SINGAPORE – For two days, two students from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa) went around neighbourhoods in Jurong and Aljunied to photograph HDB facades, lift landings, and polyclinics from specific angles.

These images served as visual references for Miss Cindy Callista Lim, and Miss Cathleen Briggita Kandou, both 19, when illustrating Finding Missing Mali.

The book, by Nurul Amirah Muhd Azmy, was one of three English children’s manuscripts assigned to Year 2 students in the illustration design with animation diploma course, as part of their academic curriculum. 

Said Miss Kandou: “The goal was to get the perspective right. In children’s books or graphic novels, perspective is crucial, as it helps guide the reader’s eyes and keep scenes clear.”

Their attention to detail paid off. The duo was among three pairs of students awarded the Student Illustrator Book Prize this year, for each of the manuscripts, which were due to be published. The competition is jointly organised by the Singapore Book Publishers Association and Nafa, University of the Arts Singapore.

The second winning team comprised Miss Carmelita Angelica Josopandojo and Miss Tanya, who goes by only one name, both 19. They illustrated The Way Ahead by Emily Lim-Leh, a story about a mouse on a treasure hunt, where each obstacle he faces becomes a lesson in resilience.

Miss Demitria Jocelyn Gunawan, 20, and Miss Thara Adristi Aulia Aspriandhi, 21, were also awarded for their work on The Little Girl Who Made it Snow, by an anonymous author. The book has been withdrawn from publication for undisclosed reasons.

Each winning team received a cash prize of $1,000. 

The winning student illustrators of two manuscripts will also have their work used in the books, which will be launched at the Singapore Children’s Book Festival in mid-2026.

This year’s edition – the second time that the competition has been held – highlighted local voices and heritage, promoting childr...