Ask any young child to draw a picture and you'll quickly discover that there are no rules in their world. They may draw a purple elephant flying through a sky filled with green stars, a rabbit with enormous eyes, or a leopard wearing a superhero cape. To us, adults, these creations can seem random (and maybe even chaotic), but to children, they make perfect sense. It's this fearless imagination that often forms the foundation of creativity later in life.
Whether a child grows up to become an artist, an architect, a graphic designer or an engineer, many of the skills they’ll use as adults begin with something wonderfully simple: putting crayon to paper and letting their imagination take the lead.
Every Great Design Starts With an Idea
The same can be said for every logo, product, illustration and brand character; they were all designed by a creative who once loved to draw, and the colourful Novalac Junior characters are no exception.
When the illustrator, Heleen Steyn van der Merwe, began creating the world of Novalac Junior, there wasn’t a strict brief to design educational characters. Instead, the starting point was a whimsical vanilla wonderland filled with playful creatures, colourful sprinkles and endless imagination.
“I tried to avoid overthinking the characters or boxing them into existing visual stereotypes,” Heleen explains. “The focus was simply to play, experiment and combine memorable animal shapes, colours and playful elements that children would enjoy.”
Only after the characters had begun to take shape did the Novalac expert team carefully match each one to a specific nutritional benefit, refining their appearance and personality to reflect the vitamins and minerals they represent.
The result is four memorable friends, each with their own unique strengths and purpose.
Why Drawing Is More Than Just Art
Many parents think of colouring and drawing as quiet-time activities, when, in fact, they unlock skills far greater than hand‑eye coordination.
According to the illustrator, drawing is one of the earliest forms of storytelling.
“To be human is to tell stories,” says Heleen. “Drawing is simply a visual form of storytelling. When children draw, they communicate their experiences, memories, feelings and observations. This creative process encourages problem-solving, communication and imagination.”
Every scribble represents a decision. Every colour choice reflects an idea. Every made-up creature is evidence of a child thinking creatively and solving problems in their own unique way.
These are valuable skills that extend well beyond the art table and into everyday life.
A World Where Anything Is Possible
One of the reasons the Novalac Junior characters feel so playful is that they’re rooted in imagination, while still carrying a sense of familiarity.
Take Blinky Boo, for example – a delightful blend of a bush baby and a bunny. Or Super Meow – a confident leopard bursting with bright colours and boundless energy. By combining recognisable South African wildlife with imaginative twists, the characters encourage children to think beyond what’s expected.
“Hopefully this shows that when you use your imagination, possibilities are endless,” says the illustrator.
Each character also represents a different nutritional benefit, helping children associate positive qualities with healthy growth and development in a fun, memorable way.
Supporting Growing Minds
As children imagine, explore and create, they’re developing important cognitive skills that support learning throughout childhood. That’s why Growna, one of the Novalac Junior characters, is linked to iron – a mineral that contributes to normal cognitive development in children. Iron contributes to supporting growing minds as they learn, play and explore.
In fact, Growna’s personality reflects creativity, focus and thoughtful problem-solving, making her a natural fit for children who dream of becoming artists, designers, architects, writers or inventors.
By turning important nutrients into engaging characters, Novalac Junior creates simple conversation starters that help families talk about nutrition in a way children can understand and remember.
ALSO READ: Everything Parents Need To Know About Novalac Junior Vanilla Growing-Up Milk
How Parents Can Encourage Creativity at Home
The illustrator encourages parents to reduce screen time where possible to create opportunities for open-ended play.
Reading storybooks together remains one of Heleen’s favourite activities, allowing children to immerse themselves in imaginary worlds while developing language and creativity. Drawing and crafting are also high on her list; not because children need to create perfect pictures, but because they’re encouraged to invent their own characters, creatures and stories.
Even everyday objects can become part of the adventure, she says: “A stick, a flower or a stone can become something completely different when a child gives it a new purpose, personality and story.”
Those moments of make-believe are where creativity truly begins.
Today’s Scribbles, Tomorrow’s Big Ideas
When asked which career each Novalac Junior character might choose one day, the answers came naturally to Heleen:
- Growna would become an artist, designer or architect, using creativity and focus to solve problems.
- Blinky Boo might be a pilot, astronaut or gymnast, relying on quick thinking and sharp observation.
- Super Meow’s confidence could see him behind the wheel of a race car or protecting others as a firefighter.
- Chompy’s strength makes him the perfect builder, farmer or sports star.
It’s a gentle reminder that every profession begins with curiosity, every designer starts as a child who loved to draw, every inventor starts by asking, “What if?” and every big dream often begins with one colourful, wonderfully imaginative doodle.
As parents, we nurture that journey by encouraging creativity, celebrating imagination and supporting every new discovery. Just as important is providing the nutrition growing minds and bodies need to thrive. Nutrients such as iron contribute to normal cognitive development in children, helping to support learning, exploration and problem-solving. As part of a balanced diet, Novalac Junior can help provide these important nutrients, with one serving providing 32% of your child’s recommended daily iron intake.
Today’s colourful doodles may be tomorrow’s bright ideas and every big dream deserves the support to grow.
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