Between Games and Books: My Experience at Two International Fairs
Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to attend two international fairs: the board game fair in Essen and the book fair in Frankfurt. Each was a professionally enriching experience and personally rewarding as well. From imaginary worlds to long conversations on illustration and storytelling, it was quite a journey!
Essen: A World of Games, Strategies, and Creativity
Arriving at the fair. I arrived at the main station to catch the subway, and the platform was full of people, many with huge suitcases ready to fill with board games! When I finally reached the fair, there was already a large crowd waiting to get in—people dressed up as medieval characters, witches, ogres... Luckily, I had a special “exhibitor” pass, allowing me to enter two hours before the general public each day and avoid the long lines. This was because a friend of mine has a board game company, and I joined his team to explain one of their games.
My role at the fair. I spent five days demonstrating the game Whispering Woods, a game with simple rules but complex strategies. Interestingly, this reconnected me with something I loved about my previous job: facilitation—although in a completely different context, the act of explaining and interacting was quite similar. Each explanation became an opportunity to connect and create a positive atmosphere. I found that the friendlier and more enthusiastic I was, the more receptive and engaged people became. This exchange of energy created a cycle where I felt like everyone enjoyed the experience more. And though I explained the game countless times and spent long hours at the stand, I surprisingly felt energized at the end of each day. I think the genuine interactions made the fatigue seem much less intense. I also remembered each group that passed through the stand—their countries, the mix of languages, and shared laughter!.
Unexpected connections to the forest. For selecting the starting player, I would ask, “Who was last in a forest?” This question often sparked memories and stories. Some people would recall the last time they walked among trees, sharing animal sightings or experiences, while others admitted they hadn’t been in a forest for years and thought they should visit soon. This simple question created special little moments of conversation.
Exploring the fair and connecting with publishers. In my spare moments, I explored the fair, talked with publishers, and observed the game illustrations—a world that is completely new to me. I loved seeing that many of the games had environmental themes and conservation messages, perfectly aligning with my love for art and nature. Some of the illustrations were truly impressive; it was inspiring to see such a variety of styles and approaches.
A few publishers shared something that really resonated with me: when illustrators are involved throughout the game’s creative process, the final product has a much stronger sense of cohesion. The illustrations not only need to be visually appealing but also serve to enhance and communicate the story and universe of the game. It made me reflect on the importance of immersing oneself fully in a project to create art with purpose.
Bringing home some memories: Thanks to my friend’s team, I returned to Munich with a bunch of games they gave me as gifts. Before this, I only had one at home, and now I have a mini arsenal! So if you’re ever in Munich, you’re invited to come try them with me :)
Frankfurt: Where Illustration Meets Narrative
Unlike Essen, the Frankfurt Book Fair is much more business-focused during the week. There are no public sales; the attendees are mostly publishers and professionals in the industry seeking new connections.
My hedgehog and a pleasant surprise. Since last year, I’ve been a member of Illustratoren Organisation, a German-speaking illustrators’ association, that has its own booth at the fair. Every year, they promote some of their illustrators, and this year, I applied and was selected. My work was showcased at their stand through postcards and in a book. Seeing my work displayed in that space was truly exciting! My little hedgehog illustration was highlighted there, and it was special to see it there. On the second day, I went early to take a photo, and my hedgehog was gone! They explained that the postcards had gone the day before, which made me very happy. Knowing so many people took home a postcard of my hedgehog made the whole experience feel incredibly rewarding. Luckily, they restocked the display with more postcards later, and I was able to get my photo.
Conversations with publishers and feedback. To show portfolios to publishers, you had to wait in line—sometimes for up to two hours to get your turn, with the risk of running out of time. Fortunately, I managed to get my slots, and the wait was a good chance to chat with other illustrators or simply take a break.
Several publishers expressed interest in my work and gave me their cards to stay in touch, which was very encouraging. They highlighted aspects of my work they valued, like image quality, realism, vibrant colors, and attention to detail, making it ideal for nonfiction books. Some publishers even appreciated my analog technique, which they see as conveying more emotion and authenticity—something they value more now in the age of AI. They also suggested I continue exploring digital techniques but maintaining an analog feel.
Other feedback gave me ideas for improvement: some publishers, for instance, recommended adding more storyboards or illustrations showing the same subject from different perspectives and in different poses. They also suggested working on projects that include characters and narrative scenes, even though my focus is more on scientific illustration. Nonetheless, I see these suggestions as valuable ideas for expanding my style within my field.
Portfolio review tips from experts. The Illustratoren Organisation group, offered personalized portfolio reviews, and I received some really helpful tips. They advised against overloading each page to allow each illustration to stand out, especially since my illustrations have a lot of detail. They also encouraged me to prioritize artworks that I feel a strong connection with and limit the portfolio to about 20 pages. They suggested opening and closing with eye-catching illustrations. For organization, one of the reviewers mentioned that, in my case, it might be helpful to keep illustrations in a mixed order instead of by theme or style, to keep each page a pleasant surprise. They also emphasized the importance of including my name on each page, my contact information at the beginning and end, and very brief context and dates for each image.
Final Reflection: Inspiration and Future Projects
Exploring nonfiction books in Frankfurt was like opening a window to a universe of ideas, especially those dedicated to science and nature. Seeing so many creative approaches inspired me to pursue a project I’ve wanted to do for some time: a book of my own that brings nature and art together. Now I feel much more motivated to start structuring it and bring it to life.
After these two fairs, I’m taking home new ideas, contacts, and a world of inspiration. Essen and Frankfurt were not only intense experiences but also beautiful reminders of how exciting it is to connect with people and explore new opportunities in illustration. So, if you ever have the chance to attend a fair, don’t hesitate! Every corner is full of stories, and if you’re a lover of art and creativity, you might even leave with a new project in mind.
