“But What If” is a story centered on the idea of allowing creativity to shift your perspective and see a glimpse of the potential that has been there all along. It considers several “what if” questions that are rooted in doubt and fear. Then, it counters each of them with a “but what if” question that generates new ideas and possibilities for what could be. The illustrations throughout the book visualize that with creativity as your tool, the same situation that was once looked at with a doubtful lens can become a world of possibility. The piece of paper that was crumpled from a bad idea can be formed into a paper airplane that takes flight. The spark of an idea or dream that was left behind can come alive again when you let your imagination run free. The hope is for the child—and the child at heart—to be encouraged that they have all the tools and creativity they need to pursue a better, more beautiful outcome than what they initially could have perceived.

This children’s book was created for my senior thesis as a way to embody my personal design philosophy — in the story itself, in the process of making it, and in the hope for how it will impact people. It started with scribbles of “but what if” questions in my sketchbook, allowing myself to consider what story was drawing me in and sitting with the possibilities. It was developed through messy charcoal sketches and experimentation, discovering new ways of viewing the scenes that I initially did not consider. It was refined through sessions of joyful making, chasing after the ways that I believe the story can put more light into the world and give people a sense of joy and optimism.

In designing the exhibit space to display the book in Anderson University’s Art + Design Senior Showcase, each stage of the process was considered and showcased with intentionality. Revealing each piece of the process reveals the ideas communicated in the book — creativity and the choice to pursue it is what leads you to new perspectives and beautiful outcomes.