David Ter-Avanesyan

David Ter-Avanesyan – Designer

Exceedingly detail oriented and organized, with strong collaborative and interpersonal skills; highly dedicated, and reliable.

Overview

I am a creative book cover designer with over 19 years experience designing book covers for various publishers: Skyhorse Publishing, Sterling Publishing, Simon & Schuster, Inc., Schaffner Press, TouchPoint Press, Island Press, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, University of Nevada Press, Dutton,She Writes Press, RosettaBooks, Prospect Park Books, St. Martin’s Press, Basic Books, McGraw-Hill.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Design History Photography Psychology True Crime
Fiction
Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English
Awards
  • PubWest Silver Design Award
  • Second Place Award, 31st Annual New York Book Show
  • PRINT Magazine, Color Competitio
  • HOW Magazine International Design Annual, Merit Award

Work experience

Skyhorse Publishing

Feb, 2021 — Present

–Creating dynamic book covers.
Job responsibilities:
• work closely with editors to conceptualize and successfully design original
and innovative book jackets that fulfill company’s high standards and reputation
• design, prepare, color correct, and review printer proofs of jacket mechanicals

Sterling Publishing

Oct, 2013 — Aug, 2020 (almost 7 years)

–Creating dynamic book covers.
Job responsibilities:
• work closely with art director and editors to conceptualize and successfully design original
and innovative book jackets that fulfill company’s high standards and reputation
• design, prepare, color correct, and review printer proofs of jacket mechanicals

Self-employed

Jan, 2005 — Present

Simon and Schuster

Jun, 2002 — Jun, 2013 (about 11 years)

Advanced from intern to senior-level designer, creating dynamic book covers two of which were award winning featured in prestigious design magazines.
Job responsibilities:
• successfully designed and redesigned original book jackets for all imprints
• art directed photoshoots and acted as immediate contact with photographers and illustrators
• designed, prepared, color corrected, and reviewed printer proofs of jacket mechanicals
• worked closely with art directors and editors to conceptualize and produce innovative
designs that fulfill company’s high standards and reputation
• stayed up to date with publishing industry advancements in order to improve efficiency
and creativity
• offered support to other coworkers as needed

Portfolio

All In: The Spread of Gambling in Twentieth-Century United States (Gambling Studies Series)

Gambling, the risky enterprise of chance, is one of America’s favorite pastimes. Office March Madness brackets, a day at the race track, a friendly wager, the random ridiculous Super Bowl prop bet, bingo night, or the latest media frenzy over the Powerball jac... read more
Daditude: The Joys & Absurdities of Modern Fatherhood

Chris E.

Life is never peaceful in Chris Erskine's house, what with the four kids, 300-pound beagle, chronically leaky roof, and long-suffering wife, Posh. And that's exactly the way he likes it, except when he doesn't. Every week in the Los Angeles Times and Chicago T... read more
The Whole of the Moon: A Novel

Brian R.

The Whole of the Moon consists of six crisscrossing narratives set along the old Route 66, from the Inland Empire to the terminus just off Sunset Boulevard. The stories span the years from the late 1950s to the present, and the characters are bound by a fact u... read more
The New York Times Book of Crime: More Than 166 Years of Covering the Beat

From the archives of The New York Times, 165 years of the most notorious real-life crimes. For 166 years, The New York Times has been a rich source of information about crime, its reporters racing alongside tabloids to track the shocking incidents that disrupt... read more
Mothers and Other Strangers

Gina S.

"My father proposed to my mother at gunpoint when she was nineteen, and knowing that she was already pregnant with a dead man’s child, she accepted."Thus begins this riveting story of a woman's quest to understand her recently deceased mother, a glamorous, cru... read more
The Scientology Murders: A Dead Detective Novel

William H.

"Many readers will enjoy the peek inside the organization's hierarchy. Also enjoyable is the spirited romance between Doyle and Vicky Stanopolis, his partner in more ways than one. And the surprise ending is a wowser."―Mystery Scene Magazine"This is Heffernan'... read more
Alexander Hamilton: The Illustrated Biography

Richard S.

Find out who lived and who died in the incredible story of the founding father who made America modern—and became the toast of Broadway. This richly illustrated biography portrays Alexander Hamilton’s fascinating life alongside his key contributions to America... read more
Naughtier than Nice

Eric J.

New York Times bestseller Eric Jerome Dickey revisits the scene of his holiday romp Naughty or Nice, featuring the McBroom sisters, whose romantic adventures make for a white (hot) Christmas. Readers first met the McBroom sisters in Eric Jerome Dickey’s New Yo... read more
South Haven

Hirsh S.

"A vivid portrait of second-generation immigrants living in suburban New England...Sawhney is pitch-perfect when describing the uneasy relationship between adolescents and their parents...There is much emotional truth in the author's sensitive portrayal of the... read more
The Hope

Herman W.

“One of our best writers today—a modern Charles Dickens—is Herman Wouk… The Hope is not only a good read, but it also causes a good think.”—William Safire, New York TimesStarting in 1948 and reaching its climax during the Six-Day War of 1967, The Hope begins t... read more
Love Maps

Eliza F.

"Powerfully written....Factor reveals this arresting tale through solid character development and a well-paced narrative. From its tense opening chapter to its memorable conclusion, this is a read-in-one-sitting trip."--Publishers Weekly"Compelling...a poignan... read more
After Abel and Other Stories

Michal L.

Finalist, 2015 National Jewish Book AwardHonorable Mention, Sophie Brody Medal, American Library AssociationOne of the Jewish Book Council's "15 fiction books that shaped Jewish literature in 2015"Eve considers motherhood.Miriam tends Moses.Lot’s wife looks ba... read more
Crash and Burn

Artie L.

Veteran comedian Artie Lange turns an unflinching eye and his signature wit on his perilous descent into drug addiction, life-threatening depression, and ultimately, his recovery, in the follow-up to his hilariously raw debut, the #1 New York Times bestseller ... read more
Target Churchill

Warren A.

As Great Britain and the United States celebrate a victorious end to WWII, Joseph Stalin’s relentless Soviet Union is creeping across Eastern Europe leaving a trail of devastation and murder in its wake. Winston Churchill, the cigar-puffing icon of the British... read more

David has 47 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Melissa D.

Melissa D.

May, 2023

Excellent communication and response time. As a first time author, David was very easy to work with and exhibited strong knowledge of the self-publishing industry. Product was beautiful. Highly recommend!
David T.
Thank you so much Melissa!
Tom M.

Tom M.

Mar, 2023

I was fortunate to have been led to choosing David for my book design by coincidence. I am a true believer that coincidence has meaning. If you are reading this review post, the coincidence of reading it has led you to the right designer for the cover of your book. David, is not only quick, he goes above the call to provide you with excellent designs. After a short discussion he gave me f...
Read more
David T.
Thabm you Tom for such a great review!
Laura C.

Laura C.

Mar, 2023

This is the second time I have availed myself of David's services. Always prompt, responsive and top-quality work.
David T.
Thank you Laura!
Ellen M.

Ellen M.

Jan, 2023

David is the consummate professional. He delivers more than promised and has incredible patience. David is a true artist with great instincts. He grasped the concept of our book quickly and delivered a cover that was so perfect we never could have done it without him. Put your trust in David, he will not disappoint.
David T.
Thank you for such a great review. It was wonderful to work with you!
Kelly W.

Kelly W.

Dec, 2022

David was an absolute pleasure to work with! He is efficient, professional, incredibly talented and kind! I appreciated his professional opinion and prompt responses. I look forward to working with him again someday!
David T.
Thank you Kelly! You are awesome!