Aurora Whittet Best

Aurora Whittet Best – Designer

CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK DESIGNER — 20 years. I believe joy, humor and emotion is where whimsical embellishments meet collaborative clients.

Overview

I am a national award-winning designer and illustrator with 20 years of experience. My work has been featured in Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, ADFED The Show, AIGA Design Show, HOW Magazine, Art & Creativity Graphics, GD USA, IBPA Benjamin Franklin Book Awards, Eisner Museum Identity Exhibit, ADDY, and Eric Hoffer Book Awards. I believe every project is unique and finding the voice and style of each author is what makes their story stand out. I have been a designer for twenty years between working for advertising and design agencies and my own personal freelance. My primary focus and passion is children's picture books; everything from a silly book about learning to poop on the potty, to the empathy required to help children mourn a loss in the family. I delight in beautiful designs, whimsical elements, and well crafted typography.I am also a published author of a young adult fantasy series and two children’s picture books. I spend my time in beautiful, but chilly Minnesota with my family.PROCESSCollaboration is what makes a project bloom. Each book starts with a conversation between me and the author to find what really makes them different, discuss the manuscript, illustrations and inspiration. Two weeks later I will supply 3 cover designs each with 1 interior spread example. After feedback and discussion, I will make the first round of revision coming back with 2-3 options for the cover each with 1 option for the interior spread. We will meet again for feedback and discussion. Next, I will make the second round of revisions coming back with 1-2 options for a cover design and rollout the full interior. At the next meeting we will finalize the selection of the cover and interior making any final edits.
Services
Fiction
Picture Books
Languages
English
Awards
  • ADFED The Show
  • AIGA Design Show Minnesota
  • HOW Magazine
  • Moonbeam Children's Book Awards
  • Art & Creativity Graphics Book
  • IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards
  • Eisner Museum Identity Exhibit
  • ADDY
  • Eric Hoffer Book Awards
  • GD USA
Certifications
  • AAS Degree Communication Art and Design — Alexandria Technical College
  • Certificate Multi Media Design — Alexandria Technical College
  • Certificate Design and Branding — Brainco The Minneapolis School of Art & Design

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2003 — Present
Award-winning designer and illustrator for twenty years focusing on branding, children's picture books, and young adult fantasy, romance and thriller. Featured in Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, ADFED The Show, AIGA Design Show, HOW Magazine, Art & Creativity Graphics, GD USA, IBPA Benjamin Franklin Book Awards, Eisner Museum Identity Exhibit, ADDY, and Eric Hoffer Book Awards.

Aurora has 4 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Alex R.

Alex R.

Nov, 2025

Aurora is so amazing! She did an incredible job on my project and stayed so connected and involved from beginning to end, helping me along this journey! She’s a true talent and amazing creator!! Looking forward to our next project! 🥰
Naomi H.

Naomi H.

Nov, 2025

Aurora is amazing!!! She is professional, personable, and patient. Her attention to detail and desire to deliver a product I’d be proud of were evident from our first interaction. Not only did she deliver despite setbacks on my end, but she also moved the completion date up by 7 days to del...
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Aurora W.
Thank you Naomi, it was a pleasure working with you and bringing your project to life.
Alex R.

Alex R.

May, 2025

Aurora is absolutely AMAZING! Her timeliness is impeccable and her level of organization is out of this world! I look forward to working with her many times over!
Aurora W.
Alex it was amazing to work with you, and I can't wait for the next project we can collaborate on together.
Deborah S.

Deborah S.

Mar, 2025

I could not be more pleased with my collaboration with Aurora designing my book. Her professionalism is unmatched. She set up a time table and was great about sticking to it. Needless to say, I was very impressed! Not only did she complete prior to the final date, but she did an amazing job an...
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