Cecilia Zhang – Designer

I design covers. I've worked in-house at the Onion, Forbes, and Farrar, Straus & Giroux and regularly freelance with big five publishers.

Overview

I'm Cecilia, an editorial designer specializing in book cover design and illustration. I spent several years in-house at Farrar, Straus & Giroux and Forbes Media before launching my own studio.

I work best on projects that live at the intersection of image and language: literary nonfiction, essays, memoirs, translated fiction. I'm drawn to covers that feel considered and a little unexpected — not just pretty, but clever and meaningful.

Working with me means clear communication and a genuine enthusiasm for the book itself. I read the briefs carefully, ask the right questions, and deliver work that respects both the author's vision and the reader's eye.

Services

Cover Design

Non-Fiction

Biographies & Memoirs

Fiction

Christian Fiction Historical Fiction Humor & Comedy Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime

Languages

English

Certifications

Cooper Union College Typ@Cooper, Extended Typeface Design Program Certificate

Work experience

Graphics Fellow

the Onion

Sep, 2024 — Mar, 2026 (over 1 year)

Leveraged skills in illustration, design, and creative problem solving to elevate The Onion’s award-winning content across all verticals including The Onion Paper, Onion Sports, promo assets, etc.

Editorial Designer

Forbes

Jul, 2023 — Aug, 2025 (about 2 years)

Spearheaded creative production and illustration on premium articles and tent pole list launches such as 30Under30, 50 Over 50, Forbes 400 with custom illustrations, data visualization and photography while collaborating with the editorial, photo, video, social, product and tech teams to determine the best approach to storytelling across all Forbes’ digital platforms.

Junior Designer

Farrar, Straus, and Giroux

Mar, 2021 — Dec, 2022 (almost 2 years)

As a junior designer at one of America's most prestigious literary publishers, I designed book covers, marketing materials, and merchandise across FSG's list. I contributed to brand campaigns for acclaimed authors including Sally Rooney, Philip Gourevitch, and Ling Ma. Most notably, I was a part in designing the Sally Rooney bucket hat, which through it's virality, took on a life of its own.