Shadi Frank BFA Illustration Thesis Spring 2023

Veran’s Stead: Companion Guide is a concept art booklet detailing the visual development process of the island Veran’s Stead. The worldbuilding is brought together by myself and my brother-in-law, inspired by our Homebrew D&D Campaign and my drive to bring Non-Eurocentric fantasy spaces to life. Drawing from ancient middle eastern culture the booklet depicts the backstory of the island and its citizens, as well as the island’s various environments and the creatures. 

Veran’s Stead was colonized by a powerful magical dynasty, but when the dynasty collapsed, the main continent lost connection with the Island and the citizens of the fortress city, Rampart. The work created is the beginning of a much larger project to create an official source guide for this world, allowing others who participate in TTRPG spaces to join and create adventures of their own in a world that has brought me so much love and community. 

Shadi earned her BFA in illustration from Pacific Northwest College of Art in 2023. Working primarily digitally, she combines her love of worldbuilding and explorations of culture to bring to life diverse worlds. Inspired by her own background as an Iranian-American, She seeks to create spaces of inclusivity for those who do not see reflections of themselves in popularized fantasy media.


21 albums

Spring 2023