Small But Mighty

Each holiday season, the Creative Team at The Roald Dahl Story Company is briefed to create a unique gift for employees, partners, and stakeholders, an opportunity to explore the IP in fresh, inspiring ways.

A budget is allocated, and we were given creative freedom to determine the concept, the art dierction and the form the gift takes, ensuring it remains varied, relevant, and aligned in tone and concept with the stories. From prints to booklets and badges, we ensured to vary the format each year to build anticipation and excitement.

I was the Creative Lead for Small But Mighty. After developing concepts with my teammate Emily Bridge, I built the narrative and then designed, illustrated and artworked the piece.

Alongside the artwork, I managed timelines, budgets, approvals, testing and production, working closely with suppliers to ensure the storytelling was reflected in every texture and detail.

For this year’s gift, I wanted the piece to carry a message of empowerment and rekindle the sense of childhood joy the stories spark in readers.

Using warmth and whimsy with a twist of the unexpected, Dahl’s gutsy animal characters fill the rooms of a house, its shape inspired by The Grubber from ‘The Giraffe and The Pelly and Me’. These are characters who may not take centre stage like the BFG or Mrs Twit, yet remain integral to each story, sometimes quietly, sometimes boldly.

The squirrels from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ sort good and bad nuts. Roly-Poly Bird and Muggle-Wump from ‘The Twits’ plot how to stick furniture to the ceiling. Newt plans to help Matilda take down the Trunchbull. From lickable wallpaper to bird pie and chocolate cake, extra details are woven throughout for fans to discover.

Designed to delight the inner child, a tiny letter sits half posted in the door for the reader to find. Shaped embossing curves around bricks to add a tactile quality. A translucent sheet, tinted a subtle yellow, features quotations from the stories and sits behind die cut openings, acting as warmly lit windowpanes.

After creating the holiday gifts over the past several years (check out my portfolio for more), we had built up a sense of anticipation and excitement around what each new one might be, and this year was no exception.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, with recipients especially delighted by the illustrations and tiny envelope. I am so pleased this cosy cottage could spread some joy, while also helping strengthen relationships and offer the opportunity to spark ideas for new brand opportunities.