Meet the Visual Architect: Brandon D. Gunning
A conversation with the illustrator behind Nora Escapes the Bakery
Bringing Nora to Life
Most of the stories that I come up with originate from conversations I’ve had with friends or dreams. And me being an overthinker, I usually ruminate every funny detail or surreal image I envision. But that ends up becoming a crazy outlandish story. Usually funny, shocking, and somehow relatable.
Nora is just that.
Though I spent my childhood drawing on paper, I’m only now venturing into digital art. I’m still a student of the craft. I also knew that I didn’t want to use AI for my children’s book because I wanted to ensure that a human could draw out the soul of the main character. I needed a person to capture those heavy moments and little nuances.
For Nora Escapes the Bakery, I partnered with Brandon D. Gunning, an experienced Black illustrator based in Jamaica whose work spans children’s books, comics, fantasy storytelling, and freehand digital art. From toddlers to early readers to older kids, his work captures personality in motion.
When I began searching for someone to bring Nora to life, I was looking for someone who would understand her and have that technical skill. Since I’m a creative myself, I can spot genuine artistry from a mile away.
Not only did Brandon take time to read my manuscript, he understood the themes in a story, saw the big picture moments, and he noticed very subtle details. I knew then that he was the “architect” I needed.
Below is our conversation about art, imagination, and why Nora matters.
Interview with Brandon D. Gunning
On Art & Background
Devans: Hi Brandon. Tell us about yourself, your illustration style, and how your background in Jamaica influences the stories you bring to life.
Brandon: Hi there! Brandon D. Gunning here! I love animation, story writing and illustration.
Growing up, there was a huge anime and Disney following. I love how Disney captures childhood wonder in their illustrations and movies, so I’ve tried to master that through years of studying the arts and human anatomy.
On Discovering Nora
Devans: When you first read Nora Escapes the Bakery, what stood out to you? And how did you approach visually capturing Nora’s emotional journey?
Brandon: I saw a girl who needed to see the world for herself. I wanted to capture her curiosity and determination in the new environment she was seeing for the first time.
When Nora was excited, I wanted the readers to see what she sees—a great big world to explore. But when she was sad, it was important to show the intimate close-ups of the emotional journey she was going through in the drawings.
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Devans: What makes Nora different from other characters you’ve illustrated?
Brandon: She was the first cookie character I’ve ever drawn with such strong human-like qualities.
On Craft & Process
Devans: Walk us through your creative process. What does a Nora illustration look like from first sketch to final color, and what was the most challenging part of bringing her to life?
Brandon: The most challenging part was trying not to make Nora look like a generic round cookie like her siblings. She’s the main character, so she needed to stand out. Thankfully, you wanted to add a bow—I also added a heart-shaped symbol on her chest and gave her beautiful eyes. That’s when she really started to look like the lead.
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Devans: Nora is a cookie. How do you visually communicate emotion in a character who isn’t human?
Brandon: The strongest emotional tools are usually the eyes and the body language. It was important to capture a visual image that fit the narrative of the story at that exact moment.
On Meaning
Devans: What does Nora mean to you personally?
Brandon: To me, she represents having the courage to explore what your heart desires. It might have its challenges, but the lessons learned are worth more than gold.
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Devans: What do you hope children take away from this story?
Brandon: Don’t stay in your jar. It’s important to be brave and make friends.
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Devans: Why do you believe a story like Nora is needed in our world right now?
Brandon: To remind us that even though the world can feel unfair sometimes, it is also filled with loved ones to help us through our journey.
Rapid Fire Questions
Devans: Favorite cookie flavor?
Brandon: Oatmeal raisin cookies (yum).
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Devans: One word to describe Nora.
Brandon: Adventurous!
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Devans: Which character took a life of their own during the illustration process?
Brandon: Tails the squirrel! He was so hungry that he ended up with such a crazy look in his expression.
Devans: Yes! He is always hot on the chase! Thanks for sitting down with me to chat about Nora, Brandon. Any parting words for our readers?
Brandon: Readers, I hope you and your loved ones enjoy Nora’s story and the important lessons that it holds. It was an honor working on this project.
About Brandon
Based in Jamaica, Brandon D. Gunning is a premier digital illustrator dedicated to bringing high-quality, human-driven artistry to children’s literature, comics, and fantasy worlds. By blending the expressive energy of Anime with the timeless wonder of Disney, Brandon creates vibrant narratives that resonate with everyone from toddlers to older children. He has spent years mastering human anatomy and dynamic composition, allowing him to breathe life into characters that feel authentic and relatable. Whether he is designing a unique character with deep emotional complexity or illustrating a grand adventure, Brandon’s focus remains on capturing the soul of the story… a detail only a human artist can truly achieve. For me, Brandon is a intentional artist who can make a full page illustration an entire experience.
For authors and creators looking to elevate their projects, Brandon offers a collaborative and professional experience as a top-rated illustrator on Fiverr. He specializes in transforming initial concepts into polished, professional-grade assets through a meticulous process of freehand digital art. Known for his ability to read between the lines and find the subtle emotional beats in a script, Brandon ensures every project stands out from the generic. From bold, outlandish tales to intimate character studies, he provides the artistic vision necessary to help independent authors compete on a global stage and truly connect with their readers.
Explore more of Brandon’s work:
Connect with Brandon to work with him on Fiverr
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