Adam Hay

Adam Hay – Designer

I am a book designer with over 39 years experience collaborating with authors to produce intelligent, creative solutions.

Overview

I’ve designed and illustrated books and book covers for large clients in fiction, non-fiction, literary fiction, arts, architecture, photography, business, government, economics, music and music education, but have tackled projects in many sectors over a long career in design for publishing. I believe a book’s style and functionality comes only through careful assessment of content with authors and production staff. Simple. Hands on. Content lead. When the organisation of a strong grid structure and application of highly detailed typography follows the result can only be a more creative, coherent product for readers.

An early career in magazine publishing built strong skills in art direction of photography and commissioning of illustration. I also work as an illustrator, painter and photographer. I utilise a small in-house photography studio. Major clients include: Thames and Hudson, Phaidon Press, Faber & Faber Music, ABRSM (The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), Schott Music GmbH, The Music Sales Group, The Edition Peters Group (Leipzig and London), BBC World Service, The Independent, The Times Educational Supplement, Wordsearch (architecture and design), Euromoney, The Architectural Press, Greenpeace, ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) and many, many more.

Services
Non-Fiction
Art Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment Music
Fiction
Dystopian Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English

Work experience

Self-employed

Aug, 1993 — Present
I specialise in design for publishing, concentrating on book covers and illustrated books, whilst continuing to work in most areas of print design. I work for many major London publishing houses and for several in Germany and, thanks to Reedsy, I now have a number of regular clients in the US. I approach each project afresh wishing content to lead the design process. I prefer to keep a close working relationship with writers, authors and editors as this tends to produce the most intelligent, appropriate design solutions. Please visit the studio’s website for greater detail of recent output. A small selection of work is also on display below.

Graphic Design: A Concise History

Jul, 1993 — Jan, 1994 (6 months)
I was invited by Richard Hollis– one of the most influential figures in British graphic design who has worked as a printer, magazine editor, print-production manager, writer, teacher and a graphic designer – to work on his best-selling book Graphic Design: A Concise History, part of Thames and Hudson’s World of Art series. The book was put together sitting with Richard at his home studio. Images were embedded in the text following what Richard had done in John Berger’s book Ways of Seeing.

Pearce Marchbank, Studio Twenty

Aug, 1991 — Aug, 1993 (about 2 years)
This was actually the start of my freelance career. Pearce Marchbank, RDI, offered desk space at his Islington studio – which relocated to The Archer Street Studios in Soho and changed its name to Studio Twenty – in order that I provide desktop publishing, (new at the time) leaving me the chance to continue building my own client base. Pearce’s output is prodigious. I art-worked Music Sales books, catalogues, broadsheet newspaper redesigns and material for the wine merchant John Armit. Being around such an influential designer as Pearce afforded me an ultimate opportunity. I began to work in book publishing and soon started my own studio.

Burnett Associates

Jul, 1990 — Aug, 1991 (about 1 year)
I designed annual reports, logos, marketing campaigns and a magazine for the RSPCA, among many other projects. Accounts: Greenpeace, ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross), RPSCA, National Asthma Campaign and the National Schizophrenia Fellowship.

Redwood Publishing

Jun, 1989 — Jul, 1990 (about 1 year)
Intercity Magazine. Hired by Paul Harpin. I re-designed the title and art directed it. I brought in the first Apple Mac to Redwood’s design dept., then situated at Old Street. I also worked on several special advertising supplements for TimeInc., London

Wordsearch

May, 1988 — Jun, 1989 (about 1 year)
Now a worldwide company I art directed for Wordseach, the original publishers of Blueprint and Eye Magazines, at the Cramer Street building in Marylebone.

The Architectural Press

Jan, 1987 — May, 1988 (over 1 year)
I was hired as assistant art editor for The Architect’s Journal, known affectionately as the AJ, by Simon Esterson, who had just re-designed the magazine and was still overseeing it at the time

CW Communications

Jan, 1986 — Jun, 1987 (over 1 year)
I was responsible for art editing Computer News, a weekly broadsheet, and ICL’s flagship monthly ICL Today.

Haymarket Publishing

Jan, 1985 — May, 1986 (over 1 year)
I was hired by Art Director Roland Schenk. Management Today Magazine. Campaign Magazine.

Adam has 183 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Lee T.

Lee T.

Jul, 2025

As always a pleasure to work with!
Colin T.

Colin T.

Jul, 2025

I’ve stopped asking how he does it - some mysteries are best left unsolved. All I know is, he delivers. This is the third cover Adam has designed for me, and once again, he nailed it. I could go on about his talent and professionalism, but the truth is simpler: Adam delivers. Every time.
Lee T.

Lee T.

Jun, 2025

Great to work with.
Emma B.

Emma B.

Jun, 2025

I could not recommend Adam more! He is already working on a second cover for me. His services are affordable, and he responds in a timely manner. He is able to capture the idea of the book and present the look and feel of the novel accurately on the cover. I love the covers he has done for me. Th...
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Ben F.

Ben F.

Jun, 2025

Adam has come through again and produced exactly what I wanted for my book cover. Worked on previous jobs, Adam knew the vision I was going for and offered great advice and what would and wouldn't work. Adam is fantastic value for money and I highly recommend him for anyone looking to get a cover...
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