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Imagine Ocean

Using the power of the Imagination to encourage creativity and learning in children of all abilities, whilst nurturing their resilience, happiness and well-being.

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You can view our narrated books, or see the many ways to play with Animix drawing cards on  Youtube

Imagine Ocean Logo Books

It‘s a Storm!

Gig Sixsmith (Author)

Paperback

£8.99 5-11 years Youtube

Thank You Trees

Gig Sixsmith (Author)

Paperback

£6.99 5-11 years Youtube

The Creative Circle

Gig Sixsmith (Author)

Paperback

£6.99 5-8 years Youtube

Animix Logo Books

The Lost Egg

Gig Sixsmith (Author)

Paperback

£6.99 5-11 years Youtube

The Red List

Gig Sixsmith (Author)

Paperback

£6.99 5-11 years Youtube

Rainforest Games

Gig Sixsmith (Author)

Paperback

£6.99 5-11 years Youtube

Deep Sea Wedding

Gig Sixsmith (Author)

Paperback

£6.99 5-11 years Youtube

The Courageous Cousin

Gig Sixsmith (Author)

Paperback

£6.99 5-11 years Youtube

Ways to Play - User guide

Gig Sixsmith (Creator)

Paperback

£2.50 5-11 years Youtube

Animix Logo Cards

Drawing Cards - Original

Gig Sixsmith (Creator)

Box

£11.75 5-11 years

Drawing Cards - Endangered

Gig Sixsmith (Creator)

Box

£11.75 5-11 years

Drawing Cards - Rainforest

Gig Sixsmith (Creator)

Box

£11.75 5-11 years

Drawing Cards - Numeracy

Gig Sixsmith (Creator)

Box

£11.75 5-11 years

Drawing Cards - Literacy

Gig Sixsmith (Creator)

Box

£11.75 5-11 years

About Imagine Ocean

Hello, I'm Gig. Since graduating with BA Hons at Kingston School of Art, my background in Graphic Design and Illustration spans over 30 years. I have always been a firm believer in the power of imagination. In recent years I have become very interested in the role of creativity in learning, and as a therapeutic tool. In 2016 I completed a Foundation Art Therapy course which firmly supported my understanding of the role of creativity in nurturing healthy development in children.

About Imagine Ocean

Founded in 2011, Imagine Ocean develops products that focus on stretching children's imagination, encourage independent thinking and build confidence. In addition to Imagine Ocean's Animix range of creative products, I also write, illustrate and produce books to nurture children's well-being.

Animix products to enhance creativity and learning in KS1-KS2 (5-11yrs)

Inspired by my daughters when they were young, I designed Animix, a hugely versatile creative tool. Products include a range of Drawing cards, interactive Story books and Workshops, to give children a creative springboard to spark their imagination.

There is so much evidence these days that nurturing children's creative minds through art exploration ignites a desire to learn across other subjects too. Animix products work in line with the KS1& KS2 School curriculum, embracing Art, Science and Numeracy, as well as Literacy through creative story writing.

Animix develops problem solving skills, provides an outlet for expression and learning within the safety (and personal space) of the creative process.

Storywriting for well-being in children

The vehicle of Story is a natural way to give time to children's feelings. Through my story books, I introduce themes and metaphors that children can empathise with. The narratives are sensitively written to provide a source of enjoyment, familiarity and comfort, whilst providing an outlet for interaction, discussion and expression.

Illustration

As a graphic designer, I craft each book with a fresh approach and explore many styles of illustration through different mediums to find the right one for each narrative. I also illustrate other people's stories so if you have a story that you'd like to bring to life then please contact me.

creativity quote animix animal
Learning through Imagination
VERSATILE . FUN . STIMULATES ORIGINAL THINKING . BUILDS CONFIDENCE . INCLUSIVE . FREEDOM TO EXPRESS . ENDLESS CREATIVE SCOPE . CROSS CURRICULAR ACTIVITY

For full details please visit the main Animix website

Creativity is vitally important in children's development and has been proven to encourage and enhance their learning across other subjects too.

Targeted at children 5-11yrs (KS1-KS2) Animix is a fun, creative activity that explores children's imagination, encourages independent thinking and builds confidence.

Hugely versatile and suitable for children of all abilities, Animix filters into other areas of learning (Art, Science, Numeracy, Literacy and Drama) through cross-curricular activity.

How to Play?

  • Using traditional drawing methods, simply choose two or more Animix® Drawing cards (at random for a surprise or select animals you like) and simply combine the animals into one creature.
  • Name your creature by mixing the names in a creative or funny way.
  • Write a story and bring your creature to life. The facts on the Drawing cards will give interesting ideas and spark the imagination!
  • Take the activity into a different medium or into a new style/artist.
  • Please see 'Many Ways to Play' at imagineocean.uk/animix/ways-to-play/
Animix animals

Products include Drawing cards, Story books and Workshops

  • Animix® Drawing Cards. (110mm x 80mm) each card features an animal and an interesting and useful fact about their habitat, characteristics, lifestyle, diet etc. Numeracy cards also feature some cross-curricular mental arithmetic and comparisons between animals' sizes, weights and lifespans. Literacy cards can be used to play word games, and for creative storywriting, featuring descriptive words which expand children's vocabulary and reinforce spellings.

  • Animix® Story Books feature characters that have been created using Animix Drawing cards. They show children how their characters can come to life in a story. The books feature interactive pages at the back which children can use to create their own creatures and write their own stories.

  • Animix® Workshops can be arranged in schools to explore creativity; to tie in with a particular theme eg. rainforest; to follow an artist that is being studied; to explore different mediums or simply to enhance knowledge and experience in art, science, numeracy, literacy and drama.

  • Animix® Competitions in schools. Themes are very versatile to fit in with a particular topic. Prizes can include either Animix products or a Personalised printed story book that is created to feature winning entries.
Illustration

Bringing a story to life is about forming a special relationship between the words and the images.

As a graphic designer for many years, I place great emphasis on exploring different styles of illustration in order to find the right match for each narrative. I treat each book individually, as a blank canvas and I experiment with new mediums and techniques. Sometimes I create the illustrations traditionally by hand, other times I use Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, and quite often I try to find new ways of mixing them all together.

Do you need an illustrator?

I am available for commissions. If you have a story to tell, I can illustrate your story, create your characters, artwork and print your book.

Please contact me for further details and a no-obligation project quotation.

Reviews
Contact
Stefanie Sixsmith

Having spent many years working as a commercial graphic artist, I now use my skills to design products which focus on children's social and mental health, through creativity and the boundless power of the imagination.

My Products, Workshops and Competitions are targeted towards KS1-KS2 Primary setting (ages 5yrs-11yrs).

I write and illustrate children’s books which are available free as narrated books on YouTube, and for sale through this website <Shop>. I am also available for illustration work.

Please do contact me should you require further details.

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