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 173 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Gabriel D.

Gabriel D.

Apr, 2025

Working with Adam was a great experience! He was very quick to reply and execute throughout every step of the project. From developing concepts for the book design to fixing small inefficiencies in the typesetting/formatting of the manuscript, Adam was very quick and more than willing to fix or c...
Read more
Paul B.

Paul B.

Apr, 2025

As always, Adam is a dream to work with. He really works to understand what you need and always exceeds expectations. Thank you, Adam!
David T.

David T.

Mar, 2025

Adam is the first editor I have experienced who interviews his clients to hone down on precisely what is required. While this process takes longer, I welcomed its nature, which emphasised his dedication to detail and thoroughness. The advantage this offered was that there was little ambiguity in ...
Read more
Michael L.

Michael L.

Mar, 2025

Adam was great to work with. His cover artwork is second to none. His artistic talent and ability to bring visions to life are fantastic. As a typical new author, I had no idea what I wanted and changed my mind more than once. Adam was patient and willing to work through the details as needed and...
Read more
Henry Alan B.

Henry Alan B.

Mar, 2025

From start to finish, Adam exceeded my expectations in the energy and thought that he put into the collaboration. His intuitiveness helped me to focus on what I wanted from the cover design. He responded quickly to my moments of concern, which inspired me to redouble my own contributions. His exp...
Read more

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Adam and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Adam

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Martin Conway

Martin C.

Vibrant, fun and engaging illustrations. Emphasis on character design and typography with a penchant for the music industry.

Cambridge, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Jordan Wannemacher

Jordan W.

I'm an award-winning book designer based in Montclair, NJ. I design both covers and interiors for fiction and nonfiction.

Montclair, NJ, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Jonas Peres

Jonas P.

Perfectionist, Creative, Punctual! Book designer with 20-years experience working for publishers and independent authors worldwide.

Madrid, Spain

100% reply rate

View profile