Akihiro Nakayama

Akihiro Nakayama – Designer

I am a highly experienced designer of 15+ years, I create innovative covers and interior layouts. I have worked with major publishing groups

Overview

I'm highly experienced Graphic Designer specialized in book publishing.


I have a postgraduate diploma in Graphic Design from Central St Martins with a specialism in Typography. I am highly proficient in Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark Express and following a background in magazine publishing, I have a broad range of experience covering non-illustrated and illustrated books across all genres, including cookery and adult reference and across trade, co-edition and promotional markets.


Since October 2017 I have been working as a freelance designer. Most recently I have been in-house at Palgrave Macmillan, but I have also been working on projects for Ebury Press, BBC Books, Essential Works, Aurum, Elwin Street and Hachette Children’s Books. I have also been working with a couple of tech companies working on their brand identity and UI.


From 2007 – 2009 I was Art Director, in a newly created role, at Quintessence (Quarto Group) where I worked on several international bestselling projects including the 1001 series and Art: The whole story. Aside from overseeing each title’s development from the layout, to the book jacket to the index, a significant part of my role was managing employees, freelance and external, and commissioning photographers, illustrators, picture editors and administrating budgets.


I specialised in typography in as part of my studies at St Martins and typography remains always the source of inspiration for my work.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Design Fashion & Textiles Humanities & Social Sciences Math & Science Photography
Languages
English
Certifications
  • BA (Hons) Graphic Design
  • MA Communication Design

Work experience

Self-employed

Oct, 2016 — Present

Since October 2016 I have been working as a freelance designer. Most recently I have been in-house at Palgrave Macmillan, but I have also been working on projects for Head of Zeus, Ebury Press, BBC Books, Kogan Page, Essential Works, Aurum, Quarto group, Elwin Street and Hachette. I have also been working with a couple of tech companies working on their brand identity and UI.

ARCTURUS PUBLISHING

Jan, 2010 — Sep, 2016 (over 6 years)

The principle skills demanded by my current post include designing book jackets, layouts, picture editing, subbing and designing marketing products, including sales catalogues, stationery materials and promotional posters . I also have worked on Arcturus’ digital list. For one of their most successful titles Alan Carr Easyway I

designed the App and UI.

QUINTESSENCE, QUARTO GROUP

Nov, 2006 — Dec, 2009 (about 3 years)

In my role as Art Director I expanded my skills within the framework of co-edition publishing. I was responsible for all aspects of the process from designing book jackets to layouts, art directing photo-shoots, commissioning photographers and illustrators, picture editing, subbing and designing marketing products, such as sales catalogues, stationery and promotional posters.

Portfolio

Art: The Whole Story

Farthing, Stephen

Chocolate Fit For A Queen

Historic Royal Palaces Enterprises Limited

Trains, Planes and Automobiles

Hamilton-Paterson, James

How to Live Japanese

Yazawa, Yutaka

501 Great Artists

Farthing, Stephen

Akihiro has 1 review

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Eric Y.

Eric Y.

Jun, 2021

Akihiro’s design work was excellent and it was an absolute pleasure to collaborate with him! Not only is he skilled, professional, and timely, but from the very first meeting he helped me set clear goals and objectives in order to ensure a quality product. Communication is key when collaborating and Aki was very attentive to my ideas while also offering helpful feedback, alternatives, and sampl...
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