playful, capturing the dreamlike essence of the story.

Icons

The icons I developed are minimal, whimsical, and clearly outlined to allow for flexible pattern combinations. They reflect the central elements of the story and are designed in a style that is both child-friendly and graphically modern. The color palette is bright and cheerful, evoking the magical and imaginative world of The Little Prince.

Patterns

Using the icons, I created a series of patterns ranging from dense repeats to more open, narrative arrangements. I experimented with layout, scale, and color variations. The final patterns are vibrant and dynamic, visually retelling small moments and themes from the book in a playful way.

Patterns in use

To showcase the patterns, I applied them to various mockups—such as textiles, stationery, and packaging. I was especially inspired by the idea of creating a bedding collection from the designs. This concept felt particularly fitting, as The Little Prince is often read as a bedtime story. The bright and dreamy visuals would translate beautifully into children’s bedding, bringing the story’s charm into everyday life.